roger.salz
By Charis Atlas Heelan
Resolving to travel more is a great way to kick off 2011, but you can also give those adventures more purpose by learning a new skill.
Mastering French can open the doors to memorable travel experiences. After all, French is the national language of more than 40 countries, including exotic destinations in Africa, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe.
From Paris to Tahiti, here are 5 places around the world where you can learn the language of love and romance.
Photo Caption: One of the most famous cafes in Paris, Les Deux Magots. Photo by roger.salz/Flickr.com.
For true language immersion, Paris is the epicenter of all things French and where you can surround yourself with the finest of French culture, cuisine, and history.
What: With classes taught in 138 countries around the world, Alliance Française (www.alliancefr.org/en) is a not-for-profit organization that's recognized as the premier French language school. Its flagship Paris school has courses that range from beginner level to professional business classes. The school can also arrange accommodations for students at inexpensive hotels or with host families in shared apartments.
Where: 101 boulevard Raspail, Paris (Métro: Saint Placide, Rennes or Notre Dame des Champs)
Price: Intensive language courses start at €213 per week with discounts given for four-plus weeks of tuition. Expect to studying 20 hours per week (mornings or afternoons, Monday to Friday). Four hours of evening classes are €53 and learning French through Theater for nine hours per week is €93. An annual €57 registration fee applies.
Contact: tel. +33/1-4284-9000; info@alliancefr.org
Photo Caption: A cafe in Paris. Photo by gerryc/Frommers.com Community
Being the capital of the European Union, Brussels is awash is foreign language schools. Although many are geared toward business French and corporate classes, individual students will benefit from the diverse student base and the distinctly international atmosphere.
What: Bruxelles Destination Langue Française (www.bdlf.be), also a not-for-profit organization, works closely with the Alliance Française in Brussels to provide inexpensive French language instruction and affordable accommodation packages for students.
Where: Central Brussels, Rue de la Loi 26, Brussels (Métro: Arts-loi)
Price: The two-week Bruxelles Intensif packages start at €830 and include group classes for 15 hours per week, four hours of conversation classes per week, self-learning labs, and 13 nights' home-stay lodging with breakfast. A similar four-week program with cultural activities and accommodations starts at €1,100.
Contact: +32/2-646-2624; info@bdlf.be
Photo Caption: Patrons outside Chez Léon restaurant in Brussels, Belgium.
Imagine spending four hours in the classroom each morning and then taking a dip in a crystal-clear lagoon, followed by a siesta under a palm tree or maybe a hike through the rain forest. Learn French in Tahiti, and this dream could become your reality.
What: Le Cours d'école (www.lecoursdecole.net) is a family-run language school that provides group courses (maximum of six students) each morning Monday to Friday throughout the year. One-on-one courses are also available for two to four hours per day.
Where: The school is in Papara, less than 20 miles from the capital of Papeete.
Price: A one-week group course (20 hours of tuition) is €400 per week. One-on-one classes are €900 per week. Discounts are available to students taking three weeks or more of classes. Accommodations with a host family is €50 per day or €60 per day for your own apartment attached to a family home, with meals (breakfast and dinner during the week and three meals a day on weekends). The school can also arrange a hotel room at Hiti Moana Lodge for two people for €72 per night.
Contact: tel. +689/570-622; contact@lecoursdecole.net
Photo Caption: Overwater bungalows in Tahiti. Photo by Joyce Zee/Frommers.com Community
If you'd prefer to stay closer to home, consider our northern neighbors for your French studies. Quebec City feels European -- minus the long plane ride.
What: École Québec Monde (www.ecolequebecmonde.ca) offers a variety of French courses throughout the year. The one-and two-week seasonal programs coincide with two of the city's most celebrated annual events: the Winter Carnival and the Summer Festival
Where: 335 rue Saint-Joseph Est, Bureau 600, in downtown Québec
Price: A one-week course (15 hours of tuition) during the Winter Carnival costs C$690 or C$940 for two weeks. The cost includes a guided visit of Winter Carnival sites, a walking tour of the Fortified City (Vieux-Québec) and Place-Royale, and a visit to the Observatoire de la Capitale and the Night Parade. During the Summer Festival, the price is C$740 for a week and C$990 for two weeks. This price includes a guided tour of Summer Festival sites; a walking tour of the Fortifications, Place Royale, and Vieux-Québec; a visit to the Observatoire de la Capitale; and one evening concert per week.
When: The Winter Carnival courses run from Jan. 28-February 13, 2011 and the Summer Festival courses are from July 7-17, 2011.
Contact: tel. 418/977-0505; info@ecolequebecmonde.ca
Photo Caption: Quebec City's Old Town. Photo by S.J. Luke/Frommers.com Community
Resolving to travel more is a great way to kick off 2011, but you can also give those adventures more purpose by learning a new skill.
Mastering French can open the doors to memorable travel experiences. After all, French is the national language of more than 40 countries, including exotic destinations in Africa, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe.
From Paris to Tahiti, here are 5 places around the world where you can learn the language of love and romance.
Photo Caption: One of the most famous cafes in Paris, Les Deux Magots. Photo by roger.salz/Flickr.com.
What: With classes taught in 138 countries around the world, Alliance Française (www.alliancefr.org/en) is a not-for-profit organization that's recognized as the premier French language school. Its flagship Paris school has courses that range from beginner level to professional business classes. The school can also arrange accommodations for students at inexpensive hotels or with host families in shared apartments.
Where: 101 boulevard Raspail, Paris (Métro: Saint Placide, Rennes or Notre Dame des Champs)
Price: Intensive language courses start at €213 per week with discounts given for four-plus weeks of tuition. Expect to studying 20 hours per week (mornings or afternoons, Monday to Friday). Four hours of evening classes are €53 and learning French through Theater for nine hours per week is €93. An annual €57 registration fee applies.
Contact: tel. +33/1-4284-9000; info@alliancefr.org
Photo Caption: A cafe in Paris. Photo by gerryc/Frommers.com Community
What: Bruxelles Destination Langue Française (www.bdlf.be), also a not-for-profit organization, works closely with the Alliance Française in Brussels to provide inexpensive French language instruction and affordable accommodation packages for students.
Where: Central Brussels, Rue de la Loi 26, Brussels (Métro: Arts-loi)
Price: The two-week Bruxelles Intensif packages start at €830 and include group classes for 15 hours per week, four hours of conversation classes per week, self-learning labs, and 13 nights' home-stay lodging with breakfast. A similar four-week program with cultural activities and accommodations starts at €1,100.
Contact: +32/2-646-2624; info@bdlf.be
Photo Caption: Patrons outside Chez Léon restaurant in Brussels, Belgium.
What: Le Cours d'école (www.lecoursdecole.net) is a family-run language school that provides group courses (maximum of six students) each morning Monday to Friday throughout the year. One-on-one courses are also available for two to four hours per day.
Where: The school is in Papara, less than 20 miles from the capital of Papeete.
Price: A one-week group course (20 hours of tuition) is €400 per week. One-on-one classes are €900 per week. Discounts are available to students taking three weeks or more of classes. Accommodations with a host family is €50 per day or €60 per day for your own apartment attached to a family home, with meals (breakfast and dinner during the week and three meals a day on weekends). The school can also arrange a hotel room at Hiti Moana Lodge for two people for €72 per night.
Contact: tel. +689/570-622; contact@lecoursdecole.net
Photo Caption: Overwater bungalows in Tahiti. Photo by Joyce Zee/Frommers.com Community
What: École Québec Monde (www.ecolequebecmonde.ca) offers a variety of French courses throughout the year. The one-and two-week seasonal programs coincide with two of the city's most celebrated annual events: the Winter Carnival and the Summer Festival
Where: 335 rue Saint-Joseph Est, Bureau 600, in downtown Québec
Price: A one-week course (15 hours of tuition) during the Winter Carnival costs C$690 or C$940 for two weeks. The cost includes a guided visit of Winter Carnival sites, a walking tour of the Fortified City (Vieux-Québec) and Place-Royale, and a visit to the Observatoire de la Capitale and the Night Parade. During the Summer Festival, the price is C$740 for a week and C$990 for two weeks. This price includes a guided tour of Summer Festival sites; a walking tour of the Fortifications, Place Royale, and Vieux-Québec; a visit to the Observatoire de la Capitale; and one evening concert per week.
When: The Winter Carnival courses run from Jan. 28-February 13, 2011 and the Summer Festival courses are from July 7-17, 2011.
Contact: tel. 418/977-0505; info@ecolequebecmonde.ca
Photo Caption: Quebec City's Old Town. Photo by S.J. Luke/Frommers.com Community