ESL - Ecole Suisse de Langues

The course centre Located on a peninsula surrounded by two rivers in the centre of Lyon, our school’s facilities are inside a beautiful 19th-century building on the banks of the Rhone in the midst of the cultural and festive offerings of the city’s downtown core. The school features 12 spacious, bright classrooms. With its high ceilings, each of these classrooms proudly boasts its own fireplace. The facilities are equipped with wifi service so that you can access your e-mail and surf the web free of charge; furthermore, a number of fixed computer stations are available to you. As the centre is located just a few steps away from Lyon’s largest city square, the Place Bellecour, right after class you can head over to the district’s many cafes and restaurants, which serve as the favourite meeting spots of Lyon’s many students. Lyon’s most popular pedestrian shopping zones are located in the immediate vicinity of the course centre. And if you want to travel around the city, a metro station and a bus stop are just 5 minutes by foot from the school.

Our teaching method The method used at our course centres is built around communication. To achieve this, our classes comprise a maximum of 12 students, which will allow you to take an active part in your lessons on an ongoing basis. We have based our approach to language not on the incorporation of exercises and rote phrases that do not fit the students’ context, but rather on the pursuit of linguistic goals that are both concrete and practical. You will thus develop your own know-how and not simply accumulate knowledge that you will only be able to apply in a specific context. We use a variety of recognised French as a Second Language (FSL) methods and incorporate the use of current topics and the richness offered by multicultural classes. A level of learning for every one Your French language skills will be assessed with a grading test, in order to place you in a class coresponding to your level of language proficiency. Our scale of levels is in line with the European Framework of Reference for Languages, which has become a standard framework in Europe for the teaching of foreign languages. Twice a month, your main instructor will provide you with a report assessing the progress that you have made and will meet with you to discuss points that need improvement in the future. Choose your course A range of courses with varying levels of intensity are offered all year long at our Montreux and Lyon course centres. You can choose the number of lessons and module type that are right for you depending upon your needs, goals, interests and the length of your stay.

Host families Staying with a host family offers another dimension of language learning that takes place naturally when you are not even thinking about it during mealtime conversation or a “movie” night or while playing a board game. Homestays with host families are an excellent opportunity to soak up the local culture as you discover the mentalities, expressions, and daily lives of native speakers. We are very well-acquainted with all of our host families, and each family has satisfied our quality criteria. Students' apartment (minimum age 18 years) The ESL students' apartment is located in the heart of Lyon within walking distance of business centres, restaurants, bars and cinemas, and the railway station. This accommodation is perfect for students who wish to socialise and live with international students, while enjoying a high degree of independence. Very comfortable double rooms are available. All apartments feature a television set, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, a free Internet connection as well as WiFi access. Hotels and Bed & Breakfast ESL has negotiated special rates in a variety of hotels and boarding houses that reflect a range of categories. These establishments, located near the course centres, fill up relatively quickly during the summer months. If you are interested in this type of accommodation or would like to make your own hotel arrangements, please contact us directly. Courses without accommodation If you already have accommodation in the area, you are most welcome to study and take part in activities organised by the school like any other student. In that case, only tuition and enrolment fees apply.

Free time If you want to make the most of your free time, Lyon is the ideal city for you: shops, cinemas, exhibitions, concerts, sports centres, bars, restaurants, discos… just as many opportunities for you to go out with friends, to go for walks, or to “live it up”. This rich diversity means that there is something for every taste and every budget. Those who love old stone structures will rejoice at the chance to explore Roman Lugdunum’s two thousand years of history, and lovers of fine dining will be spoilt for choice. The hinterlands and countryside around Lyon deserve enough time to go hiking or biking or to taste the latest vintages of Beaujolais wines. The city’s closeness to the Mediterranean, to Paris or to Geneva make Lyon a preferred starting point for grand excursions. Every week we suggest a number activities “coached” by our staff. There is also a lot of information available if you wish to organize your leisure activities yourself.