International House World Organisation is proud to welcome five France Langue schools to the network - IH Paris, IH Bordeaux, IH Biarritz, IH Lyon, and France Langue IH Nice Libération.

France Langue is a well-established institution in the French education sector with more than 40 years of experience in teaching French as a foreign language and 8000 students trained every year. International House is a highly respected brand in the international languages industry with nearly 70 years of expertise in teaching languages and training teachers.

Beccy Wigglesworth, Director of Member Services, says “We are delighted to welcome the France Langue schools to the network. We are confident that the strength and depth of IH expertise will complement IH France Langue’s experience in the French language market and both organisations will benefit.”  

David Sampere, General Manager, at France Langue adds “We are delighted to finally became part of this association and put the beautiful IH logo in Paris (once again). France Langue will be an active member of the association, always looking to the future and working on improving the teaching and the marketing of the schools and the sector itself.”

Students choosing either IH Paris, IH Bordeaux, IH Biarritz, IH Lyon, or France Langue IH Nice Libération, will benefit from an authentic French experience, with each school celebrating the unique culture of its surrounding city. The school in Paris is located in a protected historical building in the heart of the Latin Quarter, facing Notre Dame Cathedral. In Biarritz, programmes can consist of both French and surfing classes. Students at the Bordeaux centre are offered vineyard tours as an afternoon activity. In Nice, students are immersed in the Mediterranean culture with opportunities to explore the region and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais. In the cultural and historical hub of Lyon, the school is just a short walk from the medieval old town and at the centre of the bustling day-to-day activity.

The Paris, Nice and Biarritz schools have held the Qualité Français Langue Étrangère for many years, a quality label issued by a French government commission. France Langue is a Study Travel Superstar and has received the “Best French School” award. It is part of IALC and Campus France and is actively involved in all bodies and major international events concerning French as a foreign language.

France Langue was established in 1976 when the group consisted of two schools, Paris and Nice. Between 2010 and 2015, M. Rousseau incorporated the Bordeaux Language School (with centres in Bordeaux and Biarritz) and the Institut Parisien into France Langue. 4 became 5 in 2019 with the addition of the school in Lyon. Today, the five schools are in the country’s five major cities.

The group originally decided to start but the upheaval of the Covid pandemic put a halt to proceedings. The pandemic was instrumental in the current success of the business as the team learned the importance of reinventing the business and adapting it to match the needs of the students. France Langue bounced back with new projects and a new network to develop its international presence.

Receiving the recognition and quality seal that comes with the International House affiliation was the next logical step for the France Langue group, an organisation that already had many prestigious accolades. The schools will be able to expand with access to new markets and the opportunity to diversify their programs and teach a wider variety of languages.

The France Langue schools offer a wide range of French courses, catering to different age groups and needs. Programs vary according to the purpose (general French, French & lifestyle, professional French and exam preparation) and according to the student’s profile (family, junior or au pair). For those students taking a course as part of their holiday, France Langue provides low-intensity classes with a high variety of cultural and touristic activities. Their Study & Work program on the other hand is a full-time commitment focused on preparing students to enter the French workplace either as an intern or in a full-time position.

Most recently, France Langue has launched its University Pathway Program higher education preparation courses. The 6–8-month program offers academic and administrative support along with university guidance for international students wishing to apply to a French university or higher education institution. The initial focus is to ensure students have the required level of French to enter university, then it shifts to exam preparation ahead of the DELF/DALF entry exam and finally, the content will change to prepare students for their time at university and the necessary skills to understand a lecture and participate in discussions.

The schools offer a cultural program centred around getting an immersive experience in all things French. The schoolwide France Langue Movie club helps students improve their listening comprehension as well as understand the social and cultural context. Neighbourhood tours help students to get acquainted quickly with their surroundings and local produce tasting opens the door to a vital part of French culture, gastronomy! Out-of-city excursions take students to iconic locations around France, from the lavender fields of the Provence and the charming island of Mont-Saint-Michel to the wine estates of Bordeaux and adventures into the Basque country and the Alps.