Private French courses · In person and online
FIDE test preparation in Geneva: French courses for A1, A2 and B1
Personalised FIDE preparation in Geneva or online, at A1, A2 or B1. Our experienced teachers guide you from your first evaluation to exam day, so you can prove your language skills with confidence.
- Experienced teachers who know the FIDE system and language exams in general
- Face to face, hybrid or fully online classes with an experienced French tutor
- Training materials included: practice papers, model tests and corrections
- A plan built around your test date
eduQua-certified language school · near Cornavin station
1/4What do you need it for?
2/4What can you already do in French?
Tick what you can already do without much help. Be honest: it only works for you.
A1First steps
A2Everyday situations
B1Independent
A self-check gives you a first picture, not a measured result. Many candidates misjudge themselves, so treat it as a starting point.
3/4When are you taking it?
4/4How do you like to prepare?
✓Your plan
A suggestion, not an evaluation. A teacher gives you an accurate answer at your free evaluation.
- eQeduQua-certified school
- 3In person, hybrid or online
- A1–B1Oral and written parts
- 0 CHFFree first evaluation
How we accompany you to your FIDE test
At My Linguistics, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all preparation. Here is how we work:
- Free
We assess your level
A free placement evaluation, in person, by video or by phone, to determine your current oral skills and understanding.
- Your plan
We plan backwards from your test date
Target level, test date, registration deadline: we build a realistic study plan around them.
- In class
Speaking and listening in class
Conversation, examiner-style questions and listening exercises, where a teacher makes the biggest difference.
- At home
Reading and writing at home
You send us your tasks, we correct your writing individually and go through it together in class. Less class time, more progress.
- In class
A mock exam
The real format, the same kind of instructions and topics, so you know what to fix.
- The day
Exam day
You know the format, you know what to expect and you walk in prepared.
You write and read
Individual corrections
We go through it and you speak
Want a first indication? Take our free French level test online, A1 to B1, no signup needed. It gives you a good idea, but it is only an indication: an accurate evaluation needs a teacher, which is what your free evaluation with us is for.
Check your French for freeExperienced teachers who know the FIDE system
Our teachers specialise in FIDE and in language exams in general: how each test is built, what content each part covers and how responses are marked. We have prepared many candidates for it and for other language certificates, and our school brings that experience to every lesson.
- Native-speaking instructors with years of FIDE experience
- Real exam strategies, not just general French
- Targeted feedback on your speaking, reading and writing
My Linguistics is an eduQua-certified language school, independently audited under the Swiss quality label for continuing education.
Verify our eduQua certificationRead what our students say in our Google reviews.
See our Google reviews (opens in a new tab)Classes face to face, hybrid or fully online
In our language school
Rue des Alpes, 1201 Geneva, near Cornavin station.
Some in person, some online
Mix both formats around your week.
By Zoom or Teams
Anywhere in Switzerland.
These courses are private: we work on your personal difficulties with the language, which is hard to do in a group. We also run group French classes that cover many of the same topics, as the test is about daily life. Some students join a group class and add private FIDE lessons.
Need to improve your French by a level quickly?
Some candidates simply need to learn the exam format. Others need to improve their French by a full level first. Our French courses cover both.
From complete beginner, for the test · from our experience
Our hours are for test preparation: passing the FIDE test, not mastering French for every situation in daily life. It depends on your linguistic background, your personality, how much you practise between classes and other factors. Some students have managed faster. Every case is different, so after your free level check we give you our honest view of how many hours you need.
FIDE courses in Geneva: packages and prices
All our FIDE courses include mock exam practice, targeted speaking exercises and real exam strategies. Packages are private, paid in advance and booked after your free placement evaluation.
120 CHF per hour
An overview of the exam for confident test day.
- What will come up in each part of the exam
- Going through mock papers together
- Conversation practice
- 1 correction of your reading and writing
Three hours give you a clear general view of the exam. There isn’t time to work through each theme in detail.
Ideal if you already have a solid French foundation and need targeted training.
Book this package110 CHF per hour
Full coverage with more speaking and writing time.
- Introduction and strategy session
- Assessment with a mock FIDE test
- 4 hours of speaking-focused lessons
- 2 corrections of your reading and writing
- Access to our online practice platform
Ideal if you want a structured plan across all four skills.
Book this package100 CHF per hour
Private course combining general French and exam strategies.
- A customised course to improve your level and your exam skills
- Full access to our exercises and model tests
- Speaking, listening, reading and writing
Ideal if you are starting from a lower level or need fast, intensive progress.
Book this packageNot sure which package fits? Build your plan or book your free level check.
Training materials that support your progress
Between classes, you work on our online learning platform with FIDE sample papers and model tests that follow the official format, topics and difficulty, from A1 to B1. Most papers include model answers, and you get AI feedback on your written answers.
Prefer to prepare on your own?
No problem. You can use our FIDE practice papers without taking classes. Start with the free examples, no account needed, then get full access for 115 CHF a year.
If you get stuck, you can still book a few hours with a teacher later, using the packages on this page.
Which FIDE level do you need?
| Your application | Oral part | Written part |
|---|---|---|
| Residence permit (B permit) | A1 | not required |
| Settlement permit (C permit), regular | A2 | A1 |
| Settlement permit (C permit), early | B1 | A1 |
| Naturalisation | B1 | A2 |
These are the federal minimum levels; always confirm with your canton. Preparing for a higher level can save time later. More detail in our FIDE guide, from A1 to B1.
Tips from our teachers
- Read authentic Swiss documentsLetters from your régie, notices, forms. Reading comprehension uses short everyday texts.
- Write a short text every dayA message, an email. Bring it to class and we correct your writing.
- Learn key administrative vocabularyAppointments, housing, work, health.
- Understand the evaluation criteriaFor your level, oral and written.
- Practise speaking with a teacherFamiliar with the format.
The FIDE test at a glance
Proof of language skills
Since 1 January 2019, foreign nationals applying for certain permits must prove their language skills. FIDE is one accepted proof, alongside recognised language certificates, and it also assesses language skills for Swiss nationality applications.
Oral and written
The FIDE test assesses your language skills in an oral part (speaking and understanding, 40 minutes) and a written part (reading and writing, 60 minutes in total). You can take the entire test, only the oral part or only the written part.
Official prices
In CHF. Official prices, set nationally, so the same everywhere in Switzerland.
At the latest 15 days before
With an examination institution, at the latest 15 days before the test date. Some institutions close registration earlier, often several weeks before, and places fill up, so check your centre’s registration deadline and plan your registration early.
About four weeks
Sent by post with your language passport, about four weeks later (up to six weeks for tests between mid-December and mid-January).
The official website
The FIDE test was developed on behalf of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Full details on the content of each part are on the official FIDE website, where you can also download a free model test.
FIDE courses: your questions
How much preparation do I need for the FIDE test?
It depends on where you start, your target and your background. As a guide: around 30 hours from complete beginner to A1, around 40 to A2 and around 80 to B1, for the test. The free level check tells you where you stand.
How can I check my French level?
For a first indication, take our free online French level test: writing and reading, speaking and listening, with your result on screen at the end. For an accurate result, book a free evaluation with one of our teachers.
Where are classes held?
In our language school near Cornavin station, online anywhere in Switzerland, or a mix of both.
Are FIDE courses private or in a group?
They are private. If you prefer a group, our group French classes cover many FIDE topics, and you can combine them with private FIDE lessons.
Can I prepare for only the written part?
Yes. If you only need the written test, we focus on reading and writing. If you only need the oral test, we focus on speaking and understanding, so you understand the questions and answer with confidence.
Can you help me plan around the registration deadline?
Yes. We plan backwards from your test date and registration deadline, so your registration is on time. You register yourself with the examination institution.
What kind of resources do you use?
Our own FIDE sample papers, model tests and exercises, built on the official test format. They are included in the Essentials and Complete packages.
Are My Linguistics courses official FIDE courses?
No. Our courses, sample papers and mock tests are developed independently by My Linguistics. They are not official FIDE services and are not approved or issued by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
What is the language passport?
The document you receive by post with your test results. It shows your result in the oral part, the written part or both, and you use it as proof of your language skills for your permit or naturalisation. In principle it is valid for life, but authorities can ask for a more recent certificate if yours is very old.
Is there a better time of year to take the test?
You can take it all year. Plan around December, January and August, when administrative offices often slow down, and around June and July, when it can be harder to keep up your preparation.
What if I have a disability?
Special rules apply. They are agreed between the examination institution and the fide office, so contact the institution when you register.
Ready to start your FIDE test preparation?
Contact us or sign up for a free placement evaluation on our website: we look at your French, answer your questions and give you an honest view of the hours you need.
Preparing alone? Try the free sample papers.
