The School

The school in Antibes was opened in 1985. It welcomes 5000 students each year.

Location: The school is a large and spacious house referred to as Le Chateau. It is surrounded by flowering gardens and is located in a quiet environment only a few minutes walk (800m) from the centre of Antibes. In the peak seasons, some classes may take place in another part of the school which is situated within the Old Town pedestrian zone only thirty metres from the harbour.

Facilities: The school offers thirteem classrooms all equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment, four outdoor classrooms, a lovely open air terrace, a self service restaurant (breakfast and lunch), a library and a computer room (internet access: €5 per week).

Students: The school welcomes students of all ages from 18 years old to students in their 80ies. The average age from September to May is 28 and in July and August about 22. Half the students come from Europe (Germany, Spain, Italy, Britain, and others), 20% from South America (mainly Brazil), 20% from Asia (mainly Korea and Japan) and 10% from North America.

Bank Holidays: There are no lessons on French national holidays. Missed lessons are neither rescheduled nor refunded (except private lessons).

The school has the following affiliations or memberships:

FLE, EAQUALS, ALTO, CSN

Lessons

The French lessons take place from 8.45 am to 12 Monday to Friday (8.30am on the first morning). They are organised by levels (specific starting dates for beginners*) and comprise a maximum of twelve students. The lessons integrate the four main language skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.

First day: Students are expected to arrive at 8.30am on the first day. In the morning, an introduction to the school and tour of Antibes are organized in order to familiarize students with the school and the city. In the afternoon each student is given a written and oral test, on the basis of which groups are set up by level. Lessons start on the following day.

Activities

The school offers a guided tour of Antibes on the first day and can arrange various other activities during your stay through the tourism office.

Activities in Antibes include mountain biking, canyoning, rafting, scuba diving, snorkelling, beach volley, Monte Carlo by night and various excursions (St Tropez, The Gorges du Verdon, Nice).

Accommodation

The course can be booked with or without accommodation. Accommodation is usually booked from Sunday to Saturday. The following types of accommodation are available:

Host Family: You can choose a single room or a shared room with breakfast only or with half board (breakfast and dinner). Note that for reasons of privacy, the school asks students over 25 to select a single room (unless making a reservation with a friend). Some host families live walking distance from the school, others are 30 minutes away by bus. Sheets are provided but towels are not.

Residences: The school offers studio and room accommodation of different standards in three residences around Antibes. It is not possible to guarantee which residence the student will be accommodated in but it is possible to choose the level of comfort:

• High standard studios: individual or double studios with private bathroom, equipped kitchenette, a TV and air conditioning.
• Medium standard rooms: individual or double rooms with private bathroom, a communal kitchen at the disposal of long program students (8 weeks min) and a TV room.
• Budget standard rooms: triple rooms with bunk beds, private shower and shared toilet, a communal kitchen at the disposal of long program students (8 weeks min) and a TV room.

Practical Information

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