Courses

Vis-à-Vis partner schools offer courses at all levels from beginners to advanced and you can choose from several course formats including: Standard Intensive Course Standard Intensive Course plus Supplement Specialised Courses Private Tuition. Remember that Vis-à-Vis schools offer different couse formats. Check the destinations to se which course formats are available at each school.

First Day

The first day begins with an oral and written test to determine your level. This test enables the school to assign you to a group that corresponds with your abilities. This way you are sure that your fellow students speak the same amount of French as you. If the pace of the group differs somewhat to your own, the opportunity is there to ask your director of studies to move you to a more suitable group. The minimum age at most schools is 18, although some schools allow youngsters as well (see school/city for more specific information). Of course, there is no maximum age: you are never too old to learn.

Specialised Courses

Some schools offer specialised courses as well as standard intensive programmes. You can specialise in business French or you can enrol for a course which prepares you for one of the official language diplomas D.E.L.F. (Diplôme Elémentaire de Langue Française) and D.A.L.F. (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) For more information on specialised courses click on Destinations or send us an e-mail.

D.E.L.F / D.A.L.F.

D.E.L.F. (elementary level) ) and D.A.L.F. (advanced level) are the only diplomas for French as a foreign language officially recognized by the French Ministry of Science & Education. Both diplomas consist of various subjects and can be obtained separately. This way you can set your own pace and sit a multitude of exams before obtaining your diploma. A general intensive course taken at one of our Vis-à-Vis schools will be sufficient to prepare you for the exams amd the partner schools will also help arrange for you to sit the exam whilst in France. The number of weeks you will need to spend at a Vis-à-Vis school preparing for the exams depends on your level of French so contact Vis-à-Vis or your teacher of French for advise. Complete beginners will need around 400 hours of tuition for the D.E.L.F and 500 to 600 hours for the D.A.L.F in order to reach the required standard. For further details regarding the D.E.L.F or D.A.L.F exam contact the Vis-à-Vis office.

Teaching Methods

The didactic method at the Vis-à-Vis schools is up-to-date and flexible. The emphasis in the lessons is on conversation although other skills such as reading, listening and writing are naturally practised as well. Grammar rules are introduced as you go along. Books and other study materials are all in tune with the didactic method. Depending on which school you choose, the books are either included in the price of the course, or they have to be paid for directly at the school.

Teachers

Your teachers will be nationals of either France, Belgium or Canada and the majority of them are university graduates in French language and literature. They have a wide experience in teaching their language to foreigners and regularly take courses to update their knowledge. During the lessons the teacher is your personal guide. Even if you don't speak a word of French the teachers succeed from the very first moment in speaking French to you in a way you understand immediately, of course every teacher has his or her own approach and specific qualities. But what they all have in common is their love of the French language and culture and a lot of enthusiasm for their profession.

Vis-à-Vis courses start regularly throughout the year so there will almost certainly be a start date to suit you, but make sure to enrol as soon as possible, especially during the summer season.