My son is in French immersion. I decided a trip to France including a week of summer camp would be a great way to enhance his French. I discovered French Language Holidays online. It appeared to be a perfect fit for us - 5 morning classes, leaving afternoons free for the beach.
The first day, he sat at the children's table but was quickly moved to the adult table. He was too advanced for the children currently enrolled. But sitting with the adults did not work either - the material was unsuitable.
I had been assured they were used to accommodating different levels and expected to arrive the second day to find they had a plan for him. But again, he floated between the adult and children's tables. Edmond, the owner was not there so I emailed telling him I was disappointed in the lack of preparedness and he needed to offer a solution or we would withdraw - 2 wasted days of a 5 day course is too many. He replied my son was an exceptional case and he would agree to assign a teacher to him. The tone was such that he was doing me a favour.
The third day, William worked with an instructor reading/writing for 1.5 hours. This was promising. After the break, the teachers took the children to the museum. I was told later by a parent who went, that they merely walked around; there was no instructional component at all!
On day four, still trying to be positive, I tried to tell Edmond I appreciated the dedicated teacher the day before and was looking forward to more of the same. I was told to speak to her directly - so I turned to the young teacher beside him and repeated myself. William then spent the morning watching a movie! A parent went to check the children and discovered one teacher sleeping and the other on her phone. According to the families who had been there the previous week, this was not the first time. After the break, they watched the remainder of the movie until 12:15 then William read for 15 minutes. This is what I was paying for!?!?
I was in the adult class, which I was enjoying - both teachers were professional and pleasant. They were prepared each day and experienced. But my class was secondary. My primary goal was French camp for my son. Of the four days we attended, he had less than 2 hours of lessons. I was paying for him to watch movies and play UNO. The children's program was a farce. The young staff were babysitters, not teachers.
They tried to justify saying it was the end of the season and the teachers were tired. But I paid full tuition (€ 660!) and, rightfully, expected the teachers to prepare and deliver proper lessons. I did not receive an "end of season fatigue discount" - I expected a professional program.
Compounding this was the abrasive owner. He made several racist comments. He inquired about my son's hyphenated surname. I said I was not legally married to which he replied I was "living in sin" - his tone was not teasing. So many of his comments were cringe-worthy. We all make allowances, citing some people are products of their generation or upbringing. If their intention is not hurtful, hateful or cruel, you may forgive Political Incorrectness. But this is an educated man - an educator, in fact! He is a professor in Sweden and runs a Family Language School in France. He is well traveled. I did not expect such boorish behaviour.
When I emailed we would not be back the final day, he replied I "must have something to hide and suffer from another frustration ?" and that he was going to "cancel this concept of "one-week " course. That gives only problems with mothers who are stressed, lose control and behave out of line". Getting personal?! Blaming "hysterical mothers"!?!?
My emails with him focused on the lack of instruction for my son. His replies were highly unprofessional. Had I had access to reviews, I would not have touched this "school" with a ten foot pole! The concept of the family language school was so appealing but I was so disappointed and frustrated by the execution of the program, not to mention the vile owner. read more
