ACTILANGUE Ecole Privée de Langue Française

Actilangue was established in 1977 by Paul Ceccaldi, the Executive Director. He is responsible for all aspects of the program, and is on hand to assist and advise students. Michel Durand is both the Administrative Director and the Director of Studies. The Actilangue language courses are conducted solely in French by experienced instructors. All teachers are University graduates and have post-graduate qualifications and experience in teaching French as a foreign language. Most also have other areas of expertise (literature, art, history, etc.). In addition to their academic credentials, teachers are selected for their ability to stimulate students in their studies of French. The student body is primarily European (over 12 nationalities). Participants come from a variety of backgrounds - students (undergraduate and graduate), business people, teachers and professors, physicians and attorneys, senior citizens, and tourists, etc.

The school building is located in the heart of Nice, near the Hotel Negresco. The beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais are only a two minute walk away. What city is more suited for learning the beautiful French language ? Nice-world renown as a university city, cultural metropolis, and international holiday resort. Its mild climate and unique geographical location between the Maritime Alps and the Mediterranean Sea make it as attractive in winter as in summer. Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport is 7 km from the center of the town and, after Paris, is the second busiest in France. There is a regular bus service from the airport to the center of Nice, the SNCF Railway Station, the different towns along the French Riviera.

The latest direct teaching methods are applied in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere guaranteeing optimum intensity and maximum individuality. It will help the students to develop every aspect of the language skills that they will use both inside and outside the classroom. All students use materials developed by Actilangue, including textbooks FRANÇAIS LANGUE ETRANGERE 1 and 2. Materials are periodically reviewed to ensure that students have the most suitable and up-to-date books. Placement in the different courses is based on a personal interview and a written test. The Actilangue program combines practical French Language learning with interesting social and cultural activities and excursions. At all levels, emphasis is placed on the practical use of spoken and written French. The language is learned in realistic situations, reinforced by appropriate background information on the French way of life. Course No 1 , GENERAL COURSE : 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons daily from 8.45 a.m. to 12.10 p.m. - Monday through Friday. Choosing this course you have an ideal combination of learning and vacationing. The morning course offers a complete programme of instruction : reading, writing, listening and speaking. Study of grammar and discussions. Course No 2 , HALF INTENSIVE COURSE : 25 lessons per week, 5 lessons daily from 8.45 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. - Monday through Friday. Same programme as the course No 1 + one lesson each day for training in oral french. Course No 3 , INTENSIVE COURSE : 30 lessons per week, 6 lessons daily from 8.45 a.m. to 12.10 p.m. and from 2.15 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Same programme as the course No 1 + two lessons each day for training in oral french. Junior Programme (16-20) 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons daily from 8.45 a.m. to 12.10 p.m.. The special programme also includes the following activities during 4 afternoons and one Saturday and on one Sunday : visit of the old city and the castle in Nice - visit of Antibes and the "Picasso Museum" - Excursion to Monaco/Monte-Carlo - Excursion to Eze Village - Diving - Windsurfing. Combination Courses Course No 1, 20 lessons per week, 4 lessons daily from 8.45 a.m. to 12.10 p.m. + 1 or 2 lessons private tuition daily. Total of 25 or 30 lessons per week. Private Courses The most effective way to learn a language. 1 student-1 teacher, 4, 5, 6, 8 or 10 lessons daily. No prior knowledge of French required. Start any Monday.

Living with a French family is the first step towards becoming better acquainted with the country, its people and its language. As the school cooperates with 100 carefully selected families, you have the possibility of expressing your personal preferences. All homes are carefully inspected and only those where the students will be made comfortable and welcome are accepted. Actilangue provides comfortable homes in safe, middle to upper class neighborhoods that are located 5 to 20 minutes either walking distance or by bus from the institute. Available are single and double rooms with breakfast, half or full board. On the first day, the host family will show the students how to get to Actilangue. In a Residence for Student: very simple confort but reasonably priced. Places available are limited. In an Apartment (3 stars): located near the school and the beach. Each flat is fully-furnished and very well equipped. In a Hotel: Actilangue will reserve a hotel room for you in the category of your choice (2-4 stars).

NICE : the OLD CITY and the CASTLE (panoramic view) Walking tour through the small streets, near the Opera and the Hotel de Ville on the way to the famous market place. Visit to the old castle (ruin) especially for the magnifiscent panoramic view on the bay of Nice. NICE : "MATISSE MUSEUM" & "ARENES DE CIMIEZ" The museum is located in an italian villa (17th century) inside a beautiful parc full of olive trees. Matisse arrived in Nice in 1917 and died there in 1954. His private collection and personal furniture can be seen in the museum. NICE : "CHAGALL MUSEUM" The Marc-Chagall museum is certainly the most important museum in Nice for the quality of his paintings. It displays the 17 great paintings making up the artist's Biblical Message (painted between 1954-67). ANTIBES : the OLD CITY and the "PICASSO MUSEUM" Antibes can be easily reached by train. Founded by the greek, the old city was reconstructed in the 16C. Visit of the market place. Panoramic view on the city, the sea and the mountains from the old fortifications. The Grimaldi Castle where the Picasso museum is located, is inside the old city: good selection of master's work, including drawings, prints and tapestries. BIOT-VALLAURIS: Oportunity to bring back home "souvenirs" as glassworks and ceramics. Visit in Biot of the very well known "Verrerie d'Art" (glassmaking) and the glass museum. Vallauris is a ceramic and pottery centre made famous by Picasso. CAP-FERRAT: trip around the Cap-Ferrat by a little road train with stops to visit the Kerylos Greek Mansion and the Ephrussi de Rothschild museum (art collection and extraordinary gardens). SAINT-PAUL-DE-VENCE: visit of St. Paul, one of the most beautiful village in France. Many boutiques for handicrafts and souvenirs. Possibility to visit the Maeght Foundation. PARFUMS DE GRASSE: visit of a candy factory and the River-Loup canyon. Stop in Gourdon which is a very old perched village. Visit of a perfume factory in Grasse to discover this traditionnal activity which has made the city famous all over the world. SAINT-TROPEZ: this is a trip along the costline: the red rocks of the Esterel mountain, visit of Saint-Tropez, the famous fishing village. LES GORGES DU VERDON: an impressive over hanging road and fantastic panoramas along the River Verdon's Canyon (the deepiest canyon in Europe): leften bank of the river - Aiguines - Moustiers, beautiful typical village famous for its earthware. Sainte-Croix lake. VINTIMILLE (ITALY) and the market: the purpose of this trip to Italy is to have the oportunity to buy things (clothes, shoes, souvenirs) very cheap on the market of Ventimiglia. MONACO/MONTE-CARLO: visit of the old city, the cathedral and Prince's palace square. Tour in Monte-Carlo on the Casino's square.