FRANCE
CIDEF, Intensive French Language Summer Program at
The Catholic University of the West

INTRODUCTION
The CIDEF is open to students of all nationalities who have completed their high school education. It is one of the academic divisions of the Catholic University of the West (Université Catholique de l'Ouest). It offers semester and year-long programs as well as summer programs in July and September, a July program for teachers of French and a September Program to prepare students who will study in regular programs at a French university.

There are 47 professors at the CIDEF, 33 of whom teach French as a foreign language. Some 1500 studentstake classes at the Center each year.

Since it is very clear that one cannot learn a language without learning the culture of the country wherethe language is spoken, the CIDEF offers various courses on French culture and civilization as well asactivities outside of the classroom to promote a better understanding of French culture and society.

The program is offered at 4 different levels: True Beginners, Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each student (except True Beginners) will take a placement test on July 2 at 8:30 am to determine language level.

The program consists of an intensive French language course (44 to 52 hours depending on your level), a conversation class in small groups (20 hours), lab exercises (8 hours), individual or group projects (8 hours, Intermediate and Advanced levels only), and one elective to be chosen from the following courses: Conversation, Grammar, Civilization, Literature, Business French (hours for these classes vary from 10 to 20 hours depending on the course).

Goals:

True Beginners

  • Acquisition of basic elements necessary for immediate oral or written communications in French

Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels

  • Develop French communication skills
  • Mastery of vocabulary and grammar
  • Improved command of written and oral French

COURSES
French Language Course

  • Comprehension exercises based on authentic documents: audio and video tapes, radio and television broadcasts, newspaper articles and advertising.
  • Vocabulary acquisition based on informative or editorial textsconcerning French life
  • In-depth study of grammatical structures

Conversation Class (in small groups)

  • The goal of this class is to reach a level of spontaneous expression through role-playing, conversation, debate or speech on various topics.

Language Lab

  • Pronunciation and intonation exercises
  • Grammatical Drills
Written Expression (included in the language course for July session)
  • The goal of the project is to increase interaction with native French people. Possible topics include politics, culture, leisure time, economics, sports, fashion, etc. Students are asked to gather information through live interviews with the people of Angers.
Individual or Group Project (at the Intermediate and Advanced Levels)
  • The goal of the project is to increase interaction with native French people. Possible topics include politics, culture, leisure time, economics, sports, fashion, etc. Students are asked to gather information through live interviews with the people of Angers.
HOUSING AND MEALS
There are three room and board options for students:
1. Housing in a private or state-owned residence hall. All meals are in the student cafeteria on campus.
2. Home Stay - All meals in the student cafeteria on campus.
3. Home Stay - Breakfast and dinner taken at home, lunch on campus.
Please note that the residence halls are not located on campus. Housing is either within walking distance from campus or easily accessible via public transportation.
All meals are included from dinner on the day of arrival until lunch the day of departure.

Angers, a dynamic city with a rich cultural heritage, is located 1 1/2 hours south-west of Paris by TGV (the High Speed Train). It is easily accessible not only from Paris, but also directly from Roissy-Charles de Gaule Airport via TGV from the train station at the airport. It is a university town of 260,000 people with a student population of approximately 30,000. The city is renowned for its tapestries. Visit the world famous 320 foot long Tapestry of the Apocalypse from the 14th century, located in the castle of Angers. The castle, an imposing structure surrounded by 17 towers was built between 1228 and 1238. Visit, as well, the Jean Lurçat Museum of Tapestries located in the oldest hospital in France, built between 1174 and 1185 by Henry II Plantagenét, King of England and Count of Anjou. Visit the Saint Maurice Cathedral, a great example of Angevine Gothic architecture and the Saint Serge church, a 13th century Plantagenét style building. Stroll through the old town, with its wealth of medieval houses. Visit the Fine Arts Museum. Angers is in the heart of a region known for its cultural heritage. Not far from Angers one can visit the castles of Brissac, Montgeoffroy, Plessis-Bourré, Serrant, and others. The city of Saumur is known for its castle and old town. There is also the royal Abbey of Fontevraud, the Romanesque church of Cunuault, the blue mine and its slate museum, and troglodyte villages. The region of Anjou is also famous for its wines, and one can visit wine cellars and taste the Rosé d'Anjou,or the excellent red cabernet wines. Angers is also home to the producers of Cointreau, an orange flavored liquor. Every bottle of Cointreau is produced right in Angers and sent around the world.

Cultural and Sporting Activities:
Many activities are offered on and off campus such as movies, lectures, an International Evening, concerts, soccer, basketball, table tennis and others.

Excursions
The following excursions are included in the program:

  • July 4 - Sound and Light Show at the castle of the Puy
    du Fou (evening trip)
  • July 6 - Loire Valley Castle Tour (day trip)
  • July 11 - L'Anjou troglodyte (with dinner)
  • July 14 - Mount St. Michel and Saint Malo (day trip)
  • July 19 - Gulf of Morbihan (by boat), Megalithic site in
    Carnac and the city of Vannes (day trip)

COSTS: $2,080.00

Cost includes:
  • Tuition and fees for six credit hours (transcript from Truman State University)
  • Room and board as described above
  • Cultural activities listed above
  • Health and repatriation insurance

Cost does not include:
  • Airfare and train to Angers and back
  • Passport costs (no visa required)
  • Personal Expenses

For more information, please contact:

Center for International Education Abroad
Truman State University
Kirk Building 120
Kirksville, MO 63501
Phone: (660) 785-4076
Fax: (660) 785-7473
Email: CIEA@Truman.edu

REQUIRMENTS
Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status
2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale

FORMS
To request more info
To apply

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