INSTED Chamonix

INSTED's school in Chamonix, France offers high quality French language courses at all levels, given by the CUEF at Université Stendhal. We offer summer and winter programs from two to 15 weeks as well as tailor-made arrangements with integrated activities for private persons, school classes and companies. Chamonix is situated in the French Alps, at the doorstep to the highest mountain in Western Europe, the Mont-Blanc. Our location offers a unique possibility to combine French studies with your alpine interests such as skiing, snowboarding and climbing. The University INSTED is an alpine branch of Université Stendhal in Grenoble. All students in Chamonix are registered to this university. The language courses are given by the university's institution for French as a foreign language, Centre Universitaire d'Etudes Françaises (CUEF). The methods used in Chamonix are also used by CUEF in Grenoble. The extensive know-how of the university is reflected in Chamonix. Our teachers are in daily contact with Grenoble to provide feedback and to discuss the activities in Chamonix. CUEF is responsible for all teaching, planning and examination of our courses in Chamonix. All certificates that are given in Chamonix are issued by the university in Grenoble. Skiing and snowboarding Surrounded by the highest peaks and largest mountain terrain in Europe, it is no wonder that Chamonix has become such a skier's Mecca. Chamonix itself sits comfortably on 1035 meters of altitude which results in a great skiing range. In fact, no other ski resort can compete with such a drop in altitude and ski range. Les Grands Montets, Le Brévent, La Flégère and the famous L'Aiguille du Midi are ski areas that all offer runs with more than 1500 meter of vertical drops! The slopes at Chamonix are located at such high altitudes. 90% of the skiing is done above 2000 meters and each winter snowfalls average around six meters (20 feet). This ensures that the slopes are covered in snow all winter. The ski areas in the valley are world class at all levels - from beginner to extreme.

Chamonix is situated in the heart of the French Alps on the border of France, Switzerland and Italy. You can travel to Chamonix either by plane, train, bus or car. Most students fly to Geneva and take a transfer bus to Chamonix. The International Airport of Geneva is the closest airport to Chamonix. There are several transfer companies that operate between the airport and Chamonix. Other Airports around Chamonix are found in Lyon, Chambéry and Grenoble. The motorway, Autoroute Blanche, will take you by car all the way to Chamonix. You can also reach the town by train. You change to a mountain train in St Gervais, half an hour from Chamonix.

COURSE OUTLINE All teaching is done in French, even for absolute beginners who have never studied French before. You are encouraged to use the language from day one! A wide range of methods are used in class to improve your conversation skills, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar and linguistic structure. Newspapers, commercials, cartoons, texts by well-known French authors and video recordings will add to your course literature. CONVERSATION You will learn more about France and its people. As your class progress more time is spent on conversational exercises where students debate and discuss cultural subjects such as French history, literature, society and politics. You will also practise your capacity to cover current affairs. News from radio, TV and newspapers is often the basis for discussions. The courses will also include role-plays, study visits and home exercises. The program encourages active student participation. AIM AND PURPOSE Our courses will improve each student's ability to express themselves and to understand French. The student will gain: - Theoretical insights to the language with intensive training of French grammar - A sound basis of vocabulary and idiom - Improved pronunciation and spoken skills - Improved capacities to write and read French ADVANCED LEVELS More advanced students will also get an orientation of French culture, political and social circumstances together with some knowledge about French literature and the development of the French language. They will also be given the opportunity to write a paper on their own within a special subject area such as: - the language - the literature - French culture - social aspects of France and the French speaking world

Accommodation INSTED offers three options of accommodation. All options are available during summer and for our full winter semester courses. You can choose to stay in your own place or to share an apartment with other students at the school. For shorter stays in the winter we offer hotel or self-catered studio accommodation. All our apartments are conveniently situated in Chamonix within walking distance from the school. They are fully furnished and have a kitchen or kitchenette with utensils and a private bathroom.

To learn a language properly you need to spend time outside the classroom. It is important to practice the things you have learnt in class "for real". INSTED arranges a number of activities to facilitate the practice of spoken French. In addition to giving the students the opportunity to speak French, these activities give an insight into the French way of life and the history and culture of Chamonix and the Haute Savoie region. STUDENT ACTIVITY GROUP A group of students is organised during the course to arrange social events, excursions and other common activities after school hours.