Ideal for students looking for an upscale school with high end amenities.
Not ideal for students who are on a budget.
The good
- Amazing facilities and amenities.
- Unique activities on the social programme.
- Dedicated student residences for underaged students (16-17) and 18+ also.
The bad
- One of the most expensive schools in Paris.
- Not a large range of courses.
Date of my inspection visit at EF International Language Centre Paris: May 19, 2024
My overall take
Like all other EF language schools, EF International Language Centre Paris (EF Paris) did not disappoint. The school is located in the 9th arrondissement, in the heart of Paris. Although situated in a gated-style community, the school is near cafes and restaurants and is within a 5-minute walking distance of the closest metro station.
Students receive 2 – 5 hours of homework per week, which is more than the average given at other schools; that being said, they provide the choice for the students to decide depending on the intensity they want to work at. They also use their books and have online resources linked to them, and there are set books for exam preparation. Additionally, it is mandatory for all teachers to have a Master’s FLE and be trained to teach French as a foreign language.
Their social programme is unbelievable. They had just finished celebrating their met gala-themed graduation when I visited! Yes, you read that correctly. Outside of school, they have: trips to French-speaking countries, i.e. Marrakesh; Immersion in Paname (6 weeks of special interest classes); etc.
The director recommended this school, and I second this recommendation, to mature students as Paris is a big city and can be overwhelming. If you are a student with the financial means, would love the experience of unique cultural immersion (in lessons and outside of lessons) and, most importantly, want to have fun, this school may be the one for you.
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EF International Language Centre Paris at a glance
| Rating of former students | (Insufficient number of student ratings at time of publishing) |
| Class size | Lingo Traveller rating: Very Large Max. 17 students in Standard French course |
| Diversity of nationalities | Lingo Traveller rating: Average diversity. No nationality more than 20%. Top nationality: Mexican |
| Learning intensity | 2-5 hours of homework per week |
| Number of students | 450 adults in July 180 adults in January |
| Minimum student age | 16 years |
| Accreditations | Eaquals, Label FLE |
| Course range | General French Course, Intensive Course, Summer Course, DELF/DALF Exam Preparation |
| Accommodation types | Homestay, Student Residence, Specific 16-17 Underaged Residences |
| Price | |
| Standard Group course 26 lessons/week: 40min/lesson | 1 week: €600 3 weeks: €1800 |
| Additional fees | Inscription fee: €150 Course material fee: €55 |
| Price level – Standard Group course (based on 3 weeks incl. all fees) | €38.60 per 60 minute tuition |
My tour of the school & video review
Student voices
Unfortunately, there were no students available to speak to during this tour.
Questions to school director
Excerpts below from my conversation with Alix Lallement , the School Director of EF International Language Centre Paris.
Me: “What sets your school apart from others in the city?“
School: “The team is fantastic, it’s a small school so we work together, the accommodation, the activities and the teaching. So you will feel very special in the middle of a crowd!”
Me: “Is there a particular type of student for whom your school is especially suitable?
School: “Mature students. Paris is a big city, it’s a fantastic city. You have to be mature because you have got to take subways, it’s crowded and speedy [fast-paced].“
School inspection report
Classrooms
Classrooms vary in sizes and are all arranged in a traditional classroom format. The classrooms are all very modern, well furnished and have either a projector or interactive whiteboard.
Facilities
There is a classroom that converts into a computer room, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a decked-out student lounge, a rooftop terrace, and several study corners.
Surrounding area
The school is located in the 9th arrondissement, in the heart of Paris. Although situated in a gated-style community, the school is close to cafes, restaurants, and grand buildings such as the Galeries Lafayette.
Social activities
There is a perfectly balanced range of social activities twice daily, from paintballing to patisserie-making classes or a weekend away in Lyon. EF Paris has one of the best social programmes I have seen. But beware, it is also one of the priciest programmes (for good reason).
Trusted student ratings of EF International Language Centre Paris on the web
| Total | (Insufficient number of student ratings at time of publishing) |
|---|
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.
