FRENCH Annual COURSE (FOR BEGINNERS & A1, A2 and B1 Levels)
French Annual Course (FOR BEGINNERS & A1, A2 and B1 Levels) for students registered in the one-year MAS in Sustainable Finance, Impact Investing and Development
Conditions
- Level proposed: beginners, A1, A2 and B1.
- Two hours per week during the Autumn and Spring semesters (10 weeks per semester).
- Deadline to register: One week before the beginning of the course.
- Group levels vary from beginner to intermediate.
- The course is OPTIONAL for students registered in the MAS in Sustainable Finance, Impact Investing and Development.
- The course will NOT appear on the MAS student's transcript (no ECTS) since attendance is on a voluntary basis for MAS students.
- However, please note that if registered, attendance is mandatory.
Dates
In 2026-2027, French Annual Course should take place on the following dates (TBC).
- 1st Semester: Monday 28 September to Friday 4 December 2026
- 2nd Semester: Thursday 18 February to Friday 7 May 2027
Cost
- Course materials need to be purchased (CHF 30) on the first day of class.
- The French Annual Course is free for Students registered in the MAS in Sustainable Finance, Impact Investing and Development 2026-2027.
- Please note that the registration fees for the French Intensive Summer Course and Additional French Courses are not covered by the MAS programme.
- For information, the cost for LL.M Students, Exchange Students and Visiting Fellows is CHF 300 per semester.
- Please note that if registered, attendance is mandatory.
Registration
French Intensive Summer Course
Please note that the registration fees for the French Intensive Summer Course and Additional French Courses are not covered by the MAS in Sustainable Finance, Impact Investing and Development.
To register and pay the Intensive Summer Course fees, please contact francais@graduateinstitute.ch
What is your level in French
You are a beginner if you have never taken a French course.
At A1 French level, you can handle simple and routine tasks without any problems and deal with everyday situations. You have a competence to express your simple needs; You can use French to understand dates/times/numbers, meet people, ask for places/directions, place orders.
At A2 level, you can easily make simple sentences and simple daily conversations.
At B1 level, you can initiate, maintain and end most communicative tasks required for your personal and business needs. You can understand the instructions and give direct instructions. You can easily communicate in French in social and professional situations – including participating in discussions and meetings, interrupting someone to explain a project or express your opinion.
Additional Resources
Weekly French Conversation Corner at the Geneva Graduate Institute
Students registered at the Geneva Graduate Institute who have already obtained B1 level and want to practice their French can attend the "French Conversation Corner" at the Fab. 10 sessions of 1 hour per week. Free of charge. No registration requested.
L'Amicale des Étudiant-e-s Francophones de l'IHEID
Amiacle aims to promote the French-speaking identity in all its diversity, through academic and cultural events, within IHEID and beyond in the service of the international community.
Maison des Langues at Université de Genève
Enroll in a general course for French as a foreign language. Maison des Langues offers French courses for all levels (pre-A1 to C2) at a price of 260 CHF / semester as of 2024.
Preply
Online platform offering personalized language learning experiences with private tutors for tailored one-on-one sessions, focusing on conversational skills and suitable for all levels.
Duolingo
Free, gamified language learning app offering comprehensive courses in French and many other languages through interactive lessons.
Association On Va Parler Ensemble
Geneva-based nonprofit organization promoting French
language learning through weekly, free-to-attend
conversational practice groups, fostering community
engagement and cultural exchange.
Podcasts
Duolingo Podcast
Coffee Break French
FrenchBlaBla
Youtube Channels
Français avec Pierre
Comme Une Française
Easy French
More Apps
Babbel
Memrise
Quizlet
Anki Web
