(Duplicate post, because I neglected to link the first one to France. Woops!)

My son and his best friend will be graduating from high school this Spring and are interested in studying the French language in France next summer for a month or so. They've both studied French in school for 4 years, but wish to become more fluent.

We are willing to pay half of his cost, and he would pay the other half from his part-time job earnings, so lower cost is a definite consideration.

Looking briefly through various offerings on the Web, there is a wide range of costs and levels of hand-holding. I'm thinking that my son and his friend don't need much hand-holding, but shouldn't be overwhelmed by too much fending for themselves either. Either a host-family situation or a college dorm would probably be best.

Location is totally up in the air... Paris, the Alps, the Mediterranean, the west (La Rochelle or Bordeaux), the east (Strasbourg)... they aren't committed to any particular place, because so many of the offerings seem appealing.

College credit would be nice (both kids are in the middle of applying to colleges for next year), but isn't a major consideration.

Are there any programs that you are personally knowledgeable about that might fit the bill?

can you tell me where you found some short term language courses in Paris? Any particular website you found useful? I'm travelling next month.

I've been to the Paris Alliance Francaise twice, though many years ago. The AF has one month programs that start at the beginning of each month. You take a placement test and the school puts you in an appropriate class. It is informal and you meet students from all over the world. There is a total imersion course. You learn as much as you want to learn. Of course you are living as a civilian in Paris so that adds to the challenge. If you can speak French in Paris you can speak French anywhere. Your son and friend should find French girl friends to enhance the experience. Avoid the inclination to speak English.

A year ago I took a week long class at ELFE in Paris. Students had various levels and abilities with a wide range of ages. Different types of housing was available as well. This is the website http://www.elfe-paris.com/Ecole_Accueil.asp?Id_langue=2

Deborah

Solo_traveler6 - Basically just a Google search of "language study Paris" or some such. I was looking for a summer term specifically, and a lot of the programs are either full-semester or summer.

Also, the "Let's Go" guidebook has these recommendations:
http://www.letsgo.com/destinations/e...uage%20Schools

I recommend the school I went to, and it

is one of the best language schools in France: Eurocentre-their Paris school is the biggest and the best, tucked away on the Rue Dauphine, right off the Blvd. St. Germain-excellent instruction and cultural offerings. Also, Eurocentre has another school in La Rochelle and also Amboise-I know the school and the accomodations in La Rochelle get very high marks from students I know who started there-so if your sons wanted to do a month at one, and then the other, then that's possible as well.

http://www.eurocentres.com/en/langua...,11,x48,2.html

I can highly recommend the Institut de Touraine in Tours.
www.institut-touraine.asso.fr/

Excellent teachers, with the "bonus" that the French spoken in Tours is reputed to be the "purest" (i.e. closest to received pronunciation) in France. The school is housed in a lovely old building, and it's well located in the centre of Tours. Their courses range from one month to several months (I studied there for 5 months back in 1994-5).

The school can also arrange accommodation with host families, in university halls of residence, etc.

Thanks everyone! Great ideas.