French immersion

Hi,

I wondered if anyone has any experience or knowledge with French language learning in French Polynesia.

I'm guessing local languages and English are probably commonly but google informs me there are a couple of French schools there and I wondered how widely French is used in general (i.e. enough to be using it outside of the French school so I can practise and really get some form of immersion?).

Basically, I am looking for a relaxed, tropical, beachy, beautiful place to spend a couple of months whilst improving my French language skills (for professional reasons). The French immersion part is important but I'm willing to get a slightly less intense immersion if I can also be in a tropical place (otherwise I'd just go to France). I was considering Guadeloupe but after spending three months in Fiji a decade ago, I've always wanted to return to this region and explore a little more so FP is on the radar. I also wondered if FP is mainly full of honeymooners and cruise ship people or it would be quite easy to socialise and meet people there in 20s/30s?

Any advice would be really welcome !

Have you considered Reunion?
I have not been to FP but I guess a lot of Australian & American tourists travel there, so I'm guessing there is a fair bit of English spoken there, you might get a more authentic immersion experience in Reunion.

Noumea in New Caledonia is another great option.
The city itself is very French, and despite its proximity to Australia gets far fewer English-speaking tourists than French Polynesia. I also found the French there friendlier than in France. ;-)
Lots of young French there, but few other young tourists.

Reunion is also lovely, but ASFAIK the main language used in daily life there is a local Creole rather than pure French.

Hi
I am hoping to be working in the Cook Islands and there is direct flight to Tahiti and I want to take the opportunity to up skill my French with some real French immersion. There is a facility advertised on line but they do not seem to reply to queries.
If there is no school or course are there any individual tutors who could do this for me?
Thanks

Ia Ora Na
I have just returned to the Cook Islands after a succesful 2 week immersion course in Papara, 35km from down town Papeete. The School "Le cours d'école" is run by Renée Pellet, alomg with her husband Roget. They run two classes, Debutantewe and advanced from their house, on the beach and can take up tpo 10 students. Classes are from 8 am to 11.50 am, with an option for individual tuition at 7am. most students are form Switzerland and most stay at least 3 weeks. Accomodation is usua;lly arranged through the school with local families.
Prices :
400 euros per week for 4 daily group lessons from Monday to Friday. (800 euros 2 wks / 1150 euros for 3 weeks)
(80 euros per day.)
You can add a one to one less to the group lessons. (600 euros per week/ 1200 euros w. 2/ 1700 euros)
To stay with a family the daily price is 50 euros per day, private room, private bath, with half-board (breakfast and dinner) and full-board on weekend.
Please register on line, www.lecoursdecole.com / under Fees and registration. Renee will then send you a quote with all the details.
Work Email contact@lecoursdecole.com
Work Phone (+689) 87 77 05 10
Work Address BP 120 611 /98712 Tahiti Papara Polynésie Française

Also, French is the language of commerce, although people will try to speak English if you are obviously struggling or they can't understand you...

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