FAQ

Does le FIL de l'EFLE offer accommodation? 

In summer, le FIL has a few rooms available in a university residence for course participants. The price of the room is not included in the course fee. Further information can be obtained from Le FIL secretariat. 
In winter, le FIL does not offer accommodation. However, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can inform you of the possibilities available to you.

Do I need a visa or residence permit to come to Switzerland?

Le FIL de l'EFLE recommends that you contact the relevant authorities in your country to find out whether you need a visa or residence permit to enter Switzerland.

Do I need a visa or residence permit to register for EFLE's FIL services?

You don't need a visa or residence permit to register for le FIL de l'EFLE services.

Am I covered in case of an accident or illness during my stay?

Le FIL de l'EFLE does not provide insurance for its participants. 

You must ensure that you have accident and health insurance that covers you abroad. If this is not the case, le FIL de l'EFLE strongly recommends that you take out such insurance before you arrive in Switzerland. 

Are there any health rules to be respected?

Le FIL de l'EFLE would be grateful if you could inform the secretariat of any illness you may experience during the course, so that the necessary measures can be taken.

During heat waves, we recommend that you drink plenty of water and stay in the shade.

I've registered for a course but can no longer take it. Can I cancel and get a refund? 

Once your enrolment has been confirmed, you cannot cancel or obtain a refund, even in cases of force majeure. If you find someone willing to take over your enrolment under the same conditions, we can transfer your enrolment. You will find the conditions of this transfer in article 11 of our General Terms and Conditions.

► General Terms and Conditions

I will not be able to take all the courses. Can I get a discount? 

Le FIL does not grant a discount if you cannot attend the whole series. 

Le FIL recommends that you make all the necessary arrangements to ensure your attendance. 

Le FIL also points out that you cannot miss more than 20% of the morning classes in order to obtain the certificate.

► Règlement d'études et des formations de l'EFLE

► General Terms and Conditions

I am ill. Can I get a refund for missed classes? 

Teachers will inform you about missed content, nevertheless no refunds are possible. 

Le FIL de l'EFLE also points out that you may not miss more than 20% of morning classes in order to obtain a certificate.

► Règlement d'études et des formations de l'EFLE

► General Terms and Conditions

I'm a UNIL student. How do I get the discount? 

You need to go to Le FIL de l'EFLE secretariat (office 2093 at the Anthropole) with your registration certificate. You will receive a form to fill in with your bank details, and you will be reimbursed within 30 days. 

For further information

► Prices and discounts

I'm a UNIL employee, can I get a discount? 

There are no preferential prices for UNIL employees. We suggest you check with your department to see if any assistance can be received.

I can't pay by credit card, what can I do?

If you are unable to pay by credit card, please contact Le FIL de l'EFLE secretariat to find a solution. 

If you have the possibility, you can also go to the secretariat and pay for your course in cash (office 2093 at the Anthropole). 

► Contact

Does Le FIL de l'EFLE offer scholarships? 

Unfortunately, Le FIL does not offer any scholarships or financial aid. 

Is it possible to pay for the course in instalments? 

It is possible to pay in instalments. To do so, contact Le FIL secretariat. However, the full amount must be paid before the start of the course. If this rule is not respected, the course will be cancelled without refund. 

► General terms and Conditions

I would like to come by public transport, what should I do? 

The Anthropole building is served by the M1 metro line. The stop you need to get off at is "UNIL - Chamberonne". The Anthropole building is closest to the metro stop, with doors at either end of the building, so you can exit from either side of the metro. 

From Lausanne station: Take the M2 towards "Croisettes" and get off at the 1st stop: "Lausanne-Flon". Then follow the signs for the M1 - "Renens Gare" line and get off at "UNIL-Chamberonne".

You can buy tickets directly on the SBB app, online or at the ticket machines (note: some only accept change). 

I would like to come by car, what about parking?

Parking on the University site is regulated and subject to a charge. You can obtain a parking permit for the "Centre" parking lot at a cost of CHF 60 for 4 weeks. 

The permit must be collected in advance from the Parking Office on presentation of your FIL course registration confirmation and your vehicle registration document. 

► Parking at UNIL

Can I withdraw money at UNIL? 

There are two cash withdrawal points at UNIL: a postomat is located in the Anthropole building, the same building where le FIL de l'EFLE courses are held, and a ATM/cash dispenser is located on the caferaria floor of the Internef building. 

Can I pay by card at UNIL? 

Yes, most places are equipped with card readers.

Can I register for the Centre de Sport et Santé? 

Yes, with proof that you are taking part in Le FIL course, you can register for the intersemester program. Everything will be explained during the sports afternoon.

► The center Sport Santé UNIL + EPFL

Can I choose the level of my class?

Before the course begins, you will receive an e-mail asking you to complete an online language assessment test. The result of this test will form the basis of your class placement. The language assessment does not apply to those enrolled in the complete beginners' course.

On the first day, you will take part in an oral activity that will enable Le FIL to fine-tune the general level of the class, so that it is as homogeneous as possible. The "Introductions to academic texts" option and the complete beginners classes do not include this oral activity. 

How do I know if I'm at the right level to enroll in the intensive course or the Introduction to academic texts option? 

We recommend that you test your language level with the online test or refer to the CEFR language level grid.

► Le point du FLE

► Understanding language levels

I already have a language certificate. Can I take the next level up? 

No. You will be assigned to a class according to the result of the first day's language skills and oral activity assessment, thus no language certificate will be taken into account when creating classes. 

To register for the "Introduction to academic texts" or for the intensive courses, do I need to show a certificate attesting my language level?

Le FIL does not require any certificate. All you need to do is self-assess so that the courses you choose are not too difficult. Please note that no refund will be offered if the course is too difficult for your level.

► Understanding language levels

► General terms and conditions

How do I complete the language skills assessment? 

Approximately two weeks before the start of the course, you will receive an e-mail from the IT Center containing your UNIL ID and an e-mail from Le FIL with instructions on how to complete the language skills assessment. You will need to log on to the Moodle platform using the login details provided (see IT services).

Is the language skills assessment compulsory? 

If you are enrolled in an intensive or semi-intensive course, you are required to complete the language skills assessment. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your enrolment, without refund. This assessment is essential, as it enables us to create classes according to each person's level.

If you have registered for the complete beginners course, you do not need to complete the language skills assessment.

► General terms and conditions

Does the course certificate certify my language level?

The certificate certifies that you have taken a course at Le FIL de l'EFLE and mentions the course content and the number of hours of instruction. The level indicated is not necessarily equivalent to your personal language level, but to the level of the lessons taken.

If you need certification of your individual language level, we suggest you register for the Certificat of Qualification en Français (CQF) and check whether the institution for which you need a certificate recognizes the CQF.

► Certificate of Qualification in French

I was ill, can I get my course certificate if I provide a medical certificate?

The course certificate is only issued if 80% of the morning courses (practical and workshop courses, IEU option courses, complete beginners courses) have been successfully completed. No exceptions may be requested.

► Règlement d'études et des formations de l'EFLE

I must work on the side. Can I get the course certificate if I've missed classes because of work?

The course certificate is only issued if 80% of the morning courses (practical and workshop courses, IEU option courses, complete beginners courses) have been successfully completed. No exceptions may be requested.

► Règlement d'études et des formations de l'EFLE

Is the Certificate of Qualification in French (CQF) recognized for admission to the University of Lausanne?

The University of Lausanne recognizes the CQF for admission to the University of Lausanne. If you have any questions about admission to the University, please contact the Admissions Office. 

► Admissions Office

Who recognizes the Certificate of Qualification in French (CQF)?

Le FIL recommends that you contact institutions directly where certification of a language level is required of you. Le FIL cannot be held responsible for the non-recognition by an institution of the CQF.

How do I prepare for the Certificate of Qualification in French (CQF)?

The intensive course includes Enseignement Mutuel en Contexte (EMC), which enables you to prepare the Portfolio required for the CQF oral exam. Sample exams are also available on the website, so that you can familiarize yourself with the content of the exams. You can also consult the assessment grids to find out what will be expected on exam day.

► The Portfolio

► The CQF exams

► EMC

I have registered for the CQF exams. However, I won't be able to attend the day of the Certificate of Qualification in French (CQF) exams. What can I do?

If you are unable to attend any of the CQF exams, please contact the FIL secretariat. 

► Règlement des examens CQF de l'EFLE

The Multimedia Center

You can visit the Multimedia Center to get access to a computer and take advantage of the various multimedia creation and language learning tools on offer.

► The Multimedia Center

Do I need a computer for the courses?

You don't need a computer specifically for le FIL de l'EFLE's courses. However, some activities do require access to a computer. Computer rooms are available at UNIL, or you can ask le FIL de l'EFLE to lend you a computer during EMC class time if you are enrolled in the intensive course.

Can I rent or borrow a computer at UNIL?

If you are a registered student at UNIL, you can contact the computer repair/loan service.
Le FIL de l'EFLE can lend you a computer within the limits available when you are in an EMC class. The computer must be collected from the series assistant before the start of class and returned at the end of class. Computer rooms are available at UNIL outside class hours.

► Computer repair and loan service

How do I connect to Moodle?

When you arrive on the Moodle site, choose to connect with the AAI-Switch edu-ID and select Université de Lausanne, then enter your Switch edu-ID.

Once connected to Moodle, you can find your courses by clicking on: "All courses" then "Faculté des lettres" and "Le FIL de l'EFLE".

Note that you first need to activate your UNIL account with the login details you received from the IT Center (Helpdesk) and have created a Switch edu-ID account.

► Moodle

How long will my documents be available on Moodle?

Course documents made available by your teachers on Moodle will be available up to 4 months after the last day of class.

How do I activate my UNIL login? 

Approximately 14 days before the start of the course, you will receive your UNIL login details by e-mail adress from the IT Center (Helpdesk) you used for registration. To activate your account, go to the link indicated in the document. Follow the procedures. You will be asked to create a Switch edu-ID account (see below). At the end of the process, you'll be asked to change the password. This new password can be the same as the Switch edu-ID password. 

► Activate UNIL account

How do I create a Switch edu-ID account? 

When activating your UNIL credentials you will be asked to create a Switch edu-ID account. Use your personal e-mail address (not the UNIL one) to create the account and enter the password of your choice. Your UNIL e-mail address will be linked to the Switch edu-ID account. 

► Activate UNIL account

What's the difference between Switch edu-ID and UNIL accounts?

The Switch edu-ID account allows you to log in to Moodle to complete the language assessment, access the documents provided by your teachers and complete the EMC activity sheets if you are enrolled in the intensive course. When your Switch edu-ID login is requested, you can enter either your UNIL or personal e-mail address. The password is always the one you entered when creating your Switch edu-ID account. 

The UNIL account enables you to use the printers and photocopiers and to connect to the Internet. Your login can be your UNIL email address (for Internet) or your username (printers and photocopiers). The password is the one you set at the end of the UNIL login activation.

How do I change my UNIL password?

You can change your UNIL password by clicking on the link below. You'll need your Switch edu-ID to do this. 

► Change my password
 

How do I find my UNIL ID?

The UNIL login is made up of the first letter of your first name followed by your surname, possibly followed by a number (e.g. jdupont or jdupont2). You can find it by changing your UNIL password, which is shown in the yellow box. 

► Find your ID

How do I change my Switch edu-ID password?

You can change your password directly from your Switch edu-ID account. If you've forgotten it, you can reset it by clicking on "forgot password". 

► Login to Switch edu-ID

How do I check my UNIL mailbox?

Approximately 14 days before the start of your course, you will receive your UNIL login details by e-mail from the IT Center (Helpdesk), to the mailbox you used for registration. Once your account has been activated, you can consult your e-mail inbox. If you are taking intensive courses, your teachers will send you information on this mailbox. 

Click on the link below, then on "connect" in the top right-hand corner of the window. Enter your UNIL e-mail address (e.g. prénom.nom@unil.ch) and the password for your UNIL account.

► Check UNIL mailbox

How long does the e-mail box remain active after classes?

The e-mail box and the UNIL account remain activated 6 months after the end of Le FIL courses.

How can I get Internet access at UNIL?

On the University of Lausanne campus, you can connect to the Eduroam network. To connect, activate your wifi and select Eduroam. Enter your UNIL e-mail address and UNIL password.

Can I make photocopies at UNIL? 

When you register for the first time, you receive a 300-page credit for printing or photocopying documents. Photocopiers are available in the Campus buildings. You need to log in to the machine by entering your UNIL username and UNIL password. 

How do I print documents at UNIL? 

When you register for the first time, you receive a 300-pages credit for printing or photocopying documents. You can print from your own computer or from a computer available in the buildings on campus. 

From your own computer, choose the printUNIL option appropriate to your operating system. 

Select the documents you wish to print and choose the printer: printUNIL (color or black & white) and enter your UNIL credentials (UNIL username and password). To print, go to a printer/photocopier and connect to the machine by entering your UNIL ID (UNIL username and password). 

► Print from your own computer