Alpadia Language Schools, Lyon, France

With over 20 years of experience helping students progress their language skills to the next level, Swiss-based Alpadia is known for excellence in language education. Inspired by the multilingual and multicultural communities across Switzerland, Alpadia offers 16 year-round language programs in addition to various summer camps around the European continent. Students at each campus leave with a firmer understanding of their studied language, as well as with a tight-knit group of international friends thanks to small class sizes. Students are also given the opportunity to participate in a university placement or internship thanks to the school’s efforts to combine practical application with language-learning prestige. At Alpadia Lyon, students get the opportunity to learn French in a historic building on the narrow strip of land between the Rhone River and the Saone River. Due to pedestrian areas near the school, students can easily walk to many of Lyon's best shopping areas, cafes, and landmarks, and Lyon's main square is just across the Rhone River. After walking ten minutes across a bridge on the Saone River, students will find the Vieux Lyon Renaissance district with its Old World mansions, stylish cafes, museums, and the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral and astronomical clock. A little further, and students can ride a funicular and take in the views from Fourvière and the Notre Dame Basilica at the top of the hill. For any sites that are further out, such as the Parc de la Tete d'Or, both a metro stop and a bus stop are within five minutes of the school. Courses available at Alpadia Lyon include general French classes with a choice of 20-30 lessons per week, private tutoring, and exam preparation for the DELF/DALF and TCF language exams. Students are welcome to stay in the school's residence hall, the school's student apartments, or with a local host family who will help the student adapt to life in France.