Ideal for students looking for an upscale school with a unique social programme.
Not ideal for students who are on a budget.
The good
- The school is large, with many lounge facilities.
- Their social programme is very advanced.
The bad
- One of the most expensive language schools in Nice.
- There is not a wide range of courses.
Date of my inspection visit at EF International Language Centre Nice: May 27, 2024
My overall take
EF International Language Centre Nice is near many supermarkets, pharmacies, and eateries, and even the beach is within a 10-minute walking distance; this is the perfect location for every student keen to explore Nice and Côte d’Azur.
Students at this school are often outgoing, eager to explore the region, and willing to meet many people from different backgrounds; even shy students thrive because the staff encourage them to come out of their comfort zone. The typical students are those studying for the DELF exams and those who want to study casually and have lots of fun.
The teaching often combines academics with activities for an immersive and exciting approach to learning; some of these activities include quiz games played at bars, weekly homework club with free pizza (which is very popular), on-site second-hand clothing events (with French sellers + customers), French language national day in August with outside French speaking vendors/sellers. These activities aim to encourage interaction with native French speakers.
The only downside I noticed at this school is the diversity; the vast majority of students are Mexican, so if you are a Spanish-speaking student who wants to avoid being surrounded by so many students who speak your language, perhaps this would not be the school for you.
This school is excellent for pre- or post-university students, often students who have taken a gap year and are figuring out what they want to do next. The location is very central for exploring. It is also nearly double the price of other schools in Nice, so it is only for students who do not have a strict budget.
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EF International Language Centre Nice at a glance
| Rating of former students | 4.3 (6 ratings) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Very Large Max. 17 students in General French course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Very little Diversity No nationality more than 44% Top nationality: Mexican |
| Learning intensity | 2.5 hours of homework per week. The homework is more about revising what has been learnt in class and missions interacting with native French people. |
| Number of students | 500 adults in July 65 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 16 years |
| Accreditations | Equals, Label Qualité FLE |
| Course range | General French Course, General Course + Accommodation Intensive Course, Intensive Course + Accommodation, Summer Course, Summer Course + Accommodation, 50+ Course, 50+ Course + Accommodation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Student Residence/Hostel |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 26 lessons/week: 40min/lesson | 1 week: €585 3 weeks: €1755 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €150 Course material fee: €55 |
| Price level – Standard Group Course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €37.70 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfiltered comments from random students I met at the school and asked about their experience.
“The teachers are very unique. I came here without knowing any French and now I’m in A2 in only two weeks; I think that is very cool because you learn very fast.“
Colonel
17 years from Spain
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Butanna, Head of Residence of EF International Language Centre Nice.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
“It’s a big school with a big capacity, an international atmosphere and environment. So we have students from all over the world and staff from all over the world that have had the same experiences as the students.“
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
“The ideal student would be someone who is outgoing and someone who is looking to meet people from all over the world and looking to create unforgettable memories.“
School inspection report
Classrooms
The large classrooms are essential since the class capacity is 17 students. Modern furnishing is also throughout, with full-sized tables, comfortable chairs and some natural light. Where there isn’t natural light, the classrooms are generally well-lit. The school building is shared with another school, so EF Nice have access to the first two floors all year round and the other two floors only in the summer months.
Facilities
There is a large communal area on both the ground and first floors. The infamous Crave Kitchen is on the ground floor, where students can enjoy breakfast, lunch and snacks at student-friendly prices or use the multiple lounging areas to relax between classes. On the first floor, there is an even larger space where yoga, dance, pilates activities, and mini ping-pong tournaments are held.
Surrounding area
The school is 10 minutes from Jean-Médecin, the main commercial shopping street in Nice. Here, you can find not only eateries but also global high-street stores, i.e. Zara, H&M, Sephora, etc.; there are also many local cafes and bars in the immediate area. Additionally, a popular hostel where EF students stay is less than 10 minute’s walk, which many students say they enjoy, from the school.
Social activities
EF Nice has a vibrant and active social activities team, and they curate a unique social programme with activities I haven’t seen other schools include in their programmes. They have activities such as pilates, picnics, casino night, newcomers “speed-dating”, as well as excursions to local towns, i.e. Eze.
Trusted student ratings of EF International Language Centre Nice on the web
| Total | 4.3 (6 ratings) |
|---|---|
| LanguageCourse.net | 4.3 (6 ratings) |
Ratings as of June 28, 2024
Why no Google or Facebook ratings? Schools may have requested Facebook, Google or Trustpilot reviews only from those students that previously gave positive after-course evaluations. I only trust ratings from independent booking platforms/agencies, that allow exclusively clients who booked via their platform to rate the schools. I have checked each of these sites and they have no disproportional number of positive vs negative reviews.
Location of EF International Language Centre Nice
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