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FAQ

Do they need special material for horse-riding, sailing and adventure-programmes ?

One month before the start of the course, you will receive a detailed list of what they need to bring (luggage-list). Special gear for climbing, wet suits etc...is always provided by us.

Does everyone in the group bring a friend ? Or, are some of the students alone ?

Some of the students know someone else in the group : a friend, a brother/sister, someone they met the previous year... It is sometimes a comforting tought to have a familiar person around, especially when they are away from home for the first time. However, in each group there are many students who are alone. Our experience is that they get acquainted with other participants very quickly and easily. Many times, upon arrival , they have already found (a) friend(s). Students who come alone often find that they make friends more easily, because they are open to EVERYBODY in the group, rather than concentrating on that one person they knew in advance. Of course, our teachers follow each individual very closely and they make sure that everyone feels happy in the group. If there is a problem, parents are contacted right away.

My son/daughter has a good theoretical knowledge of French, very good grades at school but is afraid to speak.

One of the great advantages of taking a language course in France is that the students are continuously in a French environment. They hear French all the time and they are motivated to speak French as well. During classes, we mainly focus on communicative skills. We work with small groups, formed after a test and based on their knowledge of French. The excersises we give are adapted to their level. We do a lot of games, we work around subjects that interest them and let them speak a lot. Students who are afraid to speak French will soon find out that everyone makes mistakes and that learning French can be fun. The activities we organize in the afternoon are very exciting so that students forget their fear of speaking and stop worrying about making mistakes all the time ...

My son/daughter needs a lot of sleep. Can you make sure she can go to bed at a decent hour ?

Juniors (12 to 14 years) go to bed at 11 pm. Youngsters (15 to 18 years) are not forced to go to sleep at that time. However, we invite them to go sleep at a reasonable time and latest 1 am is time to go to bed for all.

We have planned a holiday in Provence and would like to bring our child to your course centre and pick him/her up at the end. When does he/she have to arrive and leave ?

The course will begin at 19 h the first day, so please try to be there between 16 and 18 h. The last day, you can pick up your child from 12 till 14 h. If for any reasons you can not match this schedule, please contact us. With the practical information we send you a detailed road description which will enable you to find our youngsters centre in Greoux-les-Bains easily.

My son/daughter is a vegetarian. Is that a problem ?

No, we cater for vegetarians. Is is necessary to know it in advance though. Also, if there are specific requirements regarding nutrition, we ask you to inform us before the arrival.

How can I be sure that my son/daughter will always speak French during her stay ?

We offer a very intensive guidance : 4 to 5 teachers for a group of 20 students. Moreover, there are 4 French youngsters of the same age in each group. We spread them over the various rooms, so that they mix with the students.This gives a ratio of 1 native speaker for 2 students. Our strategy is to motivate our participants to speak French at all times. We have learnt that creating a nice ATMOSPHERE and REWARDING them for speaking French works better than PUNISHING and AUTHORIARIAN style.

Are your teachers native speakers ?

Our teachers and councellors are young French , dynamic people who are qualified to teach French to foreigners and used to work in summer-camps.

Are the youngsters left alone on some occasions ?

No, all activities and excursions are done as a group. The students are always accompanied by members of our team. Teenagers from 15 years on are allowed, during certain daytimevisits, to pass a little moment in a small group without staff. But never alone. Juniors 12-14, are never alone.

Can my son/daughter stay in the same room as his/her friend ?

By all means. Please mention this on your registration form, so that we can arrange it.

My son/daughter would like to come together with a friend, but I'm afraid that the two of them will continuously speak their own language rather than French.

During all activities and meals -this means from 9 am till 10 am- We speak all French together. We make an exception for the little moments youngsters are free (1 hour after lunch, 1 hour after dinner, and before breakfast in the room), at these moments they can speak any language. Of course, it will be not so easy for both of them to have to speak French with each other, especially in the beginning. Our teachers will react each time they don't speak French and motivate them to do so. We do this in a smooth way, without pressure. A good atmosphere, with lots of things to do in French, together with French youngsters is the best way to learn.

My son/daughter travels alone by plane. How can we be sure he/she will easily find CREA-LANGUES upon arrival at the airport ? Also, will you accompany and assist him/her with the departure ?

Upon arrival at the airport of Marseille , we shall await your son/daughter the moment he/she leaves the « passengers-only »-area. We’ll carry a sign with CREA-LANGUES on it + the name of your son/daughter. Upon departure, we shall accompany your child to the « check-in » and further till he/she goes through « security » and enters the « passengers-only »-area again.

Is there a safe/secure place at the camp for youngsters to leave their money and passports? I am just a bit concerned about her having to carry her passport with her all the time when they go on trips etc.

Upon arrival we ask them to deposit valuable things such as passports or money with us upon your arrival. We'll keep them safe for you, so that you won't have to carry them around with you during your stay.

Is it possible to send an message by e-mail to my son/daughter during the course ?

Yes, this will be explained on the pratical information we send out one month before the start of the course. Any messages we receive are placed in a special ‘mail-box’ at the centre. We ask you not to send heavy files with pictures and so on, just simple text. Your son/daughter will also have the chance to reply to your e-mails.

Can I bring my mobile phone ?

Yes, it is possible to bring it, but at your own risk of course. You can hand it over to us upon your arrival to keep it at a safe place and ask for it whenever you want to use it. Of course, you can only use it when you are free and not during activities and meals. Youngsters who arrive by plane or TGV are advised to give us their mobile number so that we can easily contact each other upon arrival if there would be a problem or delay.

I want my son/daughter to stay for a longer time span.

It is possible to take two consecutive courses. We do advise not to take twice the same programme though. There will be supervision at the course centre in-between both programmes. The Full board stay between two programms is free of charge.

Can my son/daughter wash clothes at the centre.

Only youngsters who take two consecutive courses can wash their clothes in-between both courses. Of course, if there is an accident, we’ll always give the necessary assistance.

If my son/daughter feels ill during the camp, what will happen ?

If a youngster is sick , the doctor linked to our centre will be called. We will see to it that he/she gets the necessary medication and it might be possible that he/she will have to stay in the ‘sick room’ for a while not to contaminate others or to get sufficient rest. If there would be an accident, we’ll take the child to the emergency at the closest hospital. In case of illness or accident, parents are informed immediatly. Ans are kept informed

What is the difference between the programme "Junior" and "Junior aventure" (12-14 yrs)?

Both programmes offer 3 hours of French lessons in the morning. In the afternoon they do a wide variety of activities and excursions in the region. With the ‘Junior aventure’ programme these activities are more adventurous and more with sports. On the other hand, the group ‘Junior’ can add an option ‘cheval’ which consists of 4 sessions of horseriding spread over the course. Also the accommodation is different. Participants to the group "Junior" stay in our centre "le Pavillon d’Aurabelle" in rooms of 5 to 6 persons with adjacent bathroom. Participants to the group ‘Junior aventure’ stay on the grounds of Aurabelle where we created a ‘place des aventuriers’ : 5 log cabins placed in a circle for 4 youngsters each. Each log cabin is comfortable with beds and storage room to put their things. Right next to it, there is a sanitary block with showers, toilets and sinks. This "place des aventuriers" is fenced in real Far West-style and has a giant hammock, a corner for camp fire etc...

In what consists the deep sea diving activity during the programme "Eau Vive" ?

During deep sea diving, one follows a very specific procedure that ensures total security. For most participants, this will be an initiation. They dive, with an instructor, to a depth between 3 and 6 meters. It depends on the participant. If the child is a bit afraid, we’ll limit the dive to 2 meters. It is an individual action, so we dive one by one, and it takes between 10 and 15 minutes. If the participant already has a level of diving, and he can present his diploma, the instructor will adapt his dive according to his level.

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