Information for term Summer Intensive French Language
Application deadline, and cost information.
Overview
Click to OpenImmerse yourself in the medieval flavor, idyllic setting, and rich culture of Rennes, the capital of Brittany. Here, you'll have the unique opportunity to discover Brittany's historical culture and broad heritage while polishing your intermediate to advanced French language skills.
This eight-week Intensive French Language program allows you to develop a deeper understanding of French history, culture, and society as you explore common themes throughout your courses. All courses are complemented with weekly co-curricular visits to the city's wide variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
You'll be in good company in the old city center of Rennes, as 30% of the population is students. Explore the charming timber houses, cafés, narrow streets, and stone roads by day. Experience the vibrant nightlife and visit the theater, opera, orchestra, and cinemas by night. Summer is a charming time to visit Rennes, particularly in July when the "Festival des Tombées de la Nuit" packs the streets with people enjoying meals in outdoor cafes and free entertainment.
Follow our Travels:
Unique Experiences
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Live with a French family
and share daily meals with them.
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Take language classes
that are perfect for your level.
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Volunteer
to help the local community.
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residents in Rennes
210K -
universities
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technology companies
303
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
The capital of Brittany is a perfect blend of city and small-town life. Located just an hour and a half west of Paris by train and an hour from the sea, Rennes is known for its technology and dynamic economy. The city is consistently rated as one of the best places to live in France and provides study abroad students the opportunity to learn the distinct Celtic traditions particular to this region of France. The half-timbered medieval houses in the historic center contribute to the city’s aesthetic charms and contrast with more recent and modern urban architecture. Rennes' 60,000-strong student population gives the city a young and vibrant feel, with a rich variety of cultural events. Despite its small size, Rennes has everything a big city would offer and MORE: arts, food, sports, festivals, concerts, shopping, urban life, country life, and nature. There is always something going on in Rennes! What students like about Rennes is its human scale: the city is not too big, not too small, safe, and accessible thanks to its excellent bus metro transport system. After a couple of days in Rennes, students can navigate the city very easily, and within just a few weeks develop new routines and seek their soon-to-be favorite crêperies, bakeries, cafés, and boutiques! The city is well connected thanks to its conveniently located small international airport with destinations to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Lisbon, London, Prague, Rome, and a European train station.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Rennes.
The Culture
FEATURED EXCURSION
Mont Saint-Michel, a UNESCO World Heritage site allows students to explore the abbey and the citadel, walk in the pilgrims’ footsteps through the sands and rivers of the bay, learn how to avoid quicksand, and explore a unique ecosystem and landscape constantly renewed by the tides and the winds.
OTHER EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Indulge in delectable crêpes and other regional specialties and become familiar with Rennes by involving your senses: observation, taste, smell, and hearing.
- Embark on a journey through time as you explore Medieval walled cities such as Fougères, Dinan, or Vannes.
- Get away to Nantes and discover the Galerie des Machines, a bestiary of machines inspired by the imaginary world of the writer Jules Verne.
- Explore the walled city of Saint-Malo, admire the view from its ramparts, and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches in France!
PROJECTS
- Peer-to-peer tutoring. Volunteer at the Franco-American Institute in Rennes – the last remaining bi-national institute in France – and brush up on your language skills by chatting with French conversation partners
- Volunteering. Give back to the host community by helping French children with their English. Students can also go green as they work on the rehabilitation of shared community gardens or help at the Human Kit Fab Lab and advocate for “handicap empowerment”.
Program Blogs
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Daily Life
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HOUSING
All housing is within a 15- to 40-minute commute to CIEE.
Homestays: Live with a French family, in Rennes or a close suburb, and immerse yourself in the language and culture. Students have their own rooms.
Studio apartments: Students can live in a studio apartment in a residence, with or without another CIEE students, equipped with private kitchenette and bathroom.
Housing is tight in Rennes. If we can’t accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.
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MEALS
Homestays: Students typically have weekday breakfasts and dinners, and all weekend meals (included in the program fee) with their host family. On weekdays, students are responsible for their lunch, which may be purchased at local cafés, boulangeries, crêperies, or mini-markets downtown Rennes.
Studio apartments: Students living in a studio apartment are responsible for budgeting and preparing their own meals. Food can be purchased at a nearby supermarket, bakery, or outdoors market.
Rennes, France Where You'll Study
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INSTITUTE LANGUE ET COMMUNICATION OF RENNES
RENNES
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
The CIEE Summer Intensive French Language program in Rennes is geared toward students with intermediate- to advanced-level French skills who want to make significant gains in French language in a short period of time. Students take three French language courses, focused on language, oral communication, and reading and writing. All CIEE courses are taught by professors who specialize in second-language teaching methodology at a private institute conveniently located in the city’s historic center. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
Before the start of the program, students must have completed three semesters of college-level French or equivalent and must take an online preliminary language placement test.
Students agree to speak only French during the program to encourage language and cultural acquisition.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
3 semesters of college-level French or equivalent.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
Three language classes at their level (intermediate or advanced); language placement test will determine the level.
Program Credit
Total credit: 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits
Course Credit
- CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 contact hours
- Intermediate French Oral Communication and Advanced French Oral Communication courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
In general, professors in France are more formal than in the United States, however, they will be accessible and will provide some individual attention to students. French professors put great emphasis on students’ ability to demonstrate logical thinking, produce well-structured arguments (both in writing and in speaking), and conform to a certain extent to French methodology. The courses build upon the knowledge that students have acquired and progressively introduce them to the more advanced nuances and complexities involved in a deeper understanding and use of the French language. This is achieved in part by reinvesting learning processes through structural exercises, games, special projects, and group and sub-group activities using authentic and didactic documents (press articles, excerpts of informational, argumentative, and literary documents, theatrical papers, digital sources, radio and television shows, film clips and songs). Throughout their courses, students explore common themes (l’Histoire, les Arts, les Loisirs, l’Environnement, les Media, l'Engagement Citoyen, Progrès et Nouvelles Technologies)) and thus develop a deeper understanding of France and Brittany's history, culture, and society.
Class Format
Classes meet 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:15 - 2:45 p.m., Monday through Friday (note: Friday afternoons are free). The curriculum is augmented with out-of-the-classroom co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering. Hence, students take part in workshops or visit places of cultural interest related to the studied theme with their professor in lieu of some afternoon classes. Professors distribute a detailed syllabus indicating course materials, assignment and exam dates, and expectations. Students should expect daily homework. Attendance is mandatory and absences will impact the final grade.
Grading
Assessment is typically based on homework, essays, tests, oral presentations, out-of-class project reports, participation, and final exams. Students can expect at least two major exams (midterm and final). Teachers notice when students are absent, and this can affect grades. Professors use a French grading scale of 0 to 20. All final grades are converted into U.S. letter grades.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
French
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Summer 2023 CIEE Courses
Click to OpenNote: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- CIEE Stem Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 8 weeks | Deadline Passed | May 22, 2023 | Jul 17, 2023 |
$8,450
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Program FeesCIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel insurance with benefits. Participation Confirmation = $300 * Educational Costs = $6,423 ** Housing = $1,530 *** Insurance = $197 Total Fees = $8,450Estimated CostsStudents are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration. Meals not included in program fee = $450 † International Airfare = $1,200 Local Transportation = $77 Books & Supplies = $30 Personal expenses = $750 Other = $55 Total Estimated Costs = $2,562Financial AidCIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants. This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time. Students required by their US home institution to study abroad via CIEE's School of Record will be charged a $500 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed. * non-refundable ** direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students *** includes all meals † Students living with a host family should only budget for their lunches Monday-Friday. Students living in a studio apartment are responsible for purchasing and preparing their own meals and should budget a minimum of $360 /month additionally. |
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
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What's Included
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Our Staff
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Daniel Audaz
Director
Daniel Audaz has been the Director of the CIEE program in Rennes since 2008. He is responsible for all aspects of program delivery. He is originally from Marseille and studied at the University of Aix-en-Provence (France) where he obtained his M.A. in Geography and then specialized in FLE/S (Français Langue Etrangère et Seconde). He then moved to the U.S. to complete his Ph.D. coursework in Second Language Acquisition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Get Started
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1
START AN APPLICATION
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.