France - A user's guide
Make your dream come true!
You wish to come to France to learn French and improve the knowledge and skills you already have! With the help of learn-french-language.org, you'll have the best stay in France ever.
In order to have a successful stay, first ask yourself these four questions:
What are the most important administrative tasks I must complete ?
What language center best meets my needs ?
What is my budget ?
How can I best combine my studies in French with my hobbies ?
1. Preparing for the trip
VISA
Do you want a visa for a short-term stay or long-term stay ? Obtain information about the visa application process from the French Consular Services in your country or location of residence, or check the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/venir/visas/index.html
Note that it is impossible to get a visa or visa extension once you are in France.
You will need the pre-registration form issued by the school you choose to obtain a visa. It is a key document - the most important one you'll present to the French Consular Services to obtain your student visa delivery. If you are not a citizen of one of the European Economic Area countries, the pre-registration form is required by the French Consular Services in order to deliver your student visa.
Visa Exemption:
If you are the citizen of one of the EU or one of the European Economic Area countries, or if you are coming from Andorra, Monaco, St Marin, the Vatican, Switzerland, or Poland, you don't need a visa.
Important Note: For a stay longer than 3 months, you'll need a residence card.
CAR
If you are thinking of driving to France, you should also think of getting the following:
- International health insurance card
- Valid driver's license that allows you to drive in France
- International driver's license.
2. Choosing the language center
In France, there are about 300 FLE centers ready to welcome you (at universities, Alliances Françaises, labeled schools, private schools).
To help you make the best choice, France developed a project to classify the best schools teaching French as a foreign language. These schools carry a "French as a Foreign Language Quality Classification" ("Qualité Français-langue étrangère"). Language schools obtain this classification as a result of an evaluation of their quality guarantees of:
a. Student reception and guidance
b. Premises and equipment
c. Teaching
d. Courses
e. Management.
The Centre international d'études pédagogiques (CIEP), a public center overseen by the Ministry of Education is in charge of this classification process. The quality classified centers are identifiable as such by the logo "Qualité Français-langue étrangère." More schools are in the process of obtaining this status.
You can find out all you need to know on the "French as a Foreign Language Quality Classification" at www.qualitefle.fr www.campusfrance.org www.fle.fr www.ciep.fr
Courses and Exams
You have specific educational goals and wish to pass the official tests of the Ministry of Education: the TCF, the DELF, and the DALF or those of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Paris. The language level of each course taught at the FLE center relies on an assessment framework, usually the Common European Framework of Reference. Your chosen center will prepare you for these exams and arrange for them as well.
All you need to know about FLE exams is at www.ciep.fr and www.qualitefle.fr
What about the weather?
France enjoys a temperate climate with 4 distinct seasons. You can choose your center according to your favorite weather type. During the winter, average temperatures vary between 0 ° and 8 ° C and during the summer between 16 ° and 24 ° C. Rainfall can rise to 600-800mn water per year for more than half the territory.
Brittany and Normandy : humid oceanic climate : mild winter and cool summer (16°C)
Aquitaine : oceanic and Mediterranean influence : wet spring - mild winter and hot summer (22° C)
North, East and North-East : semi-continental climate : harsh and snowy winter, hot stormy summer
South: Mediterranean climate : mild winter (6° C) and hot dry summer ( 22°C )
3. Your budget
It is vital for you to match your financial resources to the total budget you will need. The cost of daily living in France is quite high, especially in Paris and cities that are tourist-oriented. Eg: coffee in a bar 1.5 €, cinema ticket 9 € . Don't forget the cost of transport from your place of residence to the language center ! In order to get a better idea of your actual expenses in France, you should take a look at the budget section at http://www.edufrance.fr/fr/a-etudier/budget01.htm
Reception and accommodation
A well organized welcome plus comfortable lodging that meets your expectations are the guarantee of your perfect stay in France. You need to ask your contact at the language center for all the details regarding your arrival at the airport or train station, as well as the name of the person who will meet you there. Obtain accurate information on the entire cost of this transfer! There are many possibilities for accommodation, and prices vary according to location in the city and comfort level.The center's housing service or the person in charge of housing should give you precise information on all details, conditions and prices of the accommodation you choose.
You will also have to obtain insurance specific to your lodging.
Note: You should be aware that for rented apartments/rooms you will be asked to pay a damage deposit equivalent to one month's rent on your arrival. This amount will be returned to you at the end of your stay, after the inventory has been done.
4. Leisure time: culture, sports, exploration.
France has so much to offer and each region will satisfy your tastes and expectations. Many language centers organize cultural and sport activities, but if they don't, they will inform you, upon your arrival, about all the offers provided by sports clubs and cultural associations in the area. Many language centers offer you programs combining French courses and golf, French and ski, French and gastronomy. It is recommended that you get information from your school beforehand about all offers and prices.
Follow the sensible advice above and you will find the FLE center that best fits your expectations and helps you have an unforgettable stay in France.
Also refer to the Je vais en France booklet available from the French cultural services, French cultural organizations, or on the Internet at www.cnous.fr
