Page 1 FAQ - Frecuently Asked Questions 1. How many levels of French does CIL cater for? 2. How are the different programmes organized? 3. What's a daily schedule? 4. What does a Seasons Special programme mean? 5. How are the "General options" organized? 6. How should I choose my Programme? 7. How can I add a Seasons Special to my General French programme? 8. Can I change my options during the programme? 9. Can I enrol for a General French Programme and choose my options later? 10. How will I know what level I should be taught at? 11. What is the average number of students in each group? 12. What is the average number of students at the school at any one time? 13. What is the dominant linguistic group of students at the school? 14. What is the best time to come and study in Manosque? 15. Do the special summer programmes attract lots of students? 16. How can I acquire the maximum discount? 17. Can a smaller sized school provide quality methods of teaching? 18. Isn't being situated in a small town a drawback? 19. Surely the schools of Paris are better than those within the Province? 20. Will attending the school allow me to explore the region? 21. How do I apply? 22. Must I send a deposit to reserve my place on the course? 23. If I were unable to come at the last minute, would it be possible to reimburse my deposit? 24. Does the school arrange accommodation? 25. Can I reserve the accommodation before arriving in France? 26. Is it possible to share my accommodation with someone who isn't attending the school? 27. Can I share my accommodation with another attending student? 28. Can I reserve my accommodation without paying a deposit? 29. If I am unable to come at the last minute, can I get my deposit back on the accommodation? 30. How do I get to Manosque? 31. How will I find my accommodation? -1- How many levels of French does CIL cater for? We offer courses for all levels of French, from Total beginners to Advanced. At least 3 levels are catered for at any one time. 1- How many levels of French does CIL cater for? We offer courses for all levels of French, from Total beginners to Advanced. At least 3 levels are catered for at any one time. 2- How are the different programmes organized? We offer 7 general programmes: * Two Semesters : in Spring and Autumn * General French : from March to November vary in duration. Monday -Thursday (20 lessons a week) or Monday -Friday (24 or 30 lessons a week). * Combi : Group tuition (20 lessons) combined with 4 or 8 one-to-one lessons a week. * One-to-one : private lessons from16 to 24 lessons a week * Pick and Mix : * Courses for teachers of French : from June 17 to August 30. * Three "Prestige : language and gastronomy. These programmes may be complemented with one or more of the options available. 9 Seasons Specials: 1. French in the light of springtime (April 2 / Mai 3) 2. La Meije : mountain and ski (May 6/11) 3. A soup of Olden times (May 17 / 24) 4. Olives, wine and cheese -Prestige- (May 27 / 31) 5. Lavender (June 17/ August 2)
Page 2 6. Provence experience (August 5 / Sept.27) 7. Mildness of autumn (Sept.30 / Oct.31) 8. A taste of autumn -Prestige- (Oct.21 / 25) 9. A traditional Noël (Christmas) (Nov. 4/29) 4 General options: 1. Extra: 4 one-to-one extra lessons. 2. Cooking: 1 cooking session 3. Spa: 4 thermal cares at a local spa 4. Golf: 1 afternoon at the golf course. 3- What's a daily schedule? The classes take place in the morning from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm. These are made up of four 45- minute lessons. A coffee break is taken at 10.30 so students can relax whilst hot drinks are served. During the afternoon, activities are organized for each student according to their personal programme. Each activity moulded to the needs of the individual, including training on the labs, counts as one lesson. The school is open constantly between 8am and 6pm, to allow freedom of access. 4- What does a Seasons Special programme mean? Manosque and its area are blessed by Nature and its charms change according to the seasons. To help you not to miss what is most interesting at specific periods, we emphasize the major point of that period by combining the basic language programmes with activities related to each season: - French in the light of Springtime: photo and engraving. - La Meije : mountain and "hors piste" skiing. - A soup of Olden times: mountain flora. - Olives, cheese and wine: a celebration of local produce and gastronomy - Lavender: when lavender is at its best. - Provence experience: Provencal cooking. - Mildness of Autumn: Provencal traditions. - A taste of Autumn: a celebration of local produce and gastronomy. - A traditional Noël: preparation of Noël. Each Seasons Special programme includes a course (4 to 5 days and +) of General French and the price of the selected option. 5- How are the "General options" organized? The "Cooking", "Spa", and 'Golf' options, take place one afternoon a week. The 'Extra' option is organized in agreement with the teacher. 6- How should I choose my Programme? Firstly, choose the intensity and duration of one of the 7 General Programmes and then personalize it by selecting the options you are interested in: - General options: Extra, Cooking, Spa, Golf. - Seasons Specials: Springtime; La Meije; Olden soup; Olives, wine and cheese; Lavender; Provence experience; Mildness of Autumn; A taste of Autumn; Traditional Noël; Truffles. Example: Seasons Special Lavender includes the option Lavender that is added to a General French programme of 4, 5, 5-day+. Let us know if you have any personal projects or ideas you want help with and we will do our best to arrange this for you. 7- How can I add a Seasons Special to my General French programme? Example: You enrolled for a General French programme of 4 weeks from June 3 to 28 and would like to join in the Lavender from June 17 to 28. Answer: You can personalize your General French Programme by adding 2 Lavender options. Benefiting thus from the decreasing 4-week price and activities of the Lavender programme including visits and workshops. That is possible with any Seasons Specials.
Page 3 8- Can I change my options during the programme? Yes. You may change your options each week if so desired or simply follow the General French lessons without taking any complementary lessons. 9- Can I enrol for a General French Programme and choose my options later? Yes. The most important thing is to reserve your enrolment on the course and your accommodation. Options can be chosen and reserved at the beginning of each week in agreement with any other plans you have. The choice is yours! 10- How will I know what level I should be taught at? Class tests take place on the first day to find out which group would be most effective for your level. If you progress at a different pace to your peers during the programme, should you wish, you may be moved to a class of a higher or lower level. 11- What is the average number of students in each group? Each group has a maximum of 6 students per level, though the yearly average is 4 students per group. 12- What is the average number of students at the school at any one time? To ensure the highest level of contact between teachers and students and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere, we limit the number of students to 24. 13- What is the dominant linguistic group of students at the school? There is never a dominant linguistic group! Most students come here independently, not with tour operators or agents. Fortunately, this means there is never more than one representative of a single country in any one group. With such multi-lingual classes, French is the only language to communicate between students. 14- What is the best time to come and study in Manosque?? Haute Provence is spectacular during the whole year and benefits from 300 days of sunshine and deep blue skies per year! The countryside changes dramatically season by season, as do local and regional events organised. Each season attracts holidaymakers who meander through the region. However, Manosque and the surrounding area, Alpes de Haute Provence, are never inundated with tourists. Fortunately, this has meant it maintains and treasures its overwhelming charm. 15- Do the special summer programmes attract lots of students? The 'Lavender' and Provence experience' programmes allow students to integrate language study with the pleasures of holidays in Provence. These are unforgettable experiences where students also benefit from experiences unavailable to tourists. However, our principles remain the same: only adults from the age of 20 and never more than 24 students at one time. 16- How can I acquire the maximum discount? 5% is deducted from your bill immediately when you pay 4 weeks or more in advance. A further 5% is deducted if you book as a group (2 people or more) attending on the same dates. If you are a previous student of CIL you automatically qualify for another 5% discount. Therefore, depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for up to a 15% discount. 17- Can a smaller sized school provide quality methods of teaching? The CIL was established in 1992 and has since flourished to offer its students the most effective and superior technical teaching methods. Teaching resources are openly available for everybody throughout each day. Furthermore, there is always at least 1 teacher available to respond to any queries and help when required. Those within the close-knit teaching team are scrupulously selected, have French as their first language, are graduates of reputable French Universities and are also able to speak at least one other language. 18- Isn't being situated in a small town a drawback? No. It is extremely advantageous to be able to test your French throughout daily life situations and encounters. Students take great pleasure in the fact that they are unique within the town and live in an ideal location to be totally submerged by the French language and culture. Manosque is neither too small nor too isolated. Its medium size means it is easy to come into contact with a huge variety of French inhabitants, living and working here throughout the year. You will be able to
Page 4 meet such people during day-to-day life and also meet people from further a field during the animations that take place here throughout the year. On the other hand, major towns of the south of France are situated close-by to Manosque and can be visited easily for the afternoon day-trips. Many students take the opportunity to visit Spain and Italy during the weekends. 19- Surely the schools of Paris are better than those within the Province? Paris is a fascinating city that is definitely worth a visit. However, if you want to learn and use your French, you must first find welcoming people who can take time out to spend with you. With regard to the laid-back atmosphere and friendly culture, it can be said that this is much easier within the Provence. 20- Will attending the school allow me to explore the region? Yes. Manosque's location is ideal to visit all corners of the region whether this is during the afternoon, evenings or weekends. Also, the school is reactive to its environment, so discovery activities regarding the region and its culture are regularly incorporated within the program. The school has a vehicle, seating 7 people, which is ideal to take out groups on trips around the region and further a field. You will discover the magnificent countryside, artisans and authentic Provencal characters that will take pride in sharing with you their love for the region. Alternatively, it is my pleasure, as director, to show you around and be your guide, opening the doors to introduce you to the hidden parts of Provence. 21- How do I apply? You can send us the completed registration form by post, fax or E-mail or fill in the form on this site. Your enrolment is registered as soon as we receive your deposit of 350. 22- Must I send a deposit to reserve my place on the course? Yes. We can then secure your place and prepare any special requirements you may have. The deposit is of 350. 23- If I were unable to come at the last minute, would it be possible to reimburse my deposit? If you cancel after four weeks prior to the beginning of courses, CIL will refund your payment less 30 euros in registration-administration costs and 30 euros in bank charges. The 50-euro lodgingadministration fee, if incurred, will also be deducted from your refund. If you present a document from the French Embassy attesting that your visa has been refused, CIL will refund all but the 30 euros in registration-administration costs. After the start of your course, no refunds will be granted. If CIL is forced to cancel the course, your payment will be refunded in full. 24- Does the school arrange accommodation? Yes. We select and arrange the accommodation from our list of previously tried-and-tested establishments paying particular attention to your requests. We charge 50 euros for lodgingadministration fee. 25- Can I reserve the accommodation before arriving in France? Yes. We recommend that you ma ke your reservation as early as possible to ensure you get the best possible accommodation available. As soon as we receive your deposit, the amount of which varies according to the standard you require, we proceed to make the arrangements. 26- Is it possible to share my accommodation with someone who isn't attending the school? Yes, simply indicate how many people are in your party on the application form. 27- Can I share my accommodation with another attending student? We do not arrange shared accommodation for students. 28- Can I reserve my accommodation without paying a deposit? No, as in order to maintain our competitive accommodation prices we cannot make reservations unless we are absolutely certain that the occupant will pay. 29- If I am unable to come at the last minute, can I get my deposit back on the accommodation? The deposit is given directly to the proprietors or the lending agency. Therefore, the only way to retrieve your original deposit is to find another student to take your place at the accommodation. We will try our best to do this for you but it cannot be guaranteed.
Page 5 31- How do I get to Manosque? If you arrive via Paris, you can get to Manosque by train, using the fast TGV to Marseilles or Aix en Provence TGV. There are flights from Paris that go to either Nice or Marseilles. Please click on "Travel" in page Provence on our site. By air: Nice - Côte-d'Azur airport, from which there are rail and bus links. Marseilles-Provence airport, from which there are shuttle links to Aix-en-Provence and Manosque. By train: Manosque station. There are direct rail links to Marseille, from which there is the fast TGV network to/from Paris or to Aix-en-Provence TGV station then shuttle buses to Manosque station.. By road: A51 motorway, take the exit for Manosque. From the South, the exit is 50 km North of Aix-en-Provence. From the North, the exit is 100 km South of Gap. 32- How will I find my accommodation? If you so wish, we can arrange for you to be picked up from Manosque, Marseilles or Nice and taken to your accommodation, providing we know your flight details. Collection from Manosque train or bus station: 20 Collection from Marseilles airport: 120 Collection from Nice airport : 160