France Language Schools

Enrolling at a language school has two major perks: a slightly less rigorous course load and the ability to teach you exactly what those kids in Toulouse are calling you under their breath. There can be great variety in language schools—some are independently run, while others are affiliated with a larger university, local, international—but one thing is guaranteed: rarely do they offer college credit. Language school programs are ideal for younger high-school students who might not feel comfortable with older students in a university program. Some worthwhile organizations include:

Alliance Française, École Internationale de Langue et de Civilisation Française, 101 bd. Raspail, 75270 Paris Cedex 06 (☎01 42 84 90 00; www.alliancefr.org). Instruction at all levels, with courses in legal, medical, and business French. Courses last 1-12 weeks and cost approximately €50 per week for daily 2hr. sessions. Also offers private lessons starting at €60 per hour. Enrollment fee €55.
Eurocentres, 56 Eccleston Sq., London SW1V 1PH, UK (☎+44 20 7963 8450; www.eurocentres.com). Language programs for beginning to advanced students with homestays in Amboise, La Rochelle, and Paris.
Institut de Langue Française (ILF), 3 av. Bertie-Albrecht, 75008 Paris (☎01 45 63 24 00; www.ilf-paris.fr). Language, civilization, and literature courses beginning at €75 for 4 weeks of instruction. Also offers au pair courses beginning at €360.
Language Immersion Institute, State University of New York at New Paltz, 1 Hawk Dr., New Paltz, NY 12561, USA (☎+1-845-257-3500; www.newpaltz.edu/lii). Short, intensive summer language courses and some overseas courses in French. Program fees are around US$1000 for a 2-week course, not including accommodations.
World Link Education: Study in France, 1904 3rd Ave., Ste. 633, Seattle, WA 98101, USA (☎800-621-3085 or 206-264-0941; www.wle-france.com). French language and culture classes in Annecy, Bordeaux, Chambery, Nice, and Paris. Tuition varies.