I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a particular intensive French language school or program for the summer. I'm a beginner, 45 years old, hoping for something for two to three weeks. Is anyone familiar with the Accord Ecole de Langues in Paris? Any advice re: dorms vs. homestays, Paris vs. smaller cities? Thanks!

hi, I've written a couple posts on some of my suggestions, before, so perhaps you have already read those or could review those threads, as there were some good suggestions in there (by others).

IN any case, on those threads I recommended all three of the Parisian schools I've attended -- two universities (Sorbonne and l'Institut Catholique de Paris) and one private school (l'INstitut Parisien). They were all excellent for what they were, I just took a few weeks conversation class at l'Institut Parisien as I didn't have time during that vacation for more. The others I took 4-5 week long classes taking 18 hours or week or so -- language plus some other course (translation, literature, etc), but I was not a beginner. They all have total beginner levels in their programs, though. Your age is fine, although I do think there was a wider variety of ages in the private school and l'Institut Catholique compared to the Sorbonne (as it is very heavy on the schedule for tons of college students in their summer programs). The private school I attended had people who were learning for business reasons (germans, Swiss, etc) or were expats living in Paris needing to learn the language.

I've heard of Accord but don't really know anyone whose been there so I can't comment on that. Dorms vs. homestays is just a personal decision, I don't even like living with my family normally (well, I've been on my own a very long time, and live alone now), I sure wouldn't do that on vacation or with a strange family. I wouldn't even go to such a program if I had to live with a family, I want my privacy and independence, and I also much preferred meeting people and doing things with all the people staying in the residences. It was really nice to go back and have many people to have dinner with and conversations with -- including discussions of classes, teachers, travel, etc. Some people say living in a home forces you to speak more, but I don't agree with that -- you do what you want to do. First, you are out and about all day in Paris anyway, to speak and secondly, lots of the students didn't speak English much anyway as these were international programs. SO in many cases, beginning French was the language we had in commmon. Also, at the l'Institut Catholique foyer (I didn't really eat much in the cafeteria at the Sorbonne Cite Universitaire as my residence hall didn't have its own), some students deliberately chose to have a table where we only spoke French, etc. Not to mention the nuns running the place only spoke French.

Only private schools have classes of only 2-3 weeks, however, as you really can't learn much in that time frame for a serious language study program. The private school I went to is more flexible and for a conversation class, a couple weeks was fine. I think they allowed flexible enrollment in other classes, but don't know about total beginners. YOu can check their website, if you want.

http://www.institut-parisien.com/apprendre/index.php

I think for that school, they don't have a dorm like universities but may make some recommendations or try to set up some homestays, I'm not sure as I wasn't at all interested. I rented my own apartment.

I've never studied in a smaller city so have no opinion except one reason I haven't is that it doesn't appeal to me. But that's personal. I like big cities and their opportunities, transportation, etc.

It appears that l'Institut Parisien, even though private, won't allow total beginners to take classes for only 2-3 weeks, they have a four week minimum, which doesn't surprise me. It is a serious school and gives credits, so maybe some other place is better for what you want. Accord is actually the only school I've heard of that would do that, but I haven't checked around that much in the private schools.

Thanks, Christina, for the very thorough and helpful reply! I will let you know what I decide.

I did the Alliance Francaise twice. They give you an entrance exam to set your course. It is for a minimum of four weeks, but they don't chain you down. Go home when you want. Classes start at the beginning of the month. People of all ages and nations attend. It's fun.

Centre Linguistique pour Etrangers (CLE) in Tours. Minimum of 7-8 per class, 7 levels of instruction, students of all ages from all over the world. I did two weeks there several years ago, and while that certainly wasn't enough time to become fluent, it was very helpful in improving my skills. It is a place where they take learning seriously. It was a wonderful experience.

I think it would be harder to study in Paris because of all the "distractions" of the city.

I've gone for four years now to l'Ecole des Trois Ponts in Roanne, France, and can't recommend it highly enough!

They have cooking classes as well as French classes, which are also excellent if you're interested. You can go for one week or multiple weeks.

It's a school for adults, not college-age kids. You stay in a Villa with other students and speak French all day. (there is an English-speaking table for beginners at dinner)

The staff is great, and the other students are a fascinating bunch from all over the world. We've forged some wonderful friendships there. Roanne's a good place to practice your newly-learned French because there aren't very many people there who speak English.

You can read my trip report about it here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...es-3-ponts.cfm

Since my report they've moved from the chateau to a smaller villa, which I like even better than the chateau.

I discovered this school named Valorme after scouring the internet for weeks looking for the perfect French course to take during my vacation. The school is located in Foix, a small medieval village in the Mid-Pyrenned, in the southwest of France. I wanted something which was immersion, but still relaxed enough -- i was on vacation after all! I settled on this school after reading review after review which described the instructors and program as more of a family like setting, but still having structure good for learning French practically. The setup was morning classes in French, followed by lunch and an afternoon or evening activity. The class was perfectly sized - max of 6 students at a time. There was 3 in my beginner course and 3 in the advanced course. Corine and Alain her husband always spoke in French, but it was in such a way that you could understand them easily. The trips they arranged were also by far the best ones i've had in France. And they really make you feel like family. I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know the other students as well. They were from all over the world, but all of us were unified by our one common passion -- learning French!

I can't recommend this program enough. You can do 1 week or more. I did 2 weeks. I suspect if you do the 1 week though, you will regret it and wish you did at least 1 more week.

The studios they offer are also wonderful. For very cheap, you have a really cute studio which opens up to the castle of foix which rests on this rocky hill. It's truly stunning and incredible. Each morning, i would walk across the cobble stoned street and walk to the boulangerie for my croissant or crispy baguette and an espresso. It was so perfect. In the evenings i would explore neighboring medieval villages and some of the narrow roads would be surrounded by expanses of sun flowers, often taller than my car. I could hardly believe that such beauty was real.

For anyone that has interest in France or French, this program is a must try.

I just looked at the Valorme website.It looks fantastic. Now all I have to do is to convince the DH! I've had 6 years of French and he speaks restaurant French but I would love to do this particular course. Lots of variations in time and theme a=nd the studios look lovely!

I have never attended personally but I have heard rave reviews from independent sources about the Institut de Français in Villefranche-sur-mer. They offer 2 or 4 week courses which run 8½ hours a day, 5 days a week.

http://www.institutdefrancais.com/

It´s a great location as well.

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