A tranquil campus in delightful Normandy countryside only 90 minutes west of Paris, Ecole des Roches is ideal for UK and international teens who want to give their French-language skills a serious boost over two, four or six weeks. And it’s not just about language, as it offers a comprehensive cultural immersion in the French lifestyle. Ecole des Roches has been educating children since 1899, and its summer-camp programme has been giving young people from around the world a summer to remember for more than 30 years.
The school has an active-learning approach to French, putting classroom-taught skills into practice during the afternoon at local markets and at afternoon sport and evening social activities. The Intensive Language option is open to 10- to 18-year olds, who are assessed on arrival. Students receive 34 hours of instruction over two weeks, with an emphasis on oral communication and practice. They may assess their knowledge by sitting the TSA exam (Test de Connaissance du Français) and the programme is particularly suitable for International Baccalaureate students.
Language and Camps is for pupils aged 12 to 18, and there are various activities to choose from including tennis, ‘art de vivre’ and aviation. All involve classroom instruction in the morning, with practical application of French in the afternoon. Campers in the ‘art de vivre’ programme are educated in the French way of life through food and cultural experiences. Tennis speaks for itself, but how many summer camps offer an aviation option? Young flyers are given theory and practical lessons and introduced to navigation and mechanics; by the end of the course, they’ll fly a four-seater aircraft under supervision.
Campers live on site in Ecole des Roches’ pretty boarding house, the interior of which has recently been renovated, and there’s a stunning modern building for dining inside or outdoors. It’s extremely secure, with all 150 acres fenced. Children are housed two to eight to a room, organised by age and with nationalities mixed to encourage integration. Supervision is provided by resident house-parents and younger monitors, with a 10:1 student/staff ratio. Sport facilities are of a very high standard and include tennis courts, a pool and a volleyball court. Equestrians are catered for at a nearby stables.
Excursions make the most of the central location and the proximity to Paris, with students asked to keep a diary describing their trips and reflecting on their language progress. There are five off-site trips alone during the two-week camp – these range from jaunts to Disneyland Paris, a tour of the D-Day Beaches, a visit to the Louvre, viewing châteaux in the Loire or a day out at Versailles.