Cours de civilisation française de la Sorbonne

Personally, I had the most difficulty in preparing the 'Exposés' which every student have to present three time during the course. It appears simple and not fastidious for young generations which are adept at digital things(mostly power points), but very hard for me tempting me almost give up in the middle of the course. It was a point to that I couldn't deliver M. Fesquet at the last class due to lack of time. In my point of view, if he loosen these homeworks and can find alternatives that students feel more comfort, I am sure that more and more people, particularly at their 50 ties and 60 ties as myself will apply to his programme.

Firstly, it must be said that Professor Fesquet, who led the course, is an outstanding tutor. Never once, when I made mistakes, did he fail to encourage and he was ever positive. Encouragement is of vital importance: nobody wants or needs to be told he or she is an idiot! My broad perception of the course (Business French) was that the content was 80% basic French Grammar. It seemed to me that the business aspect depended, less on the teaching and more on the individual student's acumen and research and their ability to manipulate Microsoft's Power Point. In which my colleagues acumen far exceeded my own; all colleagues provided beautiful presentations while mine were pedestrian. This was offset by my linguistic ability (scoring 19 points out of 20 in the final examination) while my colleagues were less adept. If I have a point to make, I think that the course should concentrate, to a greater extent, on the business aspect: say 50 grammar/50 business. It would, for example have been positive to encounter real, live, French business people and to debate with them. All in all, an excellent experience for which I'm eternally grateful.

Once a week they provided a little breakfast in the mornings, great to try the food. My professors were great and really nice with foreigners. I got to explore many places! I had my class on the mornings and the afternoon free and the weekends free.