Euro languages college vs Living Languages

leimmxvii

I'm currently in fifth year and studying higher level french. I got a B in the junior cert but really want an A1 (it will be H1) in my leaving cert in 2017. Going on the intensive course to France with Living Languages is very expensive, but are the ELC courses worth while or just a doss?
Willing to hear any ones past experiences or opinions. Thanks

koolis02

The best way, and one of the most inexpensive ways to improve your french is a homestay in France. I've done a language course in France, albeit not with living languages, and i did a homestay in France too and the homestay helped improve my french the most. Language courses will always have english speakers, and you're more inclined to speak english with them rather than french, whereas in a homestay you're pretty much forced to speak french! :P If you want more details PM me

Consonata

Do some research into the ELC if you get the chance. They can be sometimes cheaper than doing an exchange in France and you get Leaving Cert specific classes where you cover topics on the LC course such as Drugs and the environment. I did the French course in Clongowes and loved it, learned loads, might be going back for summer work.

otpmb

I did two ELC courses one after 5th year and one after 6th year they're pretty well done but, the one I did after 5th year in Clongowes was the best. The courses are very much tailored towards the leaving cert. I don't know much about Living Languages but a few of my friends went to France doing courses like that and found them great too. You could also work as an au pair during the summer, it's definitely one of the best ways to improve your oral French. If you already have a decent standard of Oral French you could apply to ELC to work as an assistant, you basically get to do the course for free and in return you help out around the college (unfortunately they have a lot of applicants for their french courses, so it's hard to get chosen). PM me if you'd like to know more about ELC.

Wanderer41

I went to Euro Languages in 2nd year for French. I found it to be quite good but you need to make an effort to speak the language, otherwise it's a waste of money. Find a group of friends who are motivated, I was in a group and we would usually try our best, even if it was just one or two words in a sentence (but this was Junior Cert.). I thought it was good fun too.
I had hoped to do an exchange or a homestay in France but in the end I didn't get to go. I got an A1 in higher level French for the Leaving Cert without ever going to France or doing a course after that first one for Junior Cert, so it is possible. Two friends did a homestay for a few weeks but they didn't really learn much, but you will only benefit if you put the effort in. If you make an effort, either will be beneficial. Of course with a homestay you are completely immersed which would be excellent.

otpmb

Wanderer41 wrote: »

I went to Euro Languages in 2nd year for French. I found it to be quite good but you need to make an effort to speak the language, otherwise it's a waste of money. Find a group of friends who are motivated, I was in a group and we would usually try our best, even if it was just one or two words in a sentence (but this was Junior Cert.). I thought it was good fun too.

It's stricter for the senior cycle AFAIK, if you're caught speaking english (a sentence as opposed to a word) more than once you will be expelled [no exceptions], and even then after a week they usually get pretty annoyed if you put in an english word for a french word you don't know, they expect you to point or mime what you mean or use your dictionary. None of the assistants or teachers will speak to you in english (unless it's an emergency) and you have to keep your room door slightly ajar so they can hear what you're saying. Staff can be pretty sneaky especially if they know you're not making an effort and will pull you up over it. Don't worry about going with friends, most people are there to improve their French and will be alone.

Colsin91

I went to ELC twice as a student and twice as a helper. It was pretty expensive to attend. I feel that I benefited as much from being a helper, as a student. However, the classes were not as good for the helpers versus the students. I really feel that ELC helped me linguistically, and I thank them for my A1 in the leaving very and 1:1 in my French module in college.

I worked as an Au Pair in the South of France after LC. While there is no denying the benefit of this linguistically, I feel that Host Families can really demand their pound of flesh. I earned €75 p/w minding the children from 8-5, with one evening as a babysitter. It felt like a lot of responsibility for an 18 year old. I was grateful for my keep and the family and I got on like house and fire, but I felt like they were getting more out of the situation than I was. Furthermore, the Host Family expected me to speak English with the children, which compromised my ability to learn French. Overall, I would prefer to work as a Helper in ELC versus working as an Au Pair.

I would highly recommend ELC