Learning Italian in Rome or learning French in Paris
 

Has anyone any recommendations for language schools which include accommodation in either Paris or Rome. This would be for my 17 year old son. I have searched this forum, Slowtrav and the internet generally and I have found only 2 recommendations. Can you help? Thanks!

Hello Lily, I sure can't reommend any but I went onto Google and typed
Italian Language Schools, Rome, Italy
and there are a lot of websites..so you might want to do the same and see if there is any school that you feel would be good for your son. Best regards.

I typed "language classes in rome" (without quotes) in the search field above, and got lots of hits including this one:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34620260

You should try doing that for Paris as well.

Thanks LoveItaly and sandi. I have found lots of schools but not much info on people who have acutally been to the schools. It's nice to have first hand info. But I've found more recommendations now on Slow Trav.

I've been to three different ones in Paris and tend to know some others from folks who've been there, and the fact that I like doing this a lot. But in order to suggest something, I wonder about several things, which are really pertinent:

How old will he be when he wants to attend this school? (many won't accept 17 year olds).

When does he want to go (time of year) and for how long?

Thanks Christina. My son is 17 and he wants to go for four weeks this summer(he'll still be 17). I'm considering the Accord Teen Summer program in Paris as it is accredited by Souffle. Do you know anything about this one or would you have some other recommendations? Thanks so much!

oh, well that's a real problem then (his age). I think Accord is probably a good choice. I have heard a few good things about them, I'm pretty sure. Besides, if they have a teen program, there will be lots of other kids his age there. One I went to that is more private, not university-affiliated, tends to be older people (like expats living in Paris trying to learn French, older adults trying to learn some for work, etc.). They do have plenty of younger students, though, you can give them a look. They are a very good school, I can tell you that, and flexible on the hours and schedules. They have some housing "help" or an office and suggestions, but I don't think it's as convenient as Accord or those places where they set up the whole thing and you just sign up. This is one I went to
http://www.institut-parisien.com/

I've also been to two university programs, but they don't accept 17 year olds.

Now that I look at L'Institut Parisien, they do have a residence hall, but it's in a suburb about 45 minutes outside Paris, so I wouldn't do that. Their website claims it's 40 min from the school but 8 min from St-Germain des Pres, and that's an error. They mean the school is 8 min from St-Germain des Pres (approx, by metro), but the residence is outside Paris.

Thanks for your help Christina. Looks like we'll be going with Accord.