My 16 year old daughter and I (both who know a decent amount of French) would like to spend a week or two in France getting "immersed" in the language. Our main goal is to be better able to communicate in French. We have both had classroom instruction in the States but that can only go so far. We would like to avoid the traditional "classroom" and learn more through doing (i.e. engaging in sports/making up a play in French/shopping at the markets/cooking/etc.). We have traveled quite a bit in France so we have informally done some of these things as tourists. But, we would like to find something where the one in charge is a professional in language instruction so that the time spent is intentional (not just having fun while speaking French poorly). Also, we are not interested in staying with a random family while speaking French (which is what I seem to be finding a lot of when you type in "immersion"). We would like to be together at least some of the day (if not all the day) and for sure house together at night. Most of what I am finding is either adult oriented, or residential for teenagers, or more intense than we want. Also, we are going in June so that seems to eliminate many things I have seen as well. Finally, we would prefer not to be in Paris if possible. Any suggestions?
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Savannah, GA
1382 posts
I took college courses at L'Institut de Touraine in Tours, France. 2 years ago I took a teaching refresher course there as well and loved it. They offer different options for lodging (a homestay is always the best, as that's how the skills come to you), but they also have student lodging at the dorm next door (Hameau St Michel). Tours is an amazing city and it'll give you a chance to explore the Loire valley in detail. You could take courses in the morning (you are tested based on your level), and then have your afternoons free to take culture classes or take trips to the surrounding area.