TRANSITION YEAR 2010   -   March 8th -29th


    This is a comprehensive, educational and exciting 3-week course for Transition Year students who want to improve their French in a practical, constructive and creative way.
     
    In the relaxed (and safe) surroundings of an old Southern-French townhouse, students partake, through French, in a unique course that embodies a broad spectrum of essential life-enhancing skills and subjects, as well as a strong element of cultural interest - a bit like a short-term finishing school.
     
    Whilst French is taught by a qualified French teacher three times a week, its use is also strongly encouraged throughout the day during the different creative practices which include art, painting and creative writing as well as photography and cooking - both in the form of exercises and time spent practicing the newly acquired skills.
    Although students are supervised and entertained at all times, there will also be time to relax and share the best of food either at home, in local restaurants or on picnics.
     
    All creative sessions start with a useful exercise or technique which students will want to turn to again and again, to help trigger an idea, to 'loosen' the hand, or simply as an easy way to get the creative process started.
     
    Thus, a creative writing session might begin with a task that sparks off an idea from which to start off a story... A painting session may start with some quick, hand-loosening drawings or a practical lesson in making and stretching a canvas... A photography project may be launched during an excursion after a talk on composition and light; a talk on depth-of-field may precede a session on food photography or portraiture. The cooking sessions are not simply about following recipes or acquiring survival skills either - students will learn to create their own dishes by using a simple method of combining flavours and ingredients that compliment each other, and then learn how to adapt these ideas and 're-invent' any number of new original dishes...
    The tutor will be available at all times... and all materials are provided.

    What the week includes

    • 3 weeks of accommodation in tasteful surroundings (see PHOTOS) and all rooms are single occupancy (unless someone prefers to share)...
    • all transport (airport transfers, excursions* and outings)
    • all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
    • 12 sessions of art tuition (incorporating creative writing, painting, drawing and photography) and all materials
    • 6 sessions of (hands-on) cookery demonstrations**
    • French tuition in both written and spoken French, by a professional teacher and incorporating practical and literary subjects***
    • free internet access and free telephone calls to landlines in Ireland, and laundry facilities.
      *     Excursions include visits to art museums and galleries, the famous Patchwork museum, cultural venues (such as cathedrals, Cathar strongholds and medieval cities), culinary destinations (an olive mill, cheesemaker, honey gatherer and wine maker) and walks or tennis for exercise (horseriding is an optional extra)
      **   Food demonstrated focuses on easy, modern food using fresh ingredients that students will not find difficult to execute at home...
      ***  French is also spoken during meals, outings and excursions...

    How much the course costs

    Cost for an all inclusive 3-week course, is  2490 euros per person


    NB - NOT included are flights to Carcassonne (off-season these cost very little)
     
    For more information, please contact info@petracarter.com or ring 0033 (0) 468 407718.