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France Feedback
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Western Europeans continue to monopolise the international student market in France, but North Americans are proving ever more prevalent. Meanwhile, more students are brushing up on their language skills for travel purposes.
France feedback at a glance
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Total number of students: (female 81, male 51) 132
Average age in years: 29
Average length of programme in weeks: 11.35
Average number of students in class: 8
Average number of hours of language tuition per week: 19
% of students who found out about their course through an agent: 43
% of students who booked through an agent or adviser: 44
% of students who had been on another language programme: 32
% of students who would recommend their school: 92
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| Respondents by world region of origin |
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Top nationalities |
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1. W Europe 51%
2. S America 11%
3. N America 10%
4. Australasia 9%
5. Asia 8%
6. C & E Europe 7%
7. Middle East 2%
8. Africa 1.5%
No reply 0.5%
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1. British 16%
2. German 11%
3. Swiss 9%
4. American 8%
4. Australian 8%
6. Italian 7%
7. Colombian 4.5%
7. Japanese 4.5%
9. Russian 3%
9. Spanish 3%
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| In my class there are... |
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How easy is it to practise your language skills with native speakers? |
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1. The right number of students (68%)
2. Too many students from one other country (7.5%)
2. Too many students (7.5%)
4. Too many students who speak my language (6%)
Unknown 11%
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1. Quite easy (48%)
2. Quite hard (36%)
3 Very easy (8%)
4. Very hard (6%)
Unknown 2% |
| How did you find your programme? |
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Did you book your course through an agent or an educational adviser?
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1. Recommended by an agent (43%)
2. I found it on the Internet (34%)
2. Recommended by a friend/relative (15%)
4. I saw it advertised (4%)
Unknown 4% |
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Yes (44%)
No (48%)
Unknown (8%)
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Student reasons for school selection included:
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“Because it’s located in the south near to several nice places”
“The information on the Internet looked interesting and it was in a city I wanted to visit”
“It was recommended. They offer all language levels and they have got small groups”
“Small and private”
“The ratio of nationalities. There’s not many Japanese. It’s a good environment to speak French”
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| Before looking for your course, did you know where you wanted to study? |
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Country
Yes (82%)
No (12%)
Unknown (6%)
City/town
Yes (45%)
No (49%)
Unknown (6%)
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School
Yes (27%)
No (64%)
Unknown (9%)
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Student nationality
Market analysis reveals that French language schools still rely heavily on the Western European student market. Out of the 31 different nationalities that took part in this month’s Feedback survey on France, nine hailed from Western Europe and, combined, accounted for over half of the total student body (51 per cent). Having dropped to eighth place in last year’s survey, the German market was back in second place, securing 11 per cent of the student body. But it wasn’t enough to usurp the British contingent who polled first again with 16 per cent. Student numbers from North American (10 per cent) and South American (11 per cent) countries remained consistent with our previous survey. However, Mexican students – who polled second last year with 11 per cent (see LTM, January 2009, pages 26-27) – were outside the top 10 this year. Meanwhile, Australia – a country that barely made a mark last year – climbed to fourth place with eight per cent. It should be noted that 83 per cent of all Australasian respondents attended the same school.
Student motivation
This year, 36 per cent of all Feedback respondents said that they currently used French for study purposes in their home country – a marked decrease on last year’s 64 per cent. A further 23 per cent said that they used it in the workplace. A majority of respondents (37 per cent), however, signalled they did not use French for anything at present. Interestingly, 27 per cent were said to be learning the language for travel purposes – a reason not cited in 2009.
Student enrolment
Those surveyed did not have a clear idea as to what city (49 per cent) or school (64 per cent) they wished to study in prior to booking their study abroad vacation. Consequently, a majority took heed of agent opinion (43 per cent compared with 53 per cent in 2009) or advice offered by family or friends (15 per cent). Just 13 per cent found their courses via the Internet last year, yet a hefty 34 per cent utilised the Internet for research purposes this year. Students from Western Europe were the most likely to utilise this method (76 per cent). Forty-four per cent of students booked directly via an agency.
Standard of the schools
Average class size was slightly more compact than last year, eight students per class compared with 11 in 2009. Sixty-eight per cent of all Feedback respondents said classes contained just the right number of students and mix of nationalities. A small proportion thought classes consisted of too many students (7.5 per cent) or too many students that spoke the same language (7.5 per cent), a majority of whom were either Japanese or American. Respondents were largely impressed with both the standard of teaching (90 per cent deemed it either excellent or good) and the level of academic programming (85 per cent rated it either excellent or good). A respectable 92 per cent said they would recommend their school to others.
Living in France
Sixty per cent of students who took part in our survey were of the opinion that the cost of living in France was higher than in their home countries. This is surprising considering a majority (42 per cent) hailed from countries that use the same currency (namely Western Europeans). The average cost of a one-week language course including accommodation was estimated to be e243 (US$360) compared with e333 (US$494) in 2009.
Thank you to the following schools for participating in our survey: Accent Français, Montpellier; Alfmed, Perpignan; CAREL, Royan; CLA - Universite de Franche-Comte, Bésançon; College International de Cannes, Cannes; ELFE, Paris; Escapade, Cannes la Bocca; Eurocentres, Rochelle; Eurocentres, Paris; Eurocentres, Amboise; IFALPES, Chambery; Institut Europeen de Français; Montpellier; Institut Parisien, Paris; Paris Langue, Paris; St Denis International School, Loches; LSF Montpellier, Montpellier; Ecole des Trois Ponts, Riorges, Alliance Française, Toulouse.
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Contact any advertiser in the this issue now
The following language schools, associations and accommodation providers advertised in the latest edition of Language Travel Magazine. If you would like more information on any of these advertisers, tick the relevant boxes, fill out your details and send.
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