Looking to improve your French? Whether for business or pleasure, there are French language courses available to suit all needs and abilities. You will find good French language schools and courses all over the world but to get a real taste and some sense of France and French Culture, the best place to learn has got to be La Belle France herself.
There are so many opportunities for language learning in France, it’s sometimes difficult to know where to start. Big cities and holiday coastal towns are popular and in France its Paris and the Mediterranean Region that are the most frequented. But the crowded city and cramped resort may not be for everyone.
You could try something a bit different, a bit more rural and a bit more, well French. Take South West France for example. It has a range of French learning opportunities, is peacefully distant from metropolitan centre and the holiday fleshpots and is blessed with friendly people, great food, loads of history and a lot of sunshine.
Having decided on where to go in France for your language course you should start thinking about your particular needs and what kind of course would best suit you.
There is a range of solutions taking in traditional summer-school to ‘en-famille’ immersion. From the language learning point of view you have to decide what kind of set up would suit you best.
A ‘traditional’ summer school will often have a wide choice of levels and classes and there will often be lots of associated physical activities and a potentially lively social life. However the summer schools often attract large numbers of young students and the classes can be large.
There are many things to think about
How important is the accommodation side of things? Does the course include accommodation or do I have to organise that myself? Are meals included? Will I have to travel far to the classes? How many other people will be on the course? How will I know what level I am? How will they know what level I am? Will it be mostly written or conversational French? Will it be all classroom based or will we go out? Will I just learn about verbs and vocabulary or will I also learn about French people and culture, local history? Who are the tutors? Are they properly experienced and qualified? Are they native French professionals? Do they usually live and work in France? How many hours of classes will I get a week? What other activities are there available? What opportunities are there for exploring French life?
You should be able to get the answers to most of these questions from the company’s website. If you can’t, then you should always ask. A responsible and organised language school should always be ready to answer any questions you have. Your choice of course should be based on who gets closest to meeting your personal requirements as a student in terms of tuition, course organisation, accommodation and value for money.
If you are the kind of person who thinks they would benefit from a small group teaching situation where your fellow students are both adult and motivated, then you might consider a more ‘bespoke’ approach.
There are several companies in the South West of France that offer a limited class-size and tailor the course to student needs. There are some that even offer the ultimate in relaxed learning and provide residential courses in splendid conditions. A residential course in a Chateau has its advantages
Learning French at Chateau L’Age Baston
With a high standard of on-site food and accommodation you have all the practicalities taken care of. You have nothing to distract you from your engagement with French and all the help an expert tutor team can give. At L’Age Baston, for instance, groups are small enough to allow personal diagnostics and the kind of one to one contact that can give privileged access to the tutors’ personal culture and insight into the reality of France today.
Over the years Chateau L’Age Baston has perfected their approach to improving French language skills and now offers a unique balance of outstanding hospitality and expert tuition. You work out your own balance between course and holiday.
The classes are in the morning but the afternoons are more flexible; homework or a dip in the pool? Finish that chapter or take a stroll? Go on that guided visit or gather your strength for dinner? There are so many choices but only one responsibility, to make the most of your time and progress with your language.
What better place to improve your French than in France with French tutors in relaxed and peaceful surroundings and in the company of like minded people?