Summer Language Institute for French Teachers

The French Program curriculum has three types of courses:

• Core required courses in areas such as second language acquisition theory, assessment, and teaching for proficiency.
• Language and culture electives.
• Pedagogy courses which accompany each language or culture elective and focus on practical application of various pedagogical practices.

Please visit our curriculum page to view this summer’s course offerings.

Angers, France and the Homestay Experience
The Summer Language Institute for French Teachers is held at Southern Oregon University’s partner university in Angers, France – L’Universite Catholique de l’Ouest (UCO). Overlooking the Maine River in the historic Anjou region, Angers is considered one of the most beautiful cities in France. With its vibrant cultural life and location in the heart of the Loire valley, Angers has long drawn students and tourists from around the world, and Angers has frequently been voted the most livable city in France. Classes will be held at the Centre International d’Etudes Francaises on the UCO campus, within easy walking distance of downtown. Students will be able to live in French homes with families where they can further enhance their French-speaking skills. Students can easily reach Angers by the TGV directly from the Paris Charles de Gaulle airport.

To enhance their linguistic and cultural experience, students live with host families. The family provides a private room for the students and two meals a day, breakfast and dinner. Students can find inexpensive lunches in and around the campus. The host family experience is one of the most positive aspects of the program, and most students return to the same host family each summer, developing lasting relationships with the family.

Students who do not wish to live with a host family can request to find their own housing. However, we strongly recommend that students live with a host family, at least the first year. Students find that living with a host family where meals are provided relieves them of some of the daily pressures of shopping, cooking, etc., allowing them to focus on their studies.