French courses in France

Features of admission for language schools in France

To be enrolled at a private school, you need to submit an application with the necessary documents, provide passport details, and pay for the course. Some schools require full payment up front, while others require a deposit (on average — 282 USD) to confirm the course booking. After the final payment, you will be sent a confirmation of enrollment to the school, which will be needed for the visa. Enrollment takes place on the first Monday of each month, depending on the program.

If you plan to take language courses at a university (academic courses / university pathway), then you will need the following documents:

• Resume
• Certificate or diploma
• In some cases, a motivation letter

You can enroll in academic courses at any time, but schools recommend doing so on the first Monday in September, January, or April.

Almost all courses, with the exception of university/exam preparation and study and work, enroll students of any language level. On the first day of class, students pass an assessment test for knowledge of French. Some schools (especially universities) ask students to take an online test before they arrive in France. According to the results, groups of students of the same approximate level are formed.

It should be noted that the standard version of French is taught at all schools, so you should not be afraid to go to a province for fear of speaking, for example, with a southern accent.

Taking French courses

As a rule, courses at universities offer semester and one-year language programs for foreign students. Classes are held in fairly large groups of 17 to 20 people. Granted, it is often difficult for the teacher to track the individual progress of each student. However, the program itself is directly aimed at academic French, therefore better preparing for admission to French universities.

At private language schools, the number of students ranges from 3 to 14 people per classroom, depending on the program and time of year. Each student receives recommendations from his teacher on a regular basis. The curriculum is designed to meet the goals and desires of the group as a whole and each individual student.

In addition, private schools offer a wide range of French courses for different levels and intensities. They prepare foreign students for international exams — DELF/DALF and TCF — and offer special courses: French + cooking, French + surfing, and other programs with elements of entertainment and immersion into everyday French life.

Teaching methods at French schools also differ depending on the type of institution. At university centers, education is aimed more at introducing a foreign student to the culture, architecture, and history of France. Private language schools, on the contrary, set themselves the goal of removing the language barrier as soon as possible and improving the student's communication skills. In the classroom, students watch excerpts from classic French films in order to better understand speech and pronunciation, read literature in the original language, act out skits, arrange debates, and study documents in order to better navigate their completion. The most interesting aspect is practice in a real context. For example, walking around Paris helps students experience the authentic atmosphere of the city, listen to the speech of the locals, enter into a dialogue, or improve their reading skills by studying sights and descriptions.

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Visa for language courses in France

A student visa is issued for courses of at least 20 hours per week.

To attend short-term language courses (up to 3 months) in France, a foreign student must apply for a Schengen visa, which allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days. A visa can be issued by the consulate for one or more entries, depending on the purpose of the visit. You must apply for a Schengen visa at the French visa center in your country. The application is processed in 5-10 business days. If the consulate requests additional documents, the period may be extended up to 30 calendar days. The main condition for obtaining a short-term visa for studying purposes is confirmation from the host country.

Students must apply for a national visa category D if enrolled in long-term courses. Such a visa allows you to stay in France for a year. The visa can be extended without leaving the country. The application is processed in 5-10 working days, but in some cases it may take several months to receive an answer — this depends on the place of application, the type of visa, and whether or not the visa center requires an in-person interview.

All document copies, except for the passport, must be translated into French and notarized — unless the documents are in English. It is necessary to submit an application to the visa center or consulate in person, since all applicants over the age of 12 are required to submit biometric data (digital photo and fingerprints).

All visa fees are paid in local currency. If you apply at least 3 days before the planned departure, the fee will be two or three times higher, and the consulate does not guarantee an expedited processing of the application.

Most popular language schools in France

Accord Language School

Accord Language School — a prestigious language center with two branches in France. In Paris, this is a modern and technological French language school with an interesting teaching methodology: students participate in role-playing games, read books in French, and engage in sight-seeing. After studying, students spend time at museums, watch performances at local theaters, and take part in seminars on French culture.

The second branch of the school is located in Saint Nicholas. There are courses and camp programs offered for children and teenagers. Many game methods are used in teaching, making it easier for children to concentrate and remain interested in learning. The students often sing modern songs to improve their pronunciation, walk around the city, and communicate with the locals. At the same time, they work with textbooks that contain many project assignments on the most popular topics.

The average course cost is 407 USD per week.

LSI Education

LSI Language School is located in the historic city center within walking distance of the Notre Dame Cathedral. In addition to interactive and dynamic classes, LSI offers a social program that helps experience the culture and break down the language barrier. It includes visits to cinema clubs and attractions, dancing to live music, trips to the countryside, cooking traditional French cuisine, and cheese and wine tasting.

Students can either live with a host family or in a student residence with included amenities (rooms for 1-4 people). Another option for learning is to study at your teacher's home. You live and study with a teacher, dine with his family, and constantly use the language in everyday life.

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