This intensive language program is available for students at all levels who wish to study abroad in Grenoble. All students complete a comprehensive French language course that focuses on writing, oral expression and pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Students spend three hours a day in class and one hour a day in the language lab. This equates to twenty hours a week, as classes are taught Monday through Friday. There are typically a maximum of sixteen people in each class. Attendance is required for all classes, impacting both the number of contact hours/credits received and the final grades. Level of French study is based on a placement exam administered upon arrival.
What's Included?
Highlights
Pre Departure Services
Pre Departure Services
Advising
@api Online System
Orientation Materials and Resources
Access to International Phone Plans
API Alumni Network
Social Networking
Scholarships
On Site Services
On Site Services
Airport Reception
API Center
On-Site Orientation
Excursions (overnight, day, international)
Resident Director
Tuition
Medical and Life Insurance
Social and Cultural Activities
Welcome and Farewell Group Meals
Volunteer Opportunities
Monthly Transit Pass
Tutoring
Housing (including meals and laundry with some options)
Open to beginning, intermediate, advanced and superior level French speakers
Completed API application
University contact information form
One letter of recommendation
Official transcript, most recent grade report, or high school diploma
Entry requirements: valid passport with student visa
Program Details
What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 14-21 semester credits (varies by term)
This intensive language program is available for students at all levels who wish to study abroad in Grenoble. All students complete a comprehensive French language course that focuses on writing, oral expression and pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Students spend three hours a day in class and one hour a day in the language lab. This equates to twenty hours a week, as classes are taught Monday through Friday. There is typically a maximum of sixteen people in each class. Attendance is required for all classes, impacting both the number of contact hours/credits received and the final grades. Level of French study is based on a placement exam administered upon arrival.
The Fall and Spring (Non-Extended Program) terms are a combination of three intensive month sessions and offer 14-16 semester credits (220-240 contact hours).
The Spring Extended Program term is a combination of four intensive month sessions and offers 21 semester credits (320 contact hours).
Students’ levels will be evaluated at the end of each monthly session and most will move up in level over the course of the semester. Students are graded based on continuous assessment methods rather than final exams.
TRANSCRIPTS
API students will receive their transcript from the Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises de l’Université Grenoble Alpes upon completion of their program.
Courses
COURSE OFFERINGS
CREDIT INFORMATION
Most API partner universities in France operate on the contact hour system, wherein the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours available by 15.
A French Experience: Grenoble Teaching Internship
Students at any level of French language ability are able to participate in the teaching internship for an additional 3 credits. Spaces are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may do this on a volunteer basis not for academic credit, or they may work with a teacher at the CUEF to get academic credit for the internship. Students who wish to receive credit will need to do additional assignments along with the teaching hours, and they will pay an additional fee of $450.
Students teach English two to three hours a week in a collège (junior high school). This is a unique experience for API students in Grenoble to get to know French life from the inside, not only through the teenagers in the classes students teach, but also from the teachers that students assist.Classes are generally conversational courses for French pupils. Students are asked to keep a journal where all course plans and weekly evaluations are registered (one page per class, per course taught). Students also have to write a final internship report (in French) analyzing the French teaching system and their perception of French society through their own teaching experience. Upon successful completion, students earn 3 semester credits. A teacher at the CUEF will help the students to write his/her report and will grade the internship.
French Language
This course has three goals: to acquire a sound basis of grammar, vocabulary, and idiom; to develop different means of expression and written and oral comprehension; and to learn about French culture. The methods of language teaching are varied and include such activities as the study of authentic documents, including newspapers, comic strips, literary texts, and videos. All classes call for the active participation of students.
*beginning, intermediate, advanced and superior levels are available
A French Experience: Grenoble Teaching Internship
Students at any level of French language ability are able to participate in the teaching internship for an additional 3 credits. Spaces are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may do this on a volunteer basis not for academic credit, or they may work with a teacher at the CUEF to get academic credit for the internship. Students who wish to receive credit will need to do additional assignments along with the teaching hours, and they will pay an additional fee of $450.
Students teach English two to three hours a week in a collège (junior high school). This is a unique experience for API students in Grenoble to get to know French life from the inside, not only through the teenagers in the classes students teach, but also from the teachers that students assist.Classes are generally conversational courses for French pupils. Students are asked to keep a journal where all course plans and weekly evaluations are registered (one page per class, per course taught). Students also have to write a final internship report (in French) analyzing the French teaching system and their perception of French society through their own teaching experience. Upon successful completion, students earn 3 semester credits. A teacher at the CUEF will help the students to write his/her report and will grade the internship.
French Language
This course has three goals: to acquire a sound basis of grammar, vocabulary, and idiom; to develop different means of expression and written and oral comprehension; and to learn about French culture. The methods of language teaching are varied and include such activities as the study of authentic documents, including newspapers, comic strips, literary texts, and videos. All classes call for the active participation of students.
*beginning, intermediate, advanced and superior levels are available
Highlights
All classes taught in French
Great language-learning option!
Faculty
Anna Exertier
Anna Exertier will be your Resident Director and a resource for you on-site.
Marie de Rocca Serra
Marie de Rocca Serra will be your Resident Director in Grenoble and a resource for you while you are in France!
Rebecca Cott
Rebecca Cott will be your Program Manager and prepare you to go abroad!
API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Grenoble programs. All excursions are subject to change.
French Riveiera - Cote D'Azur
This southern region of France is cornered between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea and attracts people from all walks of life to relax at its beaches, explore its cliff side villages, or sample the entertainment and liveliness of its towns and cities.
Geneva
The magnificent Mont Blanc towers above the town is Europe’s highest peak at 15,771 feet. This city offers hiking and skiing for the outdoor enthusiast, and breathtaking cable car rides for those interested in soaking up the scenery.
Geneva is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Geneva is home to approximately 190 international organizations, including the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Dominated by Mont Blanc and boasting acres of natural parks, Geneva is one of the least polluted European cities.
Grottes de Choranche
In the heart of the Vercors region lies the Grotte de Choranche, a small part of the Grotte de Couffin. The cave is located at the bottom of the falaises de Presles (Presles cliffs). This limestone cliff with its 300m vertical drop is famous among climbers and offers more than 300 routes. On the way, there are waterfalls with the typical deposits of tufa or travertine, a result of limestone-rich water reaching the surface. The first chamber -largest- is 60m in diameter and up to 18m high. The most impressive -among many formations- is a huge pillar in the Galerie du Siphon. The thousands of stalactites, called soda straws are the great sights of this cave. The waters of the underground lakes and rivers flood the crystal whiteness of the rock formations with emerald green reflection.
Paris
One of the most intriguing cities in the world, Paris is brimming with amazing museums, architecture, fashion, and beauty. Innumerable monuments built to reflect the glory of France and its rulers stand testament to the city’s rich history.
Burgundy
Burgundy is one of France’s most famous wine-producing regions. Students on this excursion will have the chance to visit the renowned city and ancient capital of the region – Dijon – known overseas for its famous mustard, as well as Beaune. Beaune is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in the district, also known the world over for its wine auctions.
Annecy
Surrounded by the beauty of the Alps and the Lac d’Annecy, the scenic town of Annecy is known as the “little Venice” of the French Alps. In fact, many say that the best way to see the city is via the canals on a relaxing boat tour. Because of strict environmental regulations introduced in the 1960s, Lac d’Annecy is known as “Europe’s cleanest lake.”
Paris
One of the most intriguing cities in the world, Paris is brimming with amazing museums, architecture, fashion, and beauty. Innumerable monuments built to reflect the glory of France and its rulers stand testament to the city’s rich history.
Aix-En-Provence/Avignon
Avignon is one of the most fascinating towns in southern France and known for its music festival, splendid houses and museums with rich works of art, mosaics and Romanesque and Gothic Sculptures. Students will visit the famous Pope’s Palace that was home to seven Popes from 1305 to 1378 before the papacy moved back to the Vatican. Near the palace is the famous half bridge Pont St. Bénezet, in which a popular children’s song was written describing folk dancing on the bridge.
Loire Valley
Visiting the Loire Valley palaces is like visiting 16th century Renaissance France when fortified medieval fortresses were transformed into delicate castles inspired by Italian architecture. Such is the case of le Château d’Amboise where Leonardo da Vinci was buried.
The Château de Chenonceau is an exceptional site not only because of its original design, the richness of its collections, its furniture and its decorations, but also because of its destiny, since it was loved, administrated and protected by women.
Depending on the program, the students may also enjoy an ultimate experience: a traditional boat ride on the Loire river. Also, depending on the program, the students can experience the splendor of Chambord’s castle and its exceptional architectural creation that draws its inspiration from the French tradition as much as from the new ideas of the Italian Renaissance.
Lyon
France’s second largest city, Lyon is located on the Rhone and Soâne Rivers with many sites to see, including the Gallo-Roman Museum, two excavated Roman theaters, and the 18th century Basilique Notre-Dame de Fouvière. In the Parc de la Tête d’Or, one will find botanical gardens, a small zoo, lakes for sailing, running trails, and many areas for relaxing.
Housing
API students studying abroad in Grenoble have two different housing options – students may choose to live with a host family or in a student residence. Participants who will be under age 18 for any portion of their session abroad are required to live in supervised housing with a host family and must adhere to a curfew set by API while still a minor.
Students who choose to live with families will have their own room and be provided with two meals (breakfast and dinner) per day and laundry service. Host families serve as a unique introduction to French culture and may be made up of a married couple with children, retirement-age couples, or a divorced or widowed woman with or without children. Most families do not live in the city center, rather they may be located throughout the city and in the surrounding suburbs. Families who live outside the city typically have larger homes with sizeable yards.
Students in Grenoble may also choose to live in a student residence. Students live with other international, American, and French students. Students have a single room, with either a kitchenette in their room or access to a shared kitchen on their floor. Bathroom facilities are shared per floor, although some rooms may have bathroom amenities. Laundry facilities are available, and there are common areas throughout the building as well. A meal stipend to cover weekday lunches is provided; all other meals are the responsibility of the student.
