Language Institute in Paris, France
The Summer Language Institute in Paris provides an excellent opportunity for intermediate or advanced students of French to live and study in Paris, the vibrant capital of France. Students will visit important historical and cultural monuments of the “city of light” and study the language and culture of France.
The program begins with a four-day tour of Normandy where students will visit the beautiful seaside town of Honfleur, the port city of Caen and the Abbey of St. Etienne, the D-Day landing beaches, Mont St. Michel, and Monet’s house surrounded by beautiful water-lily ponds and gardens. The program will then travel to Paris, where students will spend four weeks studying culture, composition, conversation, phonetics, grammar, reading, and literature at l’Étoile: Centre de Langue et Vie Françaises. Course offerings range from second semester French through minor/major level courses.
The Department of French and Italian awards multiple scholarships for this program. Click here to read more and to apply for the scholarship.
Normandy
From the stunning, rugged coastline from which William the Conqueror’s ships sailed in the 11th century and to which Allied soldiers landed during WWII’s Operation Overlord, students will experience historical sites including castles and abbeys and the world-famous Bayeux Tapestry.
Paris
From the Opéra boulevards to the historic area of the Marais with its early modern architecture and designer stores, from the Cluny medieval museum to the futuristic Centre Beaubourg, planned activities provide a comprehensive introduction to Parisian life, art, and architecture. In recent years, participants have enjoyed museum tours, concerts, plays and films; walking tours of Montmartre, the île St. Louis, and the Left Bank; coffee-tasting at a specialist roastery; as well as other cultural outings and activities.
Situated in the heart of Paris, l’Étoile: Centre de Langue et Vie Françaises opens its doors to students of all nationalities. Highly qualified instructors from the French educational system who specialize in the teaching of French as a foreign language offer a wide variety of courses to suit the needs and interests of program participants. Students are placed into intensive language and culture classes which meet three hours per day, Monday through Friday.
All students enroll in one five-credit or two three-credit hour courses, depending on their language level. Many program participants are at the FREN 230–240 level. Students will be assigned to various levels according to a placement exam and interview.
FREN 120: Elementary French II (5 credits). Second semester course with a balanced approach stressing understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Prerequisite: FREN 110 or departmental permission.
FREN 230: Intermediate French I (3 credits). Third semester course stressing oral and written work in French; review of grammar and introduction to the reading of various texts, literary and cultural. Prerequisite: FREN 120 or departmental permission.
FREN 240: Intermediate French II (3 credits). Continuation of FREN 230. Prerequisite: FREN 230 or departmental permission.
FREN 375: Intermediate French Conversation (3 credits). Guided discussions designed to increase fluency, improve pronunciation, and acquire vocabulary.
FREN 376: Advanced French Conversation (3 credits). Guided discussions designed to increase fluency, improve pronunciation, and knowledge of French culture and language. Classes have centered around topics such as the French Revolution, the Arts, Renaissance, Festivals, and French Cinema.
FREN 440: Studies in French Culture (3 credits). Topics may include the History of France, French Cinema, Architecture and Human Geography. Pre-requisite: FREN 300
FREN 440 will be offered with faculty director's approval only. FREN 301 or FREN 350 may be offered in special circumstances.
Credit
Five or six hours of credit are granted by the University of Kansas upon successful completion of the program. Credit will be given for beginning, intermediate-level or certain advanced-level courses, as arranged prior to departure by the faculty directors.
Participants stay with host families in and around Paris. The director and graduate assistant provide individual support and organized activities which are designed to ensure that each student makes the most of his/her exposure to French culture.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Additional Resources
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Open to students from any accredited U.S. college or university who have completed one semester (or the equivalent) of college-level French. Minimum 2.5 GPA required (exceptions considered after submission of a petition).
For more information contact:
Professor Paul Scott
The University of Kansas
Department of French Francophone and Italian Studies
2054 Wescoe Hall
785-864-9042
pascott@ku.edu
