Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the school
What is the French summer school address ?
The French summer school is located : 8 rue St Vincent de Paul – 06 150 Cannes.
How much does it cost to come to your French summer school ?
Our fees vary depending on which study and activity program you choose and how many weeks you want to study. For families, we grant discount on tuition fees to keep your budget affordable. For a complete listings of fees, please check our DATES&FEES page.
Is there any financial aid for French summer programs ?
French Summer Classes does not offer scholarships for high school summer programs. However, we encourage students to look elsewhere for scholarship money. By experience, we know Swedish students can apply for a language program through CSN : http://www.csn.se
When should I register and when do I have to pay ?
We recommend that students register at least 6 weeks before they plan on coming to French Summer Classes. This is especially true if you need Homestay because it can take time to find the right host family depending on each individual’s needs and requests. Regarding travel and arrival in Cannes, we strongly recommend you book your flights to Nice airport as soon as possible. Early booking helps you obtain lower transportation fares.
Language program fees are due four weeks before the classes start. Payments should be made by Wire Transfer from your bank to our bank in France. If your registration takes place less than four weeks before the course starts, all payable amounts are due immediately. In some cases, when you register 2 weeks or less before the language program starts, all the fees must be paid upon your first day at school by traveler’s check or in cash (Euros).
What happens if I cancel ?
In the event of any type of cancellation, the flat-rate administrative fee of 50 Euros is non-refundable. It is possible to change your booking before your program starts. In case of cancellation three weeks before the course starts, the full down payment will be refunded. After these three weeks until the planned date of your course, 50% of the down payment will be refunded. If the visa you applied for to visit France is denied–which has never happened in our experience–send us the official letter from your home French embassy and we will refund the full down payment.Please, check our GENERAL REGISTRATION CONDITIONS for details.
How much money should I bring with me ?
It really depends on what you plan on doing. Some students arrive at French Summer Classes on a very strict budget and are looking to have as much fun as possible while spending as little money as possible. Others are plan on buying lots of things and visiting lots of places. Prices on the Riviera vary a lot. A meal can cost as little as EUR 4 for sandwich, EUR 10 for the dish of the day or over EUR 40 in one of the best restaurants. You can go see a movie for EUR 9. French Summer Classes have negotiated special discounts for our students, in the local cafés, restaurants and transportation around Cannes.
What happens if I want to change my courses or schedule when I am there?
First of all, there is a difference between changing your course and changing your schedule. If you are not comfortable with your first course choice, you can speak with the Program Director on the first days at the school. We have various levels in the school, so there should be no problem finding a course suited to your needs, interests and level!
Changing group schedules is not possible as all our group classes take place in the morning. However, it is possible to arrange a one-to-one course in the morning and in the afternoon.
Please, check ONE-TO-ONE COURSE for details.
How do I register?
REGISTER ONLINE. We will, then, send you a confirmation e-mail of your registration. In this e-mail, you will have the confirmation of the language program (dates, courses, activities…) you are applying for and your host family reservation, if applicable. If you decide to stay in a hotel, apartment or villa, we will send you a selection that suits your requirements and help you book your accommodation. Your registration will be complete when the school receives the registration fee.
How will you know in which class level to place me ?
Even if you have already studied French, we will have you take a placement test on the first day at French Summer Classes. There are two parts to the test. The first is a written test that takes 30 minutes. The second part of the test is a one on one interview, with a French Summer School teacher. Once you have completed the placement test, we will gauge your level and place you in a group with students of the same level as yours.
The only exception is for students who has no previous language experience, never studied the language before.
What happens on my first day at French Summer Classes?
Students are asked to arrive at 8:45 a.m. to the campus address indicated in your letter of acceptance. Orientations are done in French and English. The first step is to do your language assessment test (written and interview). After that, your Cultural Coordinator will give you some information about classes (general, cooking, week-end in Paris, …) and summer activities (tennis, sailing, excursions…). A program tour guide will take you on a walking tour the area around the school. We are right downtown so you will be shown the locations of the most popular areas, sights, and shopping stores: including things like banks, bus stops, stores, cafés, pharmacies, beaches and tourist attractions. At the end of the morning, we will tell you what class you are in and who the teacher is.
Note: we recommend you pay the language program fees by Wire Transfer from your bank to our bank. Otherwise, it must be paid upon your first day at school. Payments should be made by travelers check or in cash (Euros).
I have 2 children, 3 and 9 attending the classes. Will they follow the same program in the same group?
The children group is divided into sub-groups, ages 3 – 6 and ages 7 – 11. Six children per sub-group max and per teacher. All children are encouraged to participate in active learning activities such as imitate sounds, learn and memorize sentence, sing French songs, play games in the language, participate in storytelling. There will aslo be outings in the town, where students will have the opportunity to test out their French skills in various situations . The older students (depending on their needs and ability) will benefit from various areas of language study such as grammar,reading and writting.
How many students are there in the classroom ?
We have small size classes, normally 6-9 with a maximum of 12 students.
What time do I start classes in the morning ?
Classes start at 9 a.m. and end at 12.30 p.m. If you applied for an intensive course, you will meet a teacher again after lunch.
Can I take a one-to-one or conversation lesson for an hour or two?
Yes. For individual lessons, contact the Program Director. Together, you will schedule additional classes. One-to-one course is based purely on the student’s needs and goals. This curriculum is very flexible and can be adjusted to your personal requirements. You may decide the topic you want to study on. A one-to-one class will help you achieve high efficiency in a short time. See ONE-TO-ONE COURSE.
Do I get a diploma or certificate when I finish?
Yes. Students who complete their classes and attend the classes receive un Diplôme de français when they finish.
Do I have to start my classes on Monday? For how long can I take classes ?
We strongly recommend that students try to start their studies at the start of the week. For travel or personal reasons, you may want to start another day of the week. Note, if you attend classes less than a week, there will be no discount on weekly tuition fees. The minimum stay is one week. See DATES & FEES. Although, the minimum stay is one week, for academic purposes, we strongly recommend at least a 2-week language course. You may take classes for as many weeks as you want in the summer and extend your stay off-season, with a special one-to-one treat.
Can I take a break from my classes if I want to go on a trip?
Yes. This summer, we can arrange a PARIS WEEK-END TOUR with one of our French teacher. You will leave Cannes on Friday and come back on Sunday. Book this option in advance for best offer. If you decide once you are here that you want to take a break, you will not receive a refund for the classes that you have registered.
How will my son/daughter get money while in France ?
There is a pocket money service for youngsters : this service is offered to the students and operates like a mini-bank. Money will be deposited with the school and then distributed according to the wishes of the parents.
What must I not forget before I pack ?
Make sure you bring a valid passport. Students residing outside the European Union may, in some cases, need to obtain a visa before coming to Europe. If you decide to stay less than three months you may need a tourist visa and if you stay for more than three months, a student visa. Contact the French embassy in your home country or review their website. When applying for a student visa, you will have to enclose the confirmation of your registration to our school.
Insurance : All activities are undertaken at the risk of the participants. You must take out an insurance policy in your home country covering : individual civil liability, medical insurance (sickness, accident, loss), personal insurance for the theft of luggage or personal belongings, plane ticket change and cancellation insurance. French Summer Classes will not be held responsible if an injury or loss occurs during your stay. We strongly advise you to subscribe all the appropriate insurance plans to cover you during your stay.
Study material : Teachers will provide you with textbooks during the course. The student must provide writing materials. A French dictionary and verb declination lexicon would be useful to have with you.
Questions about Homestay
Do my Homestay dates have to be the same as the dates that I’m taking classes?
No, you can start and end your homestay dates whenever it is convenient for you. Most students arrive some time on the weekend before the Monday they will begin classes. Some arrive a week early because they’d like to have a little vacation before they start classes and some stay in their homestay for a while after their classes have finished.
Please remember though that if you decide you wish to extend your omestay and you want to stay with the same family, you should do so as soon as you make that decision. Especially during the summer peak season, extending your stay with the same homestay family may not be possible.
Where does my host family live ?
All the families live in the area of Cannes, where the classes take place. Most of them live within a walking distance from the school. However, you may have to take the bus to school (maximum 20 min). The host family will guarantee your transfer to and from Nice/Côte d’Azur airport or Cannes train station.
Can I contact my host family before I arrive?
Yes, we encourage you to contact your host family before you arrive. We will send your host family email address.
How and when will I meet my host family ?
Families usually pick you up at the airport or train/bus station. You will recognize your host family. They will be waiting for you just, with your name on a board at the meeting point.
Are there any other choices besides homestay for accommodation?
Students, under 18, will be placed in host family. For language purposes, we recommend you stay with a host family. However, you may want to be more independent and stay in a hotel, holiday apartment or villa. See our HOUSING page for more information.
Other Questions
What is the weather like in Cannes ?
Cannes has a typical ‘Mediterranean’ climate. Summers are long and warm and winters are mild. Basically, temperatures remain high from June to September, the busiest time of the year. Despite the hot daytime temperatures, a Mediterranean breeze keeps summer evenings comfortably cool. In the winter, temperature may drop below 10°C for only three months of the year (December to February). The spring and autumn are also warm.
 Average daytime temperature on the French Riviera (in Celsius): |
|
| - Winter | 12º |
| - Spring | 18º |
| - Summer | 27 |
| - Autumn | 20 |
Do you arrange activities after class?
Yes. When booking, tell us which activities you are interested in. French Summer Classes have a Cultural Coordinator who arranges after class activities. Our staff member may also suggest weekend activities. We offer a wide range of activities in Cannes and the French Riviera. You can also decide to participate in the Paris week-end tour or Italy trip (one hour from Cannes !) See our ACTIVITIES pages for details.
