FRENCH STUDY GUIDE 2017


Class-based learning is entwined with the opportunity to go out into Franch-speaking environments and practise what you have learned


Avignon, and the pretty hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence. The Institute itself hosts activities like debates or coffee-break discussions, while there are also cooking classes, wine dégustations, walks and games of pétanque. The school can also arrange horse-riding, golf, and painting classes. Averaging 42 years old, the students come from all over the world and every walk of life. “Some people are here to learn French because of their love of France or Provence, and they wish to retain a connection to its rich culture,” says Diaz. “Others are here to perfect their French for professional reasons, or for exam preparation.” Former student Timothy M. says, “I attended IS for French immersion, and both the quality of the school and location were fantastic for my French; the combination was the best of my four immersion experiences (the others being in Lyon, France, Brussels, and Montreal). The


school was great, and Aix was a great location to practise French outside the classroom.” Adds Jillian M., “I much preferred this method of learning to other French classes I have taken. The fact that it was entirely in French, no exceptions, really forced me to learn the language in a way I never had to before. I had to learn to adapt very quickly, and that was extremely helpful, both in and out of class. The fact that we did so much talking helped as well. We would just talk about what we did the night before and have conversations like we might have with friends in English – not only did it help us learn, but it was also fun! I think we all really enjoyed going to class.” The price for general French courses is €325 per week (for 2-4 weeks); €290 per week (for 5-7 weeks); and €270 per week (for 8-10 weeks). It’s also possible to add private lessons for an additional fee. The ‘French for Professional Purposes’ course


starts at €800 for two weeks. The Institute can also arrange accommodation for students in homestays (from €186 per week), residences (from €510 for two weeks), hotels (from €1,040 for two weeks), and studio apartments (from €480 for two weeks). 30 avenue des Écoles Militaires, 13100 Aix-en-Provence + 33 (0)4 42 93 47 90  www.is-aix.com


In describing their teaching philosophy, director Anne Lapeyre says: “Our approach focuses on communication, as we aim to enable our students to express themselves in French from the very beginning. The courses include listening, theme-based grammar tools, vocabulary acquisition and oral exercises. Students work with newspapers, internet sources, songs and films.”


“I STAYED WITH A GREAT HOST FAMILY AND THE CLASSES AND PRIVATE INSTRUCTION WERE OUTSTANDING”


ELFE Paris Can’t get enough of the City of Light? Allez à la capitale! Smack dab in the heart of Paris, ELFE is an excellent small school that’s a member of the Collège de Paris. For more than 30 years, ELFE has specialised in teaching French to adults in small groups of seven people.


ELFE offers small group lessons in general French, and in specialised fields such as medical French, French for banking and insurance, the hotel trade, French for diplomacy, legal French, as well as French for the fashion industry. International companies like Coca-Cola, Siemens, Microsoft and Novartis ❯❯


Dec/Jan 2017 FRANCE TODAY ❘ 141


© CLE, IS, ELFE, IF, FIN, SLI, AF


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