France

The best French language schools in Montpellier

by Paul Joseph  |  Published February 27, 2018

Located in the south of France, 10 kilometres inland from the Mediterranean coast, Montpellier is sufficiently detached from the glamour of the Cote d’Azur to feel a whole world away. But the town also has its own unique character, with quaint cobbled streets and a magnificent Gothic cathedral dating back to the mid-14th century.

Photo: Jerome Bon via Flickr

Oozing quintessential French charm, Montpellier is a wonderful place in which to base yourself for learning French. The town has a relatively small number of language schools, but each comes with strong credentials, as well as plenty of extra-curricular activities such as wine and cheese tasting. Suitably tempted? Why not take the next step by checking out our pick of the three best language schools that Montpellier has to offer.

LSF
www.lsf-france.com

Taking place across 20 air-conditioned classrooms in central Montpellier, LSF offers French courses for all levels throughout the year, including Standard courses, Intensive courses, Exam Preparation courses (including DELF DALF) and One-to-One courses, as well as specialised courses for Professionals and Teachers’ Programmes too. Awarded the “Qualité français langue étrangère” label after its 2016 audit (the maximum mark of 15/15 stars), it is also the only language school in Montpellier that runs courses for juniors, making it the perfect place to study French for the whole family. There’s also a French & Cooking course which combines language lessons with tutorials in rustling up classic French cuisine. A strong focus at the school is placed on technology as a tool for learning, with the LSF E-learning platform, the LSF app for Smartphones and five interactive SMARTboard flat panels all utilised for the benefit of students. Another contributing factor to the atmosphere is the impressive diversity of the students here, with more than 2800 students from 85 different countries, and aged 11 to 90, enrolled at LSF in 2017. Finally, the school helps arrange accommodation with host families, as well as student residences and private studio/apartments, during your stay.

Photo: LSF

Ecole Klesse
ecoleklesse.com

Founded in 1965, Ecole Klesse has built an impressive reputation over the decades and is the official exam centre for many of France’s biggest institutions, including the Ministry of Education and the Franco-British Chamber of Commerce. Located in Montpellier’s historical heart, the school also claims a success rate of over 98% for its DELF DALF course, which are diplomas awarded by the Ministry of Education to French language students. They specialise in mini-classes with a maximum of 8 students, ensuring everyone received a high level of attention. There are courses to suit every preference, including one-to-one courses, intensive courses, Business French courses and Total Immersion courses. As part of your costs, the school also organises your accommodation, with a choice of home-stay with local families, house shares with other students, independent studios or vacation rentals. Extra-curricular activities include kayaking and beach volleyball, while car rentals and excursions can also be arranged through the school’s dedicated caretaker service.

Photo: Ecole Klesse

IEF – A Tandem school
www.institut-europeen.com

Part of the Tandem organisation of international language schools, the Institut Européen de Français (IEF) is a French language school in Montpellier. The school is spread over two beautiful heritage buildings in the city centre with classes held across 13 spacious and well-equipped classrooms. Classes are kept to between 7 and 12 students, ensuring a high level of attention for everyone. Courses include General French, Professional French and Courses for Teachers. The school hosts a regular programme of cultural and sports activities and excursions supervised by professional guides. Students also receive assistance with their accommodation needs, with the school helping to source host families, private and shared apartments, or halls of residences.

Photo: Tandem