Small Town French Immersion At Teacher’s In Northern France

This immersion and homestay were all I had hoped for. First Eliane is a wonderful teacher. She has put together creative methods to spur conversation, keep the conversation rolling and to learn and internalize some of the words/phrases/grammar used.

Each day we had 3 hours of instruction – I requested a lot of conversation in order to boost my confidence – that included videos, listening, some short local walks and conversation. This took place after breakfast where we’d already spoken for 30 minutes. To add to this, I spoke with Eliane and her partner, Benjamin, during lunch for another hour or so of instruction. Add this to the two afternoon outings and I ended up doing a lot of speaking and learning.

The accommodations were perfect. The bungalow in which I stayed for the week was clean, spacious, comfortable and private. I slept well, had time to relax my brain and it had a small kitchen so that I could go into town to get food stuffs and prepare them in the evenings. A couple of evenings I went to a restaurant in the town center (note that Sunday and Monday, it is a little difficult to find things open) and enjoyed my time there.

For my breakfast and lunch, I had plenty to eat. Eliane prepared great lunches everyday. It seems she can do it all: she is a wonderful teacher, host and cooks delicious food.

Summary, I left speaking much better than I did when I arrived, I relaxed, ate very well and had a fabulous vacation. If you are considering it, do it.

We had the pleasure of one week’s language immersion with Eliane towards the end of winter 2020. Coming from Australia, our language skills in French are somewhat basic (between advanced beginners to low intermediate).

With Eliane we concentrated on the use of several tenses (composed past, imperfect, future simple, conditional) as well as general conversation. We found her lessons very enjoyable, informative and well structured. Her very personable manner was delightful and we immediately felt at home in her and her partner Benjamin’s home in Roye.

The separate studio apartment in their garden was very comfortable and we had our own privacy. Eliane’s cooking is superb and the meal-times were prolonged and a great opportunity for us to practice our conversational French.

Our excursions in and around Roye were particularly stimulating. This was a part of France that neither of us had visited before and we found the experience of exploring the area very enjoyable. One highlight was an unplanned visit to the local florist with whom we had a long and lively conversation (in French!). For such a small town, Roye has terrific facilities, with an excellent cinema/theatre, heated swimming pool etc and we found the people there to be very friendly.

The days with Eliane were nicely structured, beginning with a prolonged breakfast together followed by around three hours of formal tuition, and then a long, conversationally rich, lunch. Two afternoons were taken up with excursions to the Australian war cemeteries on one day and to Amiens on another day, where we visited the extraordinary cathedral and the Jules Verne museum. We became completely hooked on Jules Verne as a result and have enjoyed greatly reading Around the World in 80 Days in its original French ever since! On the other days we had time to ourselves to explore the township of Roye and the nearby fields which are full of impressive wind turbines.

We have no hesitation in recommending Eliane for language immersion. She made us very welcome and we felt that our French language skills improved markedly under her tuition.

What an amazing and positive experience.

I had been wanting to do French Immersion for years, but was either short on time or too hesitant to take the plunge. I am so glad that I did. My French can at best be called rusty and patchy and I was keen to expand my conversational ability. I believe I have achieved that.

The whole process could not have been simpler. The information on the website was thorough and gave me a great picture of what to expect. Communication with Eliane was simple and quick and payment by bank transfer was very easy and secure. Before coming, I received emails on information about the immersion experience, as well as a questionnaire to fill out about my ability, or lack thereof, in French, my interests, allergies, food preferences, etc.

Eliane and her delightful partner Benjamin met me at the airport (CDG) in the evening and very patiently circled the car park as my bags were delayed. The trip from CDG was very short – about an hour and we arrived in Roye, where I was also greeted by their adorable dog Okami. He is very friendly and not remotely threatening and is a great conversation ice breaker.

Their house is very welcoming and the “guesthouse”/granny flat that I stayed in was perfect. It was very clean, neat and had all that one could require – great shower, fridge, stove top, kitchen electrics, TV and very good wifi! Plus the total privacy was an amazing luxury. It was like staying in a 5 star hotel! They also have a very big garden, which is perfect for children (I just enjoyed the view from my little patio).

As for the lessons, they were tailored to suit my request and could be also be changed at my request at any time. We conversed, read, went through grammar and practiced comprehension. If I had an issue with one aspect of conversation, we would focus on that. Eliane was patient but also very adaptable. She made the lessons interactive and interesting. It was just what I needed to improve my confidence. Sometimes we would walk in the park and practice there, as would happen in real life if you were conversing with someone.

We also went on two excursions – one for clothes shopping and sightseeing in Compiegne, which was great fun, and one to a war memorial which was also great (though sad). We went shopping at the local market where I had to order the produce, normal supermarket shopping  and Eliane also kindly took me on a side trip to a local gin distillery (I love gin!). She is very knowledgeable on history and current politics/world issues as well as local specialties.

Eliane prepared a fabulous breakfast every morning and we conversed over breakfast. Lunch was delicious and filling – she is a great chef!

Roye itself is a very peaceful and pleasant town with plenty of interesting things to do in short driving distance – of course the battlefields and memorials are a must. There is a supermarket in walking distance and also a beautiful park. There is a Michelin star restaurant, as well as others.

All in all, I could not recommend Eliane’s  french immersion highly enough! I think she would be suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced and the area gives plenty of interesting topics to discuss.

Eliane, Benjamin and Okami, thank you for a wonderful stay!

I have managed to learn so much in a week with Éliane. I have always wanted to do a French immersion course but being a beginner and a very nervous person I was terrified. Éliane was already waiting for me with her lovely smile when I arrived at the station. This was so reassuring. Her partner Benjamin and their amazing dog Okami also met me with such friendliness that I was put at ease immediately.

Éliane is a fabulous teacher. She can explain things so well and was so patient with all my questions. I wish I could spend longer with her so that I could improve upon the solid foundation that she has given me. If I ever have the opportunity to come back for more lessons I will without hesitation.

The student bungalow is very private and peaceful. It has everything that you need and it is so cozy and comfortable it surpassed my expectations. The meals that Éliane prepared were brilliant. She asked what I liked at the start of the week and every meal was freshly prepared.

Whatever it is that you want to focus on…. the fascinating history of the area, amazing French cuisine, or learning the language it  can be found in Roye with this charming family. Éliane, Benjamin, and no one can forget Okami, are the perfect hosts and I would recommend them to everyone.

My week with Eliane and her family (Okami and Benjamin) was  »Incroyable» !

Not only was Eliane a good teacher in French, but she was also a great cook, tour guide and concierge to show me the best places to go, when I needed.

I would highly recommend Eliane for a person who wants to learn French in a different way to what they’ve experienced before, I look forward to hearing from Eliane and the family in the near future!

My husband and I booked an immersion course hoping to boost our small knowledge of French.

Eliane and her partner Benjamin were friendly and easygoing, the accommodation was comfortable and the excursions were interesting and informative.

The only thing that let us down was our own lack of French. Although Eliane was very patient, our lack of the language didn’t allow us to take full advantage of the immersion situation. Nevertheless we thoroughly enjoyed our week in France and perhaps we’ll do it again one day.

I really enjoyed my stay with Eliane and Benjamin. They were both very friendly and accommodating.

As a teacher Eliane is very supportive and patient. She picked up right away on my learning style. My goal is to be more conversational. As a beginner and shy person, she was quick to gently encourage me to speak and not be afraid to make mistakes. Even though I have a ways to go, I think Eliane has me going in the right direction.

I highly recommend Eliane as an immersion teacher. I was way out of my comfort zone, but she made me feel at home and at ease.

Thank you Eliane and Benjamin and Okami (the beautiful dog) for a great week.

Thank you so much Eliane and Benjamin !

You were wonderful hosts relaxed and giving. I really appreciated that. I enjoyed having my own place too. Merci !

Thank you for your delicious meals and it was so nice to share the meals we did.

I was very happy to meet Okami and be able to walk in the forest with him. Il est très gentil !

Thank you for driving me to Amiens and Naours. I never thought I would get to Naours – it was so interesting and I am fascinated with the history of this place. Just great ! Lovely driving Benjamin thank you.

Today we went to the market and I listened hard to the interchange between people and Eliane. I hope I can remember all your good advice.

I loved the lessons but they passed far too quickly. I learned so much !

Merci beaucoup !

Ils sont tous très gentils !

Merci beaucoup pour ce séjour agréable à Roye. Votre générosité et votre hospitalité ont dépassé toutes nos attentes.

The classes and the format was excellent. My vocabulary and my pronunciation was improved and it is exactly what I needed. Knowing that my pronunciation and my vocabulary was better than I started, has improved my confidence.

The length of the classes was just right, and the material we used has helped my ear. I can hear more French and I may not always understand what is said, I can look up the word later or even ask the person ‘s’il vous plaît qu’est-ce que vous avez dit ou le mot que vous venez de dire’ and repeat the word back to the speaker.

In spite of the weather the excursions were enjoyable. It was like putting a face the places you have read so much about. The whisky tasting was something new for me and I liked the enthusiasm of Etienne, our host.

My wife enjoyed her stay and Okami, your lovely gentle dog with the serious face, was a treat.

I would love to come-back to you and learn more. We love the region and the friendliness of the French people and all the people in the shops who helped me with my French.

L’année prochaine peut-être si mon temps le permet.

I want to thank you for a wonderful week! You were a great host and a wonderful teacher.

This experience was exactly what I was looking for. I truly enjoyed spending time getting to know you and your family while improving my French! It was also great that you took the time to show me around your region so I could really experience the history and the culture. This was my first time to the North part of France and I loved it!

Staying in your studio was a comfortable and a relaxing place to stay.

I very much appreciate that you listened to my request; utilizing a more open-discussion style (as I am an Intermediate student) while also helping me with my weakness (oral comprehension) though fun exercises. I also appreciated our daily “walkabouts” to the market, butcher, etc.

The meals were great – you are an excellent cook.

Many thanks again and I hope to see you again soon!

I cannot recommend Eliane highly enough. She really understood that I needed to understand the structure of the language in order to develop my speaking skills. Her way of teaching is the most logical and simple that I have experienced and things that had confused me in the past started to make sense. She is very good, patient teacher and a lovely person!

Her and Benjamin are incredibly kind and welcoming. I am seven months pregnant but Eliane was extremely thoughtful about what to cook and what trips would suit me. The food was delicious and her studio is very peaceful and comfortable.

I would recommend Eliane to all my friends and I wouldn’t hesitate to book with her again. I now feel confident about how to continue practicing french for myself and hope that when I meet her again she gets to see a big improvement. Also, Okami, their dog, is lovely!

Thank you Eliane and Benjamin!

As the train pulled into Amiens, my mind wandered, and my nerves slightly rattled. I had no idea what to expect for the next few weeks. I was scared and excited all at once until Eliane greeted me at the town square just outside the station. Her warm welcome calmed my nerves, and a lovely conversation began to flow, I knew right away I was in good French hands.

Over the last two weeks, I felt like I became a part of her family. The most significant gift out of all of this experience is that I am walking away speaking and understanding French on a higher level.

Eliane curated lessons around topics of interest and that I can use for my occupation. Also, she was very patient, dedicated to my success and answered all my questions with a smile.

Her teaching style is engaging and fun which, makes the learning process exciting.

I can’t wait to book another experience with her and my new extended French family.

Oh, and please come with an appetite because, elle sait très bien cuisiner!

I could not be happier with my choice for the week I spent in northern France with Eliane and Benjamin. My interests are history and learning how to speak French. . So visiting northern France with all the history of World War I and World War II was a perfect pick for my French immersion experience.

Right from the start Eliane and Benjamin made me feel at home. I stayed in the apartment behind their house, which is very nice and private.

I have been studying French for almost a year using apps, watching French movies on Netflix, watching YouTube videos and Elaine brought it all together for me. I know she quickly assessed my skill level and developed lessons tailored to exactly what I needed. I am learning French a little later in life and Eliane is a very patient professor and has the perfect balance between correction and encouragement. By the end of the week the light started to turn on in my head and everything I’ve been trying to learn on my own started to come together.

After our morning lessons, based on suggestions from Eliane, I would tour the Somme battlefields on my own. I had many opportunities to speak what I had been learning, and sometimes it was sink or swim. But it was really fun trying to communicate with someone who did not speak English, and all the French people I came in contact with were very nice.

I also went on two excursions with Eliane. She is very knowledgeable about the history of northern France, which was a very pleasant surprise. In fact she could easily teach a history class on World War I. One afternoon we went to Eliane’s mothers house and had lunch with her mother and grandmother. This turned out to be one of my favorite moments, not only did I get a chance to speak more French, but the food was absolutely incredible. Eliane, her mother and grandmother are excellent “les cuisiniers”, in fact, I did not want to leave that table, like ever! Haha, it was “très bon”.

Overall I would easily rate the week “five stars”. My visit had everything I could have asked for and more, learning and speaking French, touring historical sites, eating fantastic food, staying in a large studio apartment and getting to know Eliane and Benjamin. They are not only great hosts that make you feel welcome and comfortable, they are also really nice people and fun to be around.
Thank you Eliane and Benjamin for a fantastic experience!

I miss you already!

Our recent stay with Eliane was the highlight of our time in France. She is such an accomplished hostess and energetic teacher!

The main objective for our week of immersion was to introduce our 11 year old son to French for his new school. Eliane provided instruction at a completely beginner level for him, but at the same time she was able to include my husband and I in a way that we also learned effectively. Our lessons were interesting and fun!

It was a pleasure to listen to her beautiful French language and be inspired by her enthusiasm.

The village of Roi is a Monet picture perfect setting in which we immersed ourselves in the culture of the countryside of France.

Thank you Eliane for sharing your love of the French language, culture and cuisine!

Our French immersion home stay with Eliane and Benjamin was the highpoint of our trip to France this year!

Elaine was a wonderful cook, and our meals were a relaxing time to practice our language skills and an opportunity to learn some secrets of French cooking. We enjoyed going to the local Farmer’s market with Elaine, too. We learned more about her community and town as we shopped.

Eliane tailored our daily lessons to our level of knowledge, and I found my pronunciation improved with her help, too. It needed quite a bit of practice!

We were comfortable in the studio apartment behind their house, and we walked to the nearby park and explored the town in our afternoons and evenings. Benjamin drove us all to Amiens to see the cathedral and the canals with the floating gardens for our first afternoon excursion, and later in the week to Compiegne to visit the famous Chateau.

We would recommend this experience to anyone!