The School
LANGUAGE IN PROVENCE is a thriving language school based in the hillside village of Saint Saturnin-lès-Apt in the beautiful Luberon Valley. It was founded by its director Susan Hickie in 2000 and since then has welcomed many students of different nationalities.
Susan has worked in language training throughout her professional life in both Britain and France and is a qualified French and English teacher. It has been her goal to provide a language centre where adults can relax, enjoy their lessons and disassociate themselves from the anxieties which so often surround and block adult language learning. This small, friendly village in the heart of Provence is the perfect location for these dynamic and stimulating courses.
Susan is supported in her work by a team of highly competent native-speaker teachers who understand how to make language learning a more accessible process and the learning experience a satisfying and rewarding one. The school is officially recognised by the French Government as an adult training centre (No. de déclaration d'existence auprès de la Préfecture de Région Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur: 93840259384).
The school enjoys a stunning location in a traditional Provençal house overlooking vineyards, olive groves and cherry orchards with magnificent views of the Luberon Mountains beyond. It is just a few minutes walk from the attractive village centre and all our accommodation options are within easy walking distance.
Many of our students choose to come to St Saturnin without a car and concentrate on village amenities during their stay. After class they enjoy wandering through the quiet winding streets and squares to the château or meeting in one of the colourful local bars for an ‘apéro’ before dinner. The atmosphere of the village is friendly and relaxed and local people are delighted to meet our students.
Our Wednesday afternoon excursions give our students an opportunity to visit some of the stunning local places of interest – glorious villages like Roussillon and Gordes, the breathtaking Cistercian Abbey at Sénanques or l’Isle sur la Sorgue, the beautiful Venice of Provence.
Our students join us each day for a delicious home-prepared lunch with local wine. They have the opportunity to speak French the whole day long. Coffee, tea and soft drinks are available ‘à volonté’ throughout the day. And when there are a few minutes to spare students are welcome to relax under the trees in the shady, fragrant garden or during the warm summer months swim in the pool.
TYPICAL WEEKLY PROGRAMME (modified according to student language levels)
IMMERSION/INTENSIVE COURSE PROGRAMME – LEVEL 2
MONDAY – FRIDAY |
10030 – 13.00 |
Grammar and vocabulary building (including the main tenses of French verbs), situational French and development of language skills for practical language use with special emphasis on speaking and listening (oral communication) |
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11.00 |
COFFEE SERVED |
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13.00 – 14.00 |
LUNCH for students and teachers, served on the terrace or in the sunny dining room overlooking the valley |
MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY AFTERNOON |
14.00 – 16.00 |
A flexible afternoon programme which can include a variety of activities: continuation of morning themes, role plays, short presentations and discussion topics, the media and aspects of modern French society. |
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON |
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EXCURSION to local centres of interest (the breathtaking Luberon villages, local vineyards, Avignon and the Pope's Palace) |
STUDENTS ARE FREE TO LEAVE AFTER LUNCH ON FRIDAY |
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