Academic Focus
The Language and Culture program at the University Paul Cézanne Aix – Marseille III is designed for students who are interested in studying French language and culture while experiencing everything Aix-en-Provence has to offer. All classes are taught in French and are available to students of various language levels from high beginner to superior.
Students will enroll in one French language courses and choose between 2 to 4 electives. French language courses focus on oral expression, vocabulary development and listening comprehension. Electives are content courses focused on subjects such as phonetics, writing workshops, translation, literature, European politics, music and culture. All electives are designed to help you further expand your language skills while increasing your knowledge of the French culture. While elective course options increase in proportion to your language level, there are options for students of all levels. By immersing yourself in an entirely French learning environment, you will further expand your language skills and increase your knowledge of French culture and history.
All elective courses meet for a total of 26 contact hours, which are generally worth 2 credits in the US semester system. Contact hours for the language courses vary based on language level but typically range between 130 and 156 hours. This generally equates to 8 and 10 credits in the US semester system. Note, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how much credit will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
French language courses meet 4 or 5 days per week. Classes can be scheduled at any time from 8 am in the morning to 7 pm in the evening. Each class meeting is 2 to 3 hours long. Electives meet once a week for 2 hours. Students will be in class for 14 – 20 hours a week depending on what level they are in and how many electives they choose.
Course Registration
You will begin your session with a computerized placement test. You will be placed in a language class with other students of your own language level. You will then select electives from a list of electives taught at your particular language level. Students will only be able to select electives taught at their particular language level, and they can only choose electives that do not conflict with the time of the language class. Timetables will be shared onsite during the registration process. The Language & Culture program offers courses at four different language levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced and superior. In order to ensure that you receive credit for the level that you place into, it is in your best interest to have courses at several levels approved by your academic advisor prior to departure.
