ARTICLES ABOUT DIALOGUE'S FRENCH IMMERSION COURSES
"One of the best French immersion
courses"
Look Before You Leap
Into a Language
You May Have to Put Your Money
Where Your Mouth Is
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These
are excerpts from an article by reporter Brandon Mitchener on intensive
and full-immersion foreign language training.
The article appeared in the Wall Street Journal Europe Edition,
Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, 1997.
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LESSON
ONE: Look at language classes like any other investment. After shopping
around for a two-week crash course, David Ecklund, a 47-year-old
American sales executive living in Brussels, thought he was lucky to
get into a group course that a local school was running for another
U.S. multinational. It was cheaper than places out of town and so, says
Mr. Ecklund, "I figured I’d stay in Brussels."
He got what
he paid for. Instead of building the little he had learned of the
language at high school, Mr. Ecklund got an intensive exercise in
frustration. "In a classroom environment with seven to 10 people," he
says, "you learn at the pace of the slowest student." Even worse, he
was so put off by the experience he gave up entirely on learning the
language for three years.
MONEY MATTERS
Whether you pay
for language classes yourself, like Mr. Ecklund, or your company pays
for them, there’s nothing more frustrating than wasting time and money
on language lessons - especially in a class that’s supposed to be
"intensive." But even one-on-one instruction can be a waste if you
choose the wrong school. And with prices for intensive and
full-immersion classes ranging from $20 to $100 an hour - not to
mention the possibility of losing income from having to take time off
from work or using vacation time - it pays to choose carefully.
(Intensive refers to morning classes with afternoons off, while
full-immersion programs pretty much involve round-the-clock attention.)
First
off, decide what kind of return you want on your time and money and
choose a school - or combination of schools - that maximizes the
potential reward while minimizing the chance of wasting time and money.
Many language schools don’t offer refunds. The most important criteria
for a successful intensive or full-immersion experience are small class
sizes and professional teachers as well as preparation, follow-up and
realistic expectations on the part of the student.
(…)
On
his second try, Mr. Ecklund found just what he was looking for: a
full-immersion program at DIALOGUE, that both helped him with his
pronunciation and grammar and adapted itself to his interests -
including vocabulary geared to his logistics business. Mr. Ecklund is
commercial director of Caterpillar Logistics Services Inc., a unit of
Caterpillar Inc.
The key to Mr. Ecklund’s satisfaction, in his
view, was the one-on-one philosophy of the school, DIALOGUE, which
offers individualized courses ranging from 20 hours of instruction a
week to a more extensive 40 hours a week.
Mr. Ecklund is convinced
that the school, which is run out of the home of the teachers and
includes full board and round-the-clock attention, is a bargain. "If
you go to group classes, you might save money, but you’ll probably
spend the same amount over time because it’ll take you much longer," he
says.
In fact, people who have taken a full-immersion plunge say
group classes should be limited to five students, especially if you’re
beyond the absolute-beginner level. The more numerous or more advanced
the students, the more likely the ability level will vary wildly.
Small Is Beautiful
A
reason to opt for one-on-one instruction, or at least go to a school
that offers one-on-one lessons, is the opportunity to work on
specialized vocabulary and cultural issues that wouldn’t be part of a
traditional curriculum.
Of course, schools like DIALOGUE have their
price. (…) But considering the degree of individual attention they
provide, students who attend them have a better shot at satisfaction.
"Château French immersion courses"
Michael Nathan chose an French
immersion course with DialoguE - France
Weekly lessons in a
class, often with friends, is one way to learn French but what if you
want something more?
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These
are excerpts from an article by reporter Lizzie Chapman on different
teaching methods to learn French.
The article appeared in theFrenchPaper
May 2010.
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CHÂTEAU
IMMERSION Michael Nathan, 61, is a retired public health scientist who
now lives in France. He improved his French through a week-long
immersion course DialoguE-France, in Brittany. Run by Belgian couple,
Bernard and Véronique Henusse, the one-to-one lessons and accommodation
are held at their château.
I have been living in France since
1998. However, I was working for the World Health Organization in
Geneva and because it was an international environment it functioned
almost entirely in English. In the area close to Geneva, many people
also speak English, especially when they hear non-native speakers so,
unfortunately, it is easy to get by with only rudimentary French and
frankly, I was very disappointed with the progress I had made in
‘assimilating’ the language from around me.
With retirement in
mid-2008, my wife and I planned to stay in France, so I wanted improve
my limited French skills so I could function more effectively and
integrate better into the local community.
I had ‘schoolboy’ French but
had never used it (at the beginning of the DialoguE course I was
assessed to be at basic-intermediate level). I learned some Spanish
while posted to the Caribbean and working in Latin American countries,
and had found the ‘total immersion’ and ‘one-to-one’ approach far more
effective than group/classwork several hours a week that I had tried
several times. For this reason for French I again looked for one-to-one
immersion, and in particular for an intensive course in France,
tailored to my own needs; an emphasis on aural comprehension and
speaking. DialoguE met these criteria, came recommended by a work
colleague, and as a bonus was located in a delightful part of the
country.
The course lasted five days, with seven 45-minute sessions a
day for a total of 70 hours of one-to-one learning. During the morning
session I spent a considerable amount of time watching, listening to
and repeating film dialogues. It advanced my listening skills and
helped to train my ear to everyday French. The afternoon sessions were
on free expression. In addition, there were delicious meals eaten with
the family, with conversation exclusively in French, and on occasions,
local visits including one to meet a beekeeper because I had indicated
that I hoped to begin beekeeping as a retirement pastime (which I have
done!). There was homework too - always an opportunity to review,
revise and listen to audio material in my room when energy levels
permitted. Moreover, in the heart of rural Brittany there are no
distractions!
The accommodation was in Bernard and Véronique’s
delightful and very tastefully converted old farm cottages. I had an
en-suite room that doubled as both my bedroom and my classroom, with
audiovisual and other necessary classroom equipment. Véronique is a
wonderful cook and she prepared delicious and different meals every
day, with lots of fresh vegetables from the garden, and homemade jams
and bakes. Mealtimes were a genuine delight for me, and the French
continued informally throughout.
The course certainly advanced my
French language skills, improving my confidence, comprehension,
expression and writing abilities. Of course, there is much more
progress to be made but this was a genuinely intensive boost to my
skills and I would love to go back for more. I have since taken a local
classroom course that is two afternoons a week for three months.
However, it only confirms my previous experiences - that immersion
works best.
It is not cheap but it does bring results and that is what
is important. If one is serious about progressing in French, be
prepared to put in some really hard work – but this is an excellent and
enjoyable way to do it !
DialoguE:
" One of the best French immersion courses"
The Wall
Street Journal
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