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Centre de Linguistique Appliquée
The Centre de Linguistique Appliquée (CLA) is a world-reknowned center for language learning. Founded in 1958, the CLA greets 3,000 students a year from all over the world to study French and other languages. Now a part of the Université de Franche-Comté, the CLA has increased its already solid research program in second language acquisition. UA students will take classes in French language and literature and enjoy the cultural activities organized by the CLA (theater, film, etc.),trips to Dijon, Strasbourg, and Paris, as well as informal get-togethers with the young Bisontins (i.e., young people of Besançon).
Centre de Linguistique Appliquée (CLA)
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What a 2007 Program Participant Says"During my time in Besançon, France, I attended an Elementary I French Language class at the CLA. Upon arriving, all students took a placement test, which included both written and oral portions, and were placed in levels ranging from Debutant to Advanced accordingly. I was placed in the Debutant level. However, after one week, my professors and I decided I would be better suited one level up in Elementary I. So, for the remaining three weeks, I was in class five hours a day in Elementary I, and it improved my French skills greatly. Each level had two professors, one for Monday, Tuesday, and the first half of Wednesday, and the other for the remainder of the week. We did a number of activities to learn vocabulary, verbs, grammar, and expressions. With both teachers, this included many handouts with pictures, words, and exercises printed on them. In fact, you receive so many that I have mine organized in their own binder.
For one hour per day, the class went to a Language Listening Lab. There each student had at their desk a pair of headphones and a tape player. We did a number of activities to help reinforce the other lessons. For example, in class we would analyze a dialogue, and listen to it during the Language Lab. Also, my favorite activity was when we listened to songs and attempted to dictate the lyrics.
At the end of the session, some classes had tests to ascertain how much knowledge the students gained. My class, however did not, and our grades were determined based on class performance and homework we turned in. Overall, I was very impressed with the various methods the CLA professors employed to teach us the French language."--Alia Biller, UA French Language and Culture in Besançon, France participant (Summer 2007) |
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Culture Besançon has a rich cultural heritage that includes concerts, theater, art and cinema. The inventors of "moving pictures," the Frères Lumière, were born in Besançon. Literature is well represented as well; Charles Nodier and the great Victor Hugo was born in Besançon. |
Recreation Besançon, nestled in the Jura Mountains that separate France from Switzerland, is the gateway to the region's ski slopes, which are less than one hour away by car. There are just as many outdoor activities, such as cycling, hiking, water skiing. |
 Quai Vauban |
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Gastronomy Franche-Comté is perhaps best known for its Comté cheese, a type of gruyère. Other cheeses unique to the region are bleu de Gex, mont d'or, and of course la cancoillotte. The region is also famous for its sausage, such as la saucisse de Morteau, as well as for its mushrooms, escargots, fish, honey, and spices. For wine lovers, the region is known for its pinot noir, its vin de paille a true delicacy. |
Sortir à Besançon! For those who love the night life, Besançon has many fine café-cabarets, movie theaters, plays, restaurants, and discothèques, and concerts of every kind. There is literally something for everyone! |
