Secondary School Abroad - Fluency at a Young Age

The EIL Secondary School Abroad programme has several benefits:

• Proven to guarantee excellent exam results
• Provides full immersion that allows people to become fluent at a young age
• Encourages independence in young people
• Provides insurance, travel assistance and 24 hour emergency support

An extended stay in a secondary school abroad is an ideal opportunity to become fluent in a foreign language at a young age. This programme is particularly popular with Transition Year students. A stay can be as short as 2 months or as long as the school year.

This programme is open to students aged between 15 and 18 years, who wish to attend a French Secondary School for a minimum of 6 weeks to 10 months. A minimum of 3 years of French study is required.

General Information

This unique programme give young students the opportunity to discover France, its way of life, its culture, while improving their language skills. Students are placed in carefully selected caring host families, and supervised by a team of local counsellors (each student being assigned a specific counsellor), the whole team being coordinated by our central office. Students are hosted in volunteer families, on a full board basis. They are truly considered as a member of the family, equal in rights and duties, and they share the day-to-day life, including leisure and outings; in return they are asked to comply with family rules, which might include some minor tasks like washing the dishes or cleaning their bedroom.

They attend a local secondary school, chosen jointly by the family and the local counsellor; generally speaking this is the same school as the children of the host family, but the students’ academic records are also taken into account in the choice. The host family is seen as responsible for the students welfare and our partner office CEI insists on their role as “parents”.

Accommodation

Students will be accommodated on a Full Board basis by local, carefully selected volunteer host families. Please note that host family payments are unique to Ireland and England, while in France, Germany, USA and South America families host on a volunteer basis (ie, they are not paid a hospitality allowance or receive a modest allowance). The motivation for hosting comes from a genuine interest in learning about other cultures and the belief that hosting a student from Ireland is the next best thing to visiting Ireland itself. The programme fee includes administration charges by the hosting and sending organisations, interview, orienation material, insurance, support from a local coordinator and EIL Ireland, school enrolment fees.

Acceptance into the Programme

Students are selected for their motivation and flexibility. Each programme participant will be registered in either "Seconde" or "Première". It is a great way to make French friends and enjoy family life at the same time.

Applicants aged between 15 and 16 years will usually be placed in "Seconde".

This is the first year in a French High School. All students follow the same general study programme which includes courses in French, Maths, History, Geography, Science, Foreign Language, and Economics. In addition, students may choose certain optional courses such as: a second foreign language, Latin, Music and Technical Classes when available.

Applicants over 16 years will usually be placed in "Première".

Students are placed in one of the following sections according to individual aptitudes and interests: Literature, Economics, Sciences.

As a rule, we don’t place applicants in "Terminale", unless their level of French is particularly good. This last year in High School prepares students for the "Baccalaureat" exam, depending upon the speciality that was chosen in "Première". This exam takes place at the end of the academic year (June - July). Optional subjects may be added to regular courses.

Younger participants whose French or general grades are too low to be able to attend a High School, will be placed in a "College" (Junior High School). They might therefore be placed in a class with students younger than themselves.

Grading System

Grading system is a scale of 0-20 with a passing mark being 10. Letter grades are sometimes used by means of the following conversion scale:

Placement

Each candidate should specify his or her interests, age and aptitudes on the application form. Following these criteria, our local representative will consult with the Lycée officials in order to place the candidates in the school and grade best suited to their background and needs. Lycée placements will also depend upon the particular schools available in the homestay area. We cannot guarantee placements in a particular city or region of France. Most Lycée Programmeplacements are in the Nantes, Rennes and Toulouse areas, although we do also have possibilities in north-eastern France as well as Normandy. Students should be open to placement in any region of France.

*Local representatives try to find host families with children, but this cannot be guaranteed for every placement. Host families may have different make ups, such as single parents, or couples whose children have grown up and are no longer at home. What is offered is a safe, welcoming and warm family environment for students. Participants will have many opportunities to make new friends at school. Friends will not be placed together, as the concentration must be on speaking French.

Classes

We insist that all participants should comply with the school rules, as far as the timetable, school attendance and behaviour are concerned.

Classes run from Monday morning to Saturday noon and last 55 minutes. Normal daily timetable is from 8 am to 12 noon - lunch break - 2pm to 5 or 6pm but this differs from school to school.

Participants are asked to bring clothes suitable to practice sport in eg. shorts, tracksuit, tee-shirt, sweat-shirt, swimsuit, sport-shoes etc.to use during physical education classes.

Transport Arrangements

It is the responsibility of the individual participants to arrange for international travel. Return transfers on arrival and departure (including the purchase of train tickets) are included in the price. A transfer from Paris Roissy Charles deGaule Airport is compulsory on arrival.

Our fees DO NOT include local transportation from the host family to Lycée.

Insurance

For more information please click on CareMed image

Cost from Sept 2008 to June 2009

*Prices include return transfers in Paris (including purchase of train tickets), full board with a volunteer host family, school lunches, attendance at a secondary school, assistance of a local coordinator, local orientation meeting one week after arrival (Sept. & Jan arrivals), emergency service & follow up. International transport, books & materials, local transport, pocket money and insurance are not included.

Deadline for January 2009 is 1st October 2008. Programmes starting mid-term should be received 2 months in advance of when you wish the programme to commence.

Homestay in France

Cancellation Fees

• 40% of full price if notification before placement.
• 65% of full price if notification after placement.
• 100% of full price if no show.

Participants who cancel after arrival will not be refunded. In cases of absolute necessity (illness, relative’s death, job problems) we will remain flexible.

No Driving

Because of the obvious dangers - as well as questions of insurance and liability - purchasing or driving a car, or any other motor vehicle, riding in non-commercial planes or hitch-hiking while participating in this programme are prohibited.

Early Termination of the Programme

E.I.L. reserves the right to send home any student whose health requires this action or whose conduct is considered improper or offensive to the host family, community or school. Such conduct includes drug use, unacceptable sexual behaviour, excessive drinking, violation of law or failure in schoolwork. In the event the student is returned home, either alone or accompanied, parents or guardians are responsible for all expenses above those covered by the fee. In such cases no refunds will be available.

School Breaks

Please be aware that French schools are closed during the months of July and August. Participants whose applications are received during these months will be enrolled in their Lycee in September.

Schools generally close for 2 weeks every 7 weeks. French schools are divided into 3 zones. School holiday dates year vary between zones. Students will be advised of holiday dates on placement. Participants should remain with their host families during these holidays, including Christmas and Easter holidays.

Family visits

While we appreciate that families may wish to visit their children while on the programme, our experience has shown that this can disrupt the settlement process into the programme and family. Visits may take place at the end of a programme on the understanding that the host family do not have an obligation to host family members.

Applications

Applications should include the following:

1. An EIL application form
2. A CEI- Club de 4 Vents Lycée application form
3. Deposit of 25% of the programme price
4. 4 most recent school reports showing grades with translation
5. 4 smiling ID pictures and family photos.
6. Medical emergency release form signed by parent, for participants under 18 years old. This is necessary for both the school and the host family should emergency surgery be needed.

EIL will conduct a telephone interview before acceptance on the programme can be confirmed.

Please send completed applications to:

EIL- Intercultural Learning
1 Empress Place · Summerhill North · Cork
Tel: 021 4551535 · Fax: 021 4551587
Email: info@eilireland.org