Fri 11 April - Mon 21 April 2025 (10 nights)

• Pondicherry, India

• Nicknamed Paris of the East. Former French settlement.

• Daily lessons

• Three activities

• Welcome and farewell dinner

• Plenty of free time

• Even more opportunities to practise your French in a relaxed, supportive environment.

Pondicherry (or Pondichéry to the French), is an utterly charming coastal town in the south east of India, which mixes the best of French elegance and Indian vibrancy.

For nearly three hundred years, the French reigned over five enclaves on the Indian subcontinent as part of the French East India Company. Though they were all resumed by the Indian Government in the 1950s, there are more than just traces that remain. In fact, what makes Pondicherry so interesting is that it’s divided up into three distinct quartiers*: French, Hindu and Moslem. There’s a laid-back harmony you’ll notice as soon as you arrive.

I’d heard about it from a friend many years ago who lived there for a time with his French partner. Anthony’s description of his time there never left me, so for my 40th birthday I took the plunge and went there myself to hone my French. I fell in love with it immediately. I think you will, too.

It’s big enough to be exciting, small enough to get to know in your time there. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be popping out constantly to check out just one more cool café, boutique or gallery. There’s plenty to see and do and yet it’s a fantastic place to relax on a terrace somewhere, book in one hand, drink in the other, enjoying the tickle of the salty sea breeze.

*areas

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.

Each morning starts with coffee, pastries and a lesson, in small groups with lessons tailored to your level. With a mix of language and culture classes, you’ll be able 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 take a stroll along the beachfront promenade, race to check out a cute café or you might even just like to take an afternoon nap before rising for a lazy cocktail on a rooftop terrace.

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

Friday 11 April - Monday 21 April 2025.

SUMMER SCHOOL

$2950

INCLUDES:

25 hrs tuition tailored to your level
All materials
2 x dinners with wine
3 x cultural activities (guided tours)
Welcome gift pack
Transfer Chennai - Pondicherry (return)

NOT INCLUDED:

Flights (approx $1400 economy class)
Accommodation (from $1750 to $3150 - see Les Hôtels below)
Traveller’s insurance (compulsory)
Other transfers (unless included in activity)

There are many ways to make your way to Pondy. The flights below are with major carriers and fit in best with our programme. Please note: we’ll breaking the trip up either way with a night at the stunning ITC Grand Chola hotel in Chennai (formerly Madras).

FRI 11 APR - Brisbane/Chennai (via Singapore)
Singapore Airlines SQ 256 / SQ 628
Dep 0920 / Arr 2200

SUN 20 APR - Chennai/Brisbane (via Singapore)
Singapore Airlines SQ 525 / QF 52
Dep 1030 / Arr 0605 (+1)

Please note: we arrive back in Brisbane on Monday 21 April at 6:05am.

If you wish to extend your stay, there are so many ways to do it.

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. We also find that having the best of a city just outside the classroom door is highly motivating for our Chouchous*.

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.

Why are flights and accommodation not included for this trip?

We want to give you as much flexibility as possible. You may wish to stay on, or combine this trip with a visit to somewhere else in the region.

Can you recommend flights and accommodation for us?

Of course! We’ve already done the groundwork for you above. We have made recommendations for the flights that fit best for the trip and have also short-listed our pick of the accommodation in a range of budgets. Whether you go with our recommendations or choose your own, we suggest you organise your accommodation early so you have the widest range of choice. You may very well find a hidden jewel yourself, in which case, we’d love to hear about it.

What can I expect from the lessons?

The best things about doing lessons sur place* is how immediately useful the content is. The minute you step out the door of the school, you’ll be able to put into practice what you’ve just learned. 

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.

We’ve been so inspired by the huge improvement we’ve seen in the students who’ve taken part in our previous trips. We know you’ll benefit enormously, too, from the semi-intensive format. 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 and they’re listed above.

Tours will last between 2 and 3 hours and will be conducted in a mix of French and English, adapted to the level of the group.  

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 in the local quartier or somewhere further afield. 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 your host city 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, now we do them at all times of the year, but we 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 | *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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