However, they do speak French a great deal. The professor reviewed the previous class which covered the Middle Ages up to the 11th century and she lectured on Descartes as well as the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Students were a little lost because things were going too fast and they did not seem to be too trained in literature. The Director did tell me that the class would be restructured in the future. I must say that this class came after the wonderful 9 day stay that students spent in a small village in a different host family from the one they have in Toulouse.
Students go on several field trips.
I know that this group, for instance, had visited grottoes in southern France and was going to explore Collioure, a beautiful French town with many historical and cultural treasures. However, it is not just for the fun of it. They must not remain passive for they always have to write what they expect to find and upon their retu rn write what they did find. I was lucky to go to St Girons with the students and listen to the report each student made on their village experience. They enjoyed being forced to speak French since they were separated from their friends who were in other villages.