I have attended the Institut de Touraine three times, with the last time being for 6 weeks in the summer of 2013. Being mid 60 I am definitely one of the older students. This has never been a problem in having the students accept me. I have enjoyed the four week sessions I have attended. On a weekly basis this provides one with 15 hours of grammar classes and 5 hours of oral classes, including some labs, which I have found to be very good, be they difficult at times. While I have found the instructors in general to be good the ones I had in the four week session in 2013 were exceptional. Personally I do not care for the Express classes which I have twice been assigned to when attending the school for a 2 week period. I like the continuity of instructors and students and camaraderie in the four week sessions. For a refresher I feel they would be good though. That said I had very good instructors in the 2 week class this year. While in Tours I have utilized the Institut to find me a host family to stay with. Since we are all individuals how one relates will vary from one family to the other. Have found most will definitely try and get one to speak the language, difficult though it may be. Forces one to get over some of the fear of opening ones mouth at times. Next time and I see there being a next time, I may try a different form of accommodation. Simply because I like being closer to downtown than some residences are. And then there is the hour most French have dinner, 8 PM is early for some. This is the toughest part of the stay I have found. While my eating around 6:30 may be late for many of my fellow Canadians, 8:30 or 9 as when people have company over is tough to digest. For those in fear of there being a lack of excursions and other things to do. No problem, have gone on several excursions to castles, all with a guide, and there is a fair bit of things to do socially. Just easier for younger people to partake in. As indicated I intend on returning. Find the atmosphere invigorating. Love it!

Having become a French citizen and now fully fluent, I can say that this school is best for SERIOUS learners. 1) It is accredited by AFELE, the French board for French teaching to foreigners, 2) It is a member of quality group FLE and 3) It has been around so long that every aspect of teaching has been tried, tested and under constant review. Former and current members of European royal families have sent their memebrs here to perfect their French. It is housed in a dedicated 19th or 18th century stone building in the Old Town.