Find a language exchange partner at International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne
As of July 2026, swissuniversities lists IMD as a university institute. IMD’s campus page, also accessed in July 2026, places its Lausanne campus at Ch. de Bellerive 23, next to Lake Geneva. Unlike a large general university, IMD is a concentrated setting: the 2026 MBA class profile names 90 students and an average of 34 nationalities. Study and work there therefore bring together very different first languages, professional backgrounds and communication styles.
Two language environments stand out. On the admissions page accessed in July 2026, IMD states that the MBA is taught entirely in English. Beyond the programme, daily life is rooted in French-speaking Vaud: in 2024, 82% of the canton’s permanent resident population aged 15 and over identified French as one of their main languages, while English was reported as a language usually spoken at work by 24% of the employed population. A tandem can bridge these settings — French for Lausanne, precise English for discussion and presentations, or another language for an international next step.
Add IMD to your profile, then look for people who have selected the same institution. This is self-declared profile information on Sprachtandem.ch and is not confirmed by IMD.
Why look for a language exchange within IMD?
IMD combines degree programmes, Executive Education, research and work with companies. Its About page, accessed in July 2026, says it works with 20,000+ executives from 120+ countries annually. That international concentration lets a tandem move beyond general conversation and focus on situations that arise in academic and professional life.
- French for Lausanne: Rehearse practical conversations for housing, shopping, local services or travelling to the Bellerive campus.
- English with a professional purpose: Practise presentations, follow-up questions, networking and subject-specific vocabulary for case discussions or project conversations.
- A genuine exchange rather than a lesson: One person might offer French and seek English, while the other offers English and wants more confidence in French.
- More workable arrangements: A shared IMD context makes it easier to understand programme phases, time constraints and realistic meeting windows.
New to the format? Read What is a language tandem? to see how both partners can divide the time fairly and work towards clear goals.
New: Add your university or higher education institution to your profile
Your Sprachtandem.ch profile can include your university or higher education institution. Select IMD and use that information when searching for profiles connected with the same institution. This is practical because MBA and EMBA students, participants in other programmes, researchers, faculty and staff do not necessarily meet in the same class or work area.
The institution field does not replace a useful introduction. State which language you offer, which one you want to practise and when you are available. This helps another person judge whether a meeting in Lausanne or an online tandem is realistic. Sprachtandem.ch is an independent platform, not an official IMD website or partnership.
The guide Get Started with Sprachtandem.ch explains how to set up your profile and begin searching.
How to search within your university or institution
- Set up your profile: Create an account and add IMD as your institution.
- Choose your languages: Indicate the language you can offer and the language you want to learn or improve.
- Filter by institution: Use the institution filter in search to narrow the results to profiles carrying the same university or higher education institution.
- Check the fit: Compare goals, level, interests and availability. Finding the Ideal Language Exchange Partner can help you assess a profile beyond the institution name.
- Agree on contact and format: Arrange an online call or choose a public, clearly identifiable place in Lausanne, for example near the Bellerive campus. For distance practice, see Learning Languages Online, or explore the local context through language exchange in Lausanne.
From an English-taught MBA to French-speaking Lausanne
At IMD, English is not simply an optional foreign language: as stated on the admissions page accessed in July 2026, the entire MBA is taught in English. Beyond the programme, the surrounding language of Lausanne and Vaud is French. This daily switch makes a local tandem valuable: one conversation can cover both a concise professional argument and phrases for an ordinary situation in town.
A practical session could last 40 minutes: 20 minutes in English with a short presentation or leadership discussion, followed by 20 minutes in French using a phone call, housing enquiry or small talk in Lausanne. Instead of correcting every sentence, agree on two or three priorities for each half. Make the Most of Your Practice Session offers more structure.
For focused language practice, use the dedicated starting points for Learning English and Learning French.
Who can benefit from a language tandem at IMD?
A tandem is especially useful when you want to apply a language to real encounters at the institute and in Lausanne.
- MBA students building practical French for daily life or sharpening their English for presentations and discussion.
- EMBA and Executive Education participants who need a flexible rhythm around professional commitments and shorter periods in Lausanne.
- Researchers and faculty who want to explain specialist ideas clearly in another language.
- Staff and new international colleagues looking to navigate the French-speaking environment with more confidence.
- People connected with the IMD community who want to maintain another language for international projects, travel or personal relationships.
The key is not an identical role but a workable exchange: what can you offer consistently, and what goal can your partner pursue with you?
Start your IMD language exchange
The campus beside Lake Geneva provides a clear local point of reference, while IMD’s international community brings together varied linguistic backgrounds. Adding the institution to your profile helps you find that overlap deliberately. Write a concrete goal — such as “French for daily life in Lausanne” or “English for convincing presentations” — and look for someone whose offer and availability complement it.
Frequently asked questions about language exchange at IMD
How do I find people from IMD on Sprachtandem.ch?
Add IMD as your university or higher education institution in your profile, then use the institution filter in search. Include the language you offer, the language you are seeking and a specific goal so that other users can assess the fit. The institution entry is self-declared profile information; Sprachtandem.ch does not claim that IMD confirms a user’s affiliation.
Where could an IMD tandem meet in Lausanne?
The campus page accessed in July 2026 gives IMD’s official Lausanne address as Ch. de Bellerive 23, next to Lake Geneva. Agree on a public, clearly identifiable meeting point nearby, use another convenient public place in Lausanne, or meet online. Do not assume that every person can access IMD buildings. For a first meeting, share only the time, location and contact details genuinely needed for the arrangement.
Which languages are especially useful for a tandem at IMD?
English is an obvious choice because, as stated on the admissions page accessed in July 2026, the entire IMD MBA is taught in English. French is highly practical for daily life in Lausanne: in 2024, 82% of Vaud’s permanent resident population aged 15 and over identified French as one of their main languages. Any other language can also work when both partners’ goals, level and availability are compatible.
Is this only for MBA students?
No. The page is also relevant to EMBA and other programme participants, researchers, faculty and staff who choose IMD as their institution in their profile. Sprachtandem.ch does not verify that information on behalf of IMD. Describe your connection with the institute transparently and explain what language, experience or regular practice you can contribute to the exchange.
Can a tandem work if I am in Lausanne only for short or interrupted periods?
Yes, provided you plan around that pattern. You might use time in Lausanne for an initial meeting and continue online afterwards. A regular schedule, short prepared topics and a clear division between the two languages are often more useful than rare, long sessions. State in your profile when you are locally available and when you can meet only online.