Academic Focus
The Language and Culture program at Stendhal University – Grenoble 3 is designed for students who already have some background in French and are at the intermediate level or above. This program is most appropriate if you are interested in improving your French language skills while increasing your knowledge about French culture and history as well.
Students will enroll in a combination of language courses and electives, all of which are taught in French. French language courses focus on oral expression, vocabulary development, phonetics and listening comprehension. Intermediate students will complement their main language course with supplemental language courses in translation, vocabulary development and/or composition. In addition to language courses, students will typically select 3 electives. Electives are offered in a variety of subject areas related to the history, culture and art of France. While elective course options increase in proportion to your language level, all electives are designed to help you further expand your language skills while increasing your knowledge of the French culture.
Elective courses meet for a total of 22 or 30 contact hours, which are generally worth 1.5 or 2 credits, respectively, in the U.S. semester system. Contact hours for the language courses vary based on language level but are typically 90 or 150 hours. This generally equates to 6 or 10 credits, respectively, in the U.S. semester system. Students typically earn 14.5 to 16.5 credits for the entire semester program. Note, it is up to the discretion of your academic advisor how much credit will be awarded.
Schedule Summary
Language and elective courses meet Monday through Friday and class times vary. A student’s individual schedule will not be finalized until registration takes place onsite. Students should expect to be in class 16 to 20 hours per week.
Course Registration
You will begin your session with a placement exam. 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 during the first week of school. Students who do not test at the intermediate level or higher will not be allowed to participate and will be moved into the Intensive Language program (additional fees apply). 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.
