French Courses in France
Frequently Asked Questions
Please feel free to Contact us directly if you have further questions which are not addressed here :
- by telephone : +33 (0) 870 407 434 / +33 (0)4 92 90 71 70
- by fax : +33 (0)4 811 035 167 ou +33 (0)4 92 90 71 71
- by email, at info@france-school.com
QUESTIONS
Q : What is the minimal age to attend the courses?
You need to be 18 years old to attend the adult courses.
if you are 11 to 17, please refer to our Junior website, at http://www.atoll-france.com
Q : What is the minimal level of French required to attend courses?
We accept students of any level of French, from Complete Beginner to Advanced.
However, please note the special arrival dates reserved to complete beginner students.
Q : What time is it in France?
France is one hour (+1) ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), with a daylight saving time of one hour, eg :
When it is 12noon in Ankara, it is 1.00pm in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Moscow, it is 10.00am in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Calcutta, it is 7.30am in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Tokyo, it is 4.00am in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in San Francisco, it is 9.00pm in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in New York City, it is 6.00pm in Antibes.
When it is 12noon in Rio de Janeiro, it is 3.00pm in Antibes.
For more information, see timeanddate.com
Q : What's the best time to book my stay?
The best time to book your stay is as soon as possible. Very often, our students book
their summer stay 6 months in advance. By booking early, you have the widest range of courses and
accommodation to choose from (our most popular options are booked up quickly!) and, in return, we have
the best opportunity of meeting all your needs and requests. This ensures that you are completely
satisfied with your booking.
Q : What are the opening hours of the main office?
Our Le Port office is open Monday to Friday, from 8.30am-12.30pm and 2.00pm-5.30pm,
where Booking Officers are available to take your booking or answer questions. From June to October
inclusive, a member of staff will be also available on Sundays. Please leave a message on our voicemail
system when the office is closed, and we shall return your call on the next business day.
The office telephone number is : +33 (0) 870 407 434 / +33 (0)4 92 90 71 70, and we can also be reached at any time by fax
+33 (0)4 92 90 71 71 or by email ( info@france-school.com)
Q : Will I need a visa to study in France?
For any information regarding visas, passports and authorisations to stay in France,
please consult a French consulate or embassy in your country.
To find out the address of the french consulate in your country, visit : http://www.expatries.diplomatie.fr/Annuaires/annuaires.htm
Click "Représentations diplômatiques et consulaires à l'étranger",
then choose your country
Q : Do I need an insurance?
European students shall bring with them their E111 form.
A civil liability insurance is not mandatory but strongly recommended
Q : When should I arrive?
Arrivals are scheduled for Sunday and departures for Saturday. It is however possible
to add extra days to your stay.
Please inform us of your time and place of arrival, especially if you have reserved a transfer
Q : How can I get from the airport or the railway station to my residence or family?
The transfer from the airport (Nice Cote d'Azur) or railway station (Antibes
or Juan les Pins) is included in the price of a family accommodation program. Please provide
us with your information details (flight number and ETA) in advance.
If you are accommodated in a residence, the transfer can be organised as a supplement for
45 € one way from/to the airport (90 € return trip) and 15 € one way from/to
the railway station (29 € return trip).
Please let us know as soon as possible
if you need us to organise a transfer for you.
Q : What material/books will I need to attend the courses?
Books and pedagogical documents will be provided by the Centre International d'Antibes.
All you will need to bring is a notebook and a pen!
Q : What is the average age of the students?
Around 30 years of age. Depending on the period of the years, it can fluctuate up and down
Q : What is the best time within the year to attend courses in a long term program?
The CIA offers very interesting discounts to long term students right before and after the
summer time. If you can book your courses within these days, you might be able to save a lot of money
whilst benefiting from the same usual facilities.
Q : Is it possible to book courses only?
All the courses we offer with accommodation are also available if you don't need an accommodation.
You will attend classes with students accommodated in our residences or with our host families.
Q : We are a group of friends/colleagues wanting to attend courses with the
CIA. Will we benefit from a special discount?
Depending on the period of the year and the number of people in your group, you might
be able to benefit from our special "Constitued Groups" rates. Please Contact us directly for further information.
Q : Is it possible to book accommodation only?
No. It is only possible to book an Accommodation if you book a course program in the mean time.
Q : You offer transfer from/to the airport/railway station. Do
you also offer flights?
No, we do not offer flights or any kind of transportation from your country to France.
You will need to contact a travel agent for that.
Q : What is the weather like on the Cote d'Azur? What shall I pack in
my suitcase?
Please refer to our page on the weather to answer this question. But know anyway that it is very likely to be sunny during your stay!
Q : Will I be able to receive/check emails during my stay? What about telphone
calls and faxes?
You will be able to send/receive emails or to browse on the internet in the cyberspace
located in the Garret or on the computers available at Le Port school (for a fee). Antibes and Cannes
also offer many cyber cafés available to anyone.
Regarding telephone calls, our high standard residences all have a private telephone in the bedrooms, where
you can receive or make calls from. You will also find public telephones in our medium standard residences,
or everywhere in Antibes and Cannes.
You will need a card, sold at the reception.
A fax machine is also available to our students (for a fee) in everyone of our residences.
Q : From which country do most of the students come?
See pie chart below :
Q : I am in my forties. What kind of accommodation would you recommend?
Firstly, know that you will have to ask for a single accommodation, unless simultaneous reservation.
As for the type of accommodation, we would recommend you a high standard residence (medium standard
residences welcome lots of 18 to 25 years old students) or a host family.
Q : What is the average length of a stay?
3 weeks, for the short term programs.
The Centre International d'Antibes advises students to stay for more than a week, as it is too short
a time to notice any progress in your French speaking. If you can only attend courses for one week, you
will have to go for Intensive 1 courses.
Students who enrol in a long term program generally stay for 8 or 16 weeks, depending on the exam
they prepare, or their starting level of French.
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