Language in Provence is a perfect school for many different reasons…read more WHY I WENT I went to Language in Provence for three weeks in May. My time there was rewarding and enriching. This was my first trip to Europe and I didn't know what I didn't know. My overall intent for the trip was to improve my French language skills. Afterwards I was heading out to work with French families that did not speak any English. Starting at a school would prepare me for the later portion of my stay in France. From the start, even before I arrived, the owner of the school, Susan was professional and welcoming. She responded promptly to my emails, answering questions and sharing information. Susan creates an environment that makes you feel as if you are coming to visit close friends or family. She opens her family and life up to you. For me it was a perfect place to have my trip begin. Learning a language not only unlatches the door to the rest of the world but also opens your mind. We all have personal expectations of our French studies and understandably schools fit everyone differently. Language in Provence is a perfect school if you are: 1. Looking for a vacation along with studying a bit of French 2. Traveling alone 3. Enjoy a more casual, warm setting than an institutional setting 4. Would love to discover Provence 5. At a beginning level or can book private sessions that will adjust to your personal needs 6. Great for foodies! 7. Believe in supporting small businesses MEALS AND HOMEY SETTINGS Susan has been fortunate to have Francis in her life. He is one of the primary, French hosts where students stay while studying at Language in Provence. Incroyable! Francis created amazing meals each evening. He also accommodates for vegetarians! If you enjoy time alone, I would suggest renting a small apartment in Saint Saturnin BUT THEN A MUST joining the others for meals with Francis. Often though the beginning students had a natural propensity to switch to English at meal time even though Francis spoke only French. However with Francis's excellent cuisine, wine flowing, and his little dog Ponie joining in the nightly festivities, we all left the table glowing, with smiles on our faces and good food in out bellies! EDUCATION Laetitia was my teacher at the little school. From the minute she entered the school everyone felt the need to switch to French. It was not anything she said just what she quietly portrayed. Code-switching ceased and true immersion began. Our classes were small, 3-4 in each class. Laetitia was vested in our studies and very aware of everyone's level. I was in the intermediate/advanced (it fluctuated based on the arriving students' level each week). Laetitia had the difficult task of adjusting her lessons based on all our different strengths and weaknesses. We came from all over the world! In addition to handouts I would have benefited receiving a French language book to aid with my lessons. I could have studied more and worked on other exercises on my own time. I would seek Laetitia out again for my French studies. She was extremely understanding, fun, passionate, and adjustable to all of our various needs and reactions. REGION The region is incredible. Saint Saturnin is in the heart of France and is nestled alongside the Lubéron. The sound of church bells still echo in my memory. Francis's home is near the cathedral and I enjoyed listening to it chime regularly. Saint Saturnin looks like a quaint movie set as you walk around feeling the history of the area and taking in all of its richness. Vineyards and cherry trees rest in the valley around the Lubéron and you have views of it all from the village. From where you stay you can go out and take one of the trails for a nice hike or outing. I enjoyed my time alone with Ruby, Susan's dog hiking in the surrounding Lubéron. After school even if it is not a specialized, themed week, there are still excursions to see the beautiful region and neighboring Provencal villages. In fact if you are not a beginning student it is more like a vacation than an immersion program.

I do not recommend this business. I went there for what was advertised as an advanced French…read moreimmersion course in the summer of 2009. It was not at all what they advertised and I left after one day. I couldn't get away from there fast enough. The course consisted of four English-speaking women and a "teacher" sitting around the kitchen table in a tiny, boiling hot, stuffy kitchen. There was no real French spoken at all. The teacher went around the table and had everyone tell their ethnic heritage...very racist in my opinion. The students spoke very broken, halting French...some spoke only a couple of words. There was no real French spoken at all because the owner is British and her new husband is Portuguese. To hear this kind of French for a week would corrupt even the French one has already learned. There was no text...not even one page of text given to us. No vocabulary lists, no practice lists...nothing. We received an empty plastic three ring binder. The whisky-voiced "teacher" glared at us like we were juvenile delinquents if we asked a question. There was no written word other than a word or two she wrote on a whiteboard after we insisted on knowing how to spell some word she said. It was not teaching at all. The hotel was not as it had been described on the website or on the phone. Very uncomfortable and noisy. Prior to signing up for the course, I had asked the language school owner about the hotel on the phone but it was a bait and switch advertisement and misrepresented. The "leisurely luncheon" was very rushed and very unfriendly. Everyone sat uncomfortably as the teacher ignored all of us. It was a tasty salad, though. And the dinner the night before at the man's apartment was very nice. He was very nice. When I asked for my money back I was turned down cold and very arrogantly by the woman owner. What a financial loss this was for me. I waited a year to write this review so I could experience a different French course from different owners before I commented. I went to western France this summer (2010) and took a course that was absolutely marvelous. The owners were friendly, generous and kind. It was even more than promised. Don't throw your money away on SARL Language in Provence. It is not as represented on the net or when you talk to them on the phone.