I've been doing intensive French through IF. The teacher styles vary a lot (could be more consistent) but the quality of the teaching is consistently high.
Intensive courses move fast and you must do homework. The teachers have high expectation and push you forward, but that's good to progress.
Culturally I can see how their bluntness and dry humour might not sit well with some Brits or those who aren't willing to laugh at themselves, but as an Aussie I found it helped break the ice and challenge of learning a tough language.
Fantastic establishment to learn French, their mediatheque is just incredible and their teachers are brilliant!
![5]( "Recensione")
It was Autumn 2020.
When pandemic and lock down almost suffocated me, I found that London Film Festival was taking place.
Excitedly, I went to the premiere of the Pixar movie 'Soul' in the Institut francais (French Institute of the United Kingdom). The film itself needs no more description – it is talked about everywhere in 2021.
Touched by the film's great story, I left the institute with tears but optimism, and a positive first impression. It is a cozy yet exquisite place with spaces designed for both entertainment and educational purposes.
My mind lingered in the story for a few hours, when I entered the Hyde Park, about 15 minutes' walk away – although I certainely did not pay attention to where I was going.
Through the park entrance, a mountain of golden-yellow leaves filled my eyes (Picture 1), and I smiled like a child immediately.
Immersed in the nature's beauty, I played in the park for almost 2 hours until my stomach sung. Then I picked up a few leaves home and put them on my musical notation (Picture 2).
Well, it is more than a story about movie and leaves.
As a PhD student I was struggling with my research data collection during the pandemic. I was supposed to complete half of that by Autumn 2020 already, yet I did not.
The calm & gentle atmosphere in the Institut francais, the wonderful & touching film, and the bright & soft leaves uplifted the then devastated me. After that day, I regained my strength and motivation to continue my research, and I succeeded in having all the data that I need.
Now I am in the final stage of my PhD. And I could not be more thankful for this uplifting experience.
Thank you, the Institut francais, I am very happy that I have come to meet you. Hope we can meet again in future.
*Picture 3: Open your heart, you will find that 'the Great Beyond' is not the end.
I attended the intensive in-person lessons with Tatiana Pogossian and with Annie-Laure Jeandot. Both were exceptional teachers and they provided a good foundation for the basics of learning French. Most importantly, Annie-Laure Jeandot made lessons the most fun learning spaces where we could practise and consolidate Tatiana's morning classes. Annie-Laure therefore goes down as perhaps the best teacher I've ever had! Would highly recommend both teachers. The institute itself is in need of renovations but overall a wonderful introduction to a beautiful language. Merci beaucoup!!!
The premises have the cafe tangerine and cine lumiere. The staff were very helpful. Mayamada provided access to digital games, board games and VR for ticket holders. This promoted games for difference ages and languages. Very nice atmosphere and pretty premises.
Good biblioteque, nice staff and beaucoup de selections en francais
Have done several courses here over the past two years with several teachers and all have been excellent, professional, encouraging and just nice people. The Administration has always been very pleasant and helpful. Overall, very much recomended.
I Went There With My Class And It Was good
Joined a beginner class. Affordable prices. I really like that the class was conducted in french. Very helpful to improve my listening and oral skills.
Big team of qualified and experienced teachers, friendly staff, prime location, variety of courses on all levels (groups, 1 to 1, business, children and specialised French classes), courses everyday mornings and evenings even on Saturdays to suit the students needs, great library with lots of books, dvds, cds and magazines, cinema with a very good selection of movies, great talks and conferences, also efforts have been made to refurbish this époque building : the French Institute is the best place in London to learn French !
Great venue to watch a film. Lovely staff, Idris in particular!
Lovely little library to borrow books for children in French.
Too much vocabulary in their method, not enough grammar. This is my only complaint.
Beautiful building, art house cinema, great new cafe coming soon!
feels like I'm back home in paris when I'm here...amazing selection of french films
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