Wiseward’s Partner Schools: French in Normandy
Wiseward is not one stand-alone company. We work with a tapestry of foreign language schools to give you as much variety in your travel and language immersion as possible. In the coming weeks I will be taking you on a journey across Europe and highlighting some of the fantastic locations that our partner schools are based in, together taking an in-depth look at some of the great courses and language experiences that they offer.
What unites almost all of our excellent partner institutions is their IALC accreditation. It is the gold standard for schools, teachers and learning. It means that they have to meet certain specific quality standards. One of the most important of these criteria, to Wiseward, is that they are ‘independent of a large chain or corporate group’. This means that our partner schools are more intimate, with smaller class sizes, encouraging one-to-one tutoring and a more tailored language learning experience. These schools have a boutique and bespoke feel about them while offering high-quality teaching in lovely locations.
Why is travel and immersing yourself in the culture of the country necessary in language learning?
Classroom teachers can lay the foundation, but no matter how skilled they are, there’s a limit to how much they can teach you before you need to go out and get your own experience. In the UK, a 2018 report from the British Council found that only 35% of language teachers had lived in a country where the language they teach is spoken, and even fewer had used it in a professional, real-world context. This shocking statistic shows that language learners need to stop relying on other people to help then achieve fluency and must travel and explore to places where there are no limits to what they can learn. True fluency comes from lived experience – grappling with real conversations, making mistakes and learning on the spot. Immersion courses take you beyond the textbook and into the world, where the language is alive and unpredictable. You start thinking in the language because you have to, not because it’s an assignment. No teacher can replicate the depth of learning that happens when you’re ordering food, asking for directions or laughing with locals. To truly own a language, you need to stop trying to get as fluent as your teacher and start trying to get as fluent as the natives. Go from being a student and to being a participant – immersion is the fastest, most powerful way to make that shift.
Rouen, France
The next stop in our series is Rouen, France, capital of Normandy and neighbouring town of Paris!
Rouen is a gem in northern France that blends medieval charm with vibrant modern life. Walk its cobbled streets and you’ll be surrounded by half-timbered houses, towering Gothic churches like the breathtaking Rouen Cathedral, and rich history on every corner – this is the city where Joan of Arc met her fate. But Rouen isn’t just a history lesson; it’s full of cozy cafés, riverside strolls along the Seine, and a thriving art scene that once inspired Monet. The weather is mild for most of the year, with warm summers perfect for exploring on foot and crisp, misty winters that add a touch of magic to its medieval backdrop. The town is also a delight for food lovers: think creamy Normandy cheeses, fresh seafood from the nearby coast and rich apple tarts or tarte Tatin made with local Calvados. Whether you’re into history, hearty cuisine or atmospheric strolls, Rouen is a place that stays with you.
Established in 1992, French in Normandy is an award-winning language school situated in the Jardin des Plantes district of Rouen. The school boasts 13 classrooms, a student lounge, a library with 10 PCs all with free Wi-Fi, full wheelchair access across campus and an onsite bakery. To name just a few of its accreditations, French in Normandy has been voted 'Best French Language School' in 2013 by EducationStars with a 94.87% satisfaction rate and has been recognised as the ‘Best French Language School’ for five consecutive years by UED awards. Classes are conducted entirely in French, promoting full immersion and their highly certified instructors are praised for their engaging and dynamic teaching styles.
The school is situated near the city's botanical gardens and is only a short walk from St Sever’s bustling retail district. Rouen itself is a historical city with many tourist destinations like the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen which houses many of Monet’s works, the gros-horloge and was the death-place of Joanne of arc with many locations connected to her. French in Normandy stands out as a premier institution for French language learning, combining quality education with a rich cultural experience. To sum them up in two words, the school is trustworthy and enthusiastic.
Check out our ‘Standard French’ course!
Check out our ‘French + Cookery’ course!
Check out our ‘French for Teachers of French’ course!
Why Book with Wiseward?
You might well be asking yourself why book your language immersion course with Wiseward? Why not book direct? There are a number of reasons:
1. Our Team
We have extensive knowledge of each and every course that we feature on our website. Language immersion programmes are not ‘a one size fits all’. All the courses we offer are of the highest quality and led by passionate people with a love of languages. Talk to us, tell us what you are looking for, and we can help you choose the right course, at the right price, in the right location that meets your specific need
2. The Cost
You benefit from our expert advice at no more than the cost of booking direct.
But how does Wiseward generate income and pay its bills if the above is true?
Essentially, our income comes directly from our partner schools who we know intimately, who we trust and who we have worked with for many years. Every year we sit down with our partner schools and discuss rates and offers and how we can add value to their programmes. These discussions benefit you. They ensure that we receive a fair referral fee for matching you with their school and their courses. Importantly it guarantees that there is no innate bias towards certain schools or courses, which means that you get fair and impartial advice from us as to which school to go to, and which language course we think fits your needs best, based on our discussions with you.
3. Added Value and Price Promise
Often our partner schools will offer us better deals than the published rates, as well as value add-ons. We will always pass all of these benefits on to you. And even with all this extra support and transparency, if you find the price of the course at one of our partner schools lower than on our site, we will always match it.
Our partner schools are what make us Wiseward. We check in regularly with them to ensure that we are providing you with pedagogical excellence and rich cultural insight. We specifically look for schools that offer something innovative, new exciting and memorable such as French and cooking, Italian and wine tasting, Spanish and dance, etc. These are enriching experiences that we think not only help create better global citizens but broaden perspectives. The courses we offer not only encourage, stretch and support your language learning but aim to excite and involve you in new cultures and customs. Whether you're aiming to boost your career, explore a new country or simply speak with confidence, our trusted schools and expert support make it all possible. With us, your language journey isn’t just educational — it’s unforgettable.