French Lessons in Aix-en-Provence

If I could choose any place in the world for French lessons, it would be Aix-en-Provence. Just being here makes me feel like speaking French.

The cozy cafes…

Elegant courtyards with fountains…

…and colorful neighborhood markets.

The language will surely sink in.

French lessons at IS Aix-en-Provence

My first days at IS Aix-en-Provence have been more productive and fun than ever imagined. Believe it or not, I haven’t been nervous or anxious about my poor language skills. The staff and atmosphere at the school are relaxed and welcoming.

You can tell from the moment you enter the school grounds- much like a private compound- that the business runs like a well-oiled machine. Having been around for over forty years, IS consistently proves they know the art of teaching French.

French lessons from Day 1

When I signed up for the IS course, I attended the two-week course and stayed with a French-speaking hostess. As luck would have it, my hostess and I are close to the same age, and she lives within a five-minute walking distance of the school — past a beautiful park, I might add.

On my first day of classes, my hostess sent me merrily on my way after a traditional French “petit déjeuner” and cheerful bidding, “bonne chance.”

At school, I joined a group of newcomers and met members of the staff who welcomed us and introduced our course of study. Later, we were tested for our individual class placement.

Believe it or not, I placed in A2, which means I can: “understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (basic personal information, shopping, local geography, employment, etc.) Can communicate in simple routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe aspects of his/her background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.”

Thank goodness for the ten-week experience in French hospitals.

My class for the two weeks consists of four students and two instructors who alternate days of teaching. Already, the course of one Canadian, one Austrian, one Brazilian, plus me, an American, have bonded.

It will be a great time filled with French language learning and laughs. Stay tuned…

To continue the story, read on. It’s taken five years for the Barefoot Blogger to reach the point where she’s progressing in her new language. Now I’m learning French in Aix-en-Provence.