My experience with Clarisse on the Ile de Ré was exceptional - for three reasons.  The first was the main reason for the visit - to improve my French.  Having previously only used various courses like LInguaphone, Rosetta Stone, and Duolingo, I was in the position that, despite all my efforts and study of grammar, I could not really converse in French. 

 

To have a whole week with Clarisse (and her husband Claude) to speak only in French, with formal, tailored lessons to provide guidance and direction, was hugely valuable.  One of the key benefits was the experience of actually speaking in French.  Thinking of the words, formulating sentences, and saying them out loud - invariably with mistakes - and having the time and Clarisse's expert prompting to correct them, was critical.

Although I was slow, I didn't have to feel rushed or embarrassed as is normally the case trying to speak with a  'normal' French person, and I could work it through and learn by practical experience.  The same was true of comprehension. 

 

Clarisse spoke 'normally', but would repeat and use gestures as necessary to help me where I had difficulties. And Clarisse also puts a lot of emphasis on 'real' French, introducing common sayings and idioms that are not part of typical French courses, which gives more insight and understanding of real French. .  

​

The second reason was the Ile de Ré.  I had never heard of it before, but it is a fabulous place - unspoilt, centuries old port towns with so much to see and do.  I went for many walks around the towns and the old fortifications, visited museums, and went for a sail on a catamaran. And the accommodation in a modern, well-appointed apartment in the grounds of the old governor's mansion, was also special.

​

The third reason was how welcome Clarisse and Claude made me feel. Starting with welcome aperitifs at their house when I arrived, to a fabulous dinner on the final evening, as well as lunches at local restaurants, it was like a visit to old friends who had moved to a new part of the world, and were eagerly showing me around.  Each day, as part of the course, Clarisse would take me to a local attraction - a different village, an old church tower, an old book restoration facility, or an outside market.  It was like having a personal tour guide for the week, and always explaining things in French as well as helping me to converse with others (she knows just about everyone on the island).

​

In short, I would thoroughly recommend it.  Je ne regrette rien!

​

Amicalement,

Philip