Learn French in Bordeaux - French Courses and Schools in France

Course Prices Accommodation Prices School Facilities Course Details Accommodation Details

Learn French in Bordeaux, France

This distinguished city is the best preserved 18th century architectural complex in the world. Its white stone façades, parks, original cobblestone streets and elegant boulevards are just some of the many aspects which seduce visitors and ranks Bordeaux among Europe's most beautiful cities.

Some activities you may want to experience here are: A guided tour of Bordeaux 18th and19th architecture and historical monuments; wine tasting; a visit to the Bordeaux modern art museum - an internationally renowned museum located in a spectacular warehouse; A full day excursion to the Arcachon Bay and Dune du Pyla - the highest sand dune in Europe which offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic ocean and pine forest: a tour of the 'Aquitaine Museum' – an historical regional museum, interesting for its history of the Bordeaux wine trade and commerce from 17th to 19th century. There is also the St. Andre cathedral and excursions to nearby towns and vineyards. You can experience the delightful local cuisine in numerous restaurants and coffee shops.

The main regional attractions are:

• Prestigious wines and chateaux's.
• Long sandy beaches.
• The largest pine forest in Europe.
• The highest sand dune (105 meters), which plunges down into the sea.
• Arcachon Bay
• The medieval village of St Emilion, perched above the vineyards.
• The Dordogne region with its prehistoric sites and medieval castles.
• The beautiful and unspoilt Pays Basque region.
• The Pyrenees mountains
• Spain only two and a half hours away

Bordeaux is served by major transport links: the A10 auto route linking Paris to Spain, TGV trains within 3 hours from Paris or by air to Bordeaux international airport with more than 20 direct flights from major cities around the world and 200 flights per week.

French Courses in Bordeaux, France - Fees

Accommodation Fees

Our French school in Bordeaux, France

Our French language school in Bordeaux, France is located in a spacious 19th century three-storey building in the heart of the city, and has 15 bright, air-conditioned classrooms with an internet access and self study room and lounge leading onto a sheltered garden. The French school in Bordeaux, France proposes an internet card at a cost of 20€ for unlimited use. Students can also take advantage of their free time to learn French in the self-study room.

All our teachers are qualified to teach French to foreign students (Diplômes de Français Langue Etrangère) and have an excellent knowledge of French culture and civilization. Many of our teachers have lived and taught French abroad and speak several languages, therefore relating easily to different cultures. Their enthusiasm and spontaneity guarantee lively and effective lessons. Our instructors have many years experience teaching French courses in France.

We follow a strict quality control and are committed to maintaining high quality services. We have regular inspections and have a procedure for disputes. Centers are inspected at least once every 5 years, by two independent inspectors not linked to the group, on the basis of total compliance with quality criteria. Should a dispute arise over one of the services indicated and if the student is not provided with a satisfactory solution by the director of his center, he can inform the quality control company of the reasons for his dissatisfaction.

Our prime objective is to work on the practice of the French language using oral expression, enabling the person to rapidly communicate in everyday situations.

Our French courses follow the contents and progression of a manual (French as a foreign language) for adults, to which we add authentic material to help get a better understanding of the social and cultural aspects of the language. Our methods are above all interactive and communicative.

The French courses are carefully structured but sufficiently flexible to allow each person to progress according to their level and learning pace.

Our French Courses in Bordeaux, France

French courses in Bordeaux, France last for a minimum of 1 week for private tuition and combined courses and a minimum of 2 weeks for group French language courses.

The groups are small and consist of 10 to 12 adults maximum per class allowing individual attention and the opportunity for each person to actively participate during the lessons.

The 6 levels from complete beginners to advanced levels are selected as officially defined by the Council of Europe. The minimum age is 17 years old. Each lesson lasts 45 minutes.

Most programs can be started on any Monday, except for beginners.

Beginners start dates are: 08/01; 05/02; 05/03; 02/04; 30/04; 28/05; 25/06; 23/07 ; 20/08; 17/09; 15/10; 12/11

20 lesson Standard Course

• All levels
• Starts every Monday
• From 2 weeks to 48 weeks

A general French group course that takes place entirely during the morning and is a semi-intensive program, which provides enough time to participate in the cultural activities organized by the school and discover the region.

26 or 30 lesson Standard Course

• 20 lessons + 6 or 10 lessons per week
• Elementary to intermediate levels
• Starts every Monday
• Minimum of 2 weeks

This is the same core program as our standard course in the morning and the 6 or 10 afternoon lessons are based on the discovery of France and the French through communicative and creative skills. The intensive course is good for those seeking to maximize the amount of French they can learn per week.

Combined French Courses

• 20 lessons in a group + 4, 6, 8 or 10 private lessons per week.
• All levels
• Starts every Monday
• Minimum of 1 week

This is a personalized and flexible course which provides the opportunity, during the afternoon private lessons, to study a specific subject or focus on any given aspect of the French language that the person wishes to perfect (phonetics, grammar,

written & oral expression,…) An ideal course to obtain both advantages of the interactivity of a group and personalized attention from the private tuition.

Individual

• 10, 15, 20, 25 or 30 lessons per week
• All levels
• Starts every Monday
• Minimum of 1 week

Together with our qualified teachers, the participant will define his/her objectives to create an individual program adapted to his/her level and learning pace. This provides an extremely flexible course that caters perfectly to individual needs.

TEF (Test d'Evaluation de Français)

For those seeking to evaluate their exact level in French, we highly recommend the TEF test ( Test d'Evaluation de Francais ) of the Paris Chamber of Commerce. This is a high standard test that assesses and certifies the person's proficiency in the French language. It provides a quality appraisal, on the basis of a multiple-choice format. The TEF evaluates, without requiring any prior preparation (just a minimum of 100 hours of French), a person's comprehension

and communicative skills, such as : listening and written comprehension, structure and vocabulary.

Consists of 3 tests: 1 main and 2 optional which cost 65 € each. The TEF test is included in the price of the long stay courses.

Note that due to national holidays there are no classes on the following dates: 09/04; 01/05; 08/05; 17/05; 15/08; 01/11.
The school will also be closed between 21/12/2007 and 06/01/2008

Learn French in Bordeaux, France - Accommodation

Most of the below hotels & residences offer our students preferential prices. Prices are subject to change.

School Residence - 35 minute walk from the school

Four-storey non-smoking residence with 13 newly renovated rooms, located a short distance from the city centre and the school (35 minutes walk, 20 minutes bus ride and 10 minutes by bike).

All rooms are equipped with single beds (90 cms wide), a desk and an area for storage and hanging clothes. 3 bedrooms have an extra bed available for a second person and a supplement of 10 euros is charged per night. For the comfort of two persons sharing this accommodation, the duration of rent is fixed to a maximum of 28 days.

Two kitchens are available, equipped with fridge, microwave/grill, two hobs, kitchen utensils, kettle, vacuum cleaner and a television (national channels).

• Ground floor level: Linen room with iron and ironing board. Bike storage area.
• First floor: 3 bedrooms, kitchen, shower room and toilet.
• Second floor: 4 bedrooms, shower room and toilet.
• Third floor: 3 bedrooms, kitchen, shower room and toilet.
• Fourth floor: 3 bedrooms, shower room and toilet.

Prices include

• sheets & pillowcase, one large and one small towel (to be returned when leaving). The tenant is responsible for the cleaning of these items.
• Tea bags, coffee, sugar, as well as one roll of toilet paper are offered to the residents on arrival.
• Free internet connection (WIFI)
• Daily tax 0.30€ per night/person

Residence Citea

15 min walk from the school.

Modern building & facilities, close to the city centre. Studio apartments for 1 to 4 persons offering fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom, telephone & cleaning services once a week. Price includes: towels & linen. Extra cost for breakfast 7€. Security deposit: 700€. No air conditioning. Internet access.

Aparthotel Victoria Garden***

25 mn walk from the school

Modern building located in the lively student quarter of the city. Studio apartments for 1 to 4 persons offering fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom, toilet, TV & telephone. Plus sauna, laundry room, parking and hotel services. No air conditioning but air freshening system». Breakfast: 6€

Apart'valley Residence***

New residence, situated 100 meters from Quai des Chartrons. Elegantly furnished. Studios and apartments, fully equipped with kitchenette, bathroom, telephone, Satellite TV. Air conditioning. Free parking facilities. WIFI (please enquire for fees). Studio 1-2 persons : main room with sofa bed. Breakfast 7,5€.

Aparthotel Citadines***

10 min walk from the school. Refurbished in 2006

Located in the modern, business area of the city. Studio apartments for 1 to 4 persons offering fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom, toilet, TV & telephone. Studio: main room with a sofa bed or 2 separate beds. Two-room apartment: living/bedroom + 1 bedroom with 2 beds. No air conditioning.

Host Family

Our accommodation officer rigorously selects each of our families and spends a great deal of time matching the person to the right family, which is why we appreciate as much information as possible regarding: personality likes and dislikes etc.

We have host families of all ages and social backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common, their hospitality and friendliness. The host families provide breakfast and dinner on weekdays and all meals on weekends, with an individual, comfortable bedroom.

Generally, there are one or two students of different nationalities per family, except during the summer period when this cannot be guaranteed. Accommodation is from Sunday prior to starting date of the course until Saturday or Sunday after the end of the course.

Please do not forget to send us full travel arrangements at least 2 weeks before arrival.

Please note that in July and August, host family accommodation is sometimes subject to availability. Host Family Accommodation - breakfast & dinner on week days & all meals on weekends: 28€ per day. Please state your preference on the application form.

Please note: All prices are quoted in Euros. For the equivalent in your currency, please visit www.xe.com/ucc.