French courses in France

Types of language courses in France

More about each program:

• General course. A general course allows you to learn French at a relaxed pace for 3-4 hours a day in a group of your level.
• Intensive French language courses. Intensive courses are alphabetically divided into categories — from A to E, depending on the number of hours (20-35) and lessons (26-46) per week.
• Focused French language courses. Courses that allow you to focus on a particular aspect of the French language. You can choose a program that helps improve your speaking, grammar, vocabulary, or listening skills.
• DELF/DALF exam preparation courses. DELF and DALF are international French language exams that differ in difficulty level. Passing these exams is necessary in order to enter a French university or start a career in a company. Without passing the exam, it will not be possible to work in the field of diplomacy, education, and international law. Preparation within the framework of the course can take from 6 to 26 hours a week — it depends on how much time the student is willing to devote to learning.
• Academic courses. Academic courses prepare students for French-language programs at leading colleges and universities in France. The program includes general language skills (grammar, speaking, and reading) and academic skills (writing essays, critical thinking and argumentation, educational projects). Often, such courses also cover how to apply to universities and what to do to build a successful career in France.
• Workshops / focused afternoon French lesson. Master classes that are similar in content to focused courses, but involve less language lessons — about 6-9 hours per week.
• French language courses for professionals. Professional courses are aimed at learning vocabulary in complex areas, such as law or business. You can study both in groups (mini from 3 to 6 people, or classic — up to 14 people), and individually in the morning and evening. The cost depends on the type of group and the intensity of the courses.
• Study and work. An internship or volunteer program with full concentration in your chosen profession. Students work at partner organizations of the French language school — at hotels, tourist organizations, restaurants, pastry shops, sanatoriums, farms, and vineyards.
• French with cooking. An unusual program with a practical immersion into French culture. In the evenings, you cook traditional cuisine with your teacher. Usually the course lasts no more than a month, and is suitable for those who have already mastered the basics and want to learn with pleasure and taste.
• Private lessons. One-on-one lessons. The teacher assesses the needs of the student and develops a program specifically for him, taking into account set goals. Throughout the course, the student receives personal recommendations and feedback.
• Junior courses. There are two types of programs for children and teenagers: courses and children's camps. The latter, in addition to studying, include recreational activities, accommodation, and meals. The process of teaching children is built on the "Play and Learn" principle — vocabulary is actively replenished by analyzing excerpts from famous films and acting out dialogues. At the same time, much attention is paid to grammar and writing. There are also courses that can be taken by the whole family.

More about the types of language programs

Language courses at French universities

In addition to private schools, French language courses are held at universities. As a rule, these are the same academic courses — only they have a special advantage. If you take language courses at a university and plan to enroll upon completion, you will be exempted from passing the language proficiency exam. However, this does not guarantee admission. Therefore, in order to have more chances, it is better to pass an exam from the school (DELF/DALF or TCF test) and apply to several universities at once.

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 — 262 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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