Find a language exchange partner at University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO)
HES-SO is not built around one campus. As in July 2026, it brings together 28 schools across six fields of study and seven cantons in Western Switzerland; more than 21’000 students were enrolled for the 2025/26 academic year. Students and staff in the Arc region (BE-JU-NE), Fribourg, Geneva, Valais or Vaud share one network, but not necessarily the same town or language setting.
On Sprachtandem.ch, you can add HES-SO to your profile and filter the search for profiles linked to the same institution. For a decentralised network, this creates useful common ground without suggesting that every HES-SO member studies at the same school or lives nearby.
Most teaching at HES-SO is in French. Fribourg and Valais also offer French-German bilingual or German-language programmes, while HES-SO is expanding programmes delivered partly or fully in English. A tandem can therefore support French for seminars, German for regional mobility or English for international project work.
Find tandem partners connected to HES-SO
Why choose a language exchange within HES-SO?
A shared university network gives you a practical starting point. Both partners may recognise the rhythm of classes, project deadlines, placements, studio work or research. At HES-SO, that common ground spans regions and professional disciplines.
- A broad community: more than 21’000 students were enrolled in 2025/26, with varied levels, schedules and learning goals. The university filter helps narrow the available profiles.
- Bridges between language regions: French-German exchange is particularly relevant in Fribourg and Valais, while French practice can support classes, teamwork and everyday conversations across the mainly French-speaking network.
- Real topics from six fields: Art & Design, Business, Management and Services, Engineering & Architecture, Music and Performing Arts, Health Sciences and Social Work offer subject-specific conversation material.
- An international outlook: as in July 2026, HES-SO reports more than 900 partner institutions, making mobility and international collaboration natural reasons to practise.
New to the format? What is a language tandem? explains the reciprocal learning principle.
New: add your university or higher education institution to your profile
Add HES-SO to your profile so other users can understand your university context, then filter the search for the same institution. This is especially useful at HES-SO because a profile from the Arc region, Fribourg, Geneva, Valais or Vaud may belong to the same network but need a different meeting plan.
Include the language you offer, the one you want to practise, your approximate level, HES-SO region and availability. You maintain this information yourself; it is not confirmed or verified by HES-SO. For profile and account guidance, see Your Sprachtandem.ch Account.
How to search within your university
- Create a clear profile and add HES-SO as your institution. Get Started with Sprachtandem.ch shows which details improve profiles and first messages.
- Select the language you offer and the one you want to practise. Add a specific goal, such as speaking more confidently in French group discussions.
- Select HES-SO in the university filter. Because it refers to the main institution, check each profile for the person’s school or region.
- Compare goals, level, availability and meeting format. Use the guide to finding the ideal language exchange partner when choosing.
- Make contact and agree on time for both languages. Meet online or at a public place near your respective HES-SO school; for longer distances, see Learning Languages Online.
One network, several language zones: the HES-SO reality
As of 10 July 2026, HES-SO describes its teaching as mainly French-language. Fribourg and Valais are bilingual cantons within the network and offer French-German bilingual or German-language programmes. Programmes taught partly or entirely in English add another layer. “HES-SO” is therefore a useful filter, but not a complete learning goal.
State where and why you need the language. At a mainly French-speaking location, that might mean joining informal conversations or project discussions more easily. In Fribourg or Valais, a French-German tandem can help you move between regional language contexts. English may be the priority for presentations, specialist reading or international contacts.
For the wider national context, read These are the languages spoken in Switzerland. Learners preparing for a French-speaking study or work setting can also explore Learning French.
Who benefits from a language tandem at HES-SO?
A tandem works best when a clear speaking goal fits the realities of your studies or work:
- new and exchange students seeking confidence at a mainly French-speaking HES-SO location;
- French- or German-speaking community members in Fribourg and Valais who want regular practice in the other language;
- students preparing for, completing or returning from mobility within a network of more than 900 partner institutions;
- researchers and staff using French or English for meetings, presentations and cross-disciplinary contacts;
- learners across the six fields who want to practise professional vocabulary through real subject matter.
Set a topic, divide the time fairly and finish with brief feedback. Make the Most of Your Practice Session provides a simple structure.
Start your HES-SO language exchange
Across 28 schools in seven cantons, the right partner may not be in the same building or region. The HES-SO filter still provides a meaningful starting point. Then check whether location, language combination and learning goal fit: French for the mainly French-speaking environment, German for bilingual Fribourg and Valais, or English for international work.
Write a concrete goal, name your region and state whether you prefer online or in-person meetings. This turns a broad search into a more useful selection of profiles with an HES-SO connection.
Frequently asked questions about language exchange at HES-SO
How do I add HES-SO to my profile?
Open your profile and add HES-SO in the university or higher education institution field. New users can begin with Create profile. Also include the language you offer, the language you want to practise, your level, region and availability. The university entry is information you maintain yourself. It is not checked by HES-SO and does not constitute official confirmation of affiliation.
Can I find someone at the same HES-SO school or location?
The filter narrows the search to the main institution, HES-SO. Because the network covers 28 schools in seven cantons, a match is not automatically at the same member school or in the same town. Check the profile’s location and school details, then ask about the specific HES-SO setting in your first message. An online tandem may be more reliable when the distance between regions is substantial.
Which languages are most relevant for a tandem at HES-SO?
French is an obvious choice because HES-SO states that most courses are taught in French as in July 2026. French-German tandems are particularly relevant in Fribourg and Valais, where bilingual or German-language programmes are available. English can support international projects and English-taught programmes. The best choice is not simply the most common language, but the one tied to your actual study, work or mobility situation.
Is this only for enrolled students?
No. An HES-SO-related tandem can also be useful for exchange students, researchers, staff or people who are new to an HES-SO environment. Keep your profile information accurate and current, and make your learning goal understandable to potential partners. Sprachtandem.ch does not verify university affiliation on behalf of HES-SO.
Is Sprachtandem.ch HES-SO’s official language tandem service?
No. Sprachtandem.ch is an independent platform and is neither HES-SO’s official website nor presented here as an HES-SO partner. On its own language-learning page, accessed in July 2026, HES-SO lists a separate cross-institutional e-tandem service for students and staff. This page concerns only the self-entered university field in a Sprachtandem.ch profile and the related search filter.