Learning French in Lorraine

PhD students enrolled at the University of Lorraine can attend these courses as part of their training program.

Visit My Doc’Door website to get more information on the doctoral training courses on offer.

Postdocs and Researchers employed by Université de Lorraine can attend these courses as part of their in-service training programme.

Visit the staff training platform, under the heading “Languages and International.”

PhD students and researchers invited or hosted by another partner institution (CNRS, INRA, INRIA, INSERM, CHU, AgroParisTech, and GeorgiaTech Europe) can enroll in DéFLE at their own expense.

It is possible to request partial or full coverage of registration fees by your laboratory or host institution. To do so, we recommend that you discuss this with your supervisor.

You will then need to contact DéFLE to find out the terms and conditions of coverage by your employer or host institution: lansad-secretariat-contact@univ-lorraine.fr.

The LANSAD Language Resource Center offers the chance to take part in language tandems/(e)tandems.

What is a tandem/e-tandem?

A tandem is an exchange between a French-speaking student or staff member and an international student or staff member on a mobility program at UL. An e-tandem is a remote exchange between a UL student or staff member and a student or staff member from a foreign university partnering the program.

The terms and conditions are as follows:

• 2 people of different mother tongues agree to meet regularly to exchange in their language and help each other learn.
• The 2 language partners are entirely autonomous: they choose the frequency and location of their meetings, the content of their exchanges and the method of evaluation.

The aim is both linguistic and cultural, allowing participants to discover another culture while practicing foreign languages.

How does it work?

The Language Centre provides you with:

• A tandem with a UL student or staff member and a student or staff member from one of UL’s foreign partner universities.
• A dedicated support service for program participants
• Language learning resources on EDOlang (the Language Resource Center) or in our language centers
• An initial joint meeting is organized for all participants to get to know your partner. A mid-term meeting is held during the semester to help you make the most of your e-tandem partnership.
• Optional program participation certificate, subject to certain conditions (see ARCHE website).

For your part, you will have to:

• Find some time to communicate with your partner (between 1 and 2 hours a week)
• Commit to a minimum of 6 weeks
• Share time equally between the two languages during your meetings (50% of time in French, 50% of time in the other language).

What languages are on offer?

For the tandem program, all languages are open, depending on the number of international students enrolled.

For the e-tandem, the partners are :

• Chinese: Chongqing University of Technology and Commerce (China)
• English: Newcastle University (Royaume-Uni), University of Leeds (Royaume-Uni), Manchester Metropolitain University (Royaume-Uni), Alliance française de Pune (Inde), Calhoun State Community College (Etats-Unis), McGill University (Canada), University of Bergen (Norvège), National University of Singapore (Singapour), The University of Hong Kong (Chine), Macquarie University (Australie), The University of Melbourne (Australie), The University of Queensland (Australie)
• German: Freie Universitat Berlin (Germany), Saarland University (Germany), Montanuniversität Leoben (Austria)
• Italy: Università degli studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia (Italy)
• Korean: Yeungnam University (South Korea)
• Portuguese: Pontificia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
• Spanish: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Mexico), Universidad de Murcia (Spain)

How do I register?

If you are interested, please visit the ARCHE website “Programme (e)TANDEM”.

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to lansad-tandem-contact@univ-lorraine.fr.

French as a Foreign Language (FLE) courses may be offered by Maisons de la Jeunesse et de la Culture (MJC) in various cities in Lorraine.

They are offered at an attractive price, and a membership fee is required. Below is a non-exhaustive list of FLE courses offered at MJC.

In large cities in France, it is possible to participate in language cafés open to everyone in public places such as cafés, associations, or bars.

The idea is to create a friendly space for language practice and to encourage spontaneous, non-formal exchanges. Participation in these events is often free, apart from any food or drink consumed.

In Nancy, a Language Café is held every Thursday at 8 p.m. at Mac Carthy’s pub, near Cour Léopold in the city center.

In Metz, a Language Café is held at various locations in the city center every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

You can find information about each group on the social networks.

The EDOlang platform at Université de Lorraine enables you to learn a language on your own, thanks to online resources and tools to guide you in your learning process.

The FLEURON digital French language learning tool offers resources on communication situations at university and in the everyday life of students in France.

The French Alliance in Paris has developed MOOCs—video-based courses—that are available online for free. You can find these MOOCs by clicking on the links below, according to the desired theme and level.