Learn French in Guadeloupe: Teaching
Let’s get you talking French!
The objective is to develop active and effective communicative French language skills in everyday meaningful French.
Course Method
The methods used are, above all, interactive and communicative. All language programmes are carefully structured but sufficiently flexible to allow each person to progress according to their language level and learning pace. The teachers want to encourage your active oral participation and will tailor the work taught to match each class’s language level to achieve this goal.
The primary goal of the teachers is to ensure the students understand the French language (at the level they are studying). Through a balanced blend of grammar and creative activities, practising helps ensure that students better understand how the French language works as a functioning system of communication and a tool for cultural and personal expression. Achieving meaningful understanding at each level before progressing on, ensures the students fully develop their competence in the French language.
Group Course Format
The programme of 20 lessons has two main focuses – structural and communication.
Structural classes:
Language skills are broken down into basic principles relevant to the group’s language ability, addressing core skills, such as basic (or more complex) grammar, conjugation, vocabulary etc. At first glance, these lessons may seem rather dry but they are essential so that students can overcome any language constraint and learn to use the structures as smoothly as possible, so that they become habitual rather than strained. These are the foundations upon which a deeper understanding of the French language is built and effective communication skills (both written and oral) can be developed.
Communication classes:
In these classes students concentrate on developing their spoken expression and comprehension skills (rather than on grammar conjugation work!). Focusing on communication is important as it ensures students are given the opportunity to practice their French structural skills and increase in personal confidence whilst improving their self expression, according to their language ability. The French teaching staff will utilise a variety of current or cultural topics/texts to enable the students to practice their French, improving their understanding and expression of linguistic nuances and the subtleties of the French language. The conversations in these classes encompass a wealth of topics and spark into unexpected directions. Their informality is intended to encourage self expression and active participation by the students.
Private Tuition Course Format:
Private classes can be offered as a stand alone course or in-conjunction with a group course.
This is an important opportunity for students to address specific elements of general French language skills, or particular points of personal or professional interest. In private classes the teacher can review subject areas that the student can not cover in a general group class or can go over material that the student feels was not fully assimilated in the group class context. Private lessons can be demanding, but they also enable the tutor to hone in on any difficulty that the student may be experiencing and give that student 100% of their attention.
First Day
Arrival: 08.00 hrs on the first Monday of your course.
On the first day you will:
~ confirm your details with the school
~ have a general information session – 8.00/9.00 hrs
~ take a placement test (written and spoken) from 09.00 to 10.00 hrs
~ normally start your first lesson at 10.30 hrs
Generally lessons will start on Monday after the mid morning break, after the tests, unless Monday is a holiday, in which case Tuesday will be the day for assessments and introductions.
Timetable
Standard Course: 08.00 to 12 noon
Intensive Course: 08.00 to 12 noon + 12.30 hrs to 14.30 hrs
Private tuition: A personal timetable will be developed
In the Winter season Standard Course timetables may also run during the afternoons.
We cannot confirm which timetable you will be given in advance, as classes will only be confirmed once the students levels have been verified on the first Monday of the course.
Certificate
The school will issue an end of course certificate which will state your skills in speaking, oral and written understanding. Any student who fails to attend classes 3 or more time without explanation within a two week time frame, will not be issued with a certificate of attendance/ability.
French Language Levels
Beginners/Elementary students
Learn language skills that will allow them to function in French in everyday situations, covering comprehension and expression, simple vocabulary and basic grammar skills in order to encourage spontaneous expression and to enrich previously acquired language skills in more complex forms.
Intermediate students
Cover more complex structural and grammatical concepts, acquiring nuances of the language and an abstract vocabulary that allows them to express themselves with greater conviction.
Advanced students
Learn to express and communicate opinions in diverse ways, to provide a social and cultural context for the language learnt and are encouraged to master situations where the language has to be particularly nuanced and clear.
The college divides students into six theoretical levels of language ability.
A student of average linguistic ability should allow four weeks to complete the Beginner level and five to eight weeks for the Elementary Level. Eight to twelve weeks should be allowed to complete the Intermediate Levels and a further eight to twelve weeks to complete the Advanced Level.
In reality each French language student chooses to attend a short course or a longer French language course according to their linguistic goals, personal wishes and time constraints.
Guadeloupe School Teachers
The school’s teachers, all native French speakers, have trained as teachers of French as a foreign language.
Guadeloupe School Students
Students come from all over the world, predominantly Europe & the USA, but also from as far afield as Australia, China, Japan and more besides already working, and are looking for a slightly different take on French language learning than the programmes offered in France. Fundamentally, if you want to learn French and you are 18 yrs old or above – you’re welcome. Students are usually in their 20’s & 30’s, but the programme works equally well for older students, the oldest student to date was in their 70’s.
There are students that stay for one or two weeks and others who stay for 4 weeks +. The longer you stay the better your French language skills will be!
