FRENCH STUDY GUIDE 2023


Language in Provence This relaxed school in the Luberon Valley runs courses from May to November every year. The organisers describe it so: “Our weeks combine language learning with visits that follow the rhythm of the seasons, from lavender fields, wine and villages, and art and history to French produce and markets, glorious gardens, local artisan workshops, fascinating truffle hunting and cooking days with a highly experienced chef.” www.languageinprovence.com


SOUTH-WEST FRANCE Centre Hobson


The Centre Hobson offers total immersion linguistic holidays in the town of Béziers. There is a choice of different programmes to suit all budgets and ages. www.french-school-south-france. com


Alliance Française Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine There’s a whole host of different courses on offer at this school in Bordeaux, part of the Alliance Française network. They include intensive courses, online learning, university French, grammar workshops,


conversation and current affairs workshops. The school headquarters is on Rue Abbé de l’Épée, in the centre of town. www.alliance-bordeaux.org


Roussilangues


At this school in Bélesta, in the Pyrénées-Orientales, there are one-to-one and group courses available, all overseen by Sophie. “Whether you need to learn French, get confidence in conversation or need to improve or work on specific themes, we can tailor a specific programme, just for you,” she says. sophlascombes.wixsite.com/ roussilangues


Institut Français de Langues et de Services


Created in 1992, the IFLS offers year-round courses in Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Students can stay with a host family, or in a


hotel. Field trips and excursions are available. “Teaching languages promotes better understanding between people of different cultures and languages,” the college says. www.ifls-france.com


Langue Onze Toulouse This school in Toulouse offers year-round courses, including general French, French and cooking, French and oenology, and French for teacher training. Courses range in length from one week to 48 weeks. Cultural and social activities, sports and excursions are also offered. www.langueonze.com


Le Franc Parler


The Franc Parler school in Bordeaux offers intensive French courses in small groups. Most of the teaching is carried out by Pascale Genet-Martorello, who says she has “a passion for the French language, and a desire to share its richness and its subtleties”. Accommodation with families in the centre of Bordeaux and cultural activities are also available. www.lefrancparler.com


Valorme


Established in 2002 by Corine and Alain Rouleau, Valorme offers year-round, residential language courses for adults in the town of Foix, lasting between one and three weeks. “Lunches together and outings, which may include mountain hikes, walks and visits to places of interest, allow students to continue speaking French throughout the day,” they say. www.valorme.com


The Alliance Française in the vibrant city of Bordeaux


STUDY AT HOME Not everyone has the time or funds to study in France. Thanks to video-calling technology, apps, websites and podcasts, it’s now easier than ever to study from home. The following courses are exclusively online. It’s worth noting, however, that since the pandemic, many residential language schools now also offer online options for remote learning too.


Coffee Break French Making the most of your coffee break, this online platform teaches you French in short bursts, so you can fit your studying into your busy life. Delivered in video and audio format, lessons typically last between 15 and 20 minutes and are constructed around the observations of Anna as she navigates the French language through conversations with her teacher, Mark. This fly-on-the- wall role-play method is really effective. Episodes cover a whole gamut of topics, from regional food to local traditions – so you’re learning much more than just vocabulary. Prices start at £108 for 40 lessons. coffeebreaklanguages.com/ coffeebreakfrench


Duolingo Duolingo turns learning into a game


Language-learning platform Duolingo seems to be on the tip of everyone’s tongues at the


moment – whatever language they’re speaking. Whether you opt to use the website or download the free app to your smartphone, this is a savvy way to cram five minutes of studying into your day. In this era of frenzied mobile gaming, Duolingo’s success would seem to be largely down to its presentation – lessons masquerading as games, with a nifty points system, and progression through different levels. It’s not the quickest way to learn, but it’s an enjoyable, convenient slow-burner. duolingo.com


Michel Thomas


The Michel Thomas method of learning languages has been kicking around for decades, and that must be evidence of its efficacy. The eponymous founder was a Polish-Jewish refugee who fled to France from Austria during the Second World War. In his years of imprisonment he mastered numerous tongues, enabling him to adopt several identities and ultimately infiltrate underground Nazi groups. After the war, the heroic polyglot turned to education, helping others tap into the “great hidden depths of the brain”. Used by millions, the Michel Thomas method is geared towards beginners and teaches through gentle repetition. www.michelthomas.com FT


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