Questions about the school

How can I know which class/level I belong in?

If you’ve studied French before but only recall some words and phrases, your level is Beginner. See our description of The Levels for more information.

Do you issue a Certificate of Participation?

Yes. On completion of the course, you will receive an official attestation of attendance and participation, specifying the course type, dates and total hours of study.

Do you offer an exam at the end of the course?

Yes. With a minimum course of 3 weeks or 36 class hours, you have the option of passing a final examination. The exam measures your written and oral proficiency in French against the standards defined by the Council of Europe.

What are the qualifications of your teachers?

All of the French teachers are native French speakers with university certification in Französischunterricht French as a Foreign Language (maîtrise de Français-Langue Étrangère—F.L.E.). Our teachers have additional degrees and experience in such fields as theatre, music, literature, foreign languages and the social sciences.

What is the maximum number of students in a class?

11 is the maximum per group in the Intensive and Extensive courses. For a junior group, the maximum is 12. The minimum to form an Intensive group is 5 persons.

What happens if there aren’t enough students at my level to form a class?

You will have the option of a mini-group course or of individual lessons for an appropriate period (from 1 to 4 weeks), until you are ready to join a more advanced group. We’ll convert your course into an individual or mini-group (2-4 persons) course of equivalent value, if fewer participants than the required minimum enrol in the group course. See Individual courses for details.

What is the average age of the students?

The school hosts a mix of students of all ages, from 16-year-olds still in high school to retirees in their 70s. During the summer and university holidays, the majority of students are in their early 20s ; in other seasons, we receive more students between the ages of 25 and 60.

Do you have students from all over the world?

We welcome students of every nationality. The majority are European : German, Spanish, British, Irish, Italian, Scandinavian, Greek, Central and Eastern European, followed by students from North America, South America, Australia, China, Japan and South Asia. We have received students from such diverse regions as Tibet, Iceland and Ukraine.

What is the deadline to reserve my course?

To be sure of a place in the course, you should enrol and pay your deposit at least 4 weeks in advance. For courses in the busy summer months, we recommend that you enrol 6 weeks in advance.

How can I pay my deposit? How about rent and tuition?

You may make the payment of your deposit in Euros by credit card (Visa, Mastercard or Carte Bleue), cheque, international money order, bank draft or bank transfer. All bank service charges are the responsibility of the student. You will need to pay your rent on arrival, directly to your host, and your course fees to the school by the 2nd day of classes.

Is my deposit included in the course fees?

Yes, the advance deposit on course fees will be deducted from the total price of your course. The accommodation search service fee and the registration fee are separate charges.

Do I need to buy any books or other materials for the course?

No, all course materials are included in the price of the course. You must provide your own writing materials (paper, pens, etc). For homework, we recommend a good bilingual dictionary.

Will enrolment in your school qualify me for a student visa for France?

Yes, in most cases it will, although the final determination will be made by the French Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.

Can you help with the documents I’ll need to apply for a French visa? Do I need to do anything special?

Yes, once you have completed the registration process, Langue Onze Toulouse will provide an official Attestation of Enrolment, as well as a Certificate of Accommodation if you are reserving accommodation though the school. For visa applicants, registration for your course demands some extra steps. Please see the section titled Visa – France for more detailed information.

Should I take out insurance before leaving home?

You must be covered for medical expenses in case of illness, accident or injury. For your safety, it’s best to bring an official proof of your medical coverage with you to Toulouse. We recommend you also take out coverage for loss or theft of luggage and valuables, personal liability and repatriation.

Do you have showings of French films?

The school regularly hosts a French video night screening of a French film on DVD or video, with commentary by a teacher and group discussion. Students can also arrange to watch videos from our library outside of class hours, using the school’s equipment.

Can I borrow French books from the school?

Yes, we have a lending library available to our students, with a selection of novels, journals, poetry, comics and reference materials in French. To borrow these materials, you must pay a small, refundable deposit.

Do I have to pay extra to participate in the cultural activities programme?

Many of our activities, held at the school or within walking distance in the Toulouse city centre, are completely free of charge. For activities requiring entrance fees, paid transportation, food or drink, or overnight accommodation, the additional cost must be paid by each participant.