Best way to learn French in Paris?

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mike

Hi! I've attended several of the French language schools in Paris so I know this subject well.

My favs:

1. Alliance Francais. This is the most popular and has a large number of students and is located in a cool area. Negative: Very expensive. It's a great way to make friends very quickly as the classes tend to bond very quickly (but no french people here of course - mostly UK, Brazil, Japan, EU countries).

2. Sorbonne. Surprisingly the well-known Sorbonne offers immersion courses in French to non-students of the University. So, it's also very popular and a bit less expensive than AF. it is also more demanding and includes a very good program in French Civilization focusing on Language but includes literature, history, culture. This is my recommendation! (but AF is a fun place and not as intense).

3. Catholic University is cheaper and has a better program.

You may also want to pick up a copy of FUSAC at any restaurant/cafe/bar frequented by English speakers. In it you will find a large number of Language programs in Paris.

Eclipsepearl

I've heard good things about this school;

http://www.icp.fr/ilcf/uk_index.php

I had several coworkers who did the intensive program there.

I went to the equilvalent in Angers;

http://www.uco.fr/CIDEF/0/fiche___defaultstructureksup/

I also attended this school while living in Paris 11 years ago;

http://www.french-course-paris.com/

Really great teachers at both.

I nearly attended this school in Poitiers;
http://cfle.univ-poitiers.fr/en/Cours/organisationC.asp

The only reason I went for Angers is simply because I knew someone who had studied there who liked it. Otherwise, it was a tough call!

I actually recommend trying to be on a university campus at your age, so that you can meet other young French people and make the experience more genuine. At Berlitz or AF, you will be mixed only with other foreigners, some of them older professionals, expats, etc. Fine for later but since your a student, I recommend a "student" experience.

If you are serious about studying French, I would recommend NOT going to Paris but instead somewhere outside where there are fewer English speakers.

Two areas that are not recommended are the South and the mountain areas. I'm sure they're fun but there are complaints that because of the hordes of English speakers descending down there, the locals are kind of closed. The area around Chamonix is beautiful but there were complaints that the students weren't very serious and basically only learned ski vocabulary.

If you're into ski or sun, these might be minor disadvantages!

Also, sign up directly with the school. Do NOT go through a local university program in your country. Waste of money! You can do it on your own. I managed it in the pre-Worldwide Web days so it's certainly easier now. UCO actually arranged housing with a local family for me as well.

I chose Angers because there is no accent in the Loire Valley (Poitiers isn't far). They speak standard French. It was also easier to integrate than in Paris and was generally a very serious but still fun experience.

I later moved to Paris and then it was easier since I already spoke fluent French. I'm glad I started somewhere friendlier.

JMHO!

Good luck.

lingua06437

Look up the Alliance Francaise. They have classes as well as social activities. In addition, they have chapters all over the world so after you leave France you'll be able to continue to practice.
http://www.alliancefr.org/
By the way - go to itunes and look up french in the podcast section. You'll come up with all sorts of lessons for what ever level you are at.

David

The tips you've already received concerning courses and so forth seem good so I won't elaborate on them. However, I would just like to point out the following: your enjoyment of and long-term benefit from the experience will be enhanced if you interact with the locals as much as possible outside of the classroom setting. Mingle, chat with shopkeepers, and make as many friends and acquaintances as possible who speak little if any English. What you learn in class will only be of use to you if you do your best to apply it outside of the classroom, IMHO. Bonne chance et bon courage !

Nikki

Save your money and just open your mouth! Forget the school, I'm not kidding, been there, done that...The French are netorious at correcting your french if you are not using it properly. Don't get insulted when they do, just go with the flow as the correct even thier own. In 3 months, you'll have a really good working knowledge, in 6 months you'll be speaking like a champ and by a year you'll be fluent. That is assuming you do not go anywhere where the'll speak English to you.

Roman D

Well, the most prestigious of all things is the "cour de civilisation FranÃ§aise' of Paris IV La Sorbonne.

http://www.ccfs-sorbonne.fr/

garrisonbight

Berlitz Language Schools can and will be happy to help you. BUT... you really need to be able to speak French BEFORE you get to Paris... If you wait until you get there it can be overwhelming.

faris j

there are a lot of good french language schools...depends on your budget.most of my friends went to alliance francaise just coz it is like a <french> british council.

i was really tight so i <took> my own lessons by going to georges pompidou which has language sections that you can go to and listen and basically learn it that way...a bit harder and free!
as for the fastest conversation skills...take the classes and then start talking to everyone to anyone in french!i did and in 3months...bad as it may sound at times...managed to be quite fluent...
good luck = )

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