Find a language exchange partner at ETH Zurich
ETH Zurich brings together people with a wide range of first, everyday and academic languages. The ETH figures page, accessed on July 2026, lists 26’942 students from more than 130 countries, including 4’266 doctoral students. At its main Zurich location, the university has two campuses: Zentrum, around the historic Main Building, and Hönggerberg in the north of the city.
A general Zurich search can hide profiles that fit your timetable, route and real-life language goals. Add “ETH Zurich” to your Sprachtandem.ch profile and you can then filter for profiles that list the same university. The entry is not verified by ETH Zurich, but it gives you a useful shared starting point for choosing a language partner.
Why choose a language exchange within ETH Zurich?
A tandem with someone from the same university connects language practice to a setting you both recognise. At ETH Zurich, an English-taught Master’s lecture, a German-language appointment outside university and a journey between campuses can all be part of the same day. Instead of generic exercises, you can practise conversations that matter in Zurich, in a team or in an academic setting.
- Shared campus context: you can establish early whether Zentrum, Hönggerberg or an online session works for both of you.
- Realistic scheduling: free periods, laboratory days and different timetables are easier to compare within the same university rhythm.
- Useful vocabulary: focus on everyday German, academic English or explaining your own project clearly to a non-specialist.
- International perspectives: students from more than 130 countries create many possible combinations of languages offered and sought.
New to tandem learning? What is a language tandem? explains how to divide the session, switch roles and support each other.
New: add your university or higher education institution to your profile
Select ETH Zurich as your university in your profile. Users who have selected the same institution can find you through the university filter. You can also narrow your search to ETH Zurich profiles, then compare learning goals, languages offered and availability.
With two main campuses in Zurich, the university entry is more informative than the city alone. “Zurich” does not tell you whether someone is usually near the university district, on Hönggerberg or mainly available online. You can clarify those details directly once you have found a promising profile. The institution entry is not verified by ETH Zurich, and Sprachtandem.ch is not an official ETH Zurich service.
Get started with Sprachtandem.ch
How to search within your university or higher education institution
- Add “ETH Zurich” to the university or higher education institution field in your profile or account.
- State which language you offer and which language you want to learn or speak more regularly.
- Open the search and filter for ETH Zurich to see relevant profiles that have listed the same institution.
- Compare each person’s learning goal, language combination and availability. Finding the ideal language exchange partner offers practical criteria.
- Make contact and arrange an online conversation or a public, well-used meeting point on the Zentrum or Hönggerberg campus.
Find tandem partners at ETH Zurich
German in the Bachelor’s, English at Master’s and doctoral level
ETH Zurich’s official language requirements, accessed in July 2026, state that most Master’s degree programmes are taught in English, while some require both English and German and a few are taught in German. ETH Zurich also describes its Bachelor’s programmes as primarily German-taught and English as the language of instruction at Master’s and doctoral levels. This progression creates very practical tandem goals.
International Master’s students and doctoral researchers can practise German for housing, local authorities, team conversations or everyday life in Zurich while continuing their academic work in English. Bachelor’s students can build their English for later courses, subject discussions and presentations. Swiss German can also help with listening in informal situations; it is not being presented here as an official language of instruction.
Useful starting points include Learning German, Learning English and Learning Swiss German. Choose one narrow goal per meeting: small talk before a meeting, a project summary without specialist jargon or follow-up questions after a short presentation.
Who is an ETH Zurich language exchange for?
An ETH-focused tandem is not tied to one semester or study level. It works best when both people have a clear goal, honest availability and enough regular contact to build momentum.
- International Master’s students who study in English and want to speak German more confidently in everyday Zurich life.
- Bachelor’s students preparing their academic English for later semesters, group work or presentations.
- Doctoral researchers and research staff who want to explain their work clearly to people outside their subject area.
- Employees who move between English-speaking teams and a German-speaking local environment.
- New members of ETH Zurich who want to meet people beyond their own department through a shared learning goal.
The page Language exchange in ZĂĽrich adds the wider local context. Before a first session, agree on expectations, length and how you will divide the languages; Make the most of your practice session provides a simple structure.
Start your language exchange at ETH Zurich
With 26’942 students from more than 130 countries according to figures accessed on 10 July 2026, the potential range of language combinations is broad. A good match still depends on specific information rather than scale alone: which language do you want to use in which situation, how often can you practise, and what meeting format fits your ETH Zurich routine?
Include your goal and typical availability alongside the language in your profile. When you first make contact, decide whether Zentrum, Hönggerberg or an online session is the best fit. According to the ETH Student portal, accessed in July 2026, eLink shuttle buses run several times every hour between the two campuses for ETH Zurich students, employees and their guests. For eligible users, that can make a university-based match workable even when your usual study or work locations differ.
Frequently asked questions about language exchange at ETH Zurich
Does ETH Zurich verify the university entry in my profile?
No. You can select ETH Zurich as your institution in your Sprachtandem.ch profile, but the entry is not confirmation from the university. Sprachtandem.ch is neither ETH Zurich’s official website nor presented here as a partner service. Use the university field as a search and orientation aid, then decide for yourself whether the other person’s learning goal, communication style and availability suit you.
Where can we meet at ETH Zurich?
ETH Zurich identifies Zentrum and Hönggerberg as its two main Zurich campuses as of July 2026. Agree on a public, well-used location that both people can identify, and share the precise meeting point in advance. You can also begin online. The university filter helps you find a relevant profile; it does not replace checking the campus, building access, timing or practical directions together.
Which languages are especially useful for an ETH Zurich tandem?
German and English are particularly relevant to ETH Zurich’s language setting. ETH states that Bachelor’s programmes are taught primarily in German, while most Master’s programmes are taught in English; some require both languages and a few are taught in German. Many other combinations can also work because the student community represents more than 130 countries. The deciding factor is what each profile actually offers and wants to learn.
Is the language exchange only for students?
No. A tandem can also suit doctoral researchers, research staff, employees and new members of ETH Zurich who maintain an appropriate Sprachtandem.ch profile. The university entry helps people with the same institutional context find one another; it is not an identity card, access credential or ETH Zurich verification. Be open about your role, the situations in which you use the language and what you want to practise.
Can I look for someone based on the other ETH Zurich campus?
You can search for profiles that list ETH Zurich as their institution, but this page does not assume a separate campus filter. Ask directly whether the other person is usually at Zentrum, Hönggerberg or online. According to the ETH Student portal, eLink runs several times every hour between the two campuses for ETH Zurich students, employees and their guests. Check the current timetable, meeting point and your own eligibility before travelling.