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LEARN FRENCH IN NICE - FRENCH LANGUAGE COURSE FRANCE

 Nice, France

  Minimum Age: 17 years  Average Age: 2028 years / Mature Students 50+

| School | Courses | Dates | France |  
| Accommodation | Prices | Activities | Registration | Nice |    

Location
The French Riviera is the second tourist region of France right after Paris. Its exceptional beauty gave it a reputation of paradise with its 300 days of sunshine per year! Nice has the advantage of an exceptional micro-climate. Although the city opens onto the sea, Nice is protected from the wind by the surrounding hills and the Estérel Mountains to the west, and the north-western barrier of the Mercantour Alps. The sea breezes give a mild climate in winter and reduce the heat in the summer. It is not unusual to lunch outdoors in the Cours Saleya in a T-shirt in February, while the rest of France is shivering in the cold!

Around Nice, many towns and villages are places of cultural and historic interests: (Antibes, Cannes, Grasse, Biot, Saint-Paul de Vence, Saint-Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Monaco, Menton…) Nice, the Capital of the French Riviera is a lively city, with its carnival and cultural events running all year round. It is worth taking the time to discover Nice in depth: wander at random through the narrow streets of the old town and then stroll along the famous "Promenade" before entering into the heart of the city with its rich architectural and cultural heritage and its parks and gardens.

Nice has a total of 19 museums and galleries, 32 classified historical monuments. (Museum of contemporary and modern art, Matisse Museum, Chagall Museum…, Palais de Justice, Palais de la Préfecture, Eglise Sainte Réparate, Place Garibaldi, Eglise Russe…)

All the cities of the French Riviera from Monaco to Cannes can be easily reached by train or bus in 30 minutes.

Nice is easily accessible by all means of transport: planes, coaches, trains and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the second busiest airport in France after Paris. It is linked to the main cities in Europe and North America.


School
The school was celebrating its 30th anniversery in 2006 and has taught French to thousands of students from over 80 countries since its foundation in 1976. We welcome students all year long at our two locations: Paris and Nice.

The school in Nice is located right in the heart of town: 15 min away form the beach, 5 min from the train station and a 10 min walk to the vieille ville, the old town. There is 17 classrooms with air conditioning and many with exterior windows that make the rooms very comfortable. You will find an excellent teaching programme, good learning facilities and a choice of cultural and leisure activities. Whatever your reasons for learning French are – work, study or leisure – you will find at the school the programme that suits your needs.

  • Commitment to high standards of education:
    -
    a qualified dedicated team of 40 teachers
    - member of numerous quality control organisations such as Fle.fr (French as a Foreign language) and of IALC (International Assocation of Language Centers). We undergo regular quality control inspections.
    - official exam preparation
  • Flexibility:
    - possibility to combine courses at our two locations, Paris and Nice
    - to start by the week courses any Monday of the year from one week to one year at a more or less intensive pace of study and to enrol in long-term courses all year round
  • Variety:
    - with specialized programs: Business French, Hotel and Tourism Industry French, French Art History, French and French cuisine, Teacher Training, 50+, A la carte group programs and Internships in French companies.
  • Service:
    - an accommodation service that has a range of options
    - with numerous student activities all year long
    - a student service staff to make your stay the best possible


Courses

 

General Information

  • Students arrive on Sunday before the course starts and leave on Saturday after the course ends.
  • Orientation / testing usually takes place on Monday (or Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday).
  • Lessons begin after testing or the following day.
  • All lessons are 45 minutes.
  • Each class has 8 - 12 students per class (according to the placement test this figure might be exceeded by 1 or 2)

All courses include:

  • Pre-course placement test on arrival.
  • Course certificate for students who successfully complete 90% of the course.
  • Teaching materials (coursebook or study file).
  • Orientation and welcome pack (including map).
  • Access to multimedia study centre
  • Free access to e-mail and access to internet.

The teaching of French as a Foreign Language  is focused on the learner and his/her linguistic “needs”. Our professors use for their courses modern and dynamic manuals of French as a Foreign Language. Pedagogy is suited to each student: some students can be in two different groups according to their skills in grammar and communication. Therefore, the organizer-teacher remains tuned and makes the progression flexible in the learning.

The teaching links closely several pedagogical notions and principles:

  • focus on the learner,
  • development of learning autonomy (learning to learn),
  • a constant and rigorous progression,
  • notion of pleasure and long term learning motivation.

Examples of various activities offered to reach this communicative goal:

  • Analysis of video documents and oral and written production,
  • Listening of audio tapes on various topics (testimonies, interviews, dialogues...)
  • Comparative studies of news on the radio/TV/newspapers, magazines
  • Reading of an article or book extracts and summary with personal vocabulary,
  • Creative and entertaining exercises starting form literary texts,
  • Simulations and role plays,
  • Intercommunicative entertaining activities.

The class is based on four skills:

  • Oral comprehension / Oral expression
  • Written comprehension / Written expression

All courses prepare for the DELF exams:

D.E.L.F. Diploma of studies in the French Language, first degree (4 units, A1, A2, A3, A4) and second degree (level 2) (units A5 and A6), awarded by the Ministry of National Education. This exam consists of written and oral tests.

Standard Course (20 lessons per week)

Semi-intensive course for adults. 20 lessons per week covering all areas of general French including: grammar, reading, writing, vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking, listening and DELF exam preparation. From Monday to Friday from 8:45 - 12:45. In the high season classes might take place in the afternoon from 13:45 – 17:00 PM (April-September) or in the evening from 16:00 – 19:15 PM (July & August).

Example of a class of 20 lessons:

The class is built as follows:

Each student gets at least 3 hours per day of class in a group of 8 to 12 people. The class is divided in two parts:

On the first period, the lesson is focused on an oral or written document from which the teacher points out a grammatical structure that will be systematized by oral or written exercises either in a small group or in a large group or by the analysis of a video document enabling to practise and integrate the structure or vocabulary. The use of a grammar book will sometimes be helpful to offer theoretical explanations and practise exercises.

The second period is a creative or communicative session with simulation, role plays, writing of scenarios, investigations, search for arguments to debate, etc.

  • Available all year
  • Weekly start dates (except for beginners)
  • Minimum age - 17
  • Maximum class size - 12

Group courses are available for all levels from beginner to proficiency. Each course starts on a Monday and ends on a Friday. The minimum course length is one week. There is no maximum length.

Intensive Course (30 lessons per week)

Same course contents as Standard course (also DELF exam preparation) but 30 lessons / week = 20 lessons in the morning + 10 lessons in the afternoon of oral and written communication. From Monday to Friday from 8:45 - 12:45 and from 13:45 to 15:15 or 15:30 to 17:00.

  • Available all year
  • Weekly start dates (except for beginners)
  • Minimum age - 17
  • Maximum class size - 12

Group courses are available for all levels from beginner to proficiency. Each course starts on a Monday and ends on a Friday. The minimum course length is one week. There is no maximum length.

Super-Intensive Course (40 lessons per week)

Highly intensive course meant for short term programs with speedy progress. 40 lessons / week = 20 lessons in the morning + 20 lessons in the afternoon of oral and written communication. From Monday to Friday from 8:45 - 12:45 and 13:45 to 17:00 / 16:00 to 19:15. Only from 30/06/2008 - 29/08/2008

Intensive PLUS Course (20 group + 5 private lessons per week)

This course combines the Standard course with 20 lessons per week covering all areas of general French including: grammar, reading, writing, vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking, listening with 5 additional private lessons. Group Lessons from Monday to Friday from 8:45 - 12:45 (In the high season classes might take place in the afternoon from 13:45 – 17:00 PM (April-September) or in the evening from 16:00 – 19:15 PM (July & August). During the additional private lessons in the afternoon you can develop specific speaking and writing skills or focus on special fields and topics of interest as well as exam preparation for DELF.

  • Available all year
  • Weekly start dates (except for beginners)
  • Minimum age - 17
  • Maximum class size - 12

One-to-One (min. 5 lessons per week)

Private lessons are designed for those students who would like to achieve rapid progress within in a short period of time as well as those students who would like to develop specific speaking and writing skills or focus on special fields and topics of interest as well as exam preparation for DELF.

  • Available all year
  • Weekly start dates (except for beginners)
  • Minimum age – 17

Intensive 3-month courses in Nice (20 or 30 lessons per week)

Living and learning French and immersing yourself in French life and culture help you to attain fluency. Focus on all four language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. Regular assessment and support ensure your progress. A course for long-stay students who want to develop speaking and writing skills and prepare for official examinations in French.

French lessons can be combined with civilisation lectures for all levels, special lectures for complete beginners and DELF exam preparation for intermediate and advanced students.

Time Schedule:

20 Lessons: from Monday to Friday from 8:45 - 12:45 PM or 13:45 – 17:00 PM (April-September) or 16:00 – 19:15 PM

30 Lessons: from Monday to Friday from 8:45 - 12:45 and from 13:45 to 15:15 or 15:30 to 17:00

Course Starting Dates:

Autumn term:
Winter term:
Spring term:
Summer term:

01/10/2007 - 21/12/2007
07/01/2008 - 28/03/2008
31/03/2008 - 20/06/2008
30/06/2008 - 19/09/200
8

  • Available all year
  • Students can study for 1, 2, 3 or 4 terms.
  • Minimum age: 17
  • 15 to 18 students per group
    This figure may be exceeded by one or two due to placement level

 

50+ Mature Students Course (20 lessons per week)

For people over 50, the programme offers the opportunity to:

  • refresh and improve their French
  • visit the South of France and places of cultural and historical interests
  • learn more about French culture
  • meet people of similar interests
  • enjoy Provencal "art de vivre" cuisine, wine, perfume, villages, and Art with Matisse and Picasso

2 sessions - 1 week program:

  • Sunday 18 May – Saturday 24 May 2008 (registration before 18 April 2008)
  • Sunday 28 September – Saturday 4 October 2008 (registration before 29 August 2008)

General French courses + activities

20 lessons per week - 5 levels available: elementary, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, advanced, proficiency (no beginners)

Course schedule

  • Courses are in the morning from Monday to Friday (8:45-12:45) in groups of about 8 people (12 max)
  • 30 min coffee / tea break

Activities

All activities are held in the afternoon. The programme includes guided excursions to interesting towns with a France Langue guide and a discovery of South of France cuisine.

Excursions escorted by a France Langue teacher

  • Nice and its Old Town
  • Monaco (ville, Monte Carlo…)
  • The medieval village of Eze, spectacularly perched on the edge of the Mediterranean & its perfume factory
  • Lovely, relaxing Menton, most easterly resort on the French Riviera
  • Glamorous Cannes & Old Antibes

Accommodation

The school provides selected homestay accommodation so that you have no worries about your welfare and your meals. You will be lodged in a single room and have breakfast and dinner at your host family´s place. You can also join a France Langue teacher every evening for dinner at a French restaurant.

Prices

Including courses, excursions, accommodation (airport transfer not included):

  • Host Family, Single Room + Half Board: 720 + Registration Fee 30
French + French Cuisine Cooking (10 lessons per week)

Learn French and how to make delicious French dishes!

This course with 10 lessons per week can be added to a regular 20 or 30 lessons course or can be taken separately. Only from 02/06/2008 – 29/08/2008. Students will learn how to prepare typical French dishes in a very pleasant atmosphere, easing spontaneous conversation. Dishes are chosen according to the season and the local products available on the outside markets, therefore they will bear very often a “Mediterranean touch”. Mediterranean cuisine is well known for its flavor and beneficial effects on health. The course starts at the market and finishes at the table!

For all levels in French

  • Shop in open markets while using French and dealing with the French.
  • Prepare the recipe of the day, specially selected to be easily made again when back home.
  • Enjoy meals made and when appropriate with wine.

The different steps of the course:

Classes of 10 lessons (7h30) per week divided in two parts:

(1)One morning (8:45-12:45) chosen according to the language course:

  • reading of the recipes of the week (recipes are selected in order for students to be able to make them again once back at home)
  • study of vocabulary
  • shopping of fresh products on markets or grocery stores
  • preparation of a first course (for instance quiche lorraine (the true one !), gratinée à l’oignon, flan de tomates aux herbes de Provence…), of a main course (poulet basquaise, blanquette de veau, canard à l’orange…) of accompanying vegetables (ratatouille niçoise, gratin dauphinois, courgettes à l’étuvée…)
  • tasting and eating !
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2) One afternoon (13:45-16:45):

preparation of desserts with different themes: for instance: chocolate (soufflé, chocolate mousse, charlotte…), desserts from Brittany, desserts from Provence, cookies, crêpes suzette… tasting and eating!

All along the class, students learn the vocabulary of the recipes, grammatical points (how to express quantity, the imperative, the infinitive...). They will study the origins of the dishes through cultural and historical notes. The teachers will also introduce culinary specialties of the French regions.

The “French and French cuisine” programme is for all levels (from beginner to proficiency). Classes are taught by the language teachers, amateur cooks. The dishes prepared are simple enough to be redone easily back at home. They are at everyone’s level.

Registration for 1 to 10 weeks. / Number of students per class : 1 to 6 persons


Training for Teachers of French (30 lessons per week)


This 2 weeks program is designed for teachers of French as a foreign language.
French civilization and culture are the basis of this training program which explores the subtleties of present day French language, classroom strategies and dynamics. An optional cultural program (tours and lectures) permits to discover the French way of living and local culture.

Subjects include:
strategy and teaching methods in the language classroom, contemporary French society...

  • Levels: Proficiency

  • Prerequisites: French as a foreign language teacher

  • Maximum class size – 15 (Minimum class size – 6)

  • Dates: 30/06/2008 - 11/07/2008 (Registration before 02/06/2008)
    04/08/2008 - 14/08/2008
    (Registration before 30/06/2008)

  • All year long for organized groups on request

Internship program: a real insight into the work environment in France

Learning by doing!
Internships all year long to suit your training, experience, aims and interests

Our internship program  represents a unique and challenging opportunity to practice French and to get a real professional experience. The internship program aims at students over 18 whose university course calls for an internship in a company. It occurs in all fields of economy, from banking, law, industries to museums, theatres, tourism or media organs.

Internship is not a job but it can help find one!

  • Available all year

  • Weekly start dates

  • Minimum age - 18

  • Advanced Level required

  • Duration: (6 - 12 weeks)

  • Delay to find your internship: 12 weeks

  • Open to students over 18 enrolled in a university in their home country or at our partner school

The program includes the following:

  • Possibility to take intensive courses to brush up your French

  • The school helps you to write your résumé and cover letter

  • Direct supervision by an on-site company manager

  • Coordination – company, intern, university – by the school

  • Written evaluation of your internship by the company

  • Student activities/Accommodation service

Example of internships:

  • Architecture/Real Estate

  • Banking/Financial Services

  • Tourism

  • Law

  • Press

  • Theatres and museums

  • Human ressources

  • Medical and Pharmaceutical industries

 

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Starting Dates
  • Every Monday, except Certificate Course and Special Courses and Beginner Courses in Nice
  • Beginner courses in Nice start: 07/01, 04/02, 03/03, 31/03, 05/05, 02/06, 30/06, 15/07, 04/08, 18/08, 01/09, 29/09, 03/11, 01/12/2008
    40 lessons per week only from
    30/06/2008 - 29/08/2008 / Beginner Courses 40 lessons per week 30/06, 15/07, 04/08, 18/08
  • Minimum Duration is 1 week for all 20, 30, 40 lessons per week courses

Notes on entry dates:

  • The following days are public holidays and the school is closed: 24th March, 01st May, 08th May, 12th May, 14th July, 15th August, 11th November, 25th December 2008
  • The school in Nice will be closed for Christmas vacation from 22/12/2007 to 06/01/2008 and from 20/12/2008 to 05/01/2009

Activities + Excursions

The school organizes many cultural and social activities to complement French courses. The activities can take place at school (lectures, buffets, parties…) or outside (guided tours of museums, guided tours of the city or surrounding towns, dinners at restaurants…)

Example of cultural activities organized during the low season in Nice:

  • Dec. 2nd: “Aperitif” in the old town and discussion
  • Dec. 4th: Guided tour of Eze Village
  • Dec. 9th: Jazz concert at a bar + discussion
  • Dec. 11th: Guided tour of Eze
  • Dec. 15th: Christmas party at the school
  • Jan 6th: Guided tour of Nice
  • Jan 12th: Epiphany feast at the school: tasting of “galettes de rois & couronnes des rois”
  • Jan 19th: Tasting of culinary specialities from Nice in a restaurant of the old town
  • Jan 27th: Wine and cheese party at the school
  • Feb 2nd: Dinner at a restaurant of “crêpes”
  • Feb 12th: Guided tour of Eze Village
  • Feb 17th: Jazz concert at a bar + discussion
  • Mar 6th: Napoleon in Golfe Juan
  • Mar 10th: Bowling
  • Mar 16th: Guided tour of Palais Lascaris in Nice
  • Mar 28th: Visit of a botanic Park with Easter festivities
  • Mar 31st: Potery painting
  • Apr 3rd: Guided tour of Cimiez and Matisse Museum
  • Apr 6th: Guided tour of St Paul de Vence and Fondation Maeght
  • Apr 11th: Guided tour of Nice and the old town
  • Apr 14th: Guided tour of Eze and Fragonnard Perfumery
  • Apr 20th: “Aperitif” in the old town and discussion
  • Apr 23rd: Guided tour of Villefranche

Medical Insurance
EU students must bring a valid E111 form to qualify for free medical treatment (charges for medicine apply). Medical insurance for students of other nationalities is recommended (available on request).

Transportation
Nice is easily accessible by all means of transport: planes, coaches, trains and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the second busiest airport in France after Paris. It is linked to the main cities in Europe and North America. The airport is 8 kms away from the centre of town. A regular bus service takes passengers to the centre of town and train station (every 30 min) for 3,50 €.

The school can also organize transfers for students any time of the day or night for 26 € (one way).

City buses
Most places are easily accessible from the school on foot. The city is very well served by public transport. A one way ticket costs 1,30 €. (Tickets are sold in buses)

Trains and buses
All towns of the Riviera and of the hinterland are easily reached either by train or bus. (For instance there are trains every half hour to Cannes, Monaco….)

Sports and leisure
You will find it very easy to practise your favourite sport in Nice. You can register in different clubs for a week, a month or more. Nice is also the place to practise scuba diving and snorkelling, sailing, windsurfing, sailboard…all kinds of water sport. The Alps are only one hour from Nice thus you can ski whenever you would like. If you like hiking, you will be happy to see all the paths of the littoral and of the hinterland.

Food
The cuisine from the South East of France is very rich and tasty, made of olive oil, odorous herbs, garlic and aromatic flavours. You will discover aioli (dish made of fish, potatoes, vegetables and garlic mayonnaise), anchoïade (mashed anchovies with olive oil and capers), boeuf en daube (beef cooked in a very savoury sauce with red wine, onions, herbs…), farcis niçois (stuffed vegetables), gnocchi, olives, pissaladière (kind of pizza covered with onions, anchovies, olives), socca (kind of pancake made with chick peas flour), ratatouille niçoise (a dish of vegetables cooked in water and olive oil), lemons from Menton, oranges, candied fruits…

Our partner school is accredited by :

Founded in 1976

             

     

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