There are still choices available to you if you wish to live and study in France but don’t speak the language. For people without language skills, there are complete degrees and short-term programs offered around France in English.
If you’ve always wanted to study abroad in France, you might be concerned that your French isn’t fluent enough to participate in university classes with French students. You might believe that if you travel to France, you would embarrass yourself, flunk your classes, and be forced to repeat an entire semester of classes once you return home.
Let me let you in on a little secret: Even if you only speak English, you may still study abroad in France! There are still plenty of opportunities in France for you to study abroad even if your French isn’t perfect if you are more interested in French culture than the language. Who knows how? The information you need to study in France without speaking French is listed in the paragraphs that follow.
Important Things to Think About When Selecting a French Study Abroad Program
- Outside of France’s major cities, you generally won’t find too many English-speaking people. While finding English-language coursework and even a boulanger or doctor who speaks the language isn’t too difficult in Paris, speaking English will be far more difficult in smaller French villages and cities. If your language abilities are truly nonexistent and you must stick to English at all costs, stay in English-speaking areas like Paris or Lyon.
- Language of Instruction in the Classroom: One benefit of participating in a study abroad program is that you can choose the program type that best suits your interests. If your French skills are bust (and you’re not interested in perfecting them), consider choosing a program who’s courses are all in English. Your university’s faculty-led programs may also be able to assist you in navigating the complex French bureaucracies.
- Housing Options: Take into account overcoming potential language difficulties in your other predicted environments because the majority of your day will be spent outside of the classroom. Finding a program with housing alternatives that are English-friendly is a fantastic place to start. Consider living in an apartment with other American program participants or a dorm with international students. If you are anxious about communicating in French, think about creating a familiar environment in your home, as your housemates are probably going to be your first group of pals.
Language abilities are basically simply the cherry on top if you’re majoring in anything else. Therefore, you can definitely discover ways to study in France in English, unless your home university requires you to take courses in French or finish a specific number of foreign language credits.
Take classes at the American University of Paris
The American University of Paris, or AUP, is exactly what it claims it is: a recognized American institution of higher learning that just so happens to be situated in Paris. It’s a terrific place to learn English abroad in France because the entire program is offered in English, and it’s eligible for federal financial aid and student loans.
AUP offers a variety of humanities majors in addition to the required French courses for undergraduates. You can study at AUP for a semester or a whole year by enrolling directly or by taking part in one of their many exchange programs and alliances with other American colleges.
Direct Enrollment at Sciences Po
The Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, also known as Sciences Po, is distinctive for three reasons.
Open to undergraduates, it is a semi-grande école, or renowned French institution, that is only accessible through entrance exam. (The majority of French grandes écoles, including the ENS, are for master’s degree and higher.)
Since all of its third-year students are required to study abroad, Sciences Po receives hundreds of students on exchange every year from throughout the globe.
Candidates for Sciences Po are expected to have outstanding English skills, hence the institution provides a wide variety of English-language courses to both native students and guests.
Many American institutions have direct exchange programs with Sciences Po, however you must enroll for a full year because their semesters span from October to January and February to June.
Pick a provider of the program
Students may decide to work with a program provider rather than enrolling directly in a university. For those looking to study abroad, program providers provide specialized experiences and additional support. Some program providers have connections with universities where participants can study electives in a variety of areas, including English, if they so choose.
For instance, CEA offers English-language courses in political science, photography, art history, and other subjects in Paris. Similar to this, ISA sends students to Lille or Paris to study law, business, science, and engineering.
Although employing a program provider is typically more expensive, it can be a simpler procedure than direct enrollment and may come with benefits like accommodation, visa assistance, and airport pickup. A program provider can be the ideal option for students who have never been overseas or who just need extra guidance.