Learning French

French Week

At the beginning of the academic year, we organise a French course during five days. At the beginning of the second semester, the activity is organized only during four days.

Its aim is to introduce students with some knowledge of French to the basics of language. They will be able to refresh and deepen their knowledge of the language. The students who register before the deadline will have to take an online level test in order to put them in the right group.

This activity is thus not open to real beginners: these students will start the course together at the beginning of the semester.

The detailed programme for this course will be sent later to the registered students. For the first semester, the registration deadline is 30 June and 15 December for the second semester.

This activity is optional and is free but it is compulsory to register. Please find the registration forms hereafter:

Registration form second semester

Fore more information, please contact Ms Françoise Paulus, International Exchanges Coordinator.

French as a foreign language course

Goals

Our French as a foreign language course is aimed at exchange students following courses at Saint-Louis (whether on an Erasmus or another type of exchange programme). Its main goal is to help students to learn French more effectively, by providing them with the tools they need to benefit optimally from studying and living in a French-speaking environment. Over and above the purely linguistic dimension, the courses provide students with an introduction to Belgian culture.

How it works

Following a proficiency test students are placed in one of 4 groups:

beginner’s group: first term and/or second term (2hrs/week)

beginner’s to intermediate: first term  and/or second term (2hrs/week)

intermediate to advanced group:  first term and/or second term (2hrs/week)

advanced group: first term and/or second term (2hrs/week)

The levels are only mentioned for reference.

The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)

Each level is worth 5 credits provided that the student attends classes, is participative and completes set assignments. Students who attend for the whole year and who complete two levels of courses are awarded 10 credits.

Credits are awarded provided that students complete all set assignments and sit the end of term examination. Students who fail to meet these requirements receive a certificate of competence in French based on assessment of their European Language Portfolio.

Timetable

The timetable varies depending on the availability of the course tutor and the students and is established at the beginning of each term.