Frequently asked question about Accent Francais: French language school in Montpellier, South of France

You need to clear up one point, you have further questions : DO NOT HESITATE !! It is our pleasure to answer promptly all questions you may have.

Contact :contact@accentfrancais.com
Tel : 0033 467 58 12 68

REGISTRATION
How do I book my stay ?
Is there a deadline to enrol ?
What is the minimum level required to attend a course ?
How do I know which level I should apply ?
Can I extend my stay once at school ?
When should I arrive and when should I leave ?
How do I pay ?
Do I need a visa to study in France ?
Do I need an health insurance ?

INSTITUTE
What are the school’s opening hours?
Could I stay at school in the afternoon if I have no course ?
Can I have access to the internet?
Do you provide a student card ?
Is it possible to know the activities and excursions program before arrival ?
When should I register to your activities and excursions ?
What can I do in Montpellier during my free time ?

COURSES
When can I start a course ?
Do I need to buy books ?
Once arrived at school, may I change my French course ?
Can I change the level of my class ?
Is there any refund if I want to leave before the end of my course ?
What is the average duration of a stay ?
What is student’s profile ?

ACCOMMODATION
What kind of accommodation for what kind of people ?
Is it possible to book a course with accommodation ?
Is it possible to book accommodation only ?
Can a friend or my partner stay at the same accommodation if he doesn’t take a course ?
Arrival and transfer in Montpellier

REGISTRATION

How do I book my stay ?
Registration form must be returned by postal mail, fax or email with a deposit of:
  100% of the total fees up to 4 weeks stay
  50% of the total fees for more than 4 weeks stay
The registration becomes valid as soon as we receive your down payment. Accent Français will send in return by postal mail, email or fax, a confirmation of enrolment with:
  Details of your stay : course, accommodation ...
  A Certificate to apply for a visa at the French Embassy

Is there a deadline to enroll ?
At least 2 weeks before the start date of your French course. Last minute enrolments are, of course, also accepted. In this case, especially during the busy summer period, we cannot guarantee first choice accommodation.

What is the minimum level required to attend a course ?
We offer courses for all levels : from complete beginner (A0) to very advanced level (C1). For A0 level (complete beginners), please see our starting dates. The other levels can start each Monday.

How do I know which level I should apply ?
On the application form, you can give us a self estimation of your level.
Upon reception of the application form, we will ask you to take our French level test online to validate your booking.
On the first day at school, you will sit for a spoken test that will allow us to confirm your exact level and to choose your study group for the course.

Can I extend my stay once at school ?
Yes of course. We just ask you to inform us in advance so that we can check availabilities for your accommodation and guarantee room in the class of your level.

When should I arrive and when should I leave ?
Arrivals are scheduled for Sunday and departures for Saturday. If you need a room before or after your stay, please contact us.

How do I pay ?
  By Credit card: Visa or MasterCard, please let us know by email, fax or telephone your Card Number and expiry date.

  By bank transfer (please fax us a copy of your transfer): Bank: Banque populaire du Sud - Agence Montpellier Comedie Bank number: 16607 - Account number: 00219- 09405421018/92 IBAN Number: FR76 1660 7002 1909 4054 2101 892 - BIC number: CCBPFRPPPPG

  By check in Euros payable at a French Bank. You can send it by postal mail at Accent Fançais, 2 Rue de Verdun, 34000 Montpellier, France.

Do I need a visa to study in France ?
Not if you are an European citizen. For the other nationalities, please contact the French consulate or embassy in your country.
You can find more information :
  www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Do I need an health insurance ?
European students shall bring with them their European social security card (former E111 form).
If you are a non-European citizen, please contact your insurance office to guarantee your health coverage while staying in France.
We recommend to all students to subscribe an insurance to cover eventual health and cancellation expenses.

INSTITUTE

What are the school’s opening hours?
School is open from 9.00 am to 4 pm

Could I stay at school in the afternoon if I have no course ?
Yes of course, we provide you with:
  A reading and study room with a selection of French literature, workbooks, newspapers and magazines that you can use for homework and personal studies.
  Free access to Internet and your emails. You can bring and plug your laptop. (WIFI)
  Tea, coffee, chocolate and fresh drinks on both floors.
  A mini tourist office with all information and activity coordinator to advise your leisure and excursions.

Can I have access to the internet?
Yes, we have computers in free access with high speed internet and email access. You can also bring your laptop. (WIFI)

Do you provide a student card ?
Yes, you just have to bring an ID photo and we will give you a student card which offers many discounts in town : transportation, cinema, leisure...

Is it possible to know the activities and excursions program before arrival ?
Yes you can find the program on our blog :
www.learn-french-south-france-montpellier.com

When should I register to your activities and excursions ?
Each Monday, the activity program of the week will be displayed at school, you can then register with our activity staff or at the reception desk.

What can I do in Montpellier during my free time ?
Our activity staff will provide you with all information and contacts of sports clubs and leisure places in Montpellier.

COURSES

When can I start a course ?
Complete beginners (A0) have to start on the first Monday of the month. Other levels can start every new week on Mondays. Starting dates

Do I need to buy books ?
No, teaching material is included, but we recommend you to bring a notebook and a dictionary.

Once arrived at school, may I change my French course ?
  If you have booked and started a Standard Course (20 lessons per week) you can take additional courses in the afternoon, depending upon availability. You will have to pay the difference of the course price.
  If you have booked and started an Intensive French Course, you can change to a Combined Course by paying the course difference.
You are also free to change your Intensive Course to a Standard Course but in this case there won't be any refund as for the price difference.

Can I change the level of my class ?
If you think that you have been placed in a class that does not correspond to your level, do not hesitate to speak to your teacher and to inform the administration so that we can study a possible a change. You can request a change on Monday before 4pm for the same week, after this deadline , we will study changes for the following week.

Is there any refund if I want to leave before the end of my course ?
Please understand that space is booked for the whole time you have stated in your booking. Therefore a program already started has to be paid in full.

What is the average duration of a stay ?
The average duration is 4 weeks (with many 2 weeks stay (30%) and long stays of + 3 months, 16%).

What is student’s profile ?
Average age:
July/August: 17/25 years old: 46%, + 25 years old: 54%
Rest of the year: 17/25 years old: 35%, + 25 years old: 65%
Nationalities: More than 60 different nationalities

ACCOMMODATION

What kind of accommodation for what kind of people ?
Accommodation at a French host is not only for young students and a lot of our adult students are seeking that kind of accommodation for improving their conversation skills and meeting French people of their age.
Standing residences are perfect for couples and people traveling together or adults used to a certain standard of living.
Student's residences, and rooms at the university campus are more specifically adapted for small budgets and students attracted by international and lively atmosphere.

Is it possible to book a course with accommodation ?
At Accent Français, we provide French language courses and accommodation facilities to our students. You can also book a course without any accommodation if you prefer.

Is it possible to book accommodation only ?
No, it is only possible to book accommodation if you book a French program in the meantime.

Can a friend or my partner stay at the same accommodation if he doesn’t take a course ?
Yes and we recommend you to stay in a studio or apartment in the hotel residence which offers more independence to your partner or friend.

Arrival and transfer in Montpellier:
Accommodation at a French host with half board or breakfast: your host can come to pick you up at the airport or at the train station. (Gare St Roch) This is a free service.
For the other types of accommodation (hotel, room with kitchen access, studio, room at the campus), we will send you all information, so that you can make your own way to your accommodation by bus, tramway, airport shuttle or taxi.