• the school
• adult programmes
• accommodation
• leisure
• about montreux
• flights and airports
• student visa information

the school

ESL Montreux is located on the city’s main street in one of Switzerland’s most famous tourist spots, on the banks of Lake Geneva near the beautiful lakeside promenade lined with exotic trees. You can easily get to the school from your accommodation by bus or train, as the bus and train stations are 5 minutes away by foot. The school features 12 bright, comfortable classrooms. The small size of ESL Montreux allows us to offer each student personal attention and to assist you when you arrive and throughout your stay. Furthermore, you may use the many computer stations or the wireless network, which covers the entire school, to access the internet and your e-mail free of charge. After your classes, you may stroll with other students right onto terraces that line the shores of Lake Geneva or head over to the nearby shops.

Facilities of ESL Montreux:
• 12 classrooms
• Free WiFi
• Maximum number of students 150

Adult programmes

Standard Course:
The General French course is a standard course that will enable you to build solid foundations in all the main aspects of the French language while keeping a large part of the day free for extra-curricular activities.

Facts:
Weeks: 1 - 52
Class Max: 12
Lessons per week: 20
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Beginner to advanced
Start Dates: Every Monday, *except complete beginners, start at certain dates only

Intensive Course
In choosing the Intensive French course, you will be taking the opportunity to progress more rapidly in learning French thanks to 5 extra lessons per week focussing on oral communication. You will still have plenty of free time for extra-curricular activities.

Facts:
Weeks: 1 - 52
Class Max: 12
Lessons per week: 25
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to advanced
Start Dates: Every Monday

Super Intensive Course
The Super Intensive module of 30 lessons per week allows for rapid progress. With six lessons per day, you will quickly reach the goals that you set for yourself. The sixth lesson of the day focuses on written skills.

Facts:
Weeks: 1 - 52
Class Max: 12
Lessons per week: 30
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to advanced
Start Dates: Every Monday

Private course
Private lessons focus on the specific needs and objectives of participants. After receiving your completed questionnaire, we will determine the themes and methods for

Facts:
Weeks: Intensity and duration of the course according to your goals
Class Max: 1
Lessons per week: Intensity and duration of the course according to your goals
Lesson time: 60 minutes
Levels: Elementary to advanced
Available: all year round, except July and August

DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française B1, B2)
Our three DELF exam preparation modules of 4, 6 or 8 weeks prepare you to sit the DELF examination, which is organised at the regional examination centres during the last week of your course. Please keep in mind the enrolment deadline of 2-3 months before the exam.
TCF Standard course + 5 TCF Lessons Test de Connaissance du Français.

Facts:
Course duration: 4, 6 or 8 weeks
Class Max: 8
Lessons per week: 25 (Standard course + 5 DELF Lessons)
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to upper intermediate
Exam dates: 4 per year

TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français)
Our TCF exam preparation modules of 2, 4 or 6 weeks allow you to prepare for the TCF examination, which you can sit directly at our schools each last Thursday of the month. The enrolment deadline is one month before the exam. The enrolment fees for the obligatory part of the exam are included in the course price.

Facts:
Course duration: 2, 4 or 6 weeks
Class Max: 8
Lessons per week: 25 (Standard course + 5 TCF Lessons)
Lesson time: 45 minutes
Levels: Elementary to advanced
Exam dates: one each month of the year*

French + Wines
3 afternoons per week
ESL offers you the opportunity to discover the wonderful vineyards of Lavaux, which run from Lausanne to Montreux. Experience this beautiful region, which is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage, and familiarise with the unique flavour of its characteristic wines. During this discovery, you will walk through the vineyards overhanging Lake Geneva, and thus discover the secrets of vintage, take part in wine tasting sessions and learn everything about Swiss wine production and its specific vocabulary. Santé!

50+ Programme
Available in May and September
This programme is designed for students over 50 years of age, who wish to improve their French language skills while being immersed in a French-speaking culture and region. Classes comprise an average of 6 students, with a guarantee of a maximum of 8 students. Lessons are based mainly on French communication skills for travel and tourism, complemented by grammar and written expression. Our teachers are aware of the specific needs and requirements of students over 50 years of age. Classes are therefore adapted to allow students to approach learning the French language in an optimal manner, closely linked to the culture of the country.

back to top

Accomodation:

Host Family
Staying with a host family offers another dimension of language learning that takes place naturally when you are not even thinking-about it during mealtime conversation or a “movie” night or while playing a board game. Homestays with host families are an excellent opportunity to soak up the local culture as you discover the way of living, expressions and the daily life of native speakers. We are very well acquainted with all of our host families, and each family has satisfied our quality criteria.

Students’ apartments
The students’ apartments are located in the heart of the city within walking distance of the school, business centres, restaurants, bars, cinemas and public transports. This accommodation is intended for students who wish to make socialising a priority while enjoying a high degree of independence. Very comfortable single and double rooms are available. All apartments feature a television set, a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine, a free Internet connection as well as WiFi access.

Hotels and hostels
ESL has negotiated special rates in a variety of hotels and boarding houses that reflect a range of categories. These establishments, located near the course centres, fill up relatively quickly during the summer months. If you are interested in this type of accommodation or would like to make your own hotel arrangements, please contact us directly.

back to top

Leisure

The Swiss Riviera and Montreux offer you an extremely vast range of leisure activities within a stone’s throw from the school. Various mountain and water sports may be enjoyed in winter and in summer. From mountain climbing to mountain biking, not to mention sailing, waterskiing, tennis, kart racing, bowling, and paragliding, the Riviera is truly a paradise for sports enthusiasts. In the winter, one of the world’s largest ski area, known as “Les Portes du Soleil” is just 30 minutes away, and a number of sports clubs are available if you are interested in indoor sports. Also take time to visit the famous medieval Château de Chillon, to sail on Lake Geneva in a 100-year-old steamboat or to immerse yourself in the dynamic atmosphere of such music festivals as the Montreux Jazz Festival or Nyon’s Paleo Folk

Festival. Every week we suggest a number of activities “coached” by our staff. There is also a lot of information available if you wish to organise your leisure activities yourself.

Some events to keep in mind:

About Montreux

Flights and Airports

ESL is located 60 Min. from Geneva Airport.

back to top

Student visa information

For stays of 90 days or less:

For stays of more than 90 days

back to top