Executive Summary

In 2025, the Language Center of the University of Zurich (UZH) and ETH Zurich continued to experience strong demand for its programs, confirming the central role of language and academic communication skills in an increasingly international and digitally mediated academic environment. With a total of 10,404 course participants, the Center maintained stable growth while slightly reducing the number of courses offered, ensuring that resources are being well invested (see also Das SUEZ in Zahlen).

This year, the Language Center further sharpened its strategic profile by structuring its activities along three interconnected pillars: Language Acquisition, the Academic Communication Center  (ACC), and Autonomous Learning. The launch and consolidation of the ACC marked an important step in bundling expertise in academic writing, presentation, and disciplinary communication across languages, thereby providing participants with the transversal competencies that are essential for research excellence, teaching quality, and employability. 

The program language portfolio was also selectively expanded in response to emerging needs. Korean was introduced into the regular course offering for the first time, reflecting growing academic and economic interest in East Asia. At the same time, the continuation of Modern Greek from 2026 onward was successfully secured with the support of the Greek Embassy in Bern. In the area of digital and flexible learning, the new self-paced online course Getting started: German at UZH (A1.1) attracted 145 enrolments in its first phase.

Cooperation with institutional partners remained an important component of the Center's activities. Joint programs with the UZH Office for Continuing Education reached 74 staff participants, including new courses on the use of AI tools for English-language texts. The Language Center also continued its contribution to UZH's Explore program for refugees, underlining its role in supporting access and integration.

For more information about our projects in 2025 see Projekte.

Autonomous learning services at both Self-Access Centers remained stable and well used. In 2025, 722 tandem partnerships were facilitated across 25 languages . The centers further expanded multilingual learning activities, advisory services, and its selection of curated learning materials, integrating Korean resources and enhancing the digital visibility of program holdings. See also Autonomes Lernen.

The 2025 financial year closed with a positive balance, reflecting stable demand and careful expenditure management. As the UZH and ETH landscape continues to evolve, strategic prioritization of resources will remain essential. For more information see Budget und Rechnung.

Looking ahead, the Language Center will focus on deepening its role as a joint strategic infrastructure for UZH and ETH Zurich, with particular emphasis on positioning language and communication expertise as a key component of both human literacy and AI literacy.