How is our approach different from traditional schools?
Nature Knows Best
The order you learnt your mother-tongue is the best way to learn French. (Indeed any language.)
- Hear
- Experience
- Speak
- Write
Grammar, exceptions & conjugations are, of course, important but they shouldn’t be taught first.
This is why “traditional language schools” fail for lots of people.
Your goals, background & budget are unique to you so we personalise a program for you:
- Pre-immersion Coaching Before you arrive in France we provide online coaching, audio playlists & French fundamentals so that you can make the most of your time in France.
- Experiences are carefully selected based upon your personal interests & needs. You are supported by an Experience France (XPF) bi-lingual guide to aide your comprehension, rather than just testing or translating, helping you to progress at your own pace.
- Using videos & memories from your immersion we offer Post-immersion Coaching to those that want to continue acquiring the French language.
Scientifically Proven
We use the “natural approach” with Total Physical Response (TPR) as developed by Professors Krashen & Asher.*
The brain creates an association of ideas with the sounds and images from the outside world.
In addition, Sheltered Subject Matter Teaching (SSMT), focusses on what interests you, not the grammar rules &, when combined with stimulating activities, this results in more comprehensible input and natural language acquisition. (See our ‘Science Behind XPF’ page for more details.)
Nature Knows Best - how we all learnt our first language.
....strange as it seems, language acquisition occurs when language is used for what it was designed for, communication.
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Professor Krashen
How is our approach different from traditional schools?
- Creating Memories not Conjugating
Your visits are videoed & photographed, for you to refer to after your immersion & further develop your French with your coach. The science shows us that the more senses we engage the more we remember & create new vocabulary. (It’s more fun than conjugating as well!) - Prioritises Comprehension
Our #1 goal is to help you understand French & to be understood; not pass exams until you’re already communicating. - No Pressure to Speak
We don’t push you to speak before you’re ready & we certainly won’t be getting you to talk in front of a class of strangers! - Curated Audio Lessons
The most important sense when learning a new language is hearing the new sounds so you can hear when a sentence sounds right – rather than remembering a rule. (Think “an apple” vs “a apple” or “there aren’t much people over there” vs “there aren’t many people over there”). Do you know the rule? - Personalised Activities
Pre-dominantly outdoor activities based around your personal interests & circumstances. - Replicates how you learnt English
Nobody learns their first language with grammar, rules & exceptions. We learn by hearing, experiencing & then speaking – only when we’re able to communicate do we learn the rules.
Immerse yourself & acquire the French language naturally.
Experience France Differently
Immersive experiences (in French) curated & developed for travellers & expatriates that love France, French culture/lifestyle & want to be able to communicate in French without spending months conjugating verbs first.
Experiences are carefully selected by us based upon your personal interests & needs. You are supported by an Experience France (XPF) bi-lingual guide to aide your comprehension, rather than just testing or translating, helping you to progress at your own pace.
This approach physically & mentally immerses you in the subjects that interest you & helps get your ear “tuned” to French. By not getting bogged down in grammar rules or writing like Voltaire you will keep motivated & start communicating.
Immersion Activities
Our group immersions are focused on small, practical social activities that can also be privatised for families, companies or those requiring one to one support.
Example activities:
- Practical Essentials: French conversation, communication tips, curated audio, reading & videos.
- French cuisine: cooking lessons & buying ingredients at the local market/artisan stores.
- French art, history, wine & cycle tours.
- Photography, painting & manga classes.
- Golf, yoga, sports/fitness coaching.
(These are a small selection of experiences – please ask us if your interest is not listed.)
Why It Works
Unlike traditional language schools, we use the “natural approach” with Total Physical Response (TPR) as developed by Professors Krashen & Asher.*
This is how we all learn our mother language; the brain creates an association of ideas with the sounds and images from the outside world.
In addition, Sheltered Subject Matter Teaching (SSMT), focusses on what interests you, not the grammar rules &, when combined with stimulating activities, this results in more comprehensible input and natural language acquisition.
*Many other researchers and teachers have contributed to this method with proven success; apologies that we cannot name them all here.