Learn to master French in magnificent surroundings characterized by old castles, lakes, vineyards, mountains, and national parks. Chambéry, the historical capital of the Savoie region, is situated in the French Alps and an ideal place to learn the French language, culture, and way of life.
The French language programs in Chambéry are designed to immerse participants in French through class instruction and activities with native French speakers. Classes are held at the leading French Language Academy, one of France's leading institutions specialized in teaching the French Language. It is situated centrally and close to Chambéry's medieval town center.
The programs integrate all aspects of the language: reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, phonetics, and vocabulary. Accelerated teaching methods allow participants at lower proficiency levels to acquire the language skills needed for effective communication in a short period of time, and at higher proficiency levels, expression proficiency at an abstract level. Topics studied include everyday situations, French culture, society, and history.
A wide range of free weekly excursions and activities expand participants' learning opportunities outside of the classroom, and ensure that they experience French culture, the Alps and surrounding French regions while immersing in the language and society.
- Total immersion in the French language
- Total beginner to advanced classes are available
- Short duration: 1, 2 or 3 weeks, 1 month, 2 months
(Summer and Winter programs available)
- Long duration: Trimester, Semester, and Academic Year programs
- Start on the 1st or 2nd Monday of every month (short term programs)
or on specific dates throughout the year (long term programs)
- Semi-Intensive or Intensive language classes
- Free weekly guided tours, excursions, and activities
- Free activities with native French speakers
- US college credit transfer available
The curriculum is based on the needs of each proficiency level and designed to allow participants to progress rapidly and gain language fluency. Modern teaching methods focus on instilling the linguistic, practical, and cultural aspects of the language, as well as the French way of life.
Interactive teaching methods ensure that participants gain valuable information about modern-day French culture and society and improve linguistic and communicative skills. Emphasis is placed on developing oral expression, listening comprehension, reading comprehension, writing, and grammar. Up-to-date materials introduce modern-day France, social and economic life, culture, history, and literature.
Classes are held Monday to Friday, in the mornings from 8:30am to 12:30pm or in the afternoons from 1:30pm to 5:30pm. Each class is 55 minutes long and includes a 5 minute break. The first day of school is devoted to orientation and placement tests. Oral and written placement tests are held to ensure that students are correctly placed in their proficiency level. No classes are held on that day.
Teachers are native French and have degrees in teaching French as a Foreign Language. Up-to-date, carefully selected materials are used in class, giving participants valuable information on modern-day French culture and society while at the same time developing their language and communication skills.
There are 4 main proficiency levels that are further divided. First, participants are placed according to the proficiency level they indicate on the application form. At the start of the program, non-beginners take a written and oral placement test. Second placements are made according to the results of the placement tests.
TOTAL BEGINNER
This level is for those who have never learned French or who have learned a few words but cannot express themselves in complete sentences. Curriculum is designed to provide the knowledge of basic French. Classes focus on everyday vocabulary, simple texts and basic grammar. Conversation classes use simple topics related to daily life. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly attain correct pronunciation.
FALSE BEGINNER
This level is for those who have learned French, have a grasp of simple sentence structures, and have learned basic grammar systematically. Classes focus on improving vocabulary, sentence structures, listening, reading, and speaking skills. Writing exercises include composing simple letters, short essays, and reports. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly learn correct pronunciation and intonation. At the end of the program participants should be able to converse on daily topics and express themselves using elementary sentence structures.
INTERMEDIATE
This level is for those who are able to converse on general topics and express themselves using elementary French. Classes build on elementary French, increasing the level of grammar and vocabulary, enabling participants to express themselves functionally in different contexts. Class work focuses on French current events, civilization, and literature to build vocabulary while at the same time providing a greater awareness of French culture and society. Emphasis is placed on participants' grammar, syntax, writing, oral expression, and listening comprehension skills. Oral expression classes include discussions of various current events. Exercises to improve writing and grammar skills include writing reports, letters, narratives, and essays. Phonetics exercises and drills ensure that participants quickly master correct pronunciation and intonation.
ADVANCED
This level is for those who can discuss general topics, raise complex questions, and express their viewpoints clearly using correct pronunciation. Participants can express themselves systematically using appropriate expressions and language norms. The curriculum is focused on enabling participants to express themselves proficiently at an abstract level. Course literature includes French nonfiction, articles, and financial texts. To improve participants' fluency, class work includes advanced exercises in writing styles and techniques, and oral expression. These include commentaries, essays, speeches, and debates.
Short Term Programs:
1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, One Month, Two Months
These intensive French immersion programs are designed to focus on developing spoken and written French in a short period of time. The intensive program consists of a total of 20 hours per week.
Long Term Programs:
One Trimester, One Semester, Academic Year
These long-term programs are ideal for those who wish to devote a significant amount of time to learning and mastering French. Participants improve rapidly and become acquainted with the French lifestyle and customs. Choose to study the Semi-Intensive (12 hours a week) or the Intensive programs (20 hours a week).
At the end of the program examinations are held to assess the overall performance and successful participants are awarded a Certificate of completion.
| Program |
Intensity |
Start Dates 2008 |
1 week |
Intensive |
Total Beginners:
Jan 7, Feb 4, Mar 3, Mar 31,
Apr 28, Jun 2, Jun 30, Aug 4,
Sep 1, Sep 29, Nov 3, Dec 1.
|
2 weeks |
3 weeks |
1 month |
Intensive |
Jan 7-Feb 1, Feb 4-Feb 29,
Mar 3-28, Mar 31-Apr 25,
Apr 28-May 30, Sep 29-Oct 31,
Nov 3-28 |
2 months |
Jan 7-Feb 29, Feb 4-Mar 28,
Mar 3-Apr 25, Mar 31-May 30,
Apr 28-Jun 27, Jun 2-Aug 1,
Sep 1-Oct 31, Sep 29-Nov 28 |
Summer
1 month |
Intensive |
Jun 2-27, Jun 30-Aug 1,
Aug 4-29, Sep 1-26 |
Summer
2 months |
Jun 2-Aug 1,
Jun 30-Aug 29,Aug 4-Sep 26 |
Summer Semester |
Semi-Int |
Jun 2-Aug 29, Jun 30-Sep 26 |
Intensive |
Trimester
3 months |
Semi-Int |
Jan 7-Mar 28, Mar 3-May 30,
Jun 2-Aug29, Jun 30-Sep 26,
Sep 29-Dec 19
|
Intensive |
Trimester
3 months (Apr) |
Semi-Int |
Mar 31-Jun 27 |
Intensive |
Semester
4 months |
Semi-Int |
Jan 7-Apr 25, Feb 4-May 30
Sep 1-Dec 19,
Sep 29-Jan 23 (09) |
Intensive |
Academic Year
2 semesters |
Semi-Int |
Jan 7-May 30,
Feb 4-Aug 29, Jun 2-Dec 19,
Jun 30-Jan 23 (09) |
Intensive |
| Program |
Intensity |
Start Dates 2009 |
1 week |
Intensive |
Jan 5, Feb 2,
Mar 2, Mar 30,
May 4, Jun 2,
Jun 29, Aug 3,
Aug 31, Sep 28,
Nov 2, Nov 30*
(*max 3 weeks)
|
2 weeks |
3 weeks |
1 month |
1 month
(Spring, Summer, Fall) |
1 month (Winter) |
2 months |
Trimester |
Semi-Intensive |
5 Jan – 27 Mar
28 Sep – 18 Dec |
Intensive |
Summer Trimester |
Semi-Intensive |
30 Mar – 26 Jun
2 Jun – 28 Aug
29 Jun – 25 Sep
|
Intensive |
Semester Winter |
Semi-Intensive |
5 Jan – 30 Apr
2 Feb – 29 May |
Intensive |
Semester Fall |
Semi-Intensive |
31 Aug – 18 Dec
28 Sep – 29 Jan (10) |
Intensive |
Academic Year
(7 Months) |
Semi-Intensive |
5 Jan – 31 Jul
2 Feb – 28 Aug
30 Mar – 30 Oct
4 May – 27 Nov
2 Jun – 18 Dec
29 Jun – 29 Jan (10) |
Intensive |
To ensure a comprehensive learning experience, excursions and activities are provided as part of the program. Admission and transportation are included at no additional cost. Participants can choose excursions and activities that they are interested in from a list presented at the start of the program. These excursions and activities are held on weekday afternoons or weekends and may include the following:
One day winter ski trip (transportation and ski pass included); Wine tasting at the Savoie vineyards; visit to Geneva and the United Nations headquarters; visit to Lyon and the Beaujolais wine caves; visit to the Beaufort cheese region; Grenoble; The Nivolet Cross; Chamonix and the Mont Blanc; the Chartreuse region; Annecy; Nature trails; Mountain hikes and Local museums. Overnight accommodation during excursions to other cities is available at additional cost.
During the Winter months a free one day ski trip to one of the biggest resorts in the Alps: Chamonix, The Three Valleys, Avoriaz, Les-Portes-du-soleil, Tignes, Val D'isère, La Plagne, Les Arcs, and Courchevel, is offered.
with native French speakers
Knowing the locals on a personal level is an integral aspect of these programs. Not only does it facilitate the use of French, it also encourages cultural and social exchange. Numerous activities with French students and other native speakers are held in order to achieve this goal. Other activities include seminars and tours of local banks, companies, institutions, and museums. These are held regularly to deepen participants' knowledge of France.
For Activities, click here
Participants' progress is assessed through continuous homework assignments and tests throughout the programs. Trimester, Semester, and Academic year programs have formal final term examinations in addition to tests. Attendance is mandatory. Participants are awarded Certificates (short-term) or Diplomas and Transcripts (long-term) at the successful completion of the program.
Long-term participants are able to take part in formal examinations administered by the Catholic University of Lyon at the end of the program. A diploma from the university is awarded to successful participants.
To cater to participants' varying needs, a range of accommodation options located close to the school are offered. These options include: Shared Apartment, Host Family (Bed and Breakfast or Half Board), Private Studio, Studio Residence or Private Apartment. Participants who have enrolled in the program are given accommodation details pre-departure. These include a description, the address, and the location of the accommodation in relation to school. Accommodation is placed on a first come basis, so early application is recommended.
For information on accommodation options, click here
Total Program Fees include Tuition, Accommodation, Textbooks, Registration and Enrollment, Placement Test, Certificate and Transcript, Visa Support Documentation, Airport Pickup and Transfer to Accommodation, Orientation, Welcome Pack, Language Travel Medical Insurance, and more. Social activities and free weekend guided tours are organized. Free access to the onsite Multimedia Library including use of e-mail and Internet. International Program Advisors provide information and assistance pre-departure and throughout the program.
For Total Program Fees, click here
For those who have already arranged their own accommodation and wish to participate only in the classes, see Tuition only Fees. click here
The school will be closed on the following holidays.
2008:
Public Holidays: 1 Jan, 9 April, 1 May, 8 May, 17 May, 14 July, 15 Aug, 1 Nov, 11 Nov, 25 Dec
Christmas and New Year Holiday: 19 December 2008 to 5 January 2009
2009:
Public Holidays: 13 April, 1 May, 8 May, 21 May, 1 June, 14 July, 11 Nov
Christmas and New Year Holidays: 19 December 2009 to 3 January 2010
There are no special requirements. The program is open to participants from all over the world, who are at least 16 years old.
Apply early before deadlines. Last day for Application is 6 weeks before the start of the program.
For Application procedures, click here
For the Application Form, click here
For peace of mind, Total Program fees include Emergency Travel and Medical Insurance. StudentCare Insurance covers emergency medical and dental treatment, pro-rata return of program fee in case of curtailment, personal liability, and more. Participants are insured for the duration of the program.
For terms and conditions and further information, click here
The Chambéry program is recognized by US colleges and universities. These include Tuft University, Truman State, Princeton University, and Wheaton College. Participants are required to contact the Study Abroad Advisor or French Language Department in their home college or university regarding the procedures for academic transfer. If assistance is needed, contact WLE's Offices.
For cheap airfares to France, starting from US$500, click here
Free pickup from the bus or train station to your accommodation is provided in the total program. Details of your arrival such as the date, time and place are required at least 10 days before your arrival.
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