Meg

Hello, I'm thinking of going to France by myself this Fall, to attend a one-week french language class. I'm wondering if anyone has visited Ecole des Trois Ponts in Roanne or Ecolangues in Angers. I am also looking at Amis en France in Ambert and Fleur: Centre de langues et d'échanges. If anyone has any input on any of these schools I would appreciate it. Thanks! <BR> <BR>

tommybass

Bonjour! Etes-vous aux Etats-Unis?? <BR>Si vous-etes que vous devez apprender le francais avant partir. Bon chance.

A

Tommybass - learn French s'il vous plait

Meg

I love how some people assume things around here and choose to make unhelpful comments, rather answer a valid travel question. I'm only asking this question because I've received such great advice in the past. <BR> <BR>Tommybass, I have traveled to France three times in my life and I have studied French in the past -- at one time I was pretty proficient. But, over the years my french has fallen victim to lack of use. I'm not happy or proud of that -- hence my determination to start speaking it again and taking this trip is part of this. I don't pretend that one week will make me fluent, but it's something that interests me and I want to find a good school to attend. I have every intention of studying before I go and the total immersion & instruction I hope to receive on my learning vacation will help me more than if I stay at home around a bunch of English speakers. Now, do you have any helpful information to share with me?

jeparlefrancaise

I took lessons at Alliance Francaise. I don't know about the other places, but my feeling is that wherever you go, it's the teacher that makes the difference. I had a wonderful, fun, funny teacher for 8 months, then a real toughie for 1 month (loved her too), and then "average" teachers for the rest of the time (liked them too). There were some bad ones out there -- if you run into one, switch the class. <BR> <BR>I guess that's sort of a tip -- find out how many classes at the level you want the school provides (A.F. did a morning and afternoon for the same level), so you can change from AM to PM or vice versa if you don't like the teacher (or the class). <BR> <BR>

Meg

Thank you "jeparlefrancaise". I had not heard of that company but I looked them up and requested info, they actually emailed me back right away. I wish I could go for a couple months. <BR> <BR>Does anyone else have any company recommendations?

Ursula

Meg: I second "Je parle français comme une vache espagnole". All depends on the teacher. I went to Alliançe Française at Boulevard Raspail some 20 years ago. Some teachers were ok, some rather not. But over all, I enjoyed it, bien sûr.

Ann

I would agree with "jeparle" that the Alliance course is excellent, and I'm afraid I don't have personal experience of anything else. However my boss is in Avignon (I think) at the moment on just such a course, while his wife is painting. I'll let you know about it when he returns. <BR> <BR>I did once have a week's cookery course in a hotel in the Pyrenees. That improved my French immensely but of course with rather a specialised vocabulary.