Learn French in Aix-en-Provence: Language Courses

These long term courses allow students to focus on all aspects of the French language in historic Aix-en-Provence over several months. It generally attracts European and Asian students aged 19 yrs/55 yrs of age (but all ages, 18 yrs+ are welcome). The course concept is to teach and support students who wish to extend their learning period and their knowledge of the French language over a long time. The programme is based on the curriculum of preparation for the DELF (Diplôme d’Etude de Langue Française) and is ideal preparation for the DELF exam, held in Aix University, or any other city and the TCF at Aix-en-Provence, depending on the dates. The participants are adult, with at least an elementary level (A2) or two years of active French, who want to express themselves with greater ease, for professional or personal reasons.
Course content covers: Revision and study of the structure of the language. Development of the 4 skills: oral and written comprehension and expression. Teaching based on everyday situations with the help of varied support material. Systematically optimizing newly acquired linguistic skills. Discussions, debates and presentations. Work in different sized groups. Individual homework offered outside of class. Study visits outside school are regularly planned. Each group works on a specific project that should result in an exhibition, edition materials (blog, web, paper, book etc.).

Training and preparation for the DELF exam is best offered in combination with the Exam Preparation course, shown further down this course list.

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Ideal for all ability levels looking for a course of 2 to 10 weeks duration (or high elementary+ levels looking for 2 to 8 week courses). Aimed at adults who want to develop general French language skills in Aix en Provence, in either a personal or professional context. The focus is on developing communication skills, oral skills most importantly (but written skills as well) to ensure that each student faces every type of communication with greater ease and confidence as the French programme progresses. The qualified teachers lead small international groups in a friendly and dynamic manner which encourages inter-cultural exchanges.

Course content: Revision and study of the structure of the language. Study of the 4 skills: oral and written comprehension and oral and written expression. Teaching based on everyday situations with the
help of varied material. Systematically optimizing newly acquired linguistic skills. Discussions, debates and presentations to apply communication skills. Opportunity to work in smaller sized groups. Homework every day and extra work outside class on request.

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

No Beginners accepted on this programme

French language students follow and build on the Standard French course (see Teaching link for further details), following afternoon workshops (of two or three lessons a day, over 4 or 5 days) that focus on various topics related to France; French civilization, everyday life in France (work conditions, educational system, customs, family life) and outdoor exercises and visits, French theatre and music workshops, phonetics, writing games, study of the different registers of the French language, multimedia workshops etc to broaden your knowledge and to place the language in a cultural context.

This course has been designed for adults of all levels with at least an A1 level who need to communicate with greater ease. Our qualified teachers lead small international groups in a friendly and dynamic manner which encourages inter-cultural exchanges. The afternoon sessions allow development of the themes linked to the French culture and society in smaller groups.
Course content –
Morning classes: Revision and study of the structure of the language. Study of the 4 skills: oral and written comprehension and oral and written expression. Teaching based on everyday situations with the help of varied material. Systematically optimizing newly acquired linguistic skills. Discussions, debates and presentations. Work in smaller sized groups. Homework every day and extra individual work outside class suggested on request.
Afternoon classes: Development of specific themes linked to France: French civilization, everyday life in France (work conditions, educational system, customs, and family life), approach to French culture through literature, music, theatre, etc. Possibility of taking the class outside school, study visits… Phonetics, writing games. Study of the different standards of language.

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

No Beginners accepted

Ideal for students looking for a course of 2 weeks + duration (for elementary+ levels looking to prepare for specific exams; the DELF, DALF or TCF, exact exam level prepared for depends on your language ability). Aimed at adults who want to develop general French language skills in Aix en Provence and want an accredited certificate to prove their French language level!  The qualified teachers lead small international groups in a friendly and dynamic manner on the Standard Course, which encourages inter-cultural exchange.
The afternoon private classes concentrate on exam skill work relevant to the individual student’s needs.  The school staff will help you identify your level and assist your registration for the exam/test best adapted to your level, your needs and your objectives. Additional teacher marking time is built into the programme, to assess test paper results etc pertinent to the student’s requirements. The afternoon classes concentrate on the acquisition of the skills necessary for both the written and oral tests of the examination. Examination training is enhanced through the use of practice tests and the learning of strategies adapted to the relevant DELF, DALF or TCF examination.

Exam Course Focus:

• Prepare effectively for the examination
• Acquire the skills necessary for the success of the examination in all the domains (oral and written understanding, oral and written expression)
• Acquire the strategies and the methodology inherent to the structure of the examination

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

4, 5, 8, 10 Private tuition lessons offered per week

Short term French language courses aimed at those who need to build on current skills or who want to kick start their French language learning with a Standard Course in Aix-en-Provence, France, with additional private tuition. Private classes can be personally tailored to encourage rapid linguistic development.

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

An extremely intensive French language course, ideal for those who wish to make maximum language progress over a one or two week period of study in Aix-en-Provence. Aimed at business people or those who need to work on their French for academic or professional reasons, for whom time is of the essence.
Minimum duration that can be booked is 1h 30 for 2 lessons. For 3 lessons or 4 lessons, the school add a 30 minutes break.

So a timetable would be:

• for 2 lessons from 11.00 am to 12.30 or 2 pm to 3.30 pm or 4 pm to 5.30 pm (depending on availability)
• for 3 lessons from 9.45 am to 12.30 or 2 pm to 4.45 pm
• for 4 lessons from 9.00 am to 12.30 or 2 pm to 5.30 pm

Please inform CESA at least 3 weeks in advance for any special request regarding your timetable.
The school cannot guarantee that they can meet your specific scheduling requirements but they will try to do so.
Please note: Once a schedule has been organized and teaching staff are booked, it cannot be changed.

The programme is prepared in detail by your teacher according to your objectives, which are set up with the help of a pre-course questionnaire.
Definition and confirmation of your level.
Evaluation of your professional and/or personal needs.
Programme established according to your language skills, of your wishes and length of the course.
Priority is given to oral communication (training to comprehension and expression, use of the French in everyday situation, reactivation of means of expression, unless specifically asked to work on written skills).
The programme can be adapted according to your progression throughout the course.
Many specific themes linked to individual teachers’ skills can be developed: French law, finance, business French, economics, politics, arts, literature, etc…

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Students follow the morning Standard Programme and for six afternoons (over 2 weeks) enjoy horse riding sessions with the Aix-Marseilles Riding Club. Lessons can be arranged privately or as part of a group, depending on student interest. Riders can choose to improve one or several riding disciplines depending on personal interest.

Improvement of several disciplines or of one chosen discipline
The horse riding club and his team will share their passion for horse riding on their 12 hectares stud farm

Horse Riding course fees: To be paid directly to the riding club upon reception of the invoice, first day of class

• 6 afternoons of 2 hours at the Riding Club
• Timetable for riding: 14.00 to 16.00 hrs or 16.00 to 18.00 hrs
• NB: No beginners accepted on these programmes
• Min. 1 participant
• Lessons in a group or alone depending on the level and the number of participants

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Students follow the morning Standard French course in Aix en Provence and over several afternoons follow painting classes run by a professional painter, who specialises in Impressionist work. Classes include instruction on how to work with oils and charcoal drawings, in the painter’s studio. All Art lessons are held in French and students will work in small groups, either in the Artist’s garden/workshop or out in the open (weather permitting).

• Painting sessions (12 lessons over 2 weeks)
• Timetable for painting: Generally 14.00 to 17.30 hrs
• NB: No beginners accepted on these programmes

Offered to students across all painting levels, even beginners
Timetable: Afternoons between 14:30 and 17:30 hrs (week days only)
About 12 hours in the afternoon over 2 weeks
The studio is located just 20 minutes walk from the language school

Learn different painting techniques
Practice your French vocabulary with a specific art context
Discover the famous Provence of France’s famous painters
Enjoy the pleasure of creating a painting
Leave Aix with a personal souvenir or two – your very own work of art

Payment to be made directly to the Painting teacher upon reception of the invoice (not via CESA)

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Timetable for activities: Generally 14.00 to 21.30 hrs
NB: No beginners accepted on these programmes
Min. 4 participants required for the full programme format
If there are 1 to 3 participants enrolled: the number of lessons and activities can be slightly modified, but the spirit of the course, is maintained

Students follow the morning Standard Course in Aix-en-Provence and a range of afternoon activities and one Saturday excursion designed to allow students to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the Provençal region.

Activities offered:

1 guided town tour
An introduction to the traditions and cultures of Provence
1 full day excursion to the top-hill villages and the markets of Luberon
A half day’s excursion to Cassis or la Camargue on the Mediterranean coast
1 visit to the Cézanne workshop or another museum or exhibition according to the current events
A cooking class at lunch-time at l’Atelier des Chefs
Wine tasting
1 pétanque contest

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Discover and experience wonderful local Provençal products, with theoretical and practical knowledge of Provençal cooking. Students follow the morning Standard Programme and in the afternoon enjoy a range of cookery workshops and tasting sessions. Students also try local wines and learn food/wine related vocabulary. NB: No beginners accepted on these programmes

• Min. 4 participants required for the full programme format
• If there are 1 to 3 participants enrolled: the number of lessons and activities can be slightly modified, but the spirit of the course, is maintained

Activities offered:

Introduction and presentation of typical products from the Provençal region
2 cooking workshops followed by a food tasting
1 cooking workshop followed by a dinner held with a local host family
1 guided visit to a Provençal market and cooking session with a host family
1 wine tasting session
Presentation and tasting of France’s fabulous cheeses

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Timetable for hiking: Generally between 14.00 to 21.30 hrs (around 15 hrs per week|)
NB: No beginners accepted on these programmes

Students follow the morning Standard Programme and escape the classroom and enjoy hiking through Provence with a professional guide. You have to love walking and be in possession of suitable hiking boots to get the most from this course!

Four walking hikes are included in the fortnight;
an afternoon hiking the paths of Mount Sainte-Victoire, the mountain renown as Cézanne’s musean afternoon discovering the Beaulieu estate, famed for the distinctive volcanic ground that nurtures the local vineyards terroiran afternoon on the foothills and slopes of the Vauvenargues, where Picasso spent the last years of his life
a full day exploring the breath taking scenery of the Calanque National Park with gloriously remote inlets and idyllic beaches

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".

Good prior French knowledge essential (B1 to C1 level)
Max. 4 people per group class (generally 2 to 4 students)

A two week language course aimed exclusively at business professionals who deal direct with French speaking colleagues. The course aims to provide students with the tools and confidence needed to exchange ideas and negotiate with French native speakers. This French course is designed for executives or senior managers from different fields and horizons who in their work are in direct contact with French speaking people. It is structured and personalized according to the common needs of the participants. The Institute gives a priority to the constitution of inter-cultural groups which encourages the use of French as the common language.

French course objectives

• Improve and develop your oral communication skills
• Acquire a specific vocabulary adapted to varied professional situations
• Reinforce grammatical and linguistic skills necessary in the
• professional life
• To gain a better understanding of inter-cultural communications

Course content

Personalised teaching based on the oral expression. Rigorous linguistic progression taking into account the group level. Study of French grammar and terminology with the help of simulated business and personal situations. Constant practise of modern linguistic skills using current themes. Practical training for use in presentations, negotiations and discussions corresponding to the participant’s experience. Adaptation of the programme depending on group requirements. Individual work set for personal study out of class.

Start Dates and Prices: Please discuss with CESA staff

Ideal for those who wish to develop their skills with their peers. Teacher training – revitalizing linguistic and didactic abilities in combination with advanced general language revision.Intermediate (B1) to Advanced level French essential

Max. 10 people per group class

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 10:30 hrs and 11:00 – 12:30 hrs
and exceptionally on Monday of arrival and every other Monday 14:00 – 15:30 hrs

Schedule may differ if there are public holiday during the week

Course content covers:

Revision and study of the structure of the language
Study of the 4 skills: oral and written comprehension and oral and written expression
Teaching based on everyday situations with the help of varied material
Systematically optimizing newly acquired linguistic skills
Discussions, debates and presentations
Work in smaller sized groups
Homework every day and individual work outside class suggested on request

Start dates 2024

Beginners start dates are underlined and in bold. Other levels can begin on any of the start dates shown. For a detailed quote, or to book a course, click on "Get a Quote".