Leaving Certificate Preparation Course – French and Surf in Biarritz
Mention surfing in France and Biarritz is bound to come up. The city is said to be the historic surfing capital of Europe, and this status is reinforced by the presence of major surf brands such as Quiksilver, Rip Curl, and Billabong.
Biarritz is more than just a surfing haven; it boasts beautiful beaches, heritage-listed buildings, vibrant galleries, and excellent food and shopping options. These diverse attractions contribute to the overall appeal of this exciting resort on the Atlantic coast.
Our Biarritz French school is housed in a completely refurbished building which has classrooms, a shared kitchen, communal lounge, and relaxation area. There are also local craftspeople and artists residing here, and events showcasing their creations are held regularly, enabling our students to practise their French language skills in a unique environment. The famous Côte des Basques beach is also just a short walk away, meaning that perfect sunbathing spot can be yours within ten minutes of classes finishing!
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Courses in Biarritz
The Leaving Certificate Preparation course in Biarritz is made up of 26 lessons per week, with each 45-minute session being taught by fully qualified, native-French speaking teachers. All lessons are arranged exclusively for students aged 15-17 years.
Duration:
2 or 3 weeks (depending on start date)
Class size:
Max. 14 students per group
Level:
This course has a minimum level requirement of A2 according to the Common European Framework (approximately high elementary).
Suitability:
The programme is suitable for students aged 15-17 years who have at least a high elementary knowledge of French and who want to study intensively to prepare for the Irish Leaving Cert exam. Please be advised that students should also be able to swim confidently in order to take part in the included surf lessons.
Course content:
Morning lessons, which are usually held 09:00-12:15 Monday to Friday (15-minute break included) are devoted to the development of all four main language skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening). As all courses are offered on a total immersion basis there is a natural emphasis on oral communication.
Specific Irish Leaving Certificate preparation sessions are arranged over three afternoons each week and focus on preparing students for the exam by looking at revision techniques and workshopping strategies for answering typical exam questions.
The first morning of the programme will be devoted to welcome activities and the swim test.
Dates:
This course is available in June only. Please check the price calculator for exact start dates. If you are unable to travel in June we offer lots of different options, one of which is sure to fit in with your schedule. Please contact us with any questions.
Accommodation
Accommodation is arranged with French hosts and host families, all of whom have been hand-picked by the accommodation officer at the school. If travelling alone, students are placed with a roommate, or roommates, of the same gender. If you are travelling with a friend or family member just inform us at the time of booking and we will ensure you are placed together.
Half-board meals are included - breakfast is a light meal that students might need to help themselves to, whereas dinner is offered as a ‘sit-down’ occasion, enabling all members of the household to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Lunch isn’t provided but there are lots of eateries and shops near the school, making it easy for teenagers to purchase whatever takes their fancy on the day!
Allergies/dietary restrictions can be catered for, but a small supplement applies (no extra fee for a vegetarian diet).
Staying with a host family in Biarritz provides an authentic experience of a typical French household. You may find yourself living with a couple, a single person, or a family with children. Regardless of the family composition, you can expect a warm and friendly welcome. Your accommodation will include a shared bedroom with other students, and you will have access to the home's public areas, such as the bathroom and living area (kitchen access is not included).
Prices include accommodation from the Sunday afternoon before the course begins to the Saturday morning after the course finishes. If required, extra nights of accommodation can usually be confirmed by special request.
Host families live in Biarritz and the surrounding towns and villages (such as Anglet and Bayonne). The maximum commute for our young students attending this course is 30 minutes by public transport - a bus pass is included to make getting around as easy as possible.
Return transfers, provided by the host family, are also included from Biarritz Airport or train station.
Activities
It is impossible to avoid the surf scene while in Biarritz, and why would you want to? Our Leaving Cert Preparation course includes two exciting surf lessons per week, which are taught by trained professionals and include all necessary equipment.
The timetable of surf lessons will be confirmed on arrival in Biarritz as lesson times can vary according to weather and tidal conditions.
In addition, the school will arrange another age-appropriate activity once a week, which could be an introduction to Pelote basque, skate lessons, coastal rescue workshop, visit to Cité de l’Océan, or a visit to the aquarium.
Please note that students are not accompanied by a member of staff from the language school while taking part in activities. Pursuits such as surfing, Pelote basque, skate lessons, and the coastal rescue workshop will be supervised by the relevant instructor. Tickets to the museum or aquarium are included but students will visit the site independently.
This programme offers a high degree of independence and responsibility to young students. While school staff offer support during school hours, and host families provide guidance, when necessary, students enjoy free time in the afternoons, evenings, and weekends. Older teens appreciate this lower level of supervision as it allows them to organise their free time based on their individual interests. If you prefer a more structured programme with increased supervision, please inform us, and we'll gladly provide suitable recommendations.
How to get there
Biarritz is well-served by two international airports, with Biarritz Airport being just a short drive from the city centre, and San Sebastian Airport only 40 minutes away by car. Airport transfers from/to Biarritz Airport and train station are included in the cost of the programme.
Location of our school in Biarritz
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Prices for Biarritz
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