It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.
Annecy airport is only used for domestic flights. Most students arrive by train which takes about 4 hours from Paris and 2hours from Lyon by TGV.
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Annecy Castle and Museum
Alpine Lake Museum
Old Prison - Palais de l'Ile
Alpine Miniature Museum
Saint Peter's cathedral
The many ancient castles of the area (Annecy's Castle)
The cave and the cascade of Seythenex
The semnoz, forests and mountains at Annecy's door
Les Gorges du fier
Out door activities, hiking and walking
Cruises on the lake
Chance to meet and live with swiss students
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The school is located in the heart of the French Alps, less than 40 km from Geneva and a short trip to the Italian border. Our school is affiliated with the University of Savoie and is known for its friendly atmosphere and excellent modern facilities.
Housed in a modern building on the slopes of Annecy le Vieux, only 2 km's from the lake and the old historic town of Annecy. The school normally holds between 40 - 60 students, with nice classrooms, social areas for students where students can relax or use the internet, which is available for a small charge. Regardless of nationality or level of French, the school offers courses and outside activities in French as a Foreign Language.
The school is open all year round and offers both longer term semester programs and short term summer programs. It is a center for the DELF exam (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) and the DALF exam (Diplôme approfondi de Langue Française) and offers preparation courses.
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Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) set lengths 3 or 11 weeks.
Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. Max. 12 students per class. For more information please see Prices and Start Dates.
Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 9 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own.
Courses are taught by certified instructors who are all used to teaching French as a foreign language. The small student-to-instructor ratio encourages individualized instruction so that each student can improve rapidly according to her/his needs and desires. Instruction is focused upon oral and written skills, with particular emphasis on communication.
After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.
At the weekend many students can arrange to take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest. These excursions are slightly more expensive than the daily activities ($10-$40), as they are normally full day or full weekend excursions and could include (transport, meals entrance fees and even accommodation). If you are interested in sight-seeing by yourself or with other class mates, our school staff are more than willing to assist you with any questions you may have and help you book local travel or excursions.
Weekend excursions could include: Wine tasting at the Savoie vineyards, a trip to Geneva and the United Nations headquarters; Lyon and the Beaujolais wine caves; The Beaufort cheese region; Chambéry, Grenoble; The Nivolet Cross; Chamonix and the Mont Blanc; The Chartreuse region; Nature trails; Mountain hikes and Local museums.
In the winter activities include one day skiing to the biggest resorts in the Alps: Chamonix, The three Valleys, Avoriaz, Les-Portes-du-soleil, Tignes, ValD'isère, La Plagne, Les Arcs and Courchevel.
NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 50 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday , you will be expected to arrive early on the first Monday morning to take the placement test, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program. Please see the program info and resource links, for additional information or please contact us.
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School Residence: private room.
Host Family: private room, 2 meals daily.
Probably the most popular option with our students is the residence as it's located on the same site as the school. The modern school residence offers over 150 private rooms with a sink and bathroom facilities (WC/shower, shared with 3 other people).
Meals are not included although students can prepare meals in the residence kitchen (utensils not provided) or eat at the residence cafe, which serves sandwiches and drinks throughout the day. It is also possible to eat both lunch and dinner at the university restaurant where prices are very reasonable.
The students have access to the social rooms, which include computers and internet access, a lounge with a pool table. There are many places to sit and relax with other international students or local French students, who are studying other subjects at the university.
NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat at home. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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"The experience is more than classroom learning. Living with a host family, participating in cultural actives, and interacting with local people are important components of this intensive language program. School staff was very helpful and accommodating with our late registrations. Additional planned cultural activities were interesting and enjoyable. I was in a beginning class with 11 people, yet there were students in the group who had far more experience with French than me. I needed to move at a slower pace and acquire more basics in the language. The teacher was very patient and helpful. The
school was easily accessible by bus and the facilities were adequate for our needs.
My room was comfortable, food was plentiful and well prepared. The retired couple spoke almost no English, which was OK. They were very kind and helpful to me. I was satisfied & pleased with the quick response by LA to our last minute registrations. Personnel were helpful and efficient.
Future Advice: Be prepared to adapt to new cultural surroundings and don't expect life to be a replica of what you're used to in the US."
Barry Adamson (age 59)
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