I recently had an enlightening experience at a French immersion school in France. What is an immersion school, you ask. Well, first, we were tested and placed in classes according to our level of French proficiency (beginner to advanced).
We attended classes on Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, for two to four weeks, depending on the selected duration of our stay. Students were required to speak French at all times. We were told that if anyone was caught speaking a language other than French, they would be fined. While I’m not aware of anyone who faced this penalty, the message was clear: the school was serious about immersion!
In addition to classes, students had breakfast and lunch together, speaking only French. Social activities and trips to local sites of interest, conducted in French (with some translation for beginners) were offered. We made new friends and spent our free time getting to know teach other—in French, of course.
The classes were unlike any I had previously attended. The teachers insisted that we speak as the French do, using the same words, phrases, and inflection. While the focus was not primarily on grammar, we learned grammar. While vocabulary was not the main focus, we still learned some new words. The primary focus was on speaking. “Écoutez et répétez” (“listen and repeat”) was the delivered mantra. And sure enough, by the end of our stay, we found ourselves speaking more easily, more fluently, and more comfortably.
There are many immersion schools in France, Quebec, and probably elsewhere. For example, Middlebury College offers a summer French language immersion program. Each of these programs has its own methodology, and many are highly recommended by participants who often return multiple times. If you think you might benefit from such a program, just do a Google search for “French immersion programs.” A wealth of information is available!
—Marjorie London