I have attended 5 language schools in France (advanced level) and am planning to go to CLE in Tours this year. I have always stayed in an apt, apt/hotel and am cautious about a homestay (partially due to my age which is 69). Has anyone used the apts that CLE offers? Coeur de France did not work for me, by the way. Too remote without a car, mediocre teacher and all other students but one were families. So, it was a bit lonely. The town, while lovely, also offers very little. At the end of a week I knew every corner of it. But I was in a class with only one other student so spoke a lot of French. Unfortunately, lessons were not directed and there were many references to having covered certain things earlier in the month (when I wasn't there!!) Other schools I attended, for those who are interested, are Institut de Francais in Villefranche, Acces Francais in Montpellier, Lyon Bleu in Lyon and Créa-Langues in Moustiers-Ste-Marie.

My daughter (21 year old) has done French Immersion Classes in France twice. The first time she went to Lyon Bleu in Lyon for two weeks, and the second time to somewhere in Paris for a week -I am having a seniors moment and cannot for the life of me remember where in Paris (and she is not home at present to ask). But, the point I want to make is that she really enjoyed the one in Lyon - thought it was well structured, classmates were interesting (often foreigners living in France trying to improve their French) , and good value for money. She felt the course in Paris did not measure up favourably. Half a wasted day being assessed (in Lyon it was only an hour), quite a lot more expensive, and just the overall course quality and friendliness was missing. So my advice is to look at the reviews of the language schools carefully before choosing.

I have been to several language schools studying French, all in Paris, although none were "immersion", whatever that means, not sure. However, one was a private school in Paris (l'INstitut Parisien) and they did take longer than an hour to assess you, as I recall. That isn't long to take a test and perhaps speak to someone to assess your oral capabilities, as well as have that graded and you placed in a class. I know it took a half day probably when I went to the Sorbonne and another university in Paris. In any case, while it took longer, it was not part of your study week, you were supposed to do that within the week before classes started, I think there were various times you could do it, or you made an appt, don't recall. So I'm not sure one hour of assessment means it was better, but schools don't always consider that part of your classes. None of the ones I attended considered the assessment part of your classes.

I've never done a homestay as I was not interested in them, although I'm not sure the university classes even offer that. I think private schools do. I did rent my own apartment when going to l'Institut Parisien, but I didn't depend on them in any way to get it for me.

Another bookmark! Wouldn't I love to do this too!

Many persons from various European countries, diverse walks of life and various ages go to Quebec City, Canada to study French. There are French immersion schools in this beautiful city where French is the main spoken language. International French is taught and well understood by the locals. Quebec people's accent is different from Paris' accent. Many beginners at learning French find easier to understand Quebec's accent. Learning French in Quebec City may be another option to consider.

Enjoyed reading this thread. Does anyone know where -- other than this Forum -- one can read independent reviews of French language schools in France (or Canada)? There are just so many of them (schools) out there!

My wife and I have been to one school in Paris, L'Atelier 9 -- twice, in fact, for a total of 13 weeks -- and hope to go again in late spring next year. But first, we're going to try a second school in Villefranche next April. Last year, we visited Sancerre. Had heard from a friend -- and fellow student -- that it was an excellent school. The school seems to be the center of attraction there. But for us, we want to be in a larger city. We also visited a school in Amboise (on the Loire near Tours). We talked to some students who were enjoying the course. Like the school in Sancerre, It too looked like a nice set-up.

In my experience, so much depends on the instructor: how s/he handles the class, is s/he organized, does s/he assign some (but not too much) homework, etc. Class size is a factor as well, and classes with more than 7 or 8 students usually are too large; simply can't get enough time to talk. By the way, I don't get too bothered if I hear English spoken on break, as some students are just beginners. I have also learned not to expect too much -- and to enjoy the process. But, as a retiree, and somewhat paradoxically, I am less pressed for time than others.

Um -= I'm not an expert but Canadian French is NOT the same as French French. Not that it's not understandable - but it is definitely a different accent and some different vocabulary (think US vs UK English - and the many variations).

So - it depends on what you are going to do with it - and if you care what sort of accent you have. (For tourists either will work.)

L'Institut de Francais in Villefranche sur Mer is an excellent school for serious students. I attended a couple of years ago with my husband. He spent three weeks and I spent two. The program attracts many business people, diplomats, some younger students and retires. It definitely caters to those who need to learn French in a hurry. The days are long, the food is good and the area is beautiful. The problem with any immersion program is that often there is a variation in the linguistic competence of students in each class. It is very difficult to create homogeneous groupings. I was too advanced for the most advanced level which was frustrating for me, though I still benefitted from the experience. The program is expensive but I would not hesitate to recommend it for those who are willing to put in the time and effort. I have a degree in French and have studied both in Canada and France which may inform my perspective. Those looking to relax and have lots of free time may wish to look elsewhere.

I just want to say that when I was twice in Villefranche at the excellent language school there, there were Canadians in the program who were trying to learn proper French, so-to-speak. There are differences and if you want to speak French in France you do not want to speak like a Canadian!

I think some people make too much of differences in French between places. In language schools in Canada, I imagine they teach you traditional French, not local slang or Canadian peculiarities.

And for a beginner, accents probably aren't going to matter that much. I've been to Quebec and understood them perfectly well (at least some, there are some unusual accents in certain areas of Canada, but I'm sure you wouldn't be taught that in a language school). What was funny was some bartender, to whom I was speaking in French, told me that in France, they claimed they couldn't understand him, either (when I said sometimes they told me that in Paris). I didn't have any problem understanding him, though, so I think some of that could be snobbery in France, or Paris at least, as I am not fluent and I could understand him. They have different accents in Provence, also, and people go there to learn French.

I think for something whose had only 26 weeks total of French, Canada would be fine if that's what they could fit in. I wouldn't worry about learning some French that isn't used in France. I've had Swiss and Egyptian teachers in French class when I was studying in US university, after all. And there are some French immersion places even in the US, also, some college in New England, as I recall, does that.

Thanks to those who described their experience at several schools, especially Pirouette, Fortune and Grandmere, who seem to have goals similar to mine.

I studied for one week at CLE in Tours five years ago and stayed with an older woman (my age) who lived near the school. She included me in several of her evening activities (yoga, dinner and movie, concert), which made the stay very pleasant. I placed at an advanced level, but was put in a class with two intermediate students--the same problem Pirouette mentioned. The teachers were excellent, however, especially in the private class included in my package. Tours is a pleasant, easy-to-navigate city, and it's easy to get there from the TGV station at the CDG airport in Paris. From the train station in Tours, I took a taxi to the house where I stayed. One week was too short a stay, but I was in France for a wedding, and the classes prepared me to enjoy it as the only non-French guest.

I'd love to learn more about the Inst. de Francais in Villefranche-sur-Mer from Fortune or Pirouette. Did you enjoy the evenings? Is it complicated to get there from Paris? Did your accent and comfort speaking French improve to a noticeable degree?

The discussion on french immersion courses is excellent and wonder if new information can help me decide on where to go. "Fortune" was going to CLE in Tours last year. I too am an older adult with low ? intermediate french skills. I am thinking of going to CLE and staying in a home stay in order to improve my speaking facility. If "Fortune"is still active, I wonder how your experience was with the instruction and the homestay. If others have been, can you advise me on your experiences at a 3-4 week french immersion course?

MORE INPUT ON FRENCH IMMERSION EXPERIENCE WITH DIFFERENT PROGRAMS PLEASE! Ceran was recommended by a good friend but the cost is astronomical compared to others recommended on this string. CLE is leading the pack for me based on input from this string. I would be grateful to hear some more recent experiences. Thank you.

We've been to L'Atelier 9 in Paris three times (2012 for 9 weeks, 2013 for 4 weeks, and 2014 for 2 weeks), and the Institut de Français in Villefranche-sur-mer last year (for 4 weeks). They are both excellent schools, in our opinion, though each is quite different from the other.

The Institute de Français in Villefranche has a magnificent campus-like setting overlooking the Mediterranean, is very intense (8 to 5 each weekday), a bit formal (no English to be spoken while on campus), includes breakfast and lunch each day, encourages students to spend at least one month there, and, on a per week basis, is rather expensive. This school takes about 70 students each month. If you're a serious student, I would highly recommend it for at least one month (there are many who return, and I was in a class last year with a man who had been there 8 different times!).

L'Atelier 9 in Paris is located on one floor in a somewhat dated building in the 9th arrondissement, is smaller (30 students), less intense (9-1 each weekday), and more informal, is less concerned if students come for less than a month (some attend for only a week), and, of course, is less expensive. Whenever we are in Paris, we spend at least 2 weeks here, allowing us to study French (with some structure) in the mornings and to get to know the city better the rest of the day (although there is usually some homework to do).

Each school had students from around the world, though probably a majority came from English-speaking countries (namely, US, Canada, GB, Australia). Both offered excursions as part of the tuition. And, I was (and am) impressed with their teachers. In both schools, I think, the average age of the students increases in the winter months and decreases in the late spring/summer months.

Next year, to get to know the Languedoc-Roussillion region, we're going to the Institut Europeen de Français in Montpellier for 4 weeks in May. Based on the information on its website, the course there will probably be more like the L'Atelier 9's program. In June, we will return to L'Atelier 9 for another 2 weeks.

By the way, tomorrow we are driving from LA (where we are vacationing from Miami, FL) to San Diego to spend a few days with a couple we first met in 2012 in Paris while attending L'Atelier 9.

An interesting thread... some of these courses are only a few weeks in length? Hmmm....

I have recently been researching language schools in France so appreciate reading about everyone's experiences.

I went to CLE in Tours for 1 week in 2008. I was in an intermediate class but did not come away feeling like I learned too much from the experience. There were 5 in my class so I did appreciate the small class size. The school did offer a couple of excursions.

Went to coeur de France in Sancerre in 2013. There were 6 in the class - all Americains. Everyone was great about speaking French all the time. I got a lot out of the class. My only hesitation about going back is that I didn't have a car while there and as another poster said, after a few days, I felt like I'd explored every corner of Sancerre.

I've been looking at Valorme language school in the town of Foix in southwestern France but can't find many reviews of if. Anyone been there?

Thank you Billandcindy for the info on L'Atelier 9. I'll check it out.

powhatangal -- and others: -- I am curious about what features of the language school made or makes a good experience. E.g, powhatangal didn't find CLE as beneficial many years ago as Valorme. Was it the length of time you spent in each school ? The teachers? The level of the class or class mates? The amount of time speaking French? Luck? Or other things.

I will be going to a language school this spring and would like to make the most of my experience (I am going to CLE in Tours).

AnnArborite, I've already discussed our school experience (above). For us -- both recent retirees -- learning a language is a process. In the way of context, my wife and I have been studying French since 2010. Since 2012, we've spent 2-3 months a year in France and, while there, have gone to school more than half the time. Yet, we are still a ways away (for me, maybe quite a ways away) from being advanced level French speakers.

When going to a language school, all the factors you mentioned -- time, teachers, fellow students, etc -- play an important role. Some of these you cannot control. But one that you can is speaking French as often as possible, in and out of class. Overall, I would guard against setting your expectations too high, look for opportunities to speak French, especially to the French (not always easy to do as they will often respond to you in English, especially in Paris), and enjoy the experience (malheureusement, I've seen some students who clearly didn't).

AnnArborite - just now seeing your post. I was at CLE in Tours for only a week and also only at Coeur de France for a week. I found that my classes at CLE weren't very structured whereas the classes at Coeur de France were more structured with some grammar, listening skills, lots of conversing with the teacher and classmates, and even homework. That kind of structure suits me so I loved that learning environment.
I have been studying French for over 40 years (my collage major and spent my junior year studying in Paris). I think my placement levels at both schools were appropriate and the teachers at CLE were great. I just took away more from my experience at Coeur de France than CLE.
Valorme is something I'm looking at for 2016.
Enjoy CLE this spring. Place Plummereau is a great place for cafes!

Hi all.

Just thought I'd contribute to the thread and add my experience.

I took a 6 week intensive course at Cavilam in Vichy in November 2014 and was very happy with the experience and progression of my french.

Courses they offer start at one week, but I'd recommend you do at least 3 weeks. I noticed my french improving a lot by the 3rd week. First week though, I was totally swamped.

Classes go most days for about 3 hours in the morning. Not a word in English - all french. Almost all oral work interacting in groups and with the prof. Very, very intensive and draining but worth it.
My listening comprehension and speaking improved a huge amount. Profs are very well qualified and follow a syllabus. Afternoon classes most days went for an hour and a half. I chose "oral", but you could go for vocab, writing. Again, all in french so daunting at first.

Student ages were mostly in their 20's or early 30's. I'm in my late 50's and was a rarity. Most were there to improve their uni french or for their work. I was the only one in my class doing it purely for pleasure.

I chose studio accommodation organised by Cavilam. I was disappointed with my accommodation at first. Studio very dumpy - maybe my expectations were too high.
After 3 days I decided to switch to a homestay family- partly because studio was dumpy, partly I decided I was too isolated in the studio.

Cavilam were good about switching my accommodation. No issues there.

Homestay was good. I have no doubt my french improved as well because of the extra immersion at homestay.

I started at french level A2-2 and finished at B1-1. Listening and speaking improved a huge amount for me.

I intend returning to France to push myself to the B1+ or B2 level later this year. Probably will return to Cavilam - I liked their intensity, no language other than French in class, and classroom style. Lots of oral work in groups so important you forget about being too shy.

Still uncertain on the type of accommodation I'll get. I like my privacy, but homestaying really improves your french further.
If you're unhappy with family or studio, Cavilam will switch you on request.

Hope this helps some. Any questions I'll be happy to reply to.