Beginner student falls in love with France

When Grace Man went to Nice, France, for a four-week study programme last year, she fell in love with the glamorous coastal city and the language.

'It was my first trip abroad on my own, and it was really the most impressive. My host mother helped me to adapt to the French culture,' Grace says.

'She took good care of me. She didn't know much English and I didn't know much French, but my roommate helped us to communicate. My 'mum' really helped me improve my French.'

Grace says she was surprised that English is rarely spoken in France. 'Maybe they just don't like to speak English, but this forced me to speak with people in French.'

She says another surprise was the meals.

'I was so lucky that my host mother was a good cook. I never expected to have three-course dinners with my host family.'

Grace says she had trouble keeping up with the lessons, since she was a beginner.

'But thanks to the teachers' help and guidance, I managed to communicate in French and I became more confident every day,' she says.

Education First provides language and travel courses of two weeks to nine months in more than 40 places. They are suitable for students aged eight to 18 and working adults. The courses last from two weeks to nine months. As well as English, students can choose to study Mandarin, Spanish, French, German and Italian. Learn more at www.ef.com/scmp or join our seminar every Saturday. Call 2111 2365 for registration details.

You could win an online English course worth HK$480. Visit www.scmp.com/SCMPxEF to take the quiz. If you answer all the questions correctly, you will be eligible for entry into the final round - you could win a language travel course in Singapore worth HK$16,000!