A2 → B1 immersion trip: Institut de Français, CLÉ, REMPART, or ?

Good question OP. Unfortunately, since this is a forum for travelers rather than serious language learners, few people here know any of these. We do have one US-born French teacher who posts here, Alexander, so hopefully he'll see your question. I know he did some of his studies in the Loire Valley.

I looked at your three and I do have a tiny bit of info. Some people have posted here about the one in Villefranche. Those were not people trying for a DELF score, but people who chose this to relax: food, wine, culture and language. I think they remain in French during excursions and meals, but I'm not an expert. What level of conversations can they have at the dinner table with one teacher and several learners? Another drawback is the area is filled with foreigners, many, many second homes and the lingua-franca is English.

The one is Tours is where Alexander went, and he raves about it. Several American universities have their junior year programs in Tours. This appears to be a serious program, but we need Alexander to write something. The Tours accent is considered the most standard in France, the one TV and radio personalities are taught. Good if you have an oral DELF component.

The REMPART program is a work program, a good way to immerse. It's mostly young volunteers, some from other European countries, which means that the lingua-franca could be English, again. But you could insist on lodging with a local French family and be included in their activities, be on a site (chantier) with many participants. Today accents all over France are more standardized, but regional accents do exist, and they will retard your progress as you have to re-filter the new sounds of old words and piece it back together. Drawback: no language program, only work and you could be building a stone wall all alone for a few weeks. We see these programs on TV sometimes.

Thank you!

Hey, as Elizabeth has said, I have had great experiences at the Institute de Touraine

My recommendation would be to stay with a host family (yes, they even offer them for adults). That is the best way for you to keep in French all day. The dangerous thing for many foreign students is that they go to their dorm or apartment and just go back to their native language. Explain to the services at the Institut that the socialisation aspect is big for you.

I don't recommend the "boutique" places because they will place people of multiple levels in one group which would no doubt be a giant waste of time.

Let me know if I can help with any other questions.

I studied at CLE in Tours last summer for 4 weeks and am going again this summer. The afternoon excursions, mixed levels, were in French. (These excursions were just little trips around town). Even during lunch breaks, we talked in French. My husband and I like the school because the teachers were good and there were only about 5-6 people in every class, a mix of young and old (we’re in our 60’s). We are B2/C1 level, and we had a new young friend (about age 26) who was A2 level. We spoke French with her all the time. She was really motivated to communicate in French even though it was hard for her. During breaks at the school, we spoke in French. I would recommend this school.

They also have homestays through CLE. I know they set them up for students last year, but I’m not sure if they do that anymore. Older students in my class really liked the homestay experience. We didn’t do a homestay, though.

I tried to get in contact with Institute de Touraine before the trip, but they never responded. It could be a good school, too, but I think they have 12 or more students in their classes. Some of our CLE teachers also taught there. I asked a teacher what was different about the schools. She said they were basically the same, but classes at the Institute were more focused on academics (reading, writing, grammar) whereas at CLE, the focus was more on speaking and communication. So a DELF B1 prep class at the Institute in Tours might make sense if they have a class like that.

I can't help you with the French, but you might want to check Home Stays. They offer homestays in a variety of countries. I have not used them myself, but I know of others who've had good experiences with them. It's definitely something to check out. https://www.homestay.com/

You might consider an immersion homestay at one of the instructors working with Camille at French Today. She works with several instructors scattered around the country. If you clearly communicate your goal, you might find it very useful.

I'm B1/B2 based on informal testing and the opinion of my French teacher (free lessons at the old school house pour les garçons, blessed and supported by the Maire of my little town), but given my age, formal testing isn't really something I need to do.

Good luck!

I am an Institut de Français “alum” having studied there for five one-month periods over several years. Each time, I came away with improved French and greater confidence and comfort in speaking. I recommend Institute de Français to people interested in a well-organized immersion program with excellent teachers in a beautiful setting that combines a small seaside town with proximity to Nice.

Institute de Français is a real immersion program, but truly being immersed requires discipline on the part of the student. My advice is to come to the program alone, leaving non-French-speaking partners at home. And once you’re there, steer clear of school mates eager to socialize in English. Stay in French as much as possible, even at the risk of being lonely sometimes.

Classroom assignments are based on an oral and written placement test, and in my experience students are accurately placed, although people sometimes are miffed when they think they’ve been placed too high or too low. Classes are fun and well-paced, but they are demanding, and there is homework. Language lab equipment is on the low-tech side, but the lab allows the instructor to tune into students one-by-one and provide individual feedback.

Students, at least in the winter, are adults, often retirees and/or expats, with the occasional young adult. Mealtime conversations do add value with one teacher at every table to keep the conversation going and involve everybody.

The Institut de Français villa is elegant in its way, but this is a school, not a resort. Food is French, tasty, nourishing and portions are generous. Apartments are clean, comfortable and pleasant, but not luxe; units are cleaned and linen is changed weekly.

I would recommend Institute de Français to serious adult students.

i would second the comments of logroll above, with the proviso that you make sure quickly that you have been placed at the correct level. I test well and was placed one level too high, spent most of my lunchtime conversations with the next lowest group. Their ads in the Economist was born out by the type of student - older, succesful, generally well off, many retired. The after class bar crowd preferred to stick with English. Recommend the small fish restaurant at the Col de Villefranche if you do choose to go there.

Many years ago, I spent about one year at the Institut de Touraine. It has a very serious program, but it is academic, not necessarily conversational. There are also several excellent schools in Aix-en-Provence which may be of interest.

The Institut de Français in Villefranche-sur-Mer has an excellent reputation and is more conversationally focused. I have been to their beautiful campus but have not studied there. Others I know have and everyone has been very pleased with their results.

A2 is going to require your being completely involved in French, ideally separating completely from English. Not easy to do unless you are living in France other than as a tourist. You can watch French programing on TV5 or on YouTube. A low cost option which can be useful.

Thank you all. Appreciate all the feedback!