Find a French course
There are many different ways to become better acquainted with French language and culture, whether you are in France or abroad. Here is a sampling of places, websites, and organisations that can help you find language programmes and courses suited to your needs.
In your home country
You may wish to learn French or improve your French skills before leaving for France. EURAXESS FRANCE provides information on three types of establishments where you can go:
- Institut Français centres
- Alliance Française centres
- Universities that offer French courses
The Alliance française has a network of more than 8,000 skilled educators teaching FLE at over 800 centres in 133 countries. Each year, they welcome around 450,000 students of diverse types, including children, teenagers, adults, students, professionals, and retirees.
Useful link
In France
French cities and towns organise FLE courses for people of all ages. Current offerings are available on town or city websites. Regional governments may provide language classes via public or private organisations. The local Alliance Française centre is another good resource. The organisation’s objective is to teach French to all manner of students in France and across the globe. It also seeks to promote French and French-speaking cultures.
Some EURAXESS FRANCE centres have partnerships with local language centres or can help you choose a course based on your language level and needs. Do not hesitate to get more information before selecting which course to take.
Useful link
Online
You have only to go online to find a range of reliable resources detailing current French language courses. Here are just a few examples:
- CARIF OREF is an interregional network for training and employment. It has a portal through which you can access regional training opportunities, including FLE courses.
- The French Language Schools Directory provides a description of all the establishments in France that offer FLE courses: Alliance Française centres, public and private language schools, language training organisations, universities, and grandes Écoles. The directory also indicates the French centres that have been certified “Qualité FLE”, which guarantees that they deliver high-quality language training.
- Campus France lists a variety of courses (lasting several weeks to several months), short programmes, and summer classes for learning French.
- The Ateliers Sociolinguistiques (ASL) resource site offers an online FLE course.
- The non-profit France Terre d’Asile has developed an interactive digital course that teaches newcomers to France about the country’s principles and values.
At INRAE
At INRAE, you can take FLE courses that are suited to your language level and your specific objectives. These courses are open to non-French-speaking employees who are on permanent or temporary contracts. If you are interested in this opportunity, be sure to talk to your supervisor or local administrator as soon as you arrive at INRAE. You can also reach out to the person in charge of training programmes at your INRAE centre to get more information about the different options available to you, such as individual, small-group, or large-group courses; learning that takes place in person, remotely, by telephone, or via videoconferencing; or MOOCs.
At some centres, INRAE employees organise informal workshops so colleagues from abroad can practice speaking French.
