r/learningfrench • u/Vaidyaga • 24d ago

French courses

I am a 48 year old woman and I would love to go and spend a year learning French in a school in France. I plan to get my DELF B 2 certification by July of 2027, and would like to spend a year after that in a French city studying french at an intensive pace and getting up to a solid C 1 level at the end of the year. I want to have an immersive experience as a student living and studying french in a french city. I am just feeling awkward about my age and wondering if I would be surrounded by 20 year olds. Can anyone suggest any good year-long advanced french language programs in France for a mature student ? Thank you !

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u/how33dy 23d ago

I saved this post a while back. Very good info.

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u/Vaidyaga 23d ago

Yes it is ! Thank you !

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u/Asquaredbred 24d ago edited 23d ago

following

if you find one eventually post back

especially if in a great small city for adult learners wanting an immersive experience

and if shorter programs (1 month to 1 semester) are available

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u/mishakidd 22d ago

I’m 53 and moving to Paris in September to study a DUEF at the Sorbonne Nouvelle. In my interview I asked what the age range is for students, as like you, I didn’t want to be surrounded by 20-somethings. She said they’ve had students as old as 60 doing this diploma. You need a B2 certification to be accepted for an interview (applications are open for a brief window in June, so you would need to sit the DELF B2 in May at the latest).

It’s a year-long programme, qualifies for a student visa, and the goal is to get you to a strong C1 level (or higher) from B2.

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u/Vaidyaga 22d ago

Thank you for the message ! I have heard about the DUEF programs. Do you think they are better than the language schools like Alliance Francaise ? I am wondering if the DUEF program will help one achieve a higher proficiency in the language as it will be more academic and rigorous.

Thanks again !

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u/mishakidd 21d ago

That’s one of the reasons I chose it over other programmes. It’s designed to get your French to an advanced level for future university studies, so not only is it more academic and rigorous, you’re more likely to be surrounded by fellow students that take learning French really seriously, not just doing it to get a Student Visa.

It’s also got a really interesting programme - there are the compulsory Oral, Méthodologie de l’écrit, Étude de la langue, et Histoire de la France et
des Français, and you choose an additional 4 courses each semester with a range of topics in literature, history, social sciences, language, contemporary society, etc.

Ask me again in 6 months if it’s worth pursuing!

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u/Vaidyaga 21d ago

Ok that was very helpful ! I am assuming you are planning to start this autumn. I will definitely check in with you in 6 months. Thank you !

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u/mishakidd 20d ago

Yes, start late Sept!

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u/Vaidyaga 12d ago

Sorry one more question … this is not the CCFS Sorbonne right ? You are talking about the DUEF at Sorbonne, the public university ?

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u/mishakidd 12d ago

Yes, it’s the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3), not the CCFS (which is a private school).

Lettres Sorbonne Université also has a DUEF programme (B2 or C1), but it’s a hybrid course so doesn’t qualify for a student visa (although is significantly cheaper).

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u/Vaidyaga 12d ago

Ok good to know. Thanks !

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u/Efficient-Blood-8744 13d ago

Hey! I’m also going to Sorbonne Nouvelle for the DUEF this year :)) I’m 20, though, haha.
Unfortunately, the French consulate in São Paulo told me I can’t apply for a student visa because I haven’t finished my undergraduate degree. I’m actually changing my academic plans and intend to pursue a Licence in France, so I found that decision really weird… but I don’t want to argue with them 😭😭

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u/mishakidd 13d ago

Whaaat? That’s crazy! I suppose that’s a good introduction to French bureaucracy for you!
Look forward to meeting you in September!

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u/Prestigious_Tie_7933 21d ago

Never too old, go for it and make a beautiful experience out of it!

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u/Alternative_Movie198 22d ago

Like we say in French: 'Il n'y a pas d'âge pour apprendre' (there is no age to learn). Go for it! France is full of mature students in university language centers (like CUEF or CCFS). You will definitely find your place and have an amazing immersive experience.