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Our Bordeaux Students
To enhance the learning experience of Alliance Française de Bristol students, a grant is offered to a limited number every year to live and learn French with Alliance Française de Bordeaux.
"Ever since I first heard of the possibility of obtaining a bourse to study French with l'Alliance Française de Bordeaux I dreamed that one day I might be chosen for this opportunity to immerse myself in the French language and culture for two weeks. I had spent several weeks on French exchanges as a teenager and ever since then had longed to be able to replicate that experience, as far as possible, as an adult. I also felt increasingly that I wanted the opportunity to use my knowledge of French in my work in the Civil Service, but without further evidence (other than a 1974 'O' level!) of my abiIity in the language this was proving difficult. The Alliance Française course in Bordeaux seemed an ideal way to start the process of remedying this matter. In 2011 I decided the time was right to apply - and was overjoyed when my teacher phoned me some weeks later to say that I had been chosen.
2011 was a slightly unusual year in that the two selected students did not study in Bordeaux at the same time. Although I was sorry not to be with my fellow lauréate, the advantage for me was that I had no reason to speak English at all during my stay (not counting phone calls home, of course!) especially as my hostess in Bordeaux did not speak any English at all. This total immersion definitely helped to improve my confidence and ability to converse in French over a wide range of subjects, though my improved fluency definitely took a knock when I was tired.
In Bordeaux I quickly got into the rhythm of rising early to have breakfast with my hostess, followed by a fifteen minute walk along the typical tiled pavements of streets of traditional Bordelaises terrace houses to the Alliance Française. I was placed in the B2 level class with around fifteen other students. Our lessons followed the usual pattern of a three hour class with one teacher covering a range of topics including grammar, followed by a one and a quarter hour workshop on French culture with a different teacher. Over the two weeks I was taught by five teachers who all had different styles and who had clearly worked very well together to ensure that we covered the full range of grammar topics and of practical work e.g. written and aural comprehension as well as essays and speaking. All the lessons were excellent and dealt with a wide range of subject matter. At the end of the first week of workshops, our teacher organised a class dégustation of French cheeses, charcuterie and wine. We each agreed to provide an item of food or drink for the event and there was a lot of informal discussion between us and our teacher about the different products we tasted. It proved to be a very convivial and informative lesson.
It was wonderful to be surrounded in class by students in their twenties and thirties, and of all nationalities. They introduced a wealth of different experiences and ideas into both the class discussions and the more informal ones many of us indulged in over picnic lunches in the nearby park (Jardin Public). It was easy to forget that I was old enough to be their mother - they certainly never made me feel other than one of them - until one day when we were all giving presentations of project work and I appeared on screen in an interview. What a shock – made even worse by the fact that my French grammar had performed a spectacular belly-flop in front of the camera!
Bordeaux is a beautiful and vibrant city with a wide variety of restaurants, a multitude of interesting places to visit, and plenty of cultural activities as well, including some organised by l'Alliance Française. During my two weeks I went on an excellent guided tour of the city and also sailed on Bordeaux Lac. The latter is only a ten minute tram ride from the city centre and has not just a sailing club but also a beach and swimming area as well. One evening I went to a story-telling session in the garden of a cafe in a bohemian part of town. This proved to be perfect for foreigners as the storyteller spoke very clearly and deliberately, using a lot of gesticulation and expression. I also attended a lecture on Poussin's Paintings of Moses at the Musée des Beaux Arts. These latter two activities are examples of things I don't normally do in my everyday life in Bristol (I had heard of Poussin before but had no knowledge of his style or even of his era). However, I thoroughly enjoyed them and learnt a lot. These activities reminded me that travel really does broaden the mind when you give it the chance.
No stay in Bordeaux is complete without a trip to Arcachon and the Dune de Pyla, and also a visit to a vineyard. The middle weekend of my two weeks provided opportunities for both and I wasn't disappointed in either case. The Dune really has to be seen – and ascended – to be believed, as it is far, far bigger than any of the puny dunes that adorn our shores in the UK. The vineyard – Château de Segonzac - in the Côtes de Blaye region north-west of Bordeaux was lovely and produced a very enjoyable vintage.
My whole experience in Bordeaux was wonderful and unforgettable. It has whetted my appetite to study French further and even to consider taking further intensive courses in the future. Merci beaucoup à l'Alliance Française et à la cité de Bordeaux."
Friends ask why I'm so keen to speak French having failed the subject twice at school. School was 30 years ago and Alliance Française teaching methods are very different to school. I want to learn French so that I can get so much more out of our holidays there. France is a Mecca for cyclists. It's almost the national sport and as an addicted cyclist, I'm always looking for excuses to go to France to take part in both cycling festivals and competitive events. The ultimate goal is to be able to understand the banter in the peloton and be part of the great social life which surrounds the world of cycling. The possibility of spending 2 weeks there, completely submerged in the language and culture sounded 'comme un rêve'.
When I entered the competition, I never really dreamt, that I'd be awarded a place. When the news came through, I remember a combination of disbelief and trepidation. I was going to be seriously out of my comfort zone being in France with no English speaking partner or team mate to speak to. Unfortunately I wasn't able to go at the same time as other burse students but it did mean I had heard all the wonderful stories from Susan Chivers,(the other student from Bristol) before I left which banished all my worries.
Alliance Française the school.
I loved the 1st morning so much that I signed up for an additional oral class in addition to the 5 morning classes plus 2 written afternoon classes. In hindsight this was perhaps a mistake as it limited my time for enjoying Bordeaux. The classes were small but truly multicultural with the majority of students from China, Korea, the UAE outnumbering Europeans. This added an extra dimension to the classes as we discussed cultural differences in our respective countries. Topics ranged from male: female equality to the education system to road traffic regulation for cyclists. While there is a structure to the learning, the classes were small enough to feel like a group of friends working on a project together.Accommodation chez habitant.
I was lucky enough to be placed with a Danielle, a lady who loved cooking. She was allergic to gluten and lactose intolerant, and I am almost vegetarian so this could have been a recipe for a very limited diet but it worked brilliantly with every evening meal being a wonderful culinary experience. Danielle was also providing accommodation for a German student so the only language we had in common was French. The only problem we had was wrenching ourselves away from the dinner table to finish our homework before bed time. We could have talked for hours…and breakfast was the same. It did wonders for our oral French practice.Bordeaux the city.
Bordeaux is a very forward thinking, clean, green, city where quality of life is a priority. Cars area actively discouraged. It's much quicker to get around using the brilliant public transport system which includes 4 tram lines, buses and the very popular VEB cycle hire network. VEB consists of 136 bike stations where anyone can borrow a bike free for up to ½ hour. There are 1500 bikes in circulation and everybody uses them. Women in high heals & skirts with handbags in their baskets are the norm. This facility meant that even with very limited time it was possible to visit the many parks & botanical gardens, the lake, any the beautiful old city of Bordeaux where it was all too easy to lose hours just wandering through the cobbled streets admiring the architecture, or popping into the many free museums. There was also the added distraction of a 10 day long festival of art which meant even more music, sculpture, dance and art exhibitions both indoors and on the streets.Alliance Française also organised several cultural activities including guided tours of both Bordeaux, and one of the temporary art exhibitions, the wine tasting and a sailing lesson. These were a great opportunity to meet some of the other students. What amazed me most was just how much I could understand during these events. On reflection, after the first few days of being totally emerged in French language and culture, I found it quite difficult to switch back to English to reply to Emails in English.
Any regrets?
Yes. I just didn't have enough time there so I'm planning to go back next year.
"I applied for the Bourse as I have been studying French for many years and have been on holiday to France many times but have never had the opportunity to really immerse myself in the French way of life. I was really looking forward to my visit and it did not disappoint - in fact it surpassed all expectations. I had the most fabulous time in Bordeaux, which is a truly beautiful and vibrant city and I would highly recommend the opportunity to study with l'Alliance Francaise and immerse yourself in the French language and way of life. There really is NO English ever spoken which is perfect.
The staff at l'Alliance were very welcoming and helpful. I thoroughly enjoyed my 3 hours of morning lessons which were run by a well motivated teacher who used a text book as the basis for interesting and stimulating discussions, with grammar and patient and thorough explanations thrown in. The class was made up of students from Germany, Austria, Spain,Italy, Belorussia, Russia, Japan, China and South Korea and the only language spoken was French. Going "back to school" was quite scary at first, as was doing a presentation, but despite being the only "wrinkly" in the class I felt thoroughly welcomed and at ease and really enjoyed being surrounded by young people from so many different cultures.It also gave them the opportunity to marvel at the fact that there are still people in the world without Facebook and an iPhone! The morning class was followed by an hour long workshop with more opportunity to talk in French. L'Alliance arranged a walking tour of Bordeaux early on in the stay which was informative and a good way of getting your bearings. In the second week there was an Atelier du Chef which most of my class opted to go to and was great fun - and another opportunity to eat and drink!
Lunch was usually spent with my fellow Bristol Laureate relaxing in the sunshine at one of the many lovely restaurants and cafes in Bordeaux. Then in the afternoons I would either go shopping - the opportunities are endless, from the 2km of Rue Saint Katherine to the myriad of boutiques in the side roads and the old town- or I would do something "cultural". I visited the Cathedrale, the Centre National Jean Moulin (very interesting if you like World War II history), spent hours in the fascinating Jardin Botanique and climbed the Fleche Saint Michel with its spooky dungeon and great views over Bordeaux. I also spent hours just cycling or walking around just soaking up the atmosphere, walking through the Jardin Public, stopping at the Monument des Girondins, enjoying the different views of the Grosse Cloche, the Place de la Bourse, the Pont de Pierre, the Quai and the Mirroir d'Eau or looking at the cows in the 'Cow Parade'. One afternoon I was invited by some Italian classmates to St Emilion and on another I took a coach tour organised by the Office du Tourisme to the Medoc. Both were lovely trips and inspired me to want to learn something about wine.
In the evenings I would always have dinner with my host family when I was served delicious home cooked meals with a glass of wine, and had the opportunity to chat "everyday" French and swap opinions about things and laugh over my mistakes. Afterwards I sometimes went out to a bar with my fellow laureate or with people from my class. I went to the cinema twice - I can highly recommend a film called Des hommes et des Dieux, which was showing in a quirky cinema housed in a former church in the old town, where they lock the door behind you with an old fashioned key when you go in! Unfortunately the Grand Theatre season had not yet started so I wasn't able to go to an opera. The views back to Bordeaux from the other side of the Pont de Pierre are beautiful.
I went almost everywhere in Bordeaux either on foot ( I was only 5 minutes walk from l'Alliance) or by velo. Bordeaux has the most fantastic, easy to use and extremely cheap bike rental scheme. Occasional journeys were taken on the equally efficient and cheap tramway or bus. Bordeaux is a very safe city and I never felt afraid when walking or cycling back to my house alone very late at night and was assured by my host mother that I would be perfectly safe. This is something I would never entertain doing in Bristol.
At the weekend the sun was shining and four if us decided to go to the coast on Saturday. We took a bus and then a train to Arcachon, where we took the ferry boat over to Cap Ferret, spent a couple of hours jumping in the enormous Atlantic waves and sunbathing, then the ferry back to Arcachon and another bus to the Dune du Pyla which we climbed to the top - not the easiest thing in the heat but well worth doing for the stunning view of the forest of the Landes on one side and l'Ocean on the other. Those who liked oysters had a huge plateful and declared them excellent.Yet another hugely enjoyable day! Sunday was the marche bio on the Quai. This was one of the best French markets I have ever been too and I spent a very happy couple of hours strolling the quai. It was fascinating to listen to an old farmer behind his trestle table of beautifully presented cheeses explain to his customers the origins of his cheese, how and when they should be eaten, with what wine they should be eaten and then wrapping them with exquisite care. No wonder the queue was so long!
My host family were great. I was living in a 'real' family who just got on with their everyday lives but at the same time included me in everything. They were very welcoming and helpful and I could not have wished for better. I was also very lucky to be right in the centre of Bordeaux.
From the moment I stepped off the plane into 30 degrees of sunshine and beautiful blue sky to the moment I had to say farewell to my family I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Two weeks went far too quickly and I can't wait to go back and do all the things I didn't have time to do and immerse myself in all things French again. Merci l'Alliance."
"That sunny afternoon when I received a phone call from Martine (my French tutor), at first I could not believe what she was saying. At the same time her words started to sink in and looking at my husband with my glowing eyes I whispered "My dream came true: I am going to one of the most beautiful cities in France for two weeks to study French…
Three months of anticipation flew by and here I was, in the Bordeaux airport meeting with my "French family". My French is not fluent by any means but this family made me feel very welcome. They encouraged me to speak by asking a lot of questions and really pushing me to tell the stories!
On Monday with the map in my hands I set off to my first French lesson in the school. It took me only 15 minutes of walking to get there and those 28 walks were one of the best parts of my French experience: popping in a little café and grabbing tiny take away coffee from a very serious lady, counting the endless balconies, passing the historical Roman ruins, smiling to the French people hurrying to work. These walks will stay with me for a long time. Everything was so wonderfully French that I caught myself thinking in French!
After my first week of studying, a day trip to Arcachon was organised. It was a very early start on Saturday but it was worth it! We visited Dune du Pila - one of the "natural wonders of the world" – oyster fields, took a boat trip, swam in the ocean and made a mad run for a bus. The memory of that day will stay with me forever!
If you ask me to describe my 2 weeks of studying French in Bordeaux in 4 words I would say it was fascinating, amazing and absolutely unforgettable. I am extremely grateful to Alliance Française for giving me this opportunity and would say that it is undoubtedly the best way to learn French."
"My reason for applying for a bursary to study in Bordeaux this year was that I felt my spoken French had reached a plateau in terms of fluency and confidence. What I needed was a period of "total immersion" in the language in order to make progress.
I was delighted to be awarded one of the two "bourses" for this year and Bordeaux certainly lived up to all expectations. It proved to be a wonderful experience and I am certain it improved my fluency.
Everyone at the Alliance Française de Bordeaux was very welcoming and friendly to the two Bristol laureates. Tuition was, of course, entirely in French and was of a high standard, varied and interesting (4 hours per day). The students were very multinational in origin. We covered a vast amount in two weeks; we listened to, spoke, read and wrote on all sorts of topics but it did not feel as if we were attending a "crammer". Above all, it was enjoyable.
In addition to classes, there were various afternoon visits and activities, organised by or through the Alliance, to which one could sign up. We opted for a tram and walking city tour which took in a 4th century necropolis below a pilgrimage church; the interior of one of the mediaeval city gates (we now know the French for "portcullis"!); and 200 plus steps up a church tower for a magnificent panoramic view of the city.
Tracy and I were in different classes, each staying with her own hostess. So the only time that English was spoken was for a few hours some afternoons and on our free Saturday, when we met up to "do" Bordeaux on foot and by tram. In this way, we covered the whole length of the left bank of the Garonne through the city, seeing en route: the former U-boat pens; evidence of the city's former port activity; grand 18th century public buildings (recently cleaned); churches; city gates and, not least, the Miroir d'Eau, created in 2007 as a water feature alongside the river.
We found time to enjoy the Jardin Public (near the Alliance) and the relatively new and innovative botanic gardens across the river. We made several browsing and buying trips to the Mollat bookshop, a Bordeaux institution and a book-lover's paradise. We also became quite knowledgeable about the best places for afternoon refreshment.
One afternoon, I set out alone to trace the path of the Route St. Jacques across most of the central part of the city, by following the brass pavement plaques, which have been placed in recent years at considerable cost to public funds.(A pity they do not seem to have printed any map or street plan to show the Route).A large part of my French "immersion"was thanks to my wonderfully hospitable hostess, who not only made me feel completely at ease and served delicious meals but also provided endless opportunities for stimulating conversation. Together we visited the former homes of two of Bordeaux's illustrious men, Montesquieu and Mauriac. Sadly, St. Emilion and its wines will have to wait for another time!
I would encourage any Bristol Alliance students who have more than elementary French to consider applying in 2010."
"Having been lucky enough to be awarded a place at Alliance Française Bordeaux for two weeks this Autumn I set off with the modest aim of just being able to hold my own in a classroom of strangers. This aim was achieved surprisingly quickly due to the skill of the teachers in creating a completely non threatening learning environment.
From 09:00-12:00 each day we studied grammar in a way which was creative and varied and with the introduction of new vocabulary, allowed for interesting deviations and plenty of humour. We hardly noticed that the grammar was being absorbed.
From 12:00-13:30 we were taught details of Gastronomy and Culture which provided a good source of subjects to discuss in our various lodgings in the evening.
Home work was plentiful but achievable and even the dreaded role-play was infrequent and the sessions mercifully short!
Lessons finished at 13:30 followed by free time to explore Bordeaux, take advantage of trips organised by AF, long late lunches, cinema, tea/ice-cream salons, tram rides or just sitting in the sun. Evenings were spent doing homework, talking, and eating.
This total immersion into French life was a fabulous experience, totally absorbing and effective, which I would recommend to anyone who can organise taking two weeks out of their everyday life."
Some GCSE and A Level students went to AF de Bordeaux for revision workshops last Easter. The trip was organised between AF Bordeaux / Bristol and Académie Aquitaine who linked with the Alliance Française, the schools, the students and the parents and the families in France:
"As we passed the over-sized Virgin Megastore, the hoard of eager French parents came into sight, each awaiting their new exchange student. So we had arrived. Bordeaux; full of patisseries, pharmacies and French people speaking very fast. And that was just the first half hour.
Our week was crammed full of exciting activities joined together by tram rides, family time, shopping and chocolate fish (like an Easter egg but more fun). Mornings were reserved for classes at 'L'Alliance Française", where English was strictly forbidden and text book exercises were replaced with French Pop Idol (some of the time, anyway). Mid-week we donned our plastic aprons and got cooking at the delicious smelling 'L'Atelier des Chefs', just about managing the 'saumon aux asperges' dish. Ancient mustard plants and nettle quiche were also on the menu when we paid a visit to 'la ferme des légumes oubliés' (farm of lost vegetables to the rest of us) along with rosehip jam and saffron jelly.
Evenings and Wednesday were times when we could do what we liked, namely shopping. Bordeaux is home to 'la Rue Sainte Catherine', the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, and we had no intention of forgetting that. Clothes rails of jeans in every possible colour and the aforementioned massive Virgin Megastore grew to be a vital element in our trip, and the thousand patisseries and ice cream parlours kept us fuelled as we traversed up and down the 1.2km.
Throughout our stay it became clear that our families weren't as terrifying as they had first seemed, in fact, they were actually quite nice. In between the films, science museum, shopping and tours we all managed to greatly improve our French as well as grab a glimpse into the differences and similarities of French culture. Farewells are always difficult, but it was perhaps the arrival home which was harder; from French sunshine into English snow, it wasn't long until we were yearning after 'Rue Sainte Catherine' once more."