Learning French - French Language Holidays
French for Francophiles
Enjoying France and things French makes you a 'Francophile'. If you would like to learn French or be better at speaking French (to be ''Francophone') then the French holiday courses at l'Age Baston are just what you need. This is a French and French Culture Course suitable for all levels. The activities and topics are tailored to individual needs with the emphasis on speaking, understanding and personal interaction. More talking than writing but with a sound structure of grammar, vocabulary and listening skills. All materials are provided. Groups are restricted to a maximum of 6 people. Each student gets that essential personal attention and speaking time to make progress.
Our tutors are professionals who are native French speakers. Take Genvieve for example - a qualified teacher of French as a second language. She is flexible and good humoured and has a huge fund of stories, songs and language games. Like all the tutors at l'Age Baston she is an experienced teacher who loves what she does. On this French course the formal teaching is mainly in the morning, with a negotiated programme of afternoon activities. These include practical exercises, guided visits, getting out and about to meet and talk to people. Of course it may be that you would like to go exploring, biking or simply relax in the garden - all possible, it is your course and your French holiday after all.
It doesn't matter if you are just starting, excavating long buried grammar or perfecting your pronunciation - the atmosphere at the Château is friendly and supportive. With mealtime discussions, French guests and visitors, TV and newspapers, and real, daily contact with 'francophonie' the aim is for you to enjoy talking, listening and starting to think in French while learning about the people and culture.
A Typical Day's French at l'Age Baston
- 08:30-09:30: Breakfast, Continental style
- 09:30-12:30: Morning class learning French with exercises and material to suit your level
- 12:30-14:00: Lunch on the terrace or in the garden
- 14:00-17:30: Visit Angouleme.Meet and talk to local people. Programmed Visits: museums, cathedral, paper mills etc.
- 17:30-19:00: Return to l'Age Baston. Homework in the garden or rest and sunbathe.
- 19:00-19:30: Catch the news on French TV, or enjoy an aperitif n the sunny courtyard, or a game of boule on the terrace
- 19:30 onwards: Dinner in the courtyard, or in the tapestried Dining room by candlelight. Perhaps practise your language skills with French guests. l'Entente Cordiale, détente amicale.
A 7 night French language holiday course begins with your arrival on Thursday afternoon and ends on the following Thursday after breakfast. French courses run for 7 or 14 nights (or longer). You are welcome to come early and/or stay extra nights.
Intensive French Courses
This French course is for students who would benefit from concentrated tuition in an "immersion" situation. Designed to improve your French quickly with lessons and activities tailored to your specific needs. The emphasis is on developing personal interaction skills in a French context and focused on listening, speaking and vocabulary, together with the revision and extension of grammar. Your tutor(s) will be French and the Intensive courses give you maximum contact with native French speakers in an environment where much of the conversation and the magazines, papers and TV are in French. All materials will be provided although you may wish to bring a pocket dictionary with you. Course materials and activities will be selected to meet your individual needs as negotiated with the Course Leader (John Waddington) and your tutors. You may negotiate changes with your Course Leader and Tutors and the course will include accompanied visits and field work with guided self-study to compliment the personal tuition.
Intensive courses are rewarding but can also be demanding with up to six hours of tuition a day and lots of 'one to one'. You need to have clear motivation and do some preparation beforehand to make the most of it. We will send you a questionnaire to give us some idea of your skill level and also to ask if you have any special areas of language, vocabulary or context that interest you (for work, or relations for example). The clearer your objectives the more precise we can be with your course planning and materials.
Class Hours
- 7 night stay = 30 hours minimum tuition
- 14 night stay = 60 hours minimum tuition
| March 20, 27 | May 15, 22 |
| June 5, 12 | July 10, 17, 31 |
| Aug 7, 21, 28 | Sep 11, 18 |
Prices
- 7 nights £825
- 14 nights £1600
- 7 nights £1100
- 14 nights £2150
- 7 nights £1240
- 14 nights £2430
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Sharing Room
- 7 nights £405
- 14 nights £760
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Own Room
- 7 nights £495
- 14 nights £940
- 5-6 Sharing Rooms less 10%
- 7-8 Sharing Rooms less 12%
- 9-10 Sharing Rooms less 15%
- 10 plus Please contact John or Alex
