Language and Integration

Presentation

The "Language and Integration" component aims to support participants of the Horizon Academic program in learning French by offering courses tailored to their specific needs and objectives. Jointly managed by the Maison des Langues and the School of French Language and Civilization (ELCF), this language training initiative seeks to facilitate participants’ academic and social integration by equipping them with the linguistic skills needed to succeed in their studies in Geneva, particularly achieving the CEFR B2 level required for enrollment in higher education institutions in the canton.

Course Description

The curriculum includes various tailored French courses and workshops covering CEFR levels A2 to B2. Designed specifically for program participants, the curriculum features courses in French as a Foreign Language (CR FLE), French for Academic Purposes (CR FOU), reinforcement modules (CR RENF), and practical workshops (AT FLE).

The program is structured to allow participants to progress step-by-step from one level to the next as they advance.

Instructors

The courses are taught by qualified instructors with extensive experience in teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE) to migrant audiences. The workshops are led by Master's students specializing in French as a Foreign Language at the ELCF.

The pedagogical and didactic orientations are determined by a scientific director and implemented by the pedagogical coordination team.

Research

Since its inception, the development of the "Language and Integration" component of the Horizon Academic program has been closely linked to scientific research. This research draws on challenges from the field, which it enriches through various studies (Master’s theses, scientific articles).

So far, research has explored questions such as:

  • What kind of French should be taught to a university-level migrant audience?
  • How do students perceive the didactic setup?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of a custom "ad hoc" system?

Current research focuses on pedagogical aspects, including the training of Master's students in FLE who work as tutors in complementary French workshops, as well as the development of competency frameworks for levels A2, B1, and B2.

Two Master’s theses on the "Language & Integration" component of the Horizon Academic program are currently underway. These aim to better understand the links between language instruction and academic and social integration.

Related Publications

  • Crettenand, M. & Reusse, S. (2019). The challenge of integrating refugees with a university background: The Horizon Academic program at the University of Geneva. Language Learning in Higher Education, 9(1), 127–138. Link
  • Crettenand, M. (2021). Diversity in universities: A proposal. Terra cognita, 38, 94–95. Link
  • Devito, S. (2020). Review and prospects in the learning experiences of students in the Horizon Academic program at the University of Geneva. Unpublished Master’s thesis, University of Geneva. Link
  • Moulin, D., Fonseca Favre, M. & Racine, I. (2022). Emergency as a catalyst? Issues related to the development of the “Language and Integration” component of the Horizon Academic program. Didactique du FLES. Recherches et pratiques, 1(2), 8–23. Link
  • Racine, I., Fonseca Favre, M., Moulin, D. & Decap, J. (2024). The “Language & Integration” component of the Horizon Academic program in light of “emergency didactics”. LIDIL, 69. Link