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Cours de Civilisation Française de La Sorbonne
Fall Semester Language 2022
12 - 18 credits
CCFS’s 12 week French Language & Civilization program offers SAI students a rich immersion experience, based on techniques developed by the school over more than a century of language instruction. Courses include classroom work, as well as work in the phonetics lab to help students improve grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. In addition to language classes, students are invited to attend between two and eight lectures per week. These lectures, or conférences de civilisation, are taught in French and are designed for students at varying levels of proficiency. Each lecture addresses an important cultural topic and helps students deepen their appreciation of French society.
Application: now open
Closes: May 15, 2022
Apps accepted on a rolling basis, and after deadline as space permits
Application Requirements
Complete online application
Personal statement (300-500 words)
Official transcript
Passport scan (photo page)
Digital photo (passport style)
EU privacy consent form
Highlights
- Join an international cohort of students studying in the center of Paris
- Enjoy access to world-class language and culture instructors in a small classroom environment
Program Dates
August 25, 2022 – December 10, 2022
Eligibility Requirements
Age: 18+
Academic Year: Sophomore (2nd year) or above
* contact SAI if you don’t meet requirements
Cumulative GPA:* 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale)
French Language: Students must have completed at least one semester of college-level French before applying for this program.
French Studies
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
This course is designed to help students develop their proficiency in French, including: grammar, conjugation, spelling, vocabulary, approach to literary texts, and written and oral expression. Time in the Phonetics Lab reinforces classroom work and encourage students to improve their pronunciation, comprehension, and verbal expression.
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
The course includes 10 hours per week of classroom work (for 12 weeks), plus five hours per week of lab work (for 6 weeks). Total contact hours = 150
Contact Hours: 150
Courses & Credits
This program requires students to have completed at least one semester of college-level French (or equivalent) before applying.
Students register for a single French Language class, which consists of 120 hours of classroom instruction (10 hours per week for 12 weeks) and 30 hours of work in the phonetics lab (5 hours per week for six weeks). Based on the number of contact hours, students earn a total of 10 language credits during the term.
Language Placement Test
Upon being admitted to the program, students will complete an online French placement exam. Their level of proficiency will be determined by this exam and they will be placed accordingly (CEFR levels A1 – C1). Once students arrive in Paris, they will also take an assessment of their phonetic skills.
French Civilization Lectures/ Conférences de civilization
Students choose from two and eight lecture series per term. Lectures in a particular series meet once per week for 1.5 hours, allowing students to earn one (1) credit for each series successfully completed. Students who wish to earn credit for their attendance at lectures will take a final exam for each the end of the term. Please note: these lectures are taught in French for students at varying levels of proficiency, from beginner/intermediate through advanced.
| Pre-Departure Calendar | |
|---|---|
| May 15 2022 |
Application Closes Applications accepted after closing as space permits. |
| Within 1 week of acceptance |
SAI Deposits Due $500 Confirmation Deposit (applied toward program fee) $300 Security Deposit (refundable) |
| May 1 2022 |
50% of Total Program Fee Due Students who are accepted and submit SAI deposits after this date will have an amended pay schedule. Either 50% or 100% of Program Fee will be due within 5 business days, based on the deposit payment date. |
| June 1 2022 |
SAI Scholarship Application Deadline Students wishing to apply for an SAI scholarship must have all application items submitted by 11:59pm Pacific Time on this date. |
| July 1 2022 |
SAI Financial Aid Verification Deadline Students wishing to defer payment until financial aid disbursement must submit the financial aid verification forms to SAI by this date. |
| July 1 2022 |
Balance of Total Program Fee Due |
| On-Site Calendar | |
|---|---|
| August 25 2022 |
Arrival & Housing Check-in Students arrive into Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport. SAI airport pickup is provided between 9:00am and 12:00 noon, and students are transferred to their SAI housing. |
| August 26 2022 |
SAI Orientation Mandatory SAI orientation is held at the SAI Paris office and introduces students to their city while covering safety, policies, housing, and culture. |
| September 1 – 2 2022 |
CCFS Academic Orientation |
| September 5 2022 |
French Language Classes Begin |
| Coming soon |
French Civilization Lectures Begin |
| October 29 – November 2 2022 |
Fall Break (no class) |
| Coming soon |
French Civilization Exam Period |
| December 5 2022 |
French Language Classes End |
| December 6 – 9 2022 |
French Language Exam Period |
| December 10 2022 |
Program End & Housing Check-out Students must move out of SAI housing by 10:00am to return home or pursue independent travel. |
| SAI Program Fees* | USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $120 |
| Security Deposit Refundable at the end of the term. |
$300 |
| Program Fee Includes tuition, standard housing and SAI 360° Services (see What’s Included). |
$11,800 |
| Optional / Additional Fees: | |
| Optional Private Room Housing Supplement Private room in a shared apartment, with a shared bathroom. |
$3,450 |
| Optional Homestay Housing Supplement Homestay housing in a private room. Includes daily breakfast and 3, 5 or 7 dinners/week. |
3 dinners – $170 5 dinners – $700 7 dinners – $1,230 |
| International Mailing Supplement When applicable, students are charged an international mailing supplement to ensure visa paperwork arrives in a timely manner. |
$90 |
*prices are subject to change
Note: certain SAI-affiliated US universities require specific payment arrangements. These may require that some fees are paid by the student directly to SAI, and other fees are paid to SAI by the affiliated university on behalf of the student. If you attend an SAI-affiliated university please contact your study abroad office or speak with your SAI Admissions Counselor for details.
| Budget | Low Est. | High Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Airfare to/from Paris |
$900 | $1,200 |
| Books, Supplies & Course Fees |
$25 / course | $75 / course |
| Meals Includes groceries and eating out. |
$400/ month | $800 / month |
| Personal Expenses | $350 / month | $450 / month |
| Transportation within Paris Public transportation with some taxi rides. |
$125 / month | $150 / month |
| Weekend Travel Cost varies greatly by student. |
$300 / month | $1,000 / month |
This is a SAI 360° Services Program; it includes our full services!
- Program tuition and U.S. academic credit
- Accommodation in carefully selected student housing
- Airport pickup and transportation on arrival day
- Welcome reception and events
- SAI orientation to the host city and school
- SAI staff on-site dedicated to fostering a welcoming community for all students by providing assistance to diverse needs
- SAI Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities & weekend excursion
- Student health insurance providing full coverage and medical emergency evacuation
- 24-hour on-site emergency support
- Farewell event with all students
Pre-departure and Re-entry services
- US-based admissions counselor assigned to you, providing friendly assistance
- Helpful pre-departure tools and resources
- Online student groups to acquaint you with other SAI students
- Assistance with student visa application
- Assistance with financial aid processing
- Need-based SAI scholarships
- Paid registration fees for national re-entry conferences
- SAI Ambassador Program for SAI alumni, with paid internship opportunities
- SAI alumni network
SAI offers all students the Viva Experience: frequent cultural activities, at no extra cost, for participants to get to know their community, city and country. Following is a sample of the activities included in this program. Please note that actual activities may differ.
Welcome Activity: Rue Cler & Picnic at the Eiffel Tower
Students are welcomed to their new city with a stroll up Rue Cler, one of the City’s most charming pedestrian streets. Weather permitting, the group ends their walk with a picnic lunch at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
Montmartre Walking Tour
Take a guided tour through the Montmartre district and glimpse the nooks and crannies of the most bohemian district of Paris, once home to artists such as Renoir, Picasso, Edith Piaf and others.
Cheese Tasting Workshop
Have you ever wondered what makes French cheese so extraordinary? Students take a two-hour tasting workshop with a cheese expert, during which they will receive an introduction to French cheese types and cheese-making regions. Cheeses will also be paired with a selection of wines for tasting.
Macaron Baking Course
Students get their hands dirty learning how to make macarons – one of France’s most famous cookies. Following the 90-minute course each participant will take home a box of their own macarons.
Tour of the Palais Garnier and a visit to the Galerie Lafayette
Students take a 90-minute guided tour of the Palais Garnier, home to the Opera of Paris and the setting of Gaston Leroux’s 1909 novel, The Phantom of the Opera. After the tour, we’ll cross Blvd Haussmann to visit the main building of the Galerie Lafayette, one of Paris’ most iconic high-end department stores. We’ll take in the exquisite stained-glass dome as we ascend through the atrium to the seventh floor, where we’ll enjoy the view from the building’s outdoor terrace.
Farewell Dinner
Students celebrate the end of a successful semester abroad and say their goodbyes over a delicious French meal.
Standard Housing: Student apartment or residence
Standard housing includes a shared occupancy room in a shared student apartment or a student residence (option to upgrade to private bedroom, if available). All SAI housing in Paris is fully furnished and comes equipped with towels, bed linens, and wireless Internet. Students have access to kitchen facilities, comfortable common areas, and washing machines. SAI on-site staff is available to respond to any housing needs that may arise.
Optional Housing: Family homestay (additional fee applies)
Students choosing the homestay option will be placed with a local family, which could be an older couple or a family with children. SAI homestay families are thoroughly screened and are accustomed to welcoming visiting students into their homes. Homestays provide a private bedroom in the family home with basic furnishings. Wifi is included, as is access to laundry facilities. Students opting for this more immersive housing get breakfast included as well as the option of a certain number of dinners per week (cost varies).
Passports
Passports should be valid for 3 months after planned departure from Europe.
Student Visas
In accordance with French law students studying in France for 91 or more days are required to obtain a student visa. Those with French/EU citizenship are exempted. Non-US nationals should consult their local Consulate for information on student visa requirements.
Students must appear in person at a VFS Visa Processing Center to present their student visa application. Visa applicants living in the United States are able to set up their appointment at one of the nine visa centers regardless of their location. VFS Global Centers are located in Washington DC, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In some cases the nearest processing center may be in a neighboring state, which might necessitate air travel. Please plan and budget accordingly. Our Student Visa Office is available to assist students in getting ready for their appointment; SAI provides student visa consulting for all our students at no cost.
Other Schools in Paris
About SAI
SAI is dedicated to providing academic and cultural learning experiences abroad that enhance global awareness, professional development and social responsibility. We concentrate our programs in Europe, with a focus on in-depth learning of individual European countries and their unique global role in the geopolitical economy, humanities, and in the arts.