Here you will find the answers to many of the questions we are frequently asked about coming to France, your course and your stay in Montpellier

How many students will there be in my class, how old will they be and where will they be from?

The maximum number of students in a class is 10, but often the number is less than this. In general, average class size from June to September is 8-10, whereas the rest of the year it is 4-7. We have had students aged 17 to 90 on our courses, but the majority of our students are aged 18-30. In 2006, we welcomed students from over 30 different countries, mostly from Europe but also from China, Japan, Venezuela, Guatemala, Iceland, USA, Canada, Australia, Israel, Kazakhstan...

I am a beginner, can I start my course on start dates other than those published?

It's better to adhere to the start dates published, because otherwise this disrupts the smooth running of the school and its courses. If you need to begin on other dates, contact us and we will do our best to fit in with your needs.

Which accommodation option should I choose?

The residential option is only available on a limited basis in the winter. For a stay in a host family, we find in general that Northern Europeans often choose the Self-Catering or Bed and Breakfast option, but often end up paying the host family for dinner anyway. There is no doubt that the Half-Board option enables students to take advantage of meal times to speak at length with their host family, and thus to make the most progress in French.

Can I stay in a host family really near the school?

We try our best to match students with families according to their needs and interests (eg special dietary requirements, allergies, car parking space...), but this depends on many factors and is done on a first-come first-served basis. For students not staying in the town centre, we try to place them in families living near the tramway or 'Rabelais' night bus service (last bus and tram around 1am). Please note that we will try not to place two students speaking the same language in the same host family, but cannot guarantee this during peak times.

Is it possible to stay in a hotel?

Yes, LSF has special rates with 2, 3 and 4 star hotels in Montpellier - please consult us for more information. Please book early for this option, as hotels are often fully booked, particularly in the peak summer holiday season (15 June to 15 September) and when large congresses are held in Montpellier.

Can I have access to Internet at LSF?

Yes, there is a self-service access to Internet at LSF which you can use outside class times. There is also a Wifi connection if you have a laptop.

When should I pay, and how?

Payment should be made in full one month before the course startdate by bank transfer - full details of the LSF bank account are given on the invoice which is sent to you with the booking confirmation. For students who book at the last minute, payment must be made in full on the first morning of the course in cash or by cheque drawn on a French bank account.

When is the latest time I can book my course?

We can accept bookings, subject to space and host family availability, up to the Thursday before the weekend arrival.

What should I do to sign up for an internship?

You should fill in the application form and send it to us with your CV and a letter of motivation, both in French, together with 2 passport-style photos. Only when we have received all of this can we start to process your booking. Please note that we require a minimum of 8 weeks to organise a placement, and that it is less easy to find one in the summer season, when companies work with a reduced workforce or close down completely.

I am from a non-EU country and would like to do an internship. Can LSF help me?

It is possible for non-EU citizens to do our internship programme, but the entry requirements are much more bureaucratic and thus take a lot longer. Please give yourself plenty of time when applying for this programme.

I need an entry visa to come to France. Can LSF help me with my application?

Yes, we provide written confirmation of your provisional booking, as well as an invoice and visa invitation letter, which should all be presented to the French Embassy as soon as possible. You should present the original documents, so any special delivery charges (eg DHL, UPS...) incurred by LSF must be met by you.

How long can I stay?

The minimum stay is 1 week, but most students stay a lot longer. Most students who come for only one week find this particularly frustrating, as they do not have enough time to work as thoroughly as they would like.

Can I prepare DELF/DALF exams at LSF?

Yes, sure, it's a good way to get offical recognition of your French level during your stay in France.

For students intending to stay at LSF longer than 4 weeks, regardless of their level of French at the beginning, we strongly recommend that they take the DELF or DALF exam. These are written and spoken exams at all levels which are officially recognised by the French Education Ministry and organised locally by Montpellier University. They are obligatory if you wish to study at a French university. You should ask us for a placement test, which when marked will enable us to tell you which exam you should aim to take. Please note that, as with any exam, there is a lot of hard work involved in preparing for these exams. Exam dates are listed in our Downloads. LSF has been preparing students for these exams for 11 years now, and has a 100% pass rate so far!