Easy Languages

Program

Destination

Normandy is located in north-western France and enjoys a micro-climate with an average temperature of 15ºC. This means that the grass grows all year round, making Normandy one of France’s premiere agricultural regions, famous for its cheeses (Camembert, Petit Suisse etc) and other dairy products. Not only that but the region also has a rich history, evidenced by its four UNESCO world heritage sites: Mont Saint Michel, Bayeux, Le Havre and the Isles Tatou. Indeed many of its villages, labelled as sites of “Art and History", are cited as being amongst the most beautiful in France.

Rouen, famous for its cathedral and Joan of Arc, is the capital of the Upper Normandy region. Once one of the largest and most prosperous cities of medieval Europe, Rouen was the seat of the Exchequer of Normandy and one of the capitals of the Anglo-Norman dynasties, which ruled both England and large parts of modern France from the 11th to 15th centuries.

Paris, with its 3 major airports and high speed rail links to London and Brussels, is one hour away by train. Mont St Michel or the chateaux of the Loire, France’s most emblematic tourist destinations, are only two and a half hours away by coach.

School

Our partner school is located in the modern city centre of Saint Sever on the left bank of the river Seine, just 10 minutes walk from the historic centre with its cathedral and medieval buildings. Easily accessible (2 metro stops and 4 bus stops within a few minutes walk), the school occupies a bright and modern building. There is a free water fountain, a hot drinks distributor and a cold drinks and snacks machine. Several bakers and other food outlets are within 4 minutes walk. In addition to the 20 computers with free internet access available to students outside lesson hours, the school offers a free WiFi connection on all floors.

The school is accredited by the French Government scheme for centres teaching French as a foreign language (FLE). The label ‘Qualité FLE’ is only awarded after a rigorous audit of all aspects of the school. It is the only private school in the region to attain this accreditation and to be a member of IALC (International Association of Language Centres).

The school has a highly motivated team of expert and qualified teachers who contribute to the development and success of its language programmes. All teachers are expected to have a qualification in the teaching of French as a Foreign Language and undergo an induction period to become fully familiar with the school's teaching methodology.

Courses

Classes are in small groups of up to 10 students with a mixture of nationalities. Each lesson lasts 60 minutes. Classes run between 9:30am and 4pm, depending on your level, with breaks at 11am-11:30am and 1pm-2pm. Minimum duration is one week. Classes start every Monday.

Students are given a test to do before they arrive (written) and the first day of their course (orally) in order to place them in the correct level (A0 - C2) according to BULATS/ALTE.

Please note: orientation on your first day meets at 8:15am. There you will meet the staff and other students and be given a guided tour of the centre and its facilities.

The students can choose one of the following courses:

• Semi-intensive course: 15 lessons per week
  These classes only run in the mornings, and are based on communicative French and structural progression. All levels welcome, including complete beginners.
• Intensive course: 25 lessons per week
  These run all day, and in the afternoons they focus on specific areas in workshops dedicated to grammar, pronunciation, listening, writing, or reading skills. All levels welcome, including complete beginners.
  
• DELF and DALF exam preparation: 2h per week
  This workshop is designed especially for those wishing to sit the DELF/DALF examination and is taken in addition to either the semi-intensive course, or as a workshop as part of the intensive course. It runs for 2 hours per week on Thursday afternoons (4pm-6pm). Minimum 4 weeks.
• Private course: 5h, 15h or 30h per week
  Private lessons allow a very effective learning, focused on the preferences andgoals of the student. More flexible in terms of schedules, they can be taken alone orcombined with the semi-intensive program totalling either 30 hours (15 hours group, 15 hours private) or 20 hours (15 hours group, 5 hours private).
• Professional mini-group course: 30 lessons per week
  This course has a maximum of 4 students per group, and the courses can be specialised to suit a company's needs.
• French PLUS+ courses: (these courses combine language with leisure and offer the opportunity experience French culture and cuisine)
  • Gourmet French: 30 hours per week of culture and tastings, including 15 hours of French classes. Courses focused around culinary history, culture, and techniques.
  • French and Cuisine: 30 hours per week including 10 hours of French classes, and afternoon cookery classes. Learn to cook with professional French chefs.
• Business French
  A team of highly experienced teachers will develop the right programme for you and your needs, either one-on-one or in small groups of up to 4 participants.
  
  

Internship in Normandy

Our partner school also offers work experience placements with a 4 week intensive French language course to students age 18 and up. This programme is designed for students wishing to perfect their French language skills in a French-speaking environment while gaining professional work experience.

Participants may choose from the following areas for their work placement: Sales, Marketing, and Client Relations; Secretarial and Office; Information and Document Management; Human Resources Management; Tourism; Retail; Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Activities

The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities and aims to choose activities that are complementary to classes and course content, as well as exciting and cultural excursions every week. Some example past excursions include: Mont St Michel, Bayeux tapestry, the World War II landing beaches, Monet’s house and gardens at Giverny, Versailles, Camembert and Neufchâtel cheese makers...

Some activities include a drama club, a French cinema club, and a variety of activities on Thursday afternoons, from salsa lessons to jewellery making, from visiting speakers to table football contests. For some activities a small charge is made to cover materials.

Accommodation

Two types of accommodation are offered for this program:

Host family

Lodging with a family offers the possibility of getting the maximum from a course. The student can put into practice the knowledge acquired and get to know firsthand the daily life and customs of the French. Families are selected very carefully, bearing in mind the personal characteristics of each student. Our principal aim is that students feel comfortable and can carry out their programme of studies and their experience with a family in a satisfactory way.

Staying with a family normally includes a single room and breakfast, with washing and ironing of clothes.

Students usually arrive on Sunday and leave on Saturday but of course we can accommodate students according to their travel arrangements.

Student Residences

For participants aged 18 and up, the school also offers accommodation in one of their student residences, only 10 minutes walk from the school.

They are all fully-equipped with TV, kitchen equipment, cable internet, towels, blankets and sheets. Coin-operated washing and drying machines available as is parking. Meals are not included except breakfast from Monday to Saturday.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Courses begin any Monday for every level.

Starting dates for French PLUS+ courses:

• Gourmet French and French and Cuisine: 06/02, 05/03, 16/04, 08/10, 19/11
• Picture the Real France: 16/04, 08/10

The school is closed on the following holidays (no classes, the school makes up time lost with additional classes): 01/01, 07 and 09/04, 01/05, 08/05, 17/05, 26 and 28/05, 14/07, 15/08, 01/11, 10/11, 22/12/12 - 07/01/13.

Prices include:

• The chosen language programme
  
• Host family accommodation (single room with a local family, half board); Residential accommodation in a private room is available for over 18s
  
• All administrative costs
• Course materials
  
• Use of the school facilities and the multimedia centre
• Pick-up by the host family from Rouen train station or centre of town
  
  

Prices exclude:

• Transportation to Rouen
• Additional costs for activities/excursions
• Visa costs

Practical Info

Transport

• Arrival airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) or Orly (ORY)
  
• An optional transfer from the Airport to the accommodation is possible

An (optional) transfer is available between airport and accommodation - see price table.

If you prefer, we can book your flights for you. This must be made clear at the moment of enrolment.

If you intend to book your own flight, try to arrive the Sunday before the start of your course and leave the Saturday following its end.

Visa Information

EU residents do not normally need a Visa to enter France.

Citizens of other countries, such as the USA, Brazil, Japan, Korea, etc, can stay in France without a Visa for up to 3 months.

If you intend to stay for longer than 3 months, you will need to apply for a Student Visa (type D) before arriving.

Students coming from such countries must acquaint themselves with the visa application procedures involved at their local Spanish Embassy or Consulate.