French Language Courses

Most INPL courses are taught in French. Therefore a good operational command of the French language is necessary. INPL offers several possibilities of improving the students’ knowledge of the French language either before the beginning of the academic year or during the stay.

CAFOL

French language and cultural courses are offered year around by the CAFOL, an organization created by INPL in 1983.

Semestrial courses

1st semester : 12 weeks, from mid October to the end of January
2nd semester : 12 weeks, from end of  February to end of May

Intensive Course for beginners, post-beginners, pre-intermediate, intermediate, advanced and very advanced (C1/C2) adult learners.

Training in the 4 skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Introduction to French civilisation and culture (cinema, music, the regions of France, cuisine…). A CAFOL certificate is awarded at the end of the course.

20 hrs per week including

16 class hours
access to the language resource centre
DAFLEU course : preparation course for the “Diplôme d’Aptitude à la pratique du Français Langue Etrangère en contexte Universitaire” (Diploma in French as a Foreign Language for University Students).

Other French courses

This course is open to undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students having reached the pre-intermediate level in French. The objective of the course is to give students the language skills required to attend a French university. This intensive course lasts one or two semesters depending on the level of the applicants. Each semester comprises 240 class hours and 60 guided self-study hours supervised by a tutor. Students are trained in general French and in French for special purposes. Students sit for the DAFLEU examination at the end of the course.

20 hrs per week including

• 16 class hours
• access to the language resource centre

Success in the examination may be required for students from non-partner universities who wish to apply for certain INPL programs.

Evening classes
These classes are open to intermediate to advanced adult learners, including students, researchers, au-pair girls, etc., wishing to improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills as well as their knowledge of French culture. Authentic documents provide the basis for the course. A CAFOL certificate is awarded at the end of the course.

6 week course (24 hours) : 2 class hours twice-weekly (6-8 pm)

Learners can attend 2 or more courses throughout the year.

Summer courses (mid july to end of September)
Intensive course
Students can register on a weekly basis but we recommend the 3-week, 7-week, and 10-week packages. Beginners are advised to attend the whole course.
20 hrs per week including

• 16 class hours
• 1 cultural activity
• access to the language resource centre

Semi-intensive course
12 hrs per week including

• 10 class hours
• access to the language resource centre

Preparation course for university studies in France (first three weeks of September)
This course is open to all foreign students wishing to practise note taking, report writing, listening to lectures, reading, interacting in class …:
3 intensive weeks including

16 class hours
1 cultural activity
access to the language resource centre
For further information and prices, please consult the CAFOL web site or contact cafol@mines.inpl-nancy.fr

Most INPL schools offer free French courses to their foreign and Erasmus students. Those courses are part of the curriculum of the schools. Detailed information can be obtained directly from the Director of international relations of the school concerned.