This program is geared to students who have two years or more of college-level French and who want to achieve fluency in the French language, an understanding of the French people and a deeper awareness of themselves and their own culture.

What You'll Learn
The Liberal Arts program has three main goals: to increase language ability for intermediate and advanced intermediate students; to increase knowledge about France and French culture; and to offer students with an adequate level of French language ability the opportunity to take University courses alongside French students. These goals are achieved through intensive language coursework, humanities coursework, and cultural activities throughout the semester.

Program Snapshot

• Gain a deeper understanding of the French people and fluency in the French language
• Intern as a student teacher in a primary, middle, or secondary school
• Take a regular university course if you have advanced French
• Explore Paris during a three-day orientation prior to arrival in Rennes
• Live with a French family and immerse yourself in the culture

Subject Areas

• Art
• Art History
• Cultural Studies
• Film Studies
• French Language
• History
• Internship
• Music
• Performing Arts
• Political Science
• Religion
• Sociology
• Teaching English as a Second Language
• Theology
• Urban Studies

Eligibility Requirements

• Overall GPA 2.75
• GPA 3.0 in French language
• 4 semesters of college-level French or equivalent

Academic Program

The CIEE Study Center in Rennes opened in 1971, and is geared to students with intermediate French skills interested in perfecting their language abilities. The program offers a combination of French language and content courses taken at the CIREFE and the opportunity to take regular university courses at the Université de Haute Bretagne Rennes II (UHB).

During the first few weeks, students take an intensive CIEE language and culture course consisting of 30 hours of language and civilization coursework and 10 hours of cross-cultural analysis and cultural adaptation seminars. Immediately following this intensive program, and based on the results of a placement exam, students enroll in CIREFE and UHB classes.

Direct Enrollment Update
The Université de Haute Bretagne Rennes II has implemented a new, earlier spring calendar. As a result, spring students taking direct enrollment classes may have to miss the beginning of some of the preliminary direct enrollment classes due to arriving on site after the the Université de Haute Bretagne Rennes II semester begins. On-site CIEE staff will do everything possible to fulfill the students' academic requests and to facilitate the direct enrollment process.

Academic Culture

Higher education in France is divided into: the licence, masters, and doctorat. French students specialize in a particular discipline with a prescribed set of courses and limited electives. Professors in France tend to be more formal than in the U.S. and do not see it as their role to give encouragement or individual attention to students. They see themselves as specialists who are there to impart their knowledge. As a result, French students are generally very self-disciplined and do not expect to be motivated by their instructors, but rather judge a course by the quality and quantity of information taught.

CIREFE, where CIEE students take the majority of their classes, does provide more individual attention to international students. However, students must still have an independent, self-motivated attitude. Teachers notice when students are absent, which can affect their grade. Syllabi are seldom as detailed as in the U.S. and students need to be able to figure out for themselves what is important, what should be memorized, etc. All CIREFE courses are taught in French. A stronger emphasis is placed on writing skills than in the U.S. One reason is that many international students in CIREFE classes go on to study at a French university, and therefore need to have an excellent command of the written language. Secondly, the core language class in each level emphasizes written French. And finally, a student's written work is considered to be an indicator of their overall competency in French.

The CIREFE is a member of the ADCUEFE, an association of 38 similar centers in France. In spring 2010, ADCUEFE decided that all centers will adopt a standardized rating system that follows the Common European Framework (CECR) guidelines (equivalent to the ACTFL guidelines in the U.S., see description on the next page). Consequently, effective fall 2010, the CIREFE will reorganize its language levels with new names and courses. There are no major changes to content, but please be aware that there may be some adjustments with regards to certain courses.

Classes in which CIEE students enroll meet Monday through Friday, with excursions on some weekends. Students usually take two, two-hour classes per day. Students are expected to complete all of the work given and take exams when scheduled. Advanced students may enroll in one or two courses at UHB and must attend lectures, take notes, complete assigned work, and take exams. Special exams are given if the exam period falls outside the CIEE program dates.

Where You'll Study:

Université de Haute Bretagne

The Université de Haute Bretagne (UHB) is divided into two campuses: Rennes I (science) and Rennes II (humanities). Rennes II is the host for the CIEE program, and offers courses in twelve departments. Rennes II enrolls about 22,000 students, including 1,500 international students. The campus is one mile northwest of downtown. CIEE students register for courses at the Centre International Rennais d'Etude du Francais pour les Etrangers (CIREFE), a department within UHB that teaches both French language and content courses to international students.

Program Requirements

Students take a minimum of 14 credits and usually 16 to 18 credits per semester. These include:

After the Preliminary Language and Culture course, students take courses directly through CIREFE. The CIREFE's mission is to provide an appropriate level of language instruction to all foreign students while preparing them to participate in regular French university classes. Students are placed in one of six levels in the CIREFE depending on their performance on the placement examination at the end of the Preliminary Language and Culture course. Each level has a prescribed set of courses. Since placement is determined after arrival, students should have their home school advisor evaluate courses at all levels for credit. Placements during the spring semester for academic year students are dependent on performance during the fall semester.

In the case of insufficient enrollment in certain electives, some courses may not be offered. Courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters, unless otherwise indicated. All courses are considered to be junior- and senior level.

European Framework of Reference for Languages

The basic user:

A1 Breakthrough level
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows, and things he/she has.

A2 Waystage level
Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

The independent user:

B1 Threshold level
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.

B2 Vantage level
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party.

The proficient user:

C1 Effective-proficiency level
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.

C2 Mastery level
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.

Recommended Credit

semester: 16-18 semester/24-27 quarter hours
academic year: 32-36 semester/48-54 quarter hours

Application Deadlines

• Fall 2010: 4/1/2010
• Academic Year 2010-11: 4/1/2010
• Spring 2011: 11/1/2010

Duration

• Fall 2010: 16 weeks late August - mid-December
• Academic Year 2010-11: 38 weeks late August - late May
• Spring 2011: 19 weeks early January - late May

CIEE Fees - Check the CIEE website for current fees.
The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, field trips, pre-departure advising, residence permit expenses, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Online Pre-Departure and On-Site Orientations
Students begin their study abroad experience in Rennes before even leaving home--by participating in a CIEE Online Pre-Departure Orientation. Meeting with students online, the Resident Director shares information about the program and site, highlighting issues that alumni have said are important, and giving students time to ask any questions before leaving home. The online orientation allows students to connect with others in the group, reflect on what they want to get out of the program, and learn what others in the group would like to accomplish. The CIEE goal for the pre-departure orientation is simple: to help students understand more about the program and site, as well as their goals for the program, so that they arrive to the program well-informed and return home having made significant progress toward their goals.

A mandatory three-day orientation is conducted in Paris at the beginning of the program, which introduces students to the country, the culture, and the academic program. French student assistants help with the practical and cultural orientation, and participate in all program excursions and cultural activities such as visits to museums, theater performances, and group dinners. They share their personal experiences and foster the use of French among the students.

Once in Rennes, the orientation provides practical information about living in Rennes and includes a city tour, meetings with CIEE staff to complete the University registration, and with a professor from UHB who presents the academic program, course selection, and suggestions on study methods for courses at CIREFE and UHB. Ongoing support is provided on an individual and group basis throughout the program.

Housing & Meals

Housing and all meals are included in the program fee. During the program, students live in French homes, either in Rennes or in a close suburb. Students eat breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday and all weekend meals at the place of residence. Meal tickets are distributed for lunches during the week. The Resident Director and the Student Services Coordinator meet with students individually to confirm their housing.

Internet

UHB grants free Internet access and assigns email accounts to students. Some host families have Internet access. The Rennes II campus has wireless access as do a number of cafés in Rennes. Students are encouraged to bring wireless-enabled laptops.

Cultural Activities

The academic program is supplemented by a range of cultural activities and field trips, which include the initial orientation in Paris, visits to museums, a Rennes city tour, theater performances, and group dinners.

In past semesters, students have participated in field trips to the southwestern coast of Brittany, the beaches of Normandy, and a tour of the castles along the Loire valley. Two, two-day excursions take place during the fall semester. One two-day and two one-day excursions take place during the spring semester.

Advanced French Track
For students who have at least six semesters of college-level French and place into CIREFE's C1 and C2 levels, the CIEE Study Center in Rennes offers an opportunity to pursue an advanced track of study. Levels and placement are determined by performance on a placement test. Students who qualify for and pursue the advanced track have the opportunity to choose among a host of social science and humanities courses at the UHB or the Philosophy Department at Rennes I.

Teaching Practicum
Students can participate in a teaching practicum in a primary, middle, or secondary school. This is a great way for students to learn more about the educational system in France and become involved with the community, while earning credit through Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Interested students must enroll in one methodology course conducted in French. Students are responsible for preparing a one-hour lesson in English per week. The final grade is basedon lesson plans, homework assignments,  and class observations. The Resident Director or Teaching Practicum Supervisor oversees the experience and evaluates the students' performance. Students receive three credit hours. Those seeking credit for this experience must obtain written approval from their home institution prior to arrival.