Tue 30 September - Mon 06 October 2025 (6 nights)

• Akaroa, New Zealand

• A piece of France on the Banks Peninsula

• Akaroa French Fest event

• French lessons

• Three activities

• Welcome and farewell dinner

• Plenty of free time

The first time we heard of Akaroa, a gorgeous little French-influenced village* in New Zealand, naturellement* our interest was piqued.  When we learned they hold a French Fest every two years, there was no holding us back. In 2015 we gathered together some of our most intrepid étudiants* and off we went to help the locals celebrate their French heritage.

We ate, we drank and became so merry that we left New Zealand with nouvels amis* and promises to return. After a COVID-enforced hiatus, the festival has resumed and we’re busting to get back to Canterbury to do it all over again!

In 2025, the festival is taking place over the weekend of the 3rd, 4th and 5th of October. Saturday is the big day, though, and kicks off with a re-enactment of the French landing in 1840. This is followed by a parade to the festival grounds, flag raising ceremony, market stalls and a whole lot of French fun.

A breathtakingly scenic 45-minute drive from Christchurch, Akaroa is a jewel nestled in the Banks Peninsula. Think fresh air, roaring fires, good wine and quirky locals (in the most positive of ways) . What could be better?

*village *naturally *students *new friends

If French and travel are part of who you are, Lingua Franca’s Summer Schools are a dream come true. Take the very best of learning with Lingua Franca, add the invaluable authenticity of being sur place* and you have yourself a mélange magique*.

You will be surprised and delighted by the leaps and bounds your French will take, the connections you’ll make and the memories that will last long after you’ve put your suitcase away.

Apart from the day of the festival itself, each morning starts with coffee, pastries and a lesson. With a mix of language and culture classes, plus the French touches you’ll see at every turn, you’ll be actively seeking French-speaking locals to to apply what you’ve learned the minute you step out of the classroom.

You have the afternoons free for exploring. Post-lesson, you may wish to stroll around the bay, then settle into a cosy café next to a roaring fire, book and drink in hand. If you’re more of an active type, there are incredible walks in virtually every direction and the views have to be seen to be believed.

You’ll also have three outings and there will be a welcome and farewell dinner to round out the trip.

You’ll do a longer lesson on one of the days so you can have a ‘pupil-free day’ in the middle. Imagine the fun you can have with a whole day stretched out before you in your host city, armed with your new and improved speaking skills. You may never come home!

*of course | *nest | *on site | *magical mix

*terrace | *adventures | *jewel-like

Tuesday 30 September - Monday 06 October 2025 (6 nights)

SUMMER SCHOOL

$2800

INCLUDES:

20 hrs tuition tailored to your level
All materials
2 x dinners with wine
3 x cultural activities (guided tours)
Welcome gift pack
Airport transfer Christchurch/Akaroa (return)

NOT INCLUDED:

Flights (approx $770)
Accommodation (from $900)
Traveller’s insurance (compulsory)
Other transfers (unless included in activity)

There are a couple of ways to get to Christchurch from Brisbane. The flights below are with major carriers and fit in best with our programme, but of course, the choice is yours. You’ll just need to be in Akaroa by Tuesday at 6pm for our welcome dinner. We’ll try to get an early night as ‘school’ starts at 9am the next day.

Please note: flights have not yet been released for this time period, so we’ve based our recommendations on the times and dates for 2024.

TUE 01 OCT - Brisbane/Christchurch
Air New Zealand A321neo
Dep 0825 / Arr 1455

MON 7 OCT - Christchurch/Brisbane
Qantas Airways QF 134
Dep 1550 / Arr 1645

Please note: We’ll provide return airport transfers for those who booked the recommended flights.

Please note: you are free to choose alternative accommodation. Our recommendations are simply a selection of our favourites across a range of styles.

Honourable mention: Cherrywood Cottage. Located a 1.5 km walk from the town centre. Set in bushland with magnificent views of the bay.

There’s so much to keep you occupied on the South Island if you’re keen to extend your stay.

If you don’t have a travel agent of your own, we’d be happy to put you in touch with ours. Please contact us for her details.

How do you recreate Lingua Franca elsewhere?

It’s surprisingly easy, actually. We find you a space with the warmth and heart of Lingua Franca in our target destination, design you some bespoke learning materials, contact our favourite guides and book a couple of fantastic restaurants for your welcome and final dinners. Et voilà*! Your nid* away from home.

Do I have to be a Lingua Franca student to attend?

No, you don’t, we often welcome new people on our trips, whether friends of friends or people we’ve never met before. All you need is a bit of French under your belt and a desire to discover a culture unlike your own. Extra points if you enjoy a bit of a laugh.

Do I have to be an advanced student to join in?

Not at all! All you need is a desire to improve your French and a sense of curiosité*.

We’ve had beginners take part in the past, and it’s amazing how they are able to ‘play up’ to the level of the more advanced students. Everyone learns a lot and if the class exceeds a certain number, we’ll divide the group into two and bring in another tutor to help Katrina.

Where is the school located?

We always choose somewhere really central while avoiding the touristy quartiers* in favour of more interesting areas. It’s important to be centrally located so it’s easy for you to get to school each morning, no matter where you choose to stay.

Why just a week?

We know you’re a busy group of people and you like to get things done. By limiting the lessons to seven days, we can keep the instruction constant and focused. It’s a blast of French that we can’t give you in Australia.

We also know you’re a well-travelled bunch and may be keen to extend your stay to do some more exploring of this beautiful island.

Why are flights and accommodation not included for this trip?

Mostly for the reasons above, that is, that we expect some of you to combine the trip with other travel plans therefore to stipulate dates of travel would be restrictive. As for the accommodation, we imagine some of you already have a favourite hotel, others may wish to stay with friends or family and we wanted to give you the option of finding a place to stay that suits your particular style and budget.

Can you recommend accommodation for us?

Of course! We have provided recommendations for both flights and accommodation above, though, to help with your planning. We suggest you organise your accommodation early as it sells out very quickly before the French Fest.

What can I expect from the lessons?

Lessons will start at 9:00am and will go through to 12:30pm or 1pm. At 10:30am, we’ll take a pause-café* (think coffee and pâtisseries*) for you to clear your brain and stretch your legs. In the first session, we’ll focus on the vocabulary, grammar and useful phrases you’ll need to communicate effectively. In the second session, we’ll put all you’ve learned into practice, providing you with situations drawn from real-life interactions you may have.

Akaroa is not French speaking, though you may well hear quite a lot of French spoken over the weekend of the festival. Since we can’t provide an immersive experience in an predominantly English speaking country, we do encourage you to make an extra effort strike up a conversation with any French people you meet. It’ll do wonders for your confidence and you might even make un(e) ami(e)* or two!

We’ve been so inspired by the huge improvement we’ve seen in the students who took part in our previous trips and we know you’ll benefit enormously, too. There’s something about being removed from your usual distractions that helps you focus even more than usual. And of course the idea of a charming village with a French touch is on the other side of the school bell is enormously motivating, too.

Never fear, though, Lingua Franca lessons will always remain relaxed and friendly, as we believe happy brains learn best. Plus, you’re en vacances*.

Are there any activities?

There will be three activities spread across the week for each trip as listed above. Each activity will last between two and three hours. Plus, of course, there’s the French Fest on Saturday and Sunday which you’re guaranteed to love.

What will a typical day be like?

The school bell will sound at 9:00am, and lessons will be wrapped up by 12:30pm or 1pm, the perfect time for you to go in search of a delicious déjeuner*, whether down by the waterfront or tucked away in a cosy pub. In the late afternoon, you’re welcome to join us at a local bar for an evening apéro* and the chance to discuss your day.

What about the apéro?

The apéro is not compulsory either, so if you find yourself caught up in the delights of Akaroa and unable to make it to our chosen bar at the agreed time, ne vous inquiétez pas. The apéro* is just a chance for us to get together as a group, recap our day and have a chat and a drink.

Are there any dinners together?

Oui*, in fact we’ve organised two and they’re included in the price. Our welcome dinner will be held in a local restaurant and will give you a chance to get to know your fellow Chouchous. We get together at the end of the week as well, and this time we invite all the characters you’ve met throughout your time at the summer school for an authentic and convivial French dining experience.

Are friends and family welcome to come to the dinners and participate in the activities?

So long as they’re happy being in an environment with a majority of French spoken (there’s always some English that slips out after a couple of drinks), we’d love to have them come along.

Finally, why is it called a summer school when it’s held in spring?

Glad you asked! Our inaugural summer school was indeed held in summer, around the time of an historic heatwave, in fact. We managed to avoid the worst of it, but realised how risky it was to plan a trip for that time of the year. So we switched to September/October but just couldn’t part with the name. It just sums up the experience perfectly: the joy of learning in situ mixed with scent of les vacances*. Unbeatable.

*of course | *And there you go! | *nest | *curiosity | *areas | *Teacher’s Pets | * on site | pastries | *a friend | *French | *on holidays | *area | *shortbread biscuits unmissable | *very chic | *white wine | *lunch | *drink | *don’t worry | *Yes | *holidays

Other questions? Please let us know. We look forward to seeing you on the trip.

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