French courses for young people in Bruges
Bruges (or Brugge in Dutch) is undoubtedly one of the most charming cities in Flanders and offers an ideal setting for a language stay for young students aged 8 to 17. This medieval city, nicknamed the Venice of the North, is dotted with waterways and canals, and its city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just ten kilometres from the North Sea, Bruges is also a popular seaside destination.
It is in this magnificent setting that our “Aan De Plas” study centre is located. The French courses in Bruges are taught by experienced teachers, and a wide range of varied activities such as tennis, horse-riding, cultural activities, windsurfing and omnisport are offered to enrich the participants’ experience. Accommodation is in a student residence, and the all-inclusive stay guarantees a complete linguistic and cultural experience in a stimulating and safe environment.
Take advantage of the quality teaching and modern facilities to make progress in French while discovering the treasures of Bruges and experiencing unforgettable moments with other young people who share the same interests.
The centre
Our ” Aan de plas ” centre, ideally located for courses and sports activities, welcomes students during the Easter and summer holidays.
Many cultural visits, activities and discoveries are possible from the course centre, which is also an excellent leisure centre.
French courses: general information
- Minimum stay: 1 week
- Number of lessons per week: 15 (3 lessons per day)
- Length of lessons: 50 minutes
- Class size: 12 on average
- Level test on Sunday
- Public holidays: 21 July and 15 August (the programme may vary according to these)
- Duration of activities: 2 hours per day
Our French lessons & activities programme in Flanders gives children and teenagers aged 8 to 17 the opportunity to take language lessons and take part in a programme of sporting or cultural activities, while benefiting from safe supervision. This programme is ideal for a first language stay.
The French-speaking participants work alongside international participants who have come to learn French, making for an enriching exchange for all concerned.
The school aims to provide high-quality language teaching. Classes are made up of small groups and activities are always fun, enabling young people to acquire the vocabulary, listening skills and practical knowledge of French in a short space of time.
The programme of activities
Several options are offered depending on the holiday period:
- All Saints’ Day: we offer a multi-activity programme including cultural visits and various sporting activities such as basketball, football, volleyball, kayaking, etc., depending on the weather.
- Easter: we offer a selection of options from those listed below. The options offered are followed by an *
- Summer: all options are available
French & culture*
——
This programme allows young people to discover Belgian and Flemish culture during the afternoon cultural activities, i.e. 1 or 2 museum visits per day (Hôtel de Ville, St Sang, Groenighe, Hôpital Saint-Jean, Notre Dame, Volkskunde, St Donaas, Gruuthuuse, etc.).
Explanations or audio guides are provided for each visit (depending on the place visited). Young people also complete short questionnaires.
Sports and leisure activities, evening entertainment and excursions to the coast complete the holiday.
french & horse riding*
——
Manege Sanders, the riding school for the youngsters, has an indoor arena and a large number of horses.
french & omnisport*
——
The omnisport programme generally includes the classic sports, such as football, volleyball, baseball, etc., but also kayaking, padel, beach sports in Zeebrugge, etc.
On the last day, depending on the group’s preference: padel/tennis, games, basketball, swimming pool or a visit to Bruges.
The different sports will be decided on the spot according to the weather and the composition of the different groups.
french & windsurfing
——
The course takes place at the Watersportclub VVW Brugge leisure centre. Groups of 8 to 10 participants.
All equipment provided (windsurf, lifejacket). Entry requirements: hold a swimming certificate or be able to swim 100 metres.
french & tennis*
——
Classes are held at the region’s leading sports clubs, TC Brughia (Bruges) and Centre Laguna de Heist (Knokke), providing an ideal opportunity to improve your French while practising the language.
The clubs have covered tennis courts in case of bad weather.
Combined courses
——
Students who want to stay for several weeks and enjoy a variety of activities can combine different programmes (a week of French & culture followed by a week of French & sports, for example).
Simply specify this on the enrolment form.
Evening activities
In the evenings, supervised activities in French are offered to participants (films, bowling, games without borders, table tennis, billiards, table football, etc.). The younger children are supervised by bilingual teachers who can listen to them in their own language if necessary.
Timetable
This is a boarding school: the classrooms and bedrooms are in the same building. A guarantee of safety and peace of mind for all participants.
Boarding
Each of the 16 bedrooms (4 to 6 students per room) is cosy and comfortable, with a magnificent view over a 16-hectare lake. They all have a bathroom with separate toilet. Wi-Fi is available free of charge to all residents. Full board is included in the price of your stay. If the stay is for a fortnight or more, there is a supplement for Saturday and Sunday nights (see price table).
Please note: sheets, pillowcases and blankets are not provided. We ask participants to bring a sleeping bag or single bed linen.
It is possible to rent a bedding pack including sheets, blanket and pillow (see “Dates & Prices”)
Day stay
Families holidaying nearby can opt for a non-residential package, which includes lessons (although with one lesson less than the boarding stay, each day), lunches, excursions and cultural or sporting activities (9 to 5 programme). All options are available (culture, tennis, etc.).
Price: see discount in the price table.
Transport
We do not organise travel to Bruges, but we can organise a transfer to the centres from Brussels Zaventem airport, Charleroi airport or Brussels-Midi station.
Practical details
- Age of participants: the courses are designed for 8-9 year olds (April and first two weeks of July only), 10-12 year olds, 13-15 year olds and 16-17 year olds.
- Arrival on Sunday between 3 and 4 p.m., departure on Saturday between 10 and 11 a.m.
- A placement test will be held on the Sunday after arrival, so that participants can join their classes directly without losing time on Monday morning.
- Easy parking on arrival and departure.
Dates & Prices 2024
Dates 2024
Stays are scheduled from Sunday to Saturday (7 days / 6 nights) and are organised during the Easter, summer, and November holidays.
Easter 2024
- 07/04 – 13/04
- 05/05 – 11/05
Summer 2024
- 30/06 – 06/07
- 07/07 – 13/07
- 14/07 – 20/07
- 21/07 – 27/07
- 28/07 – 03/08
- 04/08 – 10/08
- 11/08 – 17/08
- 18/08 – 24/08
- 25/08 – 31/08
November 2024
- To be determined
Possibility of combining different options (e.g. “culture” then “tennis” if the stay covers several weeks).
Prices 2024
All taxes and registration fees included
| Courses & activities - Residence, full board (1 to 4 weeks duration) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Easter 2024 | Culture | Multisport | Tennis | Horse riding | |
| 04/07 - 04/13 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | |
| 05/05 - 11/05 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | |
| Summer 2024 | Culture | Multisport | Tennis | Windsurfing | Horse riding |
| 30/06 – 06/07 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 07/07 – 13/07 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 07/14 – 07/20 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 07/21 – 07/27 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 07/28 – 08/03 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 04/08 – 10/08 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 08/11 – 08/17 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 08/18 – 08/24 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| 08/25 – 08/31 | € 695 | € 695 | € 755 | € 825 | € 825 |
| November 2024 | Multi-Activity Program | Horse riding | |||
| Dates to be determined | € 695 | € 825 | |||
| Accommodation supplement (per week) | |||||
| Night from Saturday to Sunday between two weeks | € 90 | ||||
| Bedding pack rental (sheets, blanket, pillow) | € 25 | ||||
| Special diet (vegetarian, halal, etc.) | € 30 | ||||
| Transfer from the airport | |||||
| Destination | One way | Arrival & departure | |||
| Zaventem airport or Brussels-South train station (Thalys) | € 200 | € 370 | |||
| Surcharge per transfer | |||||
| For any arrival or departure between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. | € 50 | ||||
| UM transfer | € 75 | ||||
| Discounts | |||||
| Day camp | € 165 | ||||
| Family reduction (from the 2nd registered) | € 15 | ||||
Prices include:
- French lessons
- Language tests on arrival and departure
- Certificate of attendance at the end of the course
- A full programme of excursions, including travel and entrance fees
- Entertainment and evening activities (films, singing, barbecues, etc.)
- Teaching materials
- Full-board accommodation and shared room
- All sports and use of sports facilities (depending on the option booked)
- Constant supervision
- Accident insurance
Prices do not include:
- Travel to/from Bruges
- Transfer from Brussels Zaventem airport or Brussels-Midi station
- Riding boots (to be provided by the participant)
- Transition night for stays of more than one week
- Bedding pack rental (€25/week)
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