Chicago Sun Times
"Studying in France
can be winner" by Barbara Yarrob "...
VILLEFRANCHE SUR MER, France - "Est-ce que vous parlez
français ?" So nice of you to ask me if I speak French.
It gives me a chance to tell you about a glorious
vacation-cum-learning experience I've had in this
enchanting town on the French Riviera.
But before I tell you
my tale, let me answer your question : oui, je
parle Français (Yes, I speak French).
I acquired this knowledge
while having more fun than I've had in ages. I did
it while spending four delightful weeks in my favorite
place in the world... but this trip was different
for me because I took it specifically to study French
at the Institut de Français in Villefranche.
Once at school, only
French was permitted. Students were subject to a fine
of two francs whenever they were caught speaking anything
else.
Only a few of us were
there for the pure pleasure of learning a language.
Most of the people were sent to the school by their
businesses or were members of the diplomatic corps
in their respective countries. For instance, there
was Helen, a Dane with the European Economic Commission
in Luxembourg; Christian, a commercial attache with
the Austrian Embassy in Cairo; Britson, an Australian
diplomat assigned to Algeria, and Christine who was
being transferred to the New Zealand Embassy in Paris.
The school itself was
a dream of a place - a renovated stone villa in the
provincial style with arched windows and flower-decked
balconies.
Admittedly, I should have studied more. But
then I wouldn't have had time for sipping wine in outdoor
cafes, shopping in Nice, visiting art museums, discovering
lovely places like St Paul-de-Vence, having dinner in
Bif, or driving with friends across the border to Italy
for a picnic..."
