Language training
The language department of the Military Academy (MILAC) at ETH Zurich offers lessons in German, French and English to career officer candidates in the basic training courses of study (diploma and bachelor programs).
Training objectives
Second national language (German or French)
In the second national language, students develop the language skills required for a successful first assignment as a career officer.
English
Students acquire the ability to
- employ English-language sources efficiently for their academic studies
- write texts for their academic studies
- achieve at least a B2 level according to the CEFR
- communicate fluently in an international environment as part of their work as a professional officer
Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages must be achieved in all languages.
In addition, students with an appropriate level of competence can be prepared for external language diploma examinations on an individual basis:
- German: Goethe C1or C2
- French: DALF C1 or C2
- English: IELTS
Courses
Depending on the basic training course of study, the following languages are taught:
Bachelor program (BLG)
2nd national language (level B2)
- 120 lessons (two semesters plus one intensive week per semester)
- 30 lessons of military English (one intensive week)
English (level B2)
- 180 lessons (three semesters plus one intensive week per semester)
- 30 lessons of Military English (one intensive week)
Diploma program (DLG)
2nd national language (level B2)
- 90 lessons (two semesters)
English (level B2)
- The level of English is determined at the beginning of the course by means of an assessment test
- At the beginning of the course, students take a TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) and an oral examination in which they must achieve level B2
Further activities
The language department also provides services in the following areas:
- Text translation and proofreading (English/French/German and Italian)
- Creation and evaluation of teaching materials with a focus on military terminology
- Entrance examinations as part of Selection procedure 2 (language and sports testing)
- Determination of the language skills of career officers and non-commissioned officers with regard to long assignments abroad (LAK)
- Further training courses in English in preparation for Selection procedures 3 and 4
- E-learning: further-education courses in English, German and French
- Conducting TOEIC exams for professional military personnel and DDPS employees
National languages
The first national language is:
- German, French or Italian
The second national language is:
- French for course participants with German as their first national language
- German for course participants with French or Italian as their first national language
Sanson Schweizer (Head of language training)
Teaching activity
- German as a foreign language
- French as a foreign language
- Military terminology (German/French/English)
- Electronic training courses (e-learning)
- Coordination of WBT lessons on the LMS platform
Cristina Maritz (Deputy Head of Language Training)
Teaching activity
- French as a foreign language
- German as a foreign and native language
- Electronic training courses (e-learning)
Erica Dinale
Teaching activity
- Italian as a foreign and native language
- French as a foreign language
- Electronic training courses (e-learning)
Andrew Clarke
Teaching activity
- English as a foreign language
- Electronic training courses (e-learning)
René Machu
Teaching activity
- English as a foreign language
- German as a foreign and native language
- Electronic training courses (e-learning)