FRENCH IMMERSION HOLIDAYS
HOMESTAY IN FRANCE FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Homestay in France
This is a total immersion stay with a French host family
It allows the participant to integrate into a family abroad and share in their daily life and activities. During the stay you will be communicating in the native language, you will speak and be exposed to the french language all day.
This is a unique opportunity to discover the way of life, food, culture of the country and to practice the language informally, in a friendly atmosphere.
This homestay only programme does not include organised courses or group activities
One main outing or activity per week is organised by the host family.
This formula is ideal for teenagers or young people with some basic French so they will be able to communicate without too much difficulty with the family.
Dates Available: July , August and some school holiday periods.
Ages: Suitable for students aged 13 to 18 years old. Students should be sufficiently independent to spend time away from their family and friends for a short time.
Prices: 2 weeks Total Immersion Homestay in France : €1190 3 weeks Total Immersion Homestay in France : €1470
Arrival/ Departure: Arrival Sunday and depart on Saturday only. Transfers from local Airport or train station included in price.
Regions available for this programme: Occitane, Aquitane, Bretagne, Pays de Loire, Normandie, Auvergne Rhone Alps, Grand Est
French Host Families
The French host families are selected by our local partner who has personal contacts in the area and often knows them personally.
The host families are representative of the society of the country and mostly consist of a dad, a mum, one or more children, but this is not an absolute rule. You will receive a profile of your French host family before you leave so you can get to communicate with them in advance. Host families may be of different social background, ethnicity or religion from your own.
The assignment of host families is made by our partner abroad.
This is a total immersion stay with a French host family
It allows the participant to integrate into a family abroad and share in their daily life and activities. During the stay you will be communicating in the native language, you will speak and be exposed to the french language all day.
This is a unique opportunity to discover the way of life, food, culture of the country and to practice the language informally, in a friendly atmosphere.
This homestay only programme does not include organised courses or group activities
One main outing or activity per week is organised by the host family.
This formula is ideal for teenagers or young people with some basic French so they will be able to communicate without too much difficulty with the family.
Dates Available: July , August and some school holiday periods.
Ages: Suitable for students aged 13 to 18 years old. Students should be sufficiently independent to spend time away from their family and friends for a short time.
Prices: 2 weeks Total Immersion Homestay in France : €1190 3 weeks Total Immersion Homestay in France : €1470
Arrival/ Departure: Arrival Sunday and depart on Saturday only. Transfers from local Airport or train station included in price.
Regions available for this programme: Occitane, Aquitane, Bretagne, Pays de Loire, Normandie, Auvergne Rhone Alps, Grand Est
French Host Families
The French host families are selected by our local partner who has personal contacts in the area and often knows them personally.
The host families are representative of the society of the country and mostly consist of a dad, a mum, one or more children, but this is not an absolute rule. You will receive a profile of your French host family before you leave so you can get to communicate with them in advance. Host families may be of different social background, ethnicity or religion from your own.
The assignment of host families is made by our partner abroad.
FAMILY LIFE
The Irish student will live as a member of the host family and integrate into their daily lives.
However, the family are not asked to change their lifestyle. It is up to the participant to adapt to the day-to-day life of the French family.
For the student it means they need to aware of differences in attitudes, values, beliefs daily routines etc and accept whatever activities and events are proposed by the French family.
It is also important to note that the way of life can be very different from one country to another: e.g structure and time of meals so it will be necessary to mindful of this. This is a wonderful life lesson for students.
Familiesmay host two young people of different nationalities simultaneously, which reinforces the international character of the stay. Nevertheless, we guarantee the presence of only one English speaker per family (except on request), in order to have a complete immersion.
Meals: All meals and accommodation are provided by the host family
Co-ordinator support: Our partner in France will be contactable if required during the stay. Most of our host families are used to dealing with initial issues such as homesickness, problems of comprehension related to the language barrier which may arise in the first few days. It is necessary to allow time to become familiar with the new environment and also to realise that the effort of communication in a foreign language, especially in the first few days can be exhausting.
In all cases it is important that the participant wants to go on a language stay, and accepts that he/she will have to adapt and accept a different way of life.
Laundry: Students should check with their host family on the arrangements and frequency that the host family has for washing clothes.
A weekly wash at a minimum is offered.
Flights are not included in the homestay price and must be booked by the student's parents/guardians.
When we have confirmed availability of a host family, we will advise on the closest airport. Please note that students under 16 years of age may not
fly unaccompanied with Ryanair.
Booking: Please complete our student application form. We request an application fee of €200 with each homestay application. This is part of the
total fee. We retain this fee if you cancel after we have reserved a family for you. We refund it if for some reason we cannot place the student.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL STAY
The Irish student will live as a member of the host family and integrate into their daily lives.
However, the family are not asked to change their lifestyle. It is up to the participant to adapt to the day-to-day life of the French family.
For the student it means they need to aware of differences in attitudes, values, beliefs daily routines etc and accept whatever activities and events are proposed by the French family.
It is also important to note that the way of life can be very different from one country to another: e.g structure and time of meals so it will be necessary to mindful of this. This is a wonderful life lesson for students.
Familiesmay host two young people of different nationalities simultaneously, which reinforces the international character of the stay. Nevertheless, we guarantee the presence of only one English speaker per family (except on request), in order to have a complete immersion.
Meals: All meals and accommodation are provided by the host family
Co-ordinator support: Our partner in France will be contactable if required during the stay. Most of our host families are used to dealing with initial issues such as homesickness, problems of comprehension related to the language barrier which may arise in the first few days. It is necessary to allow time to become familiar with the new environment and also to realise that the effort of communication in a foreign language, especially in the first few days can be exhausting.
In all cases it is important that the participant wants to go on a language stay, and accepts that he/she will have to adapt and accept a different way of life.
Laundry: Students should check with their host family on the arrangements and frequency that the host family has for washing clothes.
A weekly wash at a minimum is offered.
Flights are not included in the homestay price and must be booked by the student's parents/guardians.
When we have confirmed availability of a host family, we will advise on the closest airport. Please note that students under 16 years of age may not
fly unaccompanied with Ryanair.
Booking: Please complete our student application form. We request an application fee of €200 with each homestay application. This is part of the
total fee. We retain this fee if you cancel after we have reserved a family for you. We refund it if for some reason we cannot place the student.
TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL STAY
- Basic French: It is essential that the participant has basic French because the families do not necessarily speak English.
- Motivation: It is essential that the participant really wants to learn a new language, explore a new culture and share in the daily life the family
- Flexibility: The participant must be able and willing to adapt to this new culture, and be able to accept the differences.
- Distractions: Excessive use of internet and mobile phone and continued use of social media in English hinders progression in the new language and integration into the host family.