Paris Gap Year Program for 16+ year olds

2010 Gap Year Language Program in Paris, France

When one thinks of France, few images come to mind more readily than those of Paris, the city of lights and home to famous monuments such as the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe and the magnificent Louvre museum, to name just a few!  But Paris is so much more than simply tourist attractions. To the more than 2 million residents who call it home, Paris is their perfect playground, offering an enviable lifestyle in one of the world's most beautiful cities. From sophisticated cafes to chic boutiques, from quaint museums to luxurious gardens, there is something that will appeal to everyone. With so much to see and do it's hard to think of a better place to immerse yourself in French language and culture! 

The School

The school is in a quiet area right in the center of the Latin Quarter within walking distance of the Louvre and Notre Dame Cathedral. It's a beautiful and historic building that has been completely re-fitted for school purposes. Part of the Parisian city wall, which dates back to the 13th century, can be seen in the school, in addition to ceiling beams dating back to the 17th century.

The facilities include:

• 13 classrooms
• Multi-media learning centre and lecture hall
• Spacious reception area
• Lounge area with vending machines
• Large sunny terrace
• WI-FI and computer room with free internet access

Program

The program offers 20 or 25 lessons per week with many students opting for 20 lessons with an aim to balance serious study with the chance to explore the city with new friends from all over the world.

Classes are a blend of listening, speaking, grammar, vocabulary-building, and role plays.

In as little as 2 weeks you will have the chance to forge new friendships and make some significant progress in your French studies... provided, of course, you speak French as much as possible!

Activities vary, with many excursions focussed on cultural activities. Popular after-school visits include: Rodin Museum, Picasso Museum, Catacombs, and more (entrance fees are extra). The school also organizes many weekend excursions out of Paris to places like Reims and Epernay, Loire chateaux, Le Mont Saint-Michel and many other places (extra costs apply).

Teachers

All teachers are experienced, extensively trained in teaching French as a second or foreign language and many have master's degrees or equivalent teaching qualifications.  They are known to be firm yet fun and work hard to ensure that you will get the most out of your class time in a full-immersion environment.

Accommodation

You will be accommodated with local host families. Host families come in all shapes and sizes, from couples with young children to older single females. But what they all have in common is their desire to share their home and their culture with you.

Your room will consist of a single bed with a shared bath and you will have access to the common areas of the home.  Meals consist of breakfast, which is usually self-service, and dinner, which is typically served around 7:30/8:00 PM and is a great time to chat with family members and practice your French. Host families take dietary, health or religious requirements into consideration so be sure to let us know if you have any special considerations at the time of booking.

Commuting to school can take from 15 minutes to 1 hour by public transit which is normal for many Parisians. Most families live within the city limits but it is unusual to have a host family that is within walking distance of the school.

All host families are carefully selected and regularly inspected by the host school's dedicated homestay coordinator in Paris. 

For general information on homestay accommodation please visit our Homestay Q & A page.

For students who are 18 and over, you may prefer to stay in the school residence, a shared apartment or local hotel. Please contact us for details on these accommodation options.

The following program features are included in the price

• 20 or 25 lessons per week
• Study materials
• Language level test on first day of class
• Certificate of attendance and linguistic competence for each exam passed
• 24-hour emergency support
• Single in homestay accommodation with breakfast and dinner daily
• Comprehensive Medical & Travel Insurance (Only available for US citizens/residents 35 or under)