INSTITUT DE TOURAINE French Courses in Tours, France
About INSTITUT DE TOURAINE
The Institut de Touraine is one of the oldest and most famous language schools in France, only 55 minutes south of Paris by TGV train. We are situated in Tours, a beautiful town with 300.000 inhabitants in the Loire Valley, famous for its castles (Chambord, Chenonceau, Amboise…) and its gastronomy and wines.
Offering a wide range of French language courses for students aged 16+, from 1 week to 9 months, covering all levels, open all year, the Institute has a faculty of 20 full-time teachers and is pedagogically supervised by the University of Tours.
We receive 2500 students of 80 different nationalities every year and they all share the same passion for France and French language as we do!
High quality courses, accommodation in strictly selected host families and an attractive activity and excursion program assure you a total immersion into French language and culture!
WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS?
International classes:
montly and 3-month-courses : 15 students max per class (the class is split into 2 groups during laboratory sessions)
Institut Express Courses: small groups of 6-10 students
We welcome students of 80 different nationalities every year and have international classes.
Our students are 16+ (younger students only on request and in closed groups, off peak)
The campus is in the historical center of Tours, close to the river Loire, restaurants and shops. A beautiful manor (19th century), 30 classrooms, 6 language labs, 1 multimedia lab, media center, cafeteria, ping pong, baby foot....
LEISURE
Institut de Touraine offers a wide range of after-class activities: excursions in the Loire Valley, Paris, Mont St Michel ...
Students also highly appreciate our wine and cheese tasting sessions and cooking lessons!
Activities are being held all year but, in addition, in the summer season a dedicated person takes care of a widely appreciated activity and entertainment program!
How to get there
- by TGV or train: St Pierre des Corps/Tours
- by plane : Paris airport or Tours directly (flights from STN/London)
Tours (St Pierre des Corps/Tours) is only 55 minutes by TGV from Paris Center/Montparnasse but there is also a most convenient TGV from CDG airport (1h40). Also direct flights from LON (STN) into Tours (TUF). Taxi transfer from Paris on request.
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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!
Monday, 30 December 2013
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by Scott S.
One of the oldest and best for serious learners.
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.
Attended three times now.
One of the oldest and best for serious learners.