Our 2-Week Language Intensive
This two-week program for Year 10 to 12 VCE and IB students pairs structured French classes with the chance to use the language every day in France. Our fully guided Discovery Tour combines daily French tuition with real-world immersion in Bordeaux and Paris, without the risks of a traditional in-home exchange.
What Sets Us Apart
Each morning, students attend French language classes led by Fiona Curnow, a VCE and IB French teacher with 20+ years’ experience. Lessons are tailored to exam strategies, and students put their skills into practice through excursions and exploration each afternoon.
AIX is a not-for-profit, Government-approved organisation, trusted for almost a decade by Melbourne schools including Lauriston Girls’ School, Melbourne Grammar School, Mansfield Steiner School, Trinity Grammar School, Siena College, Genazzano FCJ College and Forest Hill College.
Safety & Support
AIX is registered with the VRQA as a Student Exchange Organisation, meaning we are assessed on governance, insurance and compliance with the Child Safe Standards. All staff hold current WWCCs, and every trip has written risk assessments and emergency management plans.
Senior AIX staff accompany the small group on all flights and transport, and stay in the same accommodation as students. Families receive regular updates and pre-departure information sessions. Please let us know if you would like us to share our child safety policies, emergency management plans and risk and insurance documentation.
Itinerary
Students spend approximately 9 nights in Bordeaux, exploring the Place de la Bourse, the Grand Théâtre, Cathédrale Saint-André and Pont de Pierre, with excursions to Saint-Émilion, the Dune du Pilat, Cap Ferret and Arcachon. The tour finishes with 3 nights in Paris, including Versailles, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre and a Seine river cruise.
Tour dates: April and September 2027
What’s included: international flights, accommodation, transfers, travel insurance, visas, group tour and excursion entrance fees, and daily breakfasts and dinners. Pocket money is not included.
For pricing, please contact us.
The AIX Experience
Culture
La Culture
Experiencing a foreign country propels students towards acceptance and understanding of a vastly different cultural perspective.
Bordeaux is a culturally rich environment, renowned for its history, architecture, wine and delicious cuisine.
Embracing a new and vibrant culture is a chance to step out of the student’s comfort zone and experience unfamiliar situations whilst being supported by a nurturing AIX support team.
Connection
Le Lien
Each student partaking in AIX's program has a unique opportunity to form relationships with their AIX counterpart and family, but also form a unique bond with other students partaking in the program.
Meeting new people provides an invaluable opportunity to develop new perspectives.
This program is certainly a personal development experience which will empower year 10 and 11 students to embrace challenges with confidence.
Language
La Langue
The best way to learn a new language is through a comprehensive and total immersion. Be prepared for your French language skills to improve in leaps and bounds!
A tremendous sense of accomplishment when mastering a new language encourages students to develop independent opinions, make informed decisions and strive to attain fresh goals.
What is the cost of the program?
Please make an obligation-free consultation here with a member of our team to access our pricing options.
When is our next intake?
We are taking a select group of Year 9 - Year 12 students to Bordeaux and Paris in April and September each year. Both exchange and Study Tour options are available.
How are students paired with each other?
AIX's pairing process is a comprehensive, rigorous and multi-step exercise led by our in-house counsellor and HR consultant. The process involves a questionnaire, followed by a virtual and in-home interview. Safety and securing a good match is of utmost importance to us therefore we will do everything we can to match each student with a similar and like-minded AIX counterpart. Learn more about our pairing process here.