CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Rennes, France

  France

• Other Cities in France: 
Rennes

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 16 weeks: late Aug-mid-Dec; Spring 19 weeks: early Jan-late May; Academic Year 2009-10 38 weeks: late Aug-late May

Description: This Liberal Arts program has three main goals: to increase language ability for intermediate and advanced intermediate students; to increase knowledge about France and French culture; and to offer students with an adequate level of French language ability the opportunity to take University courses alongside French students. These goals are achieved through intensive language coursework, humanities coursework, and cultural activities throughout the semester.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center in Rennes began in 1971, and is geared to students with intermediate French skills interested in perfecting their language skills through a combination of French language and content courses taken at the CIREFE and the opportunity to take regular university courses at the Université de Haute Bretagne Rennes II (UHB). During the first three weeks, students take an intensive CIEE language and culture course consisting of 30 hours of language and civilization coursework and 10 hours of cross-cultural analysis and cultural adaptation seminars. Immediately following this intensive program, and based on the results of a placement exam, students enroll in
CIREFE and UHB classes.

Academic Culture
Higher education in France is divided into three stages, the licence, masters, and doctorat. French students specialize in a particular discipline at the outset of their university studies, with a prescribed set of courses in their discipline and a limited choice of electives. Professors in France tend to be more formal than in the U.S. and do not see it as their role to give encouragement or individual attention to students. Instead, they see themselves as specialists who are there to impart their knowledge. As a result, French students are generally very self-disciplined and do not expect to be motivated by their instructors, but rather judge a course by the quality and quantity of information taught.

CIREFE, where CIEE students take the majority of their classes, does provide more individual attention to international students. However, students must still have a more independent, self-motivated attitude. Teachers do notice when students are absent, which can affect their grade. Also, syllabi are seldom as detailed as in the U.S. and students need to be able to figure out for themselves what is important, what should be memorized, etc. All CIREFE courses are taught in French. A strong emphasis is placed on writing skills, more so than in the U.S. One reason is that many international students in CIREFE classes go on to study at a French university, and therefore need to have an excellent command of the written language for their course work and future professional endeavors. Secondly, the core language class in each level emphasizes written French. And finally, a students written work is considered to be a more reliable indicator of their overall competency in French as a foreign language. Thus, you will find that the French professors are particularly concerned with your ability to demonstrate logical thinking, produce well-structured arguments, and conform to French methodology

Classes in which CIEE students enroll meet Monday through Friday, with excursions on some weekends. Students usually attend two, two-hour classes per day. Students are expected to complete all of the work given and take exams when scheduled. Advanced students may enroll in one or two courses at UHB and must sit lectures, take notes, complete assigned work, and take exams. Special exams are given if the exam period falls outside the CIEE program dates.

Highlights:

• Opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the French people and fluency in the French language
  
• Student teaching internships in a primary, middle, or secondary school
  
• Three-day orientation in Paris prior to arrival in Rennes
  
• Homestay with a French family

Immersion
Advanced French Track
For students who have at least six semesters of college-level French and place into CIREFE's autonomie level, the CIEE Study Center in Rennes offers an opportunity to pursue an advanced track of study. Levels and placement are determined by performance on a placement test. Students who qualify for and pursue the advanced track have the opportunity to choose among a host of social science and humanities courses at the UHB or the Philosophy Department at Rennes I.

Internship
Students can participate in a teaching internship in a primary, middle, or secondary school. This is a great way for students to learn more about the educational system in France and become involved with the community, while earning credit through Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Interested students must enroll in one methodology course conducted in French. Students are responsible for preparing a one-hour lesson in English per week. The final grade is based on lesson plans, homework assignments, and class observations. The Resident Director or Internship Supervisor oversees the experience and evaluates the student's performance. Students will receive 3 credit hours. Students seeking credit for this experience must obtain written approval from their home institution prior to arrival.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing

Experience Required: yes