CHILDREN

• school exchange
• day trip or short study visit
• private language school for children
• holiday + self-study pack 

STUDENTS

• studentship at university
• work placement and research/dissertation abroad
• assistantship and research/dissertation abroad
• private language school
• short course at university
• holiday + self-study pack
• summer school

BUSINESS EMPLOYEES

• private language school - business focus
• short course at university - business focus
• short holiday + private tutor
• holiday + self-study pack - business focus
• homestay with family + lessons

Selecting courses, self-study etc. There are a wide range of opportunities available: courses for foreign students, business schools, self-study centres, libraries, evening classes for adults etc. It is up to each student to select the best possible combination to suit his/her needs.  At Lingualearn, we can offer you accurate, expert, and unbiased advice.  Just complete the online request form.

Creating opportunities to interact with native speakers and learn about the target culture.  There is much evidence to show that students who spend most time interacting with native speakers are those who are most likely to make the greatest language gains. While abroad there are many ways of creating such opportunities:

• joining clubs and societies
• chatting in cafes and bars
• travelling - e.g. talking on long train journeys
• asking questions in shops
• asking the way
• starting conversations in bus queues and waiting rooms

Taking full advantage of opportunities.  Many students create linguistic opportunities, but then fail to capitalise on them. In terms of interacting with native speakers, it is easy to be put off by some insensitive individual who does not realise the difficulties of speaking a foreign tongue. It may require some courage and perseverance to make progress. Here are some of my suggestions to improve, maintain and learn from your interactions; you might like to try some of the following:

• asking questions / being curious
• establishing rapport / using eye contact
• being sensitive to your interlocutor's needs
• developing friendships / making invitations
• making sure your responses are linguistically appropriate
• presenting yourself confidently
• finding common ground
• using strategies to simplify or slow down the input
• using communication aids such as a pen and paper, gestures, realia ...
• using strategies to compensate for low proficiency
• adding fillers and other stock phrases to improve fluency

The Suzy Lamplugh Organisation - very good on safety issues

The FCO travel section - check on world trouble spots and health issues
 

DfEE - The European Choice: A guide to opportunities for higher education in Europe

EF International Language Schools - make a reservation online now!

Eurocentres

Fage The French students' union site. Gives links to summer jobs.

If you want to study in France  This government site will give you administrative information as well as knowledge on life in France .

L'Etudiant   Very informative magazine for students.

Student accomodation  National site.  A good selection of FAQs.

Travel or live in France  This site will give information on many topics: from legal matters to financial information, from gastronomy to accommodation.

Eurocentres

Russianstudy.com - International Study Center in Russia 
 

School of Russian and Asian Studies