|
Program & Admission Information - Paris, France
|
|
|
|
|
The teaching of functional language skills, with an action-oriented methodology, is at the heart of our teaching philosophy. Students will learn the skills needed to communicate in real life situations. Exercises to improve fluency and accuracy are combined with communicative, and small-group activities.
The Framework on the teaching methodology is provided by the Scale of Levels. The Scale of Levels was developed based on over 15 years’ worth of research and development. They have been further developed to produce the Common European Framework, and the related official European Language Passport.
A placement test to is given to students before their first class to ensure that they are in the appropriate level for their current language levels. Teachers analyze the results of placement tests and adapted a plan of instruction for each class and student.
Students need two components to achieve success in language learning:
|
|
|
|
| |
•
Language Resources: Knowledge of the grammatical structures, the vocabulary, the turns of phrase and pronunciation necessary in order to be able to communicate.
|
|
| |
•
Communicative Interaction: Experiential learning to get used to formulating what he/she wants to say, reacting spontaneously, finding ways around difficulties of expression.
|
|
|
|
Student progress is monitored through regular homework, a feedback session every Friday (which is used to discuss the previous week and the plans for the following week), and a weekly quiz on the language learned that week. At regular intervals, advisers talk to groups of students about their satisfaction, and progression in the French language. Additionally, regular and end of course tests are given to each student to evaluate the language level reached.
There are currently two tests:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
•
Communicative Abilities
|
|
|
|
|
The Language Resources is given to students to derive their knowledge of the grammatical structures, the vocabulary, and the turns of phrase necessary. The test is used as part of the placement exam, and to continually evaluate the students level . The test may be taken on paper, or on a computer in the multimedia learning center.
The Communicative Abilities test may, at first glance, not even appear to be a test. Every week the student has a longer communicative activity with their teacher who spots strengths and weaknesses in the students oral skills. In addition, the teacher uses a detailed set of criteria to evaluate the language level demonstrated by each student during their last week of study. Teachers already have a good impression of what the student can do, but they follow a standardized assessment procedure to ensure that final assessments are fair. It is all part of the guarantee of quality teaching, based on proven methods, and objective orientated evaluation standards.
The teaching of functional language skills in an action-oriented approach is at the heart of the methodology. Students will learn the skills needed to communicate in real life situations. Exercises to improve fluency and accuracy are combined with communicative small-group activities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic Course
20 lessons per week. Available for students at any level, beginning to advanced. Each lesson has a duration of 50 minutes. The courses take place in the morning, Monday-Friday. Self study in the multimedia learning center is available for all students, as are learning resources of all kinds: audio, video, and computer assisted language learning. These elements are all available for students to work independently
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intensive Course
Group 25 lesson per week. Available for students at any level, beginning to advanced. Each lesson has a duration of 50 minutes. The courses take place in the morning, Monday-Friday. Self study in the multimedia learning center is available for all students, as are learning resources of all kinds: audio, video, and computer assisted language learning. These elements are all available for students to work independently.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Teacher Refresher Course
Group 25 lessons per week. French language teachers can take this course to update language skills, refresh knowledge familiarity with France and explore new developments in teaching methodology. Staff are experienced, trained specialists in language education and teaching methodology. The typical course has 3 main components:
|
|
|
| |
•
Advanced Language Improvement
|
|
| |
•
Language Teaching Methodology
|
|
| |
•
Cultural & Background Studies
|
|
|
|
|
The course is 2 weeks long and each class has a duration of 50 minutes. A maximum of 13 students per class is allowed. The course is open to those at Levels 7-10.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
09:00 - 09:50 Communication & Comprehension Techniques
10:00 - 10:50 Oral Skills
11:10 - 12:00 Writing Skills
12:10 - 13:00 Grammar & Vocabulary
13:00 - 14:10 Lunch
14:10 - 18:00 Elective & Social Programs; Learning Center
* Day-At-A-Glance is a sample day and will vary depending on enrollment, time of year, lodging, etc. It is designed to show content rather than precise scheduling
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Admissions & Academic Credit
|
|
|
|
Students age 16 years and older are welcomed regardless of educational background, occupation or nationality. No previous knowledge of French is required except where otherwise indicated.
Students seeking credit for study should check with their home school before registering. Generally, U.S. schools consider 15 hours of study to be equal to 1 semester credit.
For more information about academic credit in French speaking countries, please click here.
For general information on academic credit, please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Certificate will be issued to students provided they have attended the course regularly. The Certificate describes precise level of language competence the student has achieved in the following areas: listening, speaking, reading and writing.
Preparation for the following exams are offered, optionally, at an additional cost, and/or as guided self study in the multimedia learning center:
|
|
|
|
| |
•
Alliance Française: Certificat d'Etudes de Français Pratique 1 (CEFP 1) for unit A2, level 3.
|
|
| |
•
Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française I (DELF) for unit B1+, level 5.
|
|
| |
•
Diplôme d'Etudes an Langue Française II (DELF) / Accès au DALF / Alliance Française: Diplôme de Langue Française (DL) for unit B2+, level 7.
|
|
| |
•
Diplôme Approfondi en Langue Française (DALF) / Alliance Française: Diplôme Supérieur d'Etudes Françaises Modernes (DS) for unit C1+, level 9.
|
|
|
