FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAMME AT YOUR TEACHER'S HOME

Learn French at your teacher’s home through a customized immersion programme that enables you to improve your French quickly.

What are the advantages of learning French through a French immersion programme?

Five effective ways to learn French at your teacher’s home:

Follow a tailored programme that suits your specific needs and personal interests
Engage in themed conversations on cultural topics related to France
Share life with your private French teacher during meals and excursions
Choose the length of your programme and plan an intensive or a semi-intensive programme
Have private classes with a highly experienced native teacher who holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language

How can I choose my French immersion programme?

You are entirely free to choose the immersion programme that best suits your needs and goals. To do so, you will spend an hour talking about your requirements with your private teacher on Skype or another videoconference platform. During this initial interview, you are encouraged to describe your goals, needs and specific interests about the French language and culture so that your private teacher can design a customized immersion programme for you.

If you would like to learn more about my French immersion programmes, please provide me with as much information as possible about your intended stay, including your proposed start and end dates, your specific interests and preferences, any special dietary requirements or allergies, and whether you would prefer an intensive or a semi-intensive programme. I will design a fully tailored programme for you according to your wishes. Please note that the immersion programme must be planned at least two months in advance so that I can be totally available for you.

Description of your teacher’s house and suggestions for possible immersion programmes

Overview – each programme contains the following activities:

A language level test to determine your ability and specific needs
At least three cultural activities, workshops or excursions
An intensive programme (five days from Monday to Friday, consisting of 15 hours of French classes and 15 hours of excursions and workshops)
OR a semi-intensive programme (three days, consisting of 10 hours of French classes and 6 hours of excursions and workshops)
Programmes lasting longer than five days may be available on request
Shared breakfasts and lunches with your tutor as well as guided conversations in French
Comfortable accommodation in a one-bed studio with an ensuite bathroom and a private terrace overlooking the ocean

Improve your French by staying in the residential area of Tacoronte in Tenerife, one of the seven islands that make up the Canary Islands archipelago. France and Tenerife have longstanding cultural links, as exemplified by the surrealist painter Oscar Domínguez, who was born in Tacoronte, worked in Paris and married the French artist Maud Bonneaud. Given this connection, it is perhaps not surprising that André Breton, the French surrealist writer and friend of Oscar Domínguez, chose Tenerife as the site of the first International Surrealist Exhibition in May 1935. During your stay, you will be sure to discover other interesting cultural links between France and Tenerife.

Description of your teacher’s house:

Property size: 135 m²

No. of bedrooms: 2

Maximum number of guests: 2

Property type: House with independent studio, a garden and two terraces

Ensuite bathroom: Yes

Catering: Half board

Host: Couple

Host pets: No

Location of house: In a small town

Pets allowed: No

Nearest airport (pick up fees may apply – please contact us):

La Laguna

Smoking allowed: Yes, outside your accommodation

Guests allowed: One single person or a couple

Level of French: From beginner’s to advanced level (A2, B1, B2, C1)

Minimum age: 18 years

Minutes of classes per day: 180 minutes for the intensive programme / 120 minutes minimum for the semi-intensive programme

Types of course: General French, professional French if required, extra activities/workshops and excursions

Teacher’s qualifications: Master’s degree in Teaching French as a Foreign Language

Your teacher’s home is located next to the town of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The house is located in a quiet area of the municipality of Tacoronte, which is in Mesa del Mar on the Atlantic coast. Your accommodation will consist of your own comfortable bedroom with a double bed, an ensuite bathroom and a private terrace measuring 30 m² with a beautiful view of the north coast of the island and the Atlantic ocean. After your French classes, you can enjoy the beach, which is less than 10 minutes’ drive from your teacher’s home.

The private classes will take place every morning in a classroom or outside on the terrace, depending on the weather. Your French classes will be completely tailored to your specific needs, goals and interests. Depending on your initial level of French and your specific needs and preferences, your private tutor will design a customized immersion programme around your favourite topics, which may include art, literature, history, cinema, science or politics, among other subjects. Cultural excursions and workshops will enhance your stay and allow you to engage in guided conversations on a range of topics with your teacher.

You will eat breakfast and lunch with your private teacher. If you wish, you can also cook with her and discover some specialities of French cooking. If you choose to take a French food workshop, you can discover some of the typical products and flavours of France.

Suggestions for topics and activities that you can enjoy during your tailored home-stay programme

All the topics described below are merely indicative and are given only as examples of a tailored French immersion programme. You can choose other topics depending on your current level of French and your cultural interests.

One option for intermediate and advanced students is to take an immersion programme focusing on the city of Paris, otherwise known as the City of Light. Paris is studied through cinema, literature, art and the artists who have lived and worked there. Themed workshops also provide an opportunity to learn more about other features of French culture and to discover the traditions and cultures of other regions of France, particularly those of Provence.

The subjects listed below can be explored through courses and workshops, which will include oral and written comprehension activities, work on specific vocabulary from the worlds of art and literature, and conversations on the proposed subjects.

Art / art history

Take a virtual tour of Paris by following in the footsteps of the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Discover pictorial works by Toulouse-Lautrec and his companion Suzanne Valadon.
Watch extracts from the ARTE TV documentary Les aventuriers de l’art moderne (The Adventurers of Modern Art)

Cinema

Watch extracts from films set in Paris
See films adapted from French literary works
Play a game to discover the funniest lines in French cinema

History

Learn about the social consequences of the French Revolution and the birth of contemporary French society

Humour

Watch sketches by French comedians and see examples of parody and irony
Explore French humour through an intercultural lens

Intercultural

Examine representations of Paris in other countries and learn about “Japanese Paris Syndrome”

Music

Learn about the life and work of Maurice Ravel and listen to extracts from some of his most important works. Watch extracts from the documentary series Who Stole Ravel’s Bolero?
Go on a virtual tour of Edith Piaf’s Paris. Watch extracts from the film La môme, which tells her life story, and listen to some of her songs

Photography

Discover the photographic work of Man Ray and Willy Ronis and read passages from the book Ce jour-là by Willy Ronis

Theatre

Take a virtual tour of Paris in the footsteps of Molière, one of France’s most famous playwrights, and watch extracts from his plays

STUDENT'S TESTIMONIAL ABOUT A TAILORED FRENCH IMMERSION PROGRAMME

« I have been Olivia’s student for the past seven years and the immersive experience with her in Tenerife was beyond my expectations!

When I arrived at her beautiful home and moved into the lovely studio, I was astounded by the breath-taking view of the sea and the volcano. I felt immediately relaxed.

Olivia had prepared a customised book of material based on the topics I had requested (the natural environment and culture of Tenerife) as part of my immersion, so I was able to review as much as I wanted prior to the course the following day. Most days we started by preparing the background, vocabulary and cultural/historical significance of the excursion we were taking each afternoon. After a break for lunch (Olivia is also a wonderful cook!), we went off on the excursion, which we had discussed in the morning.

In addition to being an outstanding language teacher, Olivia’s background as a cultural mediator is evident, as she made topics that were new to me engaging and approachable. I loved every moment of it! Because we were working together the entire day, I was speaking only French and it was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. We never tired of topics to discuss and I learned so much about the environment and culture of Tenerife in addition to improving my French!

We had one full day dedicated to grammar, so that I could improve some of the areas where I struggle and even that was fun. Olivia is creative about using games and other ways to keep the energy fresh. I made a lot of progress on that day alone!

Having experienced four other French immersions in France and Switzerland, this was for me the ultimate experience and I cannot recommend it highly enough. In fact, I’m already planning to come back early next year! »

Heather Rychener

HR director. Zurich. Zwitzerland

I am Olivia, a qualified native teacher who has taught French as a foreign language for more than 10 years to students around the world. Having previously worked as a cultural mediator accredited by the National Heritage Centre in France, I am well qualified to design cultural workshops and classes on French national heritage and culture and to share my passion for French culture and language.

The purpose of the French immersion programme is to improve your fluency and understanding of spoken French while staying at your tutor’s home. In order to maximize your exposure to the spoken language, I will ensure that you enjoy as many French conversations as possible during meal times and excursions. Following an immersion programme at your teacher’s home is the most authentic and natural way to improve your French by combining language, culture and conviviality.