Affordable language lessons/homestays in France?
Dec 15th, 2014, 07:01 PM
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Affordable language lessons/homestays in France?
Hello!
Yet another recommendation I'm looking for in France from the venerable school of Fodories: affordable French lessons for a month (if they come with an apt or room that's great-less to worry about)
In the past I've noticed that the rates were much more reasonable in areas like Brittany (compared to obviously Paris and bigger cities) but some are still a bit pricier than I prefer as I'm looking for an entire month, vs a week (and the prices don't change or get lower for many of these programs, if you stay longer) and I do want to just, in general, get referrals for the best that are out there since the folks on Fodors always have the inside scoop
And by best I mean best experience.
Has anyone done French lessons/French tutor in France? Where did you do it? How much did it cost?
I'm open to different areas. I love to discover new places and I don't think there's any area of France I wouldn't like. That said, I'm not a big city person and prefer walkable towns/villages
Thank You in advance for any reccommendations!
Yet another recommendation I'm looking for in France from the venerable school of Fodories: affordable French lessons for a month (if they come with an apt or room that's great-less to worry about)
In the past I've noticed that the rates were much more reasonable in areas like Brittany (compared to obviously Paris and bigger cities) but some are still a bit pricier than I prefer as I'm looking for an entire month, vs a week (and the prices don't change or get lower for many of these programs, if you stay longer) and I do want to just, in general, get referrals for the best that are out there since the folks on Fodors always have the inside scoop
And by best I mean best experience. Has anyone done French lessons/French tutor in France? Where did you do it? How much did it cost?
I'm open to different areas. I love to discover new places and I don't think there's any area of France I wouldn't like
. That said, I'm not a big city person and prefer walkable towns/villagesThank You in advance for any reccommendations!
Dec 16th, 2014, 06:08 AM
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I sort of remember someone asking this same question a while back, was it you? It's just unusual to talk about Brittany in such a question, that's why I wondered.
I've taken French lessons on France several times, but only at schools or universities, never from individuals which wouldn't really interest me. You could do that at home. I wanted to be part of a school experience for various reasons. Aside from wanting a real French university, I wanted to meet other people.
I dont' find French classes to be more expensive in Paris at all. IN fact, you couldn't really find them that well in small villages (or at all), so if that's want you want, your choice is going to be very very limited.
You'd better state what your idea of acceptable fees are, it's possible you have unrealistic ideas. Affordable is a meaningless phrase, after all, anything is affordable to some people. I do know a couple people have stayed in a small home situation in some smaller town area, I remember them talking about it on Fodors, and the thread was active recently.
I've taken French lessons on France several times, but only at schools or universities, never from individuals which wouldn't really interest me. You could do that at home. I wanted to be part of a school experience for various reasons. Aside from wanting a real French university, I wanted to meet other people.
I dont' find French classes to be more expensive in Paris at all. IN fact, you couldn't really find them that well in small villages (or at all), so if that's want you want, your choice is going to be very very limited.
You'd better state what your idea of acceptable fees are, it's possible you have unrealistic ideas. Affordable is a meaningless phrase, after all, anything is affordable to some people. I do know a couple people have stayed in a small home situation in some smaller town area, I remember them talking about it on Fodors, and the thread was active recently.
Dec 16th, 2014, 06:09 AM
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this is the one I was thinking of http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...n-vacation.cfm
Dec 16th, 2014, 09:27 AM
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Hi Christina,
That post was not by me, but yes I did ask about something similar when I was in Avignon. But I wasnt' there long enough to make taking courses at university an option. I again, won't be able to travel for long enough to take classes at a university.
I also really prefer a one on one or very small intensive language format type situation. I like studying for a few hours with a local and then going out to use my language in the town that afternoon.
There are many many options for taking lessons in French in small towns from what I see online but often at high prices and many of the lists that crop up are just lists of names and emails. it's tough to tell which are really great and which would be my style since many don't have websites. Someone with no website would likely be exactly the type of person I'd like to learn from, but I'd need to have personal recommendation from someone here to find someone like that
In the past when looking at these types of programs in Brittany they were so much cheaper than places like Paris and looked to be in smaller more quaint areas which is why they appealed. The prices were flexible in that you could choose how many hours per day and how many days per week you'd take lessons and all of this was figured into the overall cost. Longer stays saw significant reduction of per night lodging costs as well.
No reason for Brittany other than that, although I also like being on the coast, and I've never been to that area of France
Brooke
That post was not by me, but yes I did ask about something similar when I was in Avignon. But I wasnt' there long enough to make taking courses at university an option. I again, won't be able to travel for long enough to take classes at a university.
I also really prefer a one on one or very small intensive language format type situation. I like studying for a few hours with a local and then going out to use my language in the town that afternoon.
There are many many options for taking lessons in French in small towns from what I see online but often at high prices and many of the lists that crop up are just lists of names and emails. it's tough to tell which are really great and which would be my style since many don't have websites. Someone with no website would likely be exactly the type of person I'd like to learn from, but I'd need to have personal recommendation from someone here to find someone like that
In the past when looking at these types of programs in Brittany they were so much cheaper than places like Paris and looked to be in smaller more quaint areas which is why they appealed. The prices were flexible in that you could choose how many hours per day and how many days per week you'd take lessons and all of this was figured into the overall cost. Longer stays saw significant reduction of per night lodging costs as well.
No reason for Brittany other than that, although I also like being on the coast, and I've never been to that area of France
Brooke
Dec 28th, 2014, 10:53 PM
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Hi Christina
I have done 6 linguistic stays in France - 3 at the Alliance Francaise de Rouen, which I can highly recommend. The school the Quality FLE label whic is awared jointly by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Culture and Communication. The Quality FLE Label focus on five areas > Reception - Premises - Management - Teachers - Courses.
The courses are excellent, staff are wonderful and the prices very reasonable. The advantage of a town the size of Rouen is that the locals are patient enough to take time to converse with you in French rather than revert to English and yet there is plenty to do. The town is easily accessible by train from Paris (1h10m). I chose to stay with a local family, which included breakfast and dinner. For me this really facilitated my learning. They can however assist you with other forms of accommodation.
You are tested to determine what level class you will go in to. Classes start each Monday except for complete beginners. I highly recommend this school for all aspects of learning the language, cultural activities and assistance with accommodation, airport transfers etc
I hope this helps.
Kathy
I have done 6 linguistic stays in France - 3 at the Alliance Francaise de Rouen, which I can highly recommend. The school the Quality FLE label whic is awared jointly by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Ministry of Culture and Communication. The Quality FLE Label focus on five areas > Reception - Premises - Management - Teachers - Courses.
The courses are excellent, staff are wonderful and the prices very reasonable. The advantage of a town the size of Rouen is that the locals are patient enough to take time to converse with you in French rather than revert to English and yet there is plenty to do. The town is easily accessible by train from Paris (1h10m). I chose to stay with a local family, which included breakfast and dinner. For me this really facilitated my learning. They can however assist you with other forms of accommodation.
You are tested to determine what level class you will go in to. Classes start each Monday except for complete beginners. I highly recommend this school for all aspects of learning the language, cultural activities and assistance with accommodation, airport transfers etc
I hope this helps.
Kathy
