Location

Capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon region in the south of France, this lively University city with its infectious atmosphere and year-round sunshine has something to offer all tastes. The beautiful and historic old town has a dedicated pedestrian area filled with trendy shops and open-air cafes. A short walk away is the modern and impressive Antigone area with an Olympic-size swimming pool and stunning architecture. Just a short tram ride away from the main square is the Odysseum fun park with an ice-skating rink, aquarium, planetarium, bowling-alley and multiplex cinema. Let's not forget the sandy beaches and warm waters of the Mediterranean accessible by tram. And Paris is only one hour away by plane.

Program

The program offers an ideal mix of French lessons and French culture, including exposure to cuisine, history and art as well as fashion and cinema.  It also offers the unique opportunity to meet and make friends with students from all over Europe, Latin America and Asia, making this a very popular program for students who are looking for a truly international experience. Depending on how intensive you want to make your studies, you can choose from 15 or 20 lessons per week with both options offering sports and cultural activities as well as full and half-day excursions to a variety of places of interest such as Nimes, Avignon and Sete. 

Level Placement

On the first Monday of the program, you will take both an oral and written placement test to determine which class you will be placed in.  There are a minimum of 4 levels offered including beginner, elementary, intermediate and advanced.  If you have no previous experience with the French language, you typically do not have to take this test and will automatically be placed in the beginner class.

Teachers

The teachers are all native French speakers and many teach in the local high schools during the school year.  They bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the classroom and design each lesson to focus on speaking and listening skills with appropriate attention paid to reading and writing.

Supervisors/Monitors

The program supervisors and monitors are all over 21 and have an amazing amount of energy! Their goal is to make sure that you get the most out of your program and they do this by being available 24 hours a day to answer your questions, provide guidance and look out for your overall safety and well-being. 

Activities and Excursions

Included in the program are 1 half-day and 1 full-day excursions every week. In addition to this, there are a variety of cultural, sports and leisure activities offered every afternoon and evening.  These are all included in the program fees. Optional activities and excursions are also available. See our price list for estimated costs.  For a sample weekly schedule and list of possible activities and excursions please visit the sample schedule page.

Accommodation - Residence

Accommodation is provided in the newly renovated Residence Le Clemanceau. Only a 10 minute walk from the Place de la Comedie (the heart of Montpellier), the residence offers a peaceful place to relax after a fun day of French lessons and exploring Montpellier.  It consists of single with private baths, fully-equipped kitchenettes and individual telephone lines.  On the ground floor of the residence there is a courtyard where you can relax with friends.  In addition there is also a common room with hot/cold drinks, and snack dispenser and a study-area. The residence is an easy 5 minute walk from the classrooms.

Accommodation - Homestay

If you would prefer to stay with a host family you can choose the homestay option. You will be accommodated by welcoming local families, in a shared room with another student from the program.  Host families live in apartments or villas in Montpellier or the surrounding area, no more than 40 minutes from the school by public transit.  Your host family will provide breakfast and dinner daily. If you have chosen the full-board option, you will also have weekday lunches at the Course Centre and a your family will provide a cold packed lunch for the Saturday excursion. On Sunday's you will have all three meals with your hosts. If you have chosen the half-board option there are numerous cafes and a super-market across the street from the residence.