Students of French language school find the answer The origins of the name Hyeres, where Elfca French language school is located

Mime and myths for participants to French language course in Provence

Students of French language school enchanted

On February 5^th, a very poetical performance was presented at Hyeres’ theatre Denis. Titled “la danse des mythes”, it revisited the Ancients’ myths of Icarus, Pandora, and many others.

A words dance accompanied by strange ringing flights of music that created a pure feast of shared pleasure according to critics, and which delighted the students who learn French in the South of France.

Mimosalia visited by foreigners who study French in France

Fascinating exhibition for participants to French language programme

In Bormes every year is held a fair of mimosa that draws visitors from the whole region.

The 2010 edition registered more than 2000 enthusiastic amateurs looking for advice, rare species or just the pleasure to walk along the alleys of the exhibition park. The theme of that 14^th  Mimosalia was “the topiary art”, i.e. the art of sculpting plants. A very ancient tradition as it goes back to the Romans, but it still fascinated the visitors, among whom some students taking a French language course on the French Riviera.

The sweet taste of verbena for participants to French language programme

Students who learn French in Provence discover tisane

A very French habit that sometimes surprises foreigners is that of drinking a tisane (herbal tea) after dinner. Although in the past it was associated with old age and conveyed a rather unfashionable image, it is the in thing now in France, and brands have issued all sorts of new tastes, mixing fruits and spices to the traditional mint, camomile or lime-blossom. But verbena, the most ancient French’s favourite flavour is also privileged by the foreigners who participate to French immersion programme.

Students at French language school in Provence puzzled by radishes

French language is full of surprises for participants to French immersion course

A funny misunderstanding happened during class at French language school: a teacher was showing a video in which a man said very resentfully that he had no got one radish left. The students, who knew radishes as vegetables, were quite surprised that it seemed so serious not to have any left. When they were told it was just a slang expression equivalent of “ to be broke”, it was a general burst into laughter, and now it is quite “in” to use it at French language school on the Cote d’Azur!

Students at French language school trip to Monaco

But no gambling for those who learn French on the Riviera

“Monaco and Monte-Carlo, is it the same thing or are they two different places?” The question was asked by a US student who had some difficulties to imagine a state whose surface is no more than two square kilometres! When explained that Monaco was state and town, and Monte-Carlo just a district of it, she decided to go and see it by herself. After all, Monaco is less than two hours from Hyeres, where French language institute is located.