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Learn French in Aix en Provence
Picturesque Aix-en-Provence is the cultural capital of France’s southern Provence region. Surrounded by stunning mountains and rolling green hills hiding quaint villages, the city’s breath-taking beauty attracts both French and international tourists, making it an ideal location for an immersive language course. Dubbed ‘The City of a Thousand Fountains’, Aix is classically Provençal: interesting and historic architecture, narrow meandering streets lined with lush gardens, and bustling street markets under bright blue Mediterranean skies. This former Roman spa town is now a vibrant university city with attractions for visitors of all ages and interests to enjoy. When you learn French in Aix-en-Provence, you’ll discover why so many artists and influential people have been drawn here over the centuries; you can also sample delicious local delicacies in its atmospheric eateries and learn more about the unique cultural identity of the region, which blends traditional French and rural Occitan influences. There’s no better way to study a language than to live it, so what are you waiting for?!
The roots of Aix go back to the 2nd century BC, when Roman consul Sextius Calvinus established a military settlement in the area. The location was chosen for its wealth of hot springs, giving rise to the name Aquae Sextiae - ‘Sextius’ Waters’ - from which ‘Aix’ is derived. As the Roman Empire stretched over France, the settlement developed first into a bustling town and then into a key metropolis. Aix and the surrounding areas were particularly noted for their wine production, a legacy which is still seen today in the hundreds of vineyards adorning the countryside. After the Romans left France, Aix remained an important city, and by the 12th century it was the capital of Provence.
During the Middle Ages, Aix was an educational and creative hub. Its university has produced, over the centuries, Nobel Laureates and Pulitzer Prize winners, heads of state and government officials, as well as noted scientists, artists, and lawyers. Today, Aix-Marseilles and its sister establishments Sciences Po Aix and the University of the Mediterranean welcome thousands of students each year; this youthful population has contributed to the city’s dynamic atmosphere. From lively bars and music venues to international restaurants to funky independent boutiques and a wide range of well-known brands, there’s plenty to enjoy in this city. What’s more, with a compact and pedestrianised centre, it’s not hard to experience all that Aix has to offer.
As well as the attractions in the city itself, many come to Aix because it’s the perfect base for exploring the sublime Provençal countryside. A famous landmark close to the city is Montagne Sainte-Victoire, an impressive rock ridge which juts up over 1,000 metres from the earth and which offers incredible views for those brave enough to climb it. The mountain has been immortalised by artists including Cézanne - perhaps Aix’s most famous son - and Picasso, and it’s not hard to see why. As the sun sets and casts a golden glow over the limestone, the majesty of nature unfolds before you. You can easily get to the rock from the city; taxis regularly make the 30-minute journey, while the surrounding villages - arguably some of the most attractive in the region - are accessible via Aix’s efficient bus system. If you prefer to explore more locally, bicycles are available to rent and offer a cheap and easy way of getting around, whether you stay in the centre or venture into the outer areas. However you spend your time in Aix-en-Provence, you’re guaranteed to have an authentic and immersive French experience in this beautiful city.
Our school in Aix en Provence
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Our French language school in Aix-en-Provence is located to the east of the city centre, close to two beautiful public parks. Popular sites including the Granet Museum with its extensive art and sculpture collection, and the Théâtre du Jeu de Paume - one of the locations used for the annual Festival International d’Art Lyrique - are just 10 minutes’ walk away. The Centre Ville, or historic centre, is a further 5 minutes away. Here you can stroll through narrow, meandering streets discovering hidden courtyards, ornate fountains, and the interesting boutiques and eateries which pepper the area. A little further out but definitely worth a visit is the former studio of renowned artist Cézanne, which is around 10 minutes out of the city by bus.
When you learn French in Aix-en-Provence with us, you’ll have your language lessons in a lovely town house with 14 air-conditioned classrooms and its own lovely private gardens. The facility is wheelchair-accessible and has a library with multi-media resources and a self-study centre, both of which will help you make the most of your language course. Computers are available for completing homework, surfing the web, or getting in touch with friends and family back home. The building also has vending machines serving snacks and hot drinks to keep you refreshed during your lessons. Since it’s so close to the city centre, you’ll be ideally placed to enjoy your time in Aix when you study here.
This school has Qualité FLE accreditation from the French Ministry of Education and is a member of global quality-control organisations including Eaquals and the International Association of Language Centres (IALC). We can therefore guarantee that the tuition offered here is of a very high standard. Its courses are also recognised by the governments of Germany and Sweden and are thus eligible for Bildungsurlaub and CSN funding. Being so close to such an interesting and beautiful city centre, the school is a popular choice for many of our students.
Courses in Aix en Provence
Available courses
The core programme offered at our school in Aix-en-Provence is the Intensive course, which consists of 20 group lessons per week. Classes take place between 09:00 and 12:30 each weekday in groups of up to 10 students. This small class size means you’ll benefit from lots of language practice and highly personalised attention from the teacher, giving you optimum conditions to improve your French ability. Trimester packages of 8, 16, and 24 weeks are available for students with A2 - B1 starting ability level.
If you have no previous experience of French, you must start your course on a set start date - please contact us for available start dates for beginners.
If you want a more rigorous study experience, you can attend the school’s Super-intensive course, which adds 10 weekly mini-group workshops to the core Intensive programme. Your extra lessons are held twice a week between 14:00 and 16:45 in groups of no more than 6. In these workshops, you’ll strengthen your language skills through additional practice and learn more about French civilisation and culture which will, in turn, aid your language studies. Please note that this programme is not available to complete beginners.
The best way to maximise your opportunities for development is to book private tuition. As standard, you’ll have 20 one-to-one classes per week, though bespoke packages are available on request. In these sessions you’ll have unlimited interaction with the teacher and the chance to tailor the content of your lessons to your own needs. This means that private tuition is great for those who feel they need extra support with their studies or who want to cover specific topics during their time in Aix. However you use these lessons, you’ll find that you make unparalleled improvement on a private course!
Though one-to-one lessons are extremely beneficial in terms of language development, they don’t offer the social experience provided by group classes. Fortunately, you can combine the best of both courses with an Intensive + Private programme! By adding 4, 6, or 8 one-to-one classes per week to your core group course, you’ll receive the extra practice afforded by private lessons whilst still experiencing the social side of group tuition. Students who want to sit a DELF/DALF exam to formally demonstrate their language ability can book a Combined 26 course and use their private lessons to prepare for their test.
If you’re learning French because of an interest in the French way of life, our school offers a selection of excellent Language & Activity programmes for you to choose from. French & Cookery combines the core Intensive course with at least 5 gastronomy-related activities per week. These include tasting local foods and wines, lessons on the history of Provençal cuisine, trips to local food markets, and practical cookery workshops. On this course, you’ll learn food-related vocabulary, the importance of cooking to French culture, and recipes for classic French dishes. French & Excursions, meanwhile, adds at least 5 weekly excursions within Aix and around the wider Provence area. This course will teach you about the cultural heritage of both the city and the region via product-tasting workshops, tours of various areas, cultural lectures, and visits to sites including Cézanne’s studio and towns along the Mediterranean coast.
The above 2-week courses are available for students with at least basic French ability level (A1) and have set start dates throughout the year. Other available Language & Activity courses include French & Art, French & Walking, French & Photography, French & Painting, French & Horse-riding, French & Yoga, and French & Golf. The activity sessions are provided by local partners in the city; please contact us for further details.
If you’re learning French for your job or you plan to work with a French company, our Business French course is the ideal way to prepare. Through 30 weekly mini-group lessons in classes of no more than 4, you’ll learn business-related terminology, formal written French, and more about the culture of French-speaking companies. Since your lessons are given in such small groups, you’ll receive lots of attention from the teacher and will find that you make rapid improvements. This course is suitable for students with B1 or higher French ability level, so is not available for beginners.
If you’re a French tutor looking for a refresher course, you can select this school’s teachers’ programme. Combining 10 weekly pedagogy-focused workshops with the core Intensive course, you’ll strengthen your language skills and improve your French teaching practices through focused tasks and group activities. This programme will put you in an excellent position to begin the new school year with improved skills and techniques. You’ll need to have at least B2 French level in order to follow this course.
On the first day of your course, you should arrive at the school at 08:30. After registering, you will sit oral and written French tests; there are used to assess your starting language ability and place you in a group that’s most suitable for that level. This methodology provides you with the best possible opportunity to improve your language skills, regardless of your starting level. After class, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in the school’s activity programme. At the end of your course, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement which can be used to demonstrate the French ability level you have reached during your time at the school.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us today to see if we can arrange a bespoke package for you!
Accommodation
The best way to maximise the benefits of your immersive language experience is to stay with a local homestay host. All hosts are native French speakers who offer the opportunity to practice your French skills outside the classroom. Hosts live up to 20 minutes from the school by public transport; they offer private single or twin* bedrooms and access to the home’s communal spaces including the lounge and bathroom(s). Rooms are offered on the following meal packages: self-catering, with kitchen access for cooking your daily meals; breakfast-included, with no kitchen access (available for 1 - 3 weeks); or half-board, which includes breakfast and dinner each day and no kitchen access. We highly recommend the half-board option, as it is not only cost-effective but also gives you guaranteed social time with your host(s) in the evening, thus maximum language practice. Whichever option you select, bed linens and towels will be provided by your host(s) and changed regularly; your host(s) will either do your laundry for you or let you use the home’s facilities once a week. Most hosts offer Wi-Fi access, but you should advise us at the time of booking if this a requirement for you. You will have your own key to come and go as you please, but you must respect house rules and schedules.
*Twin rooms are only available to students travelling together. If you select a shared room but are travelling alone, you will be swapped to a single room.
Activities
As well as high-quality immersive language lessons, our school offers a wide range of social and cultural activities in the afternoons, evenings, and at weekends. These activities are held in French, so they will complement your tuition by maintaining your immersion and allowing you to put your newly developed language skills into practice in real-life scenarios. They will also teach you about French history and culture, give you hands-on experience of life in Aix, and help you to get to know your classmates.
Many activities are available free of charge, though some may incur an additional fee to cover entrance and/or transportation costs. The exact schedule changes throughout the year but may include:
- Guided walking tours of the city
- Visits to local attractions like Aix Cathedral, Place l’Hôtel de Ville, and the Granet Museum
- Aperitifs with your class
- Petanque competitions
- Extra language workshops
- Hiking in the countryside
- Food- and wine-tasting sessions
- Cookery classes
- Half- and full-day excursions to local points of interest like Marseilles, Cassis and the calanques, Avignon, and les Baux
- Plus seasonal activities available in the city
How to get there
The closest airport to Aix-en-Provence is Marseilles Provence Airport, which is around 30 minutes from the city by car. The next-closest international airport is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which is approximately 2-hours’ drive away. Both airports are accessible from many worldwide locations.
Regular shuttle buses into Aix are available at both airports. Alternatively, we can arrange a private transfer service on arrival and/or departure on request from various locations.
You should arrange to arrive in Aix-en-Provence on the Sunday before your course starts and to depart on the Saturday after it finishes. We may be able to arrange extra nights on arrival and/or departure for you if needed.
Location of our school in Aix en Provence
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Student reviews & feedback
C. Smith
Small class helped enormously - 5 of us! Accommodation, couldn’t have been better. Friendly host. I haven’t had such fun in ages. I’ll be back.
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N. Hall
The set up of the school was excellent. The atmosphere was friendly but professional with great teachers who used FLE methodology to develop speaking and listening skills in French. The class size was about right for everyone to take part and smaller groups were used at times during the lessons to maximize the opportunities to speak. There were enough students at the school to allow everyone to be allocated to a group appropriate to their ability. I felt I had made definite progress in my understanding of the language and in confidence speaking by the end of the week.
We stayed in very nice accommodation with a friendly welcoming host.
Great overall experience in Aix en Provence!
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S. Orts
I can't say enough good things about the course. Everyone at the school was helpful, supportive and friendly. The staff was well-trained and professional. The environment was one that encouraged learning and was non-threatening.
My accommodation had many positives and a few negatives. It was in a lovely peaceful setting. There was another student there at the same time and we became good friends - that was a plus. The woman of the house was lovely, friendly and very supportive.
In the end, I am astonished and pleased by how much I learned and the progress that I made.
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M. Lewis
It was challenging! I was at the school for two weeks. The first week was brilliant and I learned a lot - the classes took me well beyond what I had been learning and the teachers were excellent. The second week I was struggling to actually process all that I was learning. It was still good - and I enjoyed the whole experience but it wasn't until after I had left that I realised just how much I had learned.
My accommodation was excellent. My host was kind, thoughtful and a great cook. My initial thought had been to find my own accommodation but the homestay was a rich experience.
The pedagogy at Aix IS was excellent - and very engaging. The materials were all well thought out and the teaching standard high. The small classes helped and Aix en Provence is a lovely town. Now looking back I realise that I have been provided with good foundations to carry on learning French. This school is a credit to your organisation.
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M. Young
Teachers are excellent and very adoptive to specific needs.
Accommodation couldn't have be better, beyond my expectations.
Aix is a lovely town and you can do many excursions to nearby villages and cities.
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J. Atkins
Absolutely loved Aix- fantastic school- learnt so much. Fantastic excursions so I saw alot of Provence as well as the stunning Lavander Fields.
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C. Bredariol
A very good experience.
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J. Trbovic
I attended a French language course in Aix en Provence. We had an assessment test the first day and group distribution. I got into a little bit tougher group so asked to be downgraded as I thought I should go over the grammar again. It was really fantastic course with motivated teachers and students. We were exercising, discussing, presenting and had fun. We had two teachers swapping each day and they both new what the other was doing. They spotted what we needed to work on more and designed the course as we went along.
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D. Penman
I found the teachers very professional and the course make-up very good.
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M. Papi
The course was really interesting, a lot of topics dealt with. The Teachers encouraged us to communicate in French and a lot of time was dedicated to the oral competence.
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M. Elena Pertusati
Two very motivated teachers (Claire and Florence) have made the course pleasant, interesting and useful.
My family (Ms and Mr Campston and their lovely daughter Juliette) has been really perfect. A very clean house and the meals were really good. A nice family atmosphere with a lot of "conversations" at dinner time. If I go back to Aix, I'm surely going to ask for staying with them again.
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T. Griffin
Course just right level. Enjoyed the classes and teachers ensured all students particapted. A lot of fun to, would highly recommend it. I stayed with a lovely woman, very helpful and engaging. My stay was very plessant, no problems at all. Flat in a lovely quiet part of town with a 10/15 minutes walk to schoool and centre. Perfect.
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S. Jacobs
Extremely enjoyable. School uses system of two teachers per class, working on alternate mornings, liaising closely over lessons. Emphasis on oral French, using French. Grammar revision helped confidence in speaking. Teachers very friendly and highly responsive to particular requests.
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J. Hay
The lectures in Aix were very very good and also very very helpful. The lessons were of a very high standard and also very enjoyable. The centre is very pleasant, not too big in a good area and easy to get to from everywhere. My classmates were great and I already miss them. I want to thank the school for a wonderful week! What a lovely experience! I couldn't have hoped for better!
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A. Enever
It was great fun; lots of lovely people from many different countries. The quality of the teaching was excellent - particulalrly the one-to-one, where I found the teachers to be very thoughtful in their approach. They prepared thmselves well, and responded well to my specific requirements for learning.
The couple I was with were an intgral part of my learning. They were prepared to talk to me for at least an hour every evening in French, which was just what I was looking for. The food and the accommodation could not be faulted.
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L. King
The course was very professional and efficient but also friendly and appropriate for the types of students there.
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S. Hoogenberk
The course was very good. there was a lot of variation in the program and there were two teachers, so that you learn things a different ways. The accomodation was very luxe. The lady was kind and her appartment was great. I was lucky again! And, she had a swimming pool. perfect if you ask me.
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F. Wathen
Good structure, imrpoved my grammer and good conversations. Emmersion in French at first was difficult but I picked up the language easily afterwards. Very nice family, let me be independent but were there when I needed a conversation
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R. Collins
French was well taught with extremely helpful, approachable teachers and small class sizes, administration was kept to a minimum so I really felt like I was getting what I had payed for.
The accommodation was good, the bedroom and bathroom were well sized, and the host was welcoming. It was further from town and away from the language school than I would have liked.
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S. Kantrowitz
The school was possibly the best I've ever experienced. The instructors were diligent and dedicated to teaching. The greater emphasis on speaking over just grammar was welcome. My ability to comprehend aurally improved more greatly than I had expected it would. The weekend activities were also very enjoyable and reasonably priced.
The husband and wife were very friendly and accommodating. They made a real effort to continue to converse with me. They also corrected my significant errors, which was very helpful. My room was comfortable and had air conditioning; this feature is very important in this area in the summer.
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J. Galiano Martínez
I really think I took the correct decission by taking a private course since I have been learning at my speed and the course was based on my previous knoledge and my targets. The accomodation was a success since it was an old couple who take care of the house and so it was clean. The food was excellent.
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G. Stith
The school in Aix has a good curriculum, with 2 different teachers during the course for different perspectives, which I consider one of the strengths of the curriculum. The course was fun as well as I learned a lot!
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A. Maria Cavalcanti Lyra
The course was very practical and informative, with real life situations! My accommodation was perfect, good house, good shower, the people interactive and respectful of individualités!
F. Cloud
The course far exceeded my expectations. All my teachers were superb! Lovely hosts who spent time talking with me in French! Accommodations clean, quiet, comfortable and close to the school!
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S. Shifler
It was a great course, I really enjoyed it. The teachers were amazing, I really felt like I learned a lot from them. My accommodation was spacious and decent as far as cleanliness goes.
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B. Steindl
I really enjoyed the classes, the teachers were all lovely and I feel that I learnt a lot of french - so much I was able to communicate with people in the country town near where I lived.
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E. Ellis
I thought it was excellent. All the professors were so helpful and responsive to any and all questions. My host family was wonderful...great food...wonderful conversations at every meal, great room. I could not have asked for more!
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K. Van Schaijik
I was hugely impressed by the teaching methods and by the calibre and friendliness of both teachers and fellow students. Aix is dreamy beautiful. My hostess was very kind and pleasant; the neighborhood wonderfully quiet and within walking distance of the school. I appreciated very much having unlimited wifi access.
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J. Kirkbride
Something I found particularly helpful was the fact that the school gave you information regarding the levels of language competence and where you sat within them. It enabled me to see that my langage skills are improving. My hostess was very hospitable and I couldn't have wished for a better environment re language stimulation.
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J. Siddorn
I was very satisfied with the course. There was a good balance of grammar presented in a very palatable way and oral work. Both of the teachers in our class were excellent. Always stimulating, often challenging and skilled at encouraging contributions from the less confident. Our hostess was friendly, helpful and welcoming with good clean accommodation and excellent food.
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C. Siddorn
I found the course well structured and pertinent to my needs. The staff were very professional and encouraging. I really enjoyed it! Our accommodation was very comfortable and close enough to the school, the hostess was wonderful and I was extremely grateful for her efforts regarding my dietary needs.
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L. Palieva
I am extremely pleased with the services provided by Apple Languages. Aix is a very good school with extremely good and experienced teachers and a friendly staff. The language course program was also very good and up tho the highest standards.
I had a really excellent "sejour lingustique" in Aix-en-Provence.
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G. Kazandag
The school was good with a great atmosphere in which to do a french course. The teachers are very competent and the courses are well run. I stayed with a hostess who was extremely friendly and caring. She took me sightseeing and helped me run my errands,and also made every effort to make me feel at home.
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A. Seifter
Overall, the course was very good! The accommodation was in a nice location, with a nice landlady!
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C. Najman
The classes were very interesting and used a lot of different material - the emphasis was on speaking - which is what I was looking for. The teachers were fantastic. The students on the course were all very keen and willing to participate which made the classes very lively. I stayed in an extremely nice apartment. My Hotesse d'accueil was a very interesting woman who was very friendly and communicative.
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O. Zumbado
The course was great and I really improved my french. My hostess was very nice and attentive, always trying to help, I really felt like home, she made me feel in a cozy place.
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C. Palomino Marced
The teachers and staff were very friendly.
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G. Edwards
The course was well run, lively and sometimes very amusing. My host family accommodation was very clean, friendly and the hostess was helpful.
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A. Isabel Solas Martinez
The course was good and the teacher was excellent, very helpful and professional. The cookery course was just excellent, more than I expected. My host family accommodation was very nice and they were very helpful.
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L. Battle
I was impressed by the quality of the course, the teachers were all delightful and I liked the fact that there were a number of different nationalities in my class. The couple I lived with were extremely nice and their flat was very well placed: five minutes from both the language school and the town centre.
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J. Quinton
The teachers were excellent professionals. They arranged lessons well, explained throughout and responded to every question put to them. They were helpful and responsive and did all they could to help one progress with one's French.
The students I was with were wanting to learn and worked hard throughout the two weeks. My accomodation was fine. My hosts looked after me, helped when needed and were ideal companions throughout my stay.
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L. Rosenwald
The course was extremely effective and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a language in a fun environment. I had a blast and learned a lot!
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B. Sjoerdsma
I enjoyed the course very much. It was lively and stimulating and I made a number of new friends there. The school in Aix is top notch!
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M. Prokator
A wonderful experience, I would like to do it again! The accommodation was excellent and I got along great with my host family.
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H. Simms
The imersion methodology was good, but what was particularly useful was the teaching only in french. The teachers were patient and encouraging and utilised a range of interesting activities to keep enthusiasm maintained. The host family was very welcoming and the food was excellent. The facilities were clean and there weren't too many rules!
E. Garland
My course, Decouverte la Provence, was amazing and the school is wonderful! The teachers were great - personable, knowledgeable, and flexible given the constant comings and goings of new students. The students were from all countries and all ages, making for a lively mix and one where friends were easy to find.
My home stay was more fabulous than I ever expected. The family was kind, generous, and eager to help me with my emerging language skills. They have become new friends whom I hope to have for a lifetime. And the food - fantastic!
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P. Fisher
There was nice interaction between the teacher and students. The extra activities were well organised. The accommodation was clean, comfortable and conveniently situated close to Gare SNCF, Gare Routier and Aix bus stops.
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Student stories on our blog
My week in Aix…
As far as the course is concerned, the lecturers in Aix were very, very good and also very, very helpful. The lessons were of a very high standard and also very enjoyable! The school itself is very pleasant, not too big, in a good area and it’s easy to get to and from everywhere. My classmates were really great and I already miss them... I want to thank the school for a wonderful week!
As regards my host family, all I can say is…what a lovely experience! I couldn't have hoped for better! The lady took me to the centre of town to help me book tickets for the rest of the trip, showed me everything, shops, places of interest and spent an afternoon with me in town!
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