This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to experience what school life is like in France, while furthering French language skills and gaining an unforgettable life experience.
Participants will first pass through an interview process to assess language level and motivation. They will then be enrolled into a local French school and are integrated in a class with French students more or less of the same age. They follow both compulsory and optional subjects depending on age.
Participants will stay with a host family carefully selected by local coordinators and normally located close to the school. Some or many of the host families have teenagers at home but they may or may not attend the same school. Host families are caring families, all with children, but not necessarily of the same gender or age as the participant.
Participants will be assigned a host family and school placement in one of the following areas located in the south of France: Toulouse, Montpellier, Nimes, Avignon, Sete or Marseille.
In terms of arrival the local representative will escort participant by train/bus from nearest airport to the host family home.
The school year in France runs from early September to end June.
There are 3 holiday periods:
- La Toussaint: 2 weeks around end October
- Christmas: 2 weeks
- Hiver: 2 weeks around mid-February
- Easter: 2 weeks around mid-April
Secondary aged students attend the college between 11 and 15 years old before progressing onto the Lycée from 15-18 years old.
All classes are taught in French.
Programme Price
| 5.425€ | 3 months |
What's Included
- School admission fees and materials
- Lunch at school
- Full board and all plans organised by the host family.
- Visits and regular support from local programme co-ordinator
- 24/7 support from Island Abroad during school year.
- Health/travel/liability insurance
- Arrival transfer from nearest airport
Not Included
Flight tickets to and from Ireland
Transfer to airport on return to Ireland (available at extra cost)
Pocket money
Extra-curricular activities or clubs (music lessons or individual sports tuition for example)
Additional Notes
- Deadline for registration must be received 3 months prior to start date.
- A Uniform is not normally a requirement.
- Arrival airports: dependent on location of host family, once allocated will be communicated.
- Arrivals & departures: Saturdays or Sundays ideally from 10.00h-17.00h