Choosing a French Language Course in France

The downside is that it can be expensive.

However another way of looking at it is that you get a lot for your money.

Why not combine a week's language learning with a week's holiday and then you can practice all that you have learnt and get to have some holiday fun as well!

• What Does a French Language Course in France Involve? Be Prepared!
  
• Evaluating a French Language School
  
• Language Schools in France
• Other French Courses to Consider

What Does a Language Course in France Involve?

During the course you might stay in either student accommodation, with a host family, studio apartment or in a B&B or hotel - the choice is up to you although there will be guidance and help from the language school.

You might also share a room with other students if you wish.

Lessons are usually in small groups although one to one tuition can often be arranged.

Student ages are on average between 25 and 60 and most students come on their own.

You may study anywhere between 5 and 12 hours per day.

Some courses will have classroom learning for half the day and then the other half will involve going out and about in France, enjoying and experiencing the local culture and the chance to practice your spoken French.

Others will spend more time in the classroom especially if they wish to study aspects of the language in more depth.

The above is a guide as to what you might expect from a French language course in France as each school/learning centre will have their own ways of working and accommodating students.

Questions to think about when evaluating a school/college offering a French language course in France

A good French language school should help and advise you with every aspect of the course from the course content, to the accommodation, daily life and the transportation to and from France.

Questions to think about:

• What learning methods do they use? How is the day structured?
• How many students in a class? What ages and nationalities?
• Where will you be staying and how close to the school is it?
• Will the school help organize transport to and from your home country?
• Are there any extra costs over and above the basic price such as for meals and excursions?
• What sort of insurance does the school offer for sickness or cancellation?
• What happens if you want to cancel before the course starts?
• Will there be any cultural events such as wine tasting or visiting historic sites?
• What facilities are there at the school such as internet access, library, canteen, social rooms?
• Will you receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the course?
• Does the school have an official recognition such as :

SOUFFLE (the professional organization for quality language training centres teaching French as a foreign language) or
ELITE (European Federation of Associations for Teaching of Mother Tongues to Foreigners)?

French language schools in France