Our French Academy in Crans-Montana, is more than just a language school in Switzerland. It offers a series of French immersion courses, providing language induction, accommodation, meals, cultural, recreational and sporting activities. Most importantly, your experience will be completely devoid of stress and hassle. We take care of the details so that you can concentrate on the task at hand - learning French in Switzerland with experienced and qualified teachers.

Our French language courses cater for beginners to advanced. The courses are practical, relevant and memorable. From Day One you will be immersed in the French language and soon become comfortable with its pronunciation, grammar, rhythm and idiom.

All French immersion courses consist of structured learning, informal learning and free time. Participants can undertake the Premier Course or a Specialist Course or a combination of both.

Premier Course (French+Culture/Recreation)

The Premier Course is an ideal means of learning French in Switzerland. It is conducted in the conference rooms of a 4-star hotel, and consists of eight hours of French immersion. The morning is devoted to structured learning. After lunch, the informal learning program consists of a variety of cultural and recreational activities.

Structured learning  
Structured, formal learning is a core component of all the Academy's French immersion courses. It includes interesting and varied methods such as the integrated aural-oral approach that develops your conversational skills, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and most importantly, pronunciation and intonation. Literature, current affairs topics and real-life situations as experienced in the afternoon program form the basis for conversational and reading exercises.

Informal learning program  
The informal learning program contains a kaleidoscope of recreational activities that immerse you in the history, culture and daily life of the Valais. These activities continue to place an emphasis on learning French and practising your new skills in a relaxed and informal environment. 

While interacting with your guide or host in French you will be escorted to a variety of locations such as the famous 13th century Tourbillon Castle in Sion, museums and other historical sites that date back several centuries. Other typical attractions include the lake of St-Léonard, which at 300 metres in length and 20 metres in width, is the largest underground lake in Europe. You'll also have the opportunity to reinvigorate yourself through immersion in one of Switzerland's famous thermal baths.

You will enjoy a tour of the picturesque vineyards in the Valais. The Valais is the principle wine-growing canton in Switzerland, showcasing 5,200 hectares of vineyards. A wine-tasting tour during the afternoon program will introduce you to the customs and practices 
of viticulture in the Valais. You'll gain an insight into the mysteries of winegrowing and winemaking and the 15 principal varieties of white and red grape wines that are integral to the region. In summer wine-lovers can stroll along the footpaths meandering though the vineyards.

Price includes:

• 4-star accommodation
• Buffet breakfast
• 3-course dinner (except Saturday nights)
• French language course in the mornings (Monday to Friday) in the hotel conference room
• Course material 
• Lunch with class members at a variety of interesting locations from Monday to Friday
• Cultural/recreational activities (four afternoons per week)

Price excludes:

• Lunch on weekends and dinner on Saturday nights, flights and insurance.

(Photos by Sierre-Anniviers Tourisme ©)

SPECIALIST COURSES

Our Specialist French immersion courses consist of structured learning in the morning as in the Premier Course, followed by a specific interest in the afternoon, such as golf, skiing or hiking, that is conducted in French. There are also specific French immersion courses for Business French combined with Fitness and French with Wellness. 

Morning sessions of the French Specialist Immersion Courses are conducted in the conference rooms of a 4-star hotel. After lunch, informal learning will consist of the participant's chosen interest. 

French+Skiing

With the slopes at your doorstep, and qualified ski instructors on hand to guide and enhance your skiing, what better way to indulge your twin passions for skiing and learning French. Whatever your level at either French or Skiing you will be able to choose the appropriate French immersion course and advance at your own pace.

We aim to provide you with the thrill of an outdoor activity, and above all give you the flow of adrenaline and excitement that you might not have thought possible.

The Swiss Alps at Crans-Montana encompass 140 km of ski area and 28 lifts. For your convenience, the lifts are in close proximity to your accommodation.

At the beginning of the French immersion course (French+Skiing), you will be assessed and invited to join a small group that moves at your pace and allows you to explore some of the best terrain that Crans-Montana has to offer. 
(Please indicate your approximate level on the Registration Form.)

Beginner 
If you have always wanted to discover the magic of skiing or snowboarding, the Beginner’s Lesson Program is the perfect way to begin that journey, gain new skills and build your confidence.

Intermediate 
Intermediates can enjoy the many wide, tree-lined pistes. Experienced instructors will help accelerate your learning in powder snow, bumps, carving and more. This program will give you solid technical direction and cover a wide range of terrain.

Advanced 
Even experts take lessons to refine their skills, so why not enjoy expert classes with instructors who will have you racing down the slopes with finesse. The Advanced Lesson Program is the ultimate in technical instruction. For advanced skiers, these World Cup pistes will give you a workout.

Price includes:

• 4-star accommodation
• Buffet Breakfast
• 3-course dinner (except Saturday nights)
• French tuition in the mornings (Monday to Friday) in the hotel conference room
• Course material
• Lunch with class members at a variety of interesting locations from Monday to Friday. 
  This may be in the village or on the piste.
• Skiing lessons in the afternoon, five days per week
• 13-day ski lift pass

Price excludes:

• Lunch on weekends and dinner on Saturday nights, beverages, ski-hire equipment, flights and insurance. (We can assist you with the hiring of ski equipment if required on Sunday afternoon.)

Recreation 
Weekends are free to ski at your leisure. There’s also a variety of skiing-related activities such as curling, ice-skating, sledging or cross-country skiing or a night snowshoe outing to the Colombire Alpine Museum. Don’t forget two full day ski passes are included on 2 Saturdays and Sunday. 

EQUIPMENT HIRE: Price guide per week (6 days)