Semester course - business French and French civilization (S21)
Period
Autumn
Duration
Semi-annual
Required levels
B1 to C1
VISA
Yes
Taking a 12-week business French course offers many advantages for individuals seeking to improve their professional French skills. This program offers a combination of French language instruction, phonetics, lectures on French civilization, and sessions dedicated to professional speaking and writing.
By taking this business French and French civilization course, international students gain a solid foundation for mastering the French language and acquire business-specific vocabulary, learn appropriate grammar, and perfect their pronunciation. Phonetics courses help students pronounce words correctly and improve their listening comprehension, with phonetic labs providing practical exercises to refine pronunciation. This business French course includes lectures on French civilization that offer a deeper understanding of French culture, history, and customs. This can be particularly useful for those who regularly interact with French/French-speaking business partners. The 12-week course includes sessions on professional speaking, covering areas such as job interviews, annual evaluations, meetings, and telephone conversations. Students learn to communicate effectively in a professional context.
Students also focus on writing resumes, cover letters, administrative emails, reports, and summaries. Learners acquire essential skills to produce high-quality professional documents.
Through the analysis of articles from the economic and professional press, students learn to decipher and understand specialized articles, thus improving their understanding of the business environment. The multiple skills acquired during these courses are a major asset in the job market, especially for those working in international companies or in contact with French-speaking clients. In addition, business French courses often bring together professionals from various backgrounds, thus offering students the opportunity to network and develop their professional network.
Course Objectives
This formula offers language courses that allow students to progress in their mastery of French and business language, while enriching their experience with the cultural contributions of French civilization lectures.
Detailed Program
This course is offered every year in September according to the reference calendar available in the downloadable brochure.
The business French course is offered from Monday to Friday for 12 weeks:
- French language and business French courses from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (10 hours per week, or 120 hours in total).
- Phonetics courses in the laboratory (5 hours every other week, or 30 hours in total).
- Access to French civilization lectures (9 hours per week for 10 weeks, or 90 hours in total).
Depending on the levels and needs of the class group, the following are covered:
- Professional speaking (job interview, annual performance review, meeting, telephone conversation).
- Professional writing (resume, cover letter, administrative emails, report, summary).
- Analysis of articles from the economic and professional press.
The phonetics courses in the laboratory (30 hours in total) also allow students to improve their pronunciation, as well as their comprehension and expression.
Highlights
- A communicative approach focused on language structures is favored.
- Numerous role-playing and simulation exercises are practiced in class.
- The cultural contribution of French civilization lectures.
Assessment & Certification
- Continuous assessment (regular evaluation of work and progress).
- A language certificate is issued upon successful completion.
- A certificate from the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne attesting to the number of course hours attended is issued at the end of the semester.
Target Audience
This course is aimed at foreign university students who come to Paris for exchange programs or short-term higher education and/or local students in Paris.
Prerequisites
A language level of B1 is required to participate in this course.
You must be at least 18 years old and hold a diploma or certificate of completion of secondary education.
Depending on the level chosen, you must also be in compliance with residency formalities (nationality, visa, residence permit, etc.).
Course Materials
Course textbooks, audio and visual materials, exercise books, reading books, access to online resources, communication materials, cultural materials, and materials for group activities.
Visa
This course meets the criteria for obtaining a student visa for students from outside the European Union.
Registration Procedures
- A B1 level is required to register for this course.
- Admission to the course is only final once payment is complete (at least one month before the start of the course) and after validation of the registration file.
- A certificate of registration is issued after payment of a deposit and presentation of administrative documents (copy of identity document, translation of secondary school leaving certificate, identity photo).
- A mandatory online placement test assigns a level to students before the start of the course. A supplementary test may be requested from the student in certain specific cases.
- Registration is done online or directly at the institution’s admissions office by paying a 30% deposit of the course price.
- An annual registration fee of 75 euros is applied upon registration.
Detailed information on registration procedures can be found here.
