Testimonials

Connie from Seattle, Washington, USA (1 homestay in 2006)

Provence en Famille was just what I was looking for. At this Provencal homestay, I was immersed in the language all day long. It was so natural to speak French. I wanted to concentrate on my conversational skills so that is what Elisabeth emphasized. Elisabeth has a gift for teaching. She was able to quickly explain a point of grammar or an idiom to me so that I immediately understood it and could apply it during my conversations. She also knew how to gently correct my errors so that I learned from my mistakes but was not humiliated in the process. I am happy with the progress I made with Elisabeth's  one-on-one instruction. She truly enjoys teaching French and showing her Provence to others. The excursions that she suggested were always interesting. Elisabeth is also a very good cook. I ate well every day and now have some good recipes to try chez moi! Both she and her husband, Roland, were very welcoming and made me feel comfortable all four weeks of my homestay.  I will definitely be coming back to Provence-en-famille for another wonderful experience.

Esther from Absecon, New Jersey, USA (2 homestays in 2006 and 2011) 

I have just returned from my second homestay with Elisabeth and Roland. Again, as the instruction was one-on-one, I was able to concentrate on my weaknesses, not someone else's. At this point, improving my conversation and comprehension skills was very important to me. In addition, I needed help with the more advanced topics of grammar. Elisabeth is an incredibly adaptable teacher and this is exactly what we did. In just two weeks I made significant progress. This was truly an immersion experience as we spoke nothing but French. Elisabeth is a wonderful, empathetic instructor and, I might add, a terrific cook. She truly cared that everything met my expectations. My accommodations were very comfortable and their new location in Aix has so much to offer. I loved wandering around and getting to know this truly Provencal town. Also it is close to Marseille and many of the other towns that you associate with Provence. I enthusiastically recommend Provence-en-famille to any student, no matter their level, who has a desire to improve their French.

Julie from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA (2 homestays in 2007 and 2009)

Meeting Elisabeth and Roland and becoming part of their family for 2 weeks was a fabulous experience. I immediately felt at home. The French studies every morning helped me advance tremendously. I also benefitted greatly from the conversations throughout the day as well as our walks together. The animated talks over the delicious meals gave me a great insight into the culture and lifestyles of France. I had the opportunity to explore not only the language, but to experience the day-to-day life of the Provencal region. Elisabeth and Roland are passionate about the arts, literature, and people in general. In only 2 weeks I gained a wealth of linguistic and cultural knowledge. I recommend this experience to anyone looking to advance his or her studies.

(Even my husband who does not speak French enjoyed the experience immensely.)

Laura from Houston, Texas,  USA (7 homestays  between the years of 1995 and 2008)

I have had many French professors over the past 10 years that I have been studying the French language, both in France and in the United States. Without a doubt, Elisabeth Dol has been the best teacher I have had. She really loves her profession and her students. She is sensitive to her students' needs. Her program for each student is based on the needs of the individual. Her knowledge of French history and culture is outstanding. Her preparation for her students' lessons is thorough. She has so much enthusiasm for both her teaching and life. I have enjoyed every minute in her gracious and welcoming home. My French has improved a hundredfold since I have been her student. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to know her, her family, and to have benefited from my experience as her student.

Maya and Bernhard from Switzerland ( 2 homestays in 2008 and 2009)

Bei Elisabeth und Roland sind wir zu Hause und erleben ein Sprachbad in der französischen Sprache

Die Ankunft im Haus von Elisabeth und Roland ist für uns immer ein nach Hause kommen. Der herzliche Empfang der Gastgeber sowie das schön dekorierte Haus können diesen Eindruck nur verstärken. Den Sprachkurs mit einem Aufenthalt in der Familie der Sprachlehrerin zu verbinden ist eine ideale Kombination. Wir erleben diese Unterrichtsform wie ein "Sprachbad". Bereits bei der Begrüssung tauchen wir in die französische Sprache ein, dies zieht sich fort über den Unterricht, die angeregten Tischgespräche und die gemeinsamen Ausflüge in die farbenfrohe Landschaft der Provence. Elisabeth und Roland geben uns die Möglichkeit, die französische Sprache zu erleben. Beim Besuch der Wochenmärkte lernen wir viel über Land und Leute. St. Remy en Provence ist eine Perle und den Samstags-Markt von Aix-en-Provence ein Muss. Natürlich gehört ein Mittagessen im "Pourquoi pas ?" und ein anschliessender Kaffee in der "Brûlerie" dazu. An den Wochenenden oder auch einmal unter der Woche - die von Elisabeth angebotenen Kurse lassen dies zum Glück zu - unternehmen wir gemeinsame Ausflüge bis in den Luberon. Roland hat uns dabei mit seinem grossen Wissen wertvolle Hintergrundinformationen zur Geschichte, der Architektur und zur Lebensweise im Süden Frankreichs vermittelt. Müssten wir eine Bewertung abgeben, würden wir sicher sagen "Best teacher and place in France !". Wir können Elisabeth und ihre Art zu unterrichten bestens empfehlen. Für uns steht es fest "Wir kommen sicher wieder zurück "chez Elisabeth en Provence".

Renée from Palm Springs, California, USA   (1 homestay in 2009)

Dear Elisabeth,

My son and I had a marvelous stay at your home this past summer. You made us feel so much at home and we loved our time with you. Your French lessons are fantastic - it was incredible how you weaved the lessons into the natural course of our daily activities. After two weeks with you, I felt my French had progressed to a whole new level.

For anyone who may read this note, if you want to experience life as the French do, then a one week or two week stay with Elisabeth and her husband will offer you great insight and a wonderful experience. You will enjoy an authentic French lifestyle, including carefully and lovingly prepared meals and stimulating conversation.

I so much look forward to our return to Elisabeth's home.

Elisabeth, thank you for the incredible time with you!

Loïs de Ottawa, Canada (1 homestay in 2013)

I spent a month this winter at "Provence en Famille" with Mme. Elisabeth Dol.  It was unmistakably an exhilarating experience.  Elisabeth Dol had a passion for teaching French and her teaching was very clear and expressive.  Mme Dol and M. Dol took pleasure in showing me Provence taking time to explain its vast history and exhuberant culture.  Their warm hospitality made me feel very much at home and I enjoyed the many conversations at meal times etc.  It provided excellent practice in conversation.