tricolore.eu

FAQ's

What does TRICOLORE do?
For whom/which level?
Courses
Accommodation
Transport
Costs and enrolment
Diploma's
Public holidays
A year abroad
References

What does TRICOLORE do?

Tricolore is not just a website but has so much more to offer! Tricolore is a team of enthusiastic people who speak their languages and love to help you finding the right language course. For advice you can call us every working day from 9 am - 4 pm. You can also mail us or fill in the form we made especially for this purpose. We will send you an answer the same day if possible.

Key words: knowledge, transparency, experience and honesty.

Knowledge
All the institutes mentioned on this website (with the exception of the courses in Peru and Bolivia) have been visited at least once by our advisors. We know the institute, the people who work there and the town. We have been talking with students, attending classes and visiting accommodation.

Transparency
We mention clearly the names of all our partner school on the site. In this way you can easily have a look at the original websites of the schools too!

Experience
In 2012 Tricolore exists 22 years! In those 22 years more than 400 schools abroad were visited, about 20.000 students went abroad via Tricolore and gave their opinion in questionnaires, postcards and telephone calls.

Honesty
Sometimes people are surprised we advise him/her not to go to a certain institute. It happens that the clients' wishes absolutely do not match with the choice that was made. This can be a matter of budget, comfort, age, teaching method or accommodation. Often we interfere actively in your choice, to avoid disappointments.

For whom?

Often people think that Tricolore is just for young students or on the contrary for older people. Nothing is further from the truth! Our clients come from different population and age groups. Students, civil servants, pre-pensioners, active holidaymakers, pupils, teachers, truck drivers, housewives, doctors, school-leavers and now and then a celebrity. Shortly: we have a broad clientele.

Why do you have that many schools?
All people are different. With a large variety of schools we can easily find suitable courses for everyone, taking into account dates, age, price and type of course. In the standard group courses the minimum age is usually 16 or 18 years old, but in some schools youngsters as from 14 years old are welcome. The average age is very different per school, sometimes 20, sometimes 40 years!

What are the nationalities?
All schools are international. That means that on most places there is a good mix of nationalities.

Which levels?
Most schools nowadays work with the European Framework for Languages, where six levels are being distinguished. On the first day a test is being taken which determines at which level you will start. With the enrolment you only give an indication. Usually the next list is being used:

0. beginner, training for level A1
1. elementary, training for level A2
2. intermediate I, training for level B1
3. intermediate II, training for level B2
4. advanced, training for level C1
5. superior, training for level C2

An extensive description of the European Framework for Languages you can find on the internet http://www.coe.int/T/DG4/Portfolio/?L=E&M=/main_pages/levels.html

To give you an idea of the communicative skills per level:

A1 you are able to have a simple conversation about a familiar subject with somebody who speaks slowly and helps you to formulate your sentences
A2 you are able to have a short social conversation about day-to-day subjects without being able to keep the conversation going yourself
B1 you are able to participate unprepared in a conversation about day-to-day or familiar subjects
B2 you are able to participate in a conversation with native speakers spontaneously, in a discussion you have the ability to express your opinion
C1 you can express yourself fluently and spontaneously, you can formulate your opinions and ideas with precision
C2 without any problems you can participate in any discussion where you can express yourself with ease, precision and subtlety.

Courses

In which language lessons will be given?
Lessons will always be given in the language you are learning. The teachers, from all the schools, have followed a special training to teach their language to foreigners, according to a so called "direct method". Also absolute beginners will be given lessons without intervention of an other language. For many the result is very surprising!

When and for how long?
Most schools are open throughout the year, but some only during the summer months. The duration is free of choice, even one week is usually possible. On our website we just give prices of 7 different periods of time, but don't hesitate to ask us a quotation for any other number of weeks. As a first acquaintance with the language we advise you to follow a course for at least two weeks.

How many hours per day?
An average course has 4 lessons a day, 5 days a week from Monday until Friday. The intensive programmes often have 6 lessons a day and the most intensive courses will completely immerse you in the language. Attention: the length of a lesson varies per school. In the price diagrams with each school you will find the length of a standard lesson. Often the first day of class is used for a level test and an orientation tour. So you might have less lessons or no lessons at all on your first day!

Special courses?
We have them too! Refresher courses for teachers, courses for professionals or companies (economic, commercial, legal, tourist), courses that last one trimester or one semester, management courses in small groups or private lessons. For young people there are special holiday or refresher courses, especially during the summer holiday season. In Italy there are many combinations with creative courses, cooking and music.

Excursions etc.?
Almost every school has an activity program. It may consist of more serious matters like lectures, films and cultural visits, but also dinner parties, international evenings and sports. Often in the weekends excursions are being organised.

Accommodation

How is the accommodation arranged for?
Of course there is no problem if you would like to arrange your own accommodation, but you might like to benefit from the wide variety of possibilities the schools offer. There are some differerences however per country. In Spain almost any school has shared apartments: apartments that you share with other foreign students of the school, with common use of kitchen and bathroom.
In Italy you often have the choice between such a shared apartment or living with the Italians in a private room, with use of their kitchen and bathroom. In all countries there are student residences, aparthotels, studios and of course host families for all ages. The choice you have to make depends on your budget, your age and you personal preferences. Tricolore can advise you. Arrival is usually on a Sunday, departure on a Saturday.

Transport

Will transport be arranged for you?
TRICOLORE does not arrange your transport, but we can give you tips.

Costs and enrolment

Tricolore calculates the prices as they are mentioned by the schools, in their own brochures. On our website we have chosen the most requested programs and accommodations. If you do not find the right program or number of weeks, please contact us.
If there is any difference between the prices on our website and the price calculated by the institute: the price of the institute is valid. All prices are per person, unless explicitly mentioned otherwise.

How do I enrol?
On this website you find an enrolment form with each school description. You may choose either to enrol via Tricolore or to send your enrolment directly to the school, with a copy to Tricolore. The advantages and disadvantages of each you will find before you make that choice.

What can Tricolore mean for me once I have chosen a school?
We are your personal contact in the Netherlands before, during and after your course. So in case you have a problem with for instance your accommodation and you cannot come to an understanding with the school, Tricolore can help as an intermediate.
This service is FREE OF CHARGE!

Does Tricolore offer discounts?
Yes, this could be an extra advantage to book via Tricolore. Anybody who books a course for at least 12 weeks gets a discount. This is the "long term discount" you can find on our website in the price lists per school.
On our website we mention the original prices of the language school. If the school offers a discount on their website, we offer you the same discount.
Every discount we offer is mentioned per school in the price lists on our website.

Are books included in the price?
Many schools include the prices for the study material in their course prices. Often you can borrow a book, or the school hands out copies. At only a few schools you need to buy one or more books, depending on the length of the course. The prices for this are between € 10 and € 30 per level.

When do I pay?
If you have booked a course passing by Tricolore, you will receive a confirmation and an invoice from us. From the total amount you need to pay 10% immediately, the remainder 6 weeks before the starting date of the course. If the starting date is within 6 weeks, you need to pay the invoice immediately.

How soon do I need to enrol?
It is best not to wait until the last minute. Especially during the summer time courses are sometimes fully booked rather quickly. But in general an enrolment that is made just before the starting date of the course is possible, thanks to the many contacts Tricolore has with the schools.
We charge no extra fee for these last minute bookings.

Can I still change my booking?
Tricolore charges € 22 for a change until 6 weeks before the starting date, € 33 within 6 weeks. Unless it concerns an extension such as a week extra or a more intensive course program. In addition, some schools also charge an extra fee for a change!
In case you decide to change to another school, the school of your first choice will be cancelled. In this case, the possible costs of the annulations from this school will also be charged to you.

Examinations and certificates

Every school hands out certificates to the students at the end of their language course. Many institutes also offer training programs for official examinations, we mention here the moste common ones:

Examinations for French
Diplôme d'Etudes de Langue Française and Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française: two state diplomas in French language. As from 2006 these exams follow the European Framework of Languages:
DELF: 1er degré: A1 en A2
DELF: 2ème degré: B1 en B2 2ème
DALF: C1 en C2
Test de Connaissance du Français (T.C.F.)
There are many examination dates in France, spread over the whole year.

Examinations for Spanish
Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera, a state diploma Spanish that now also follows the European Framework:A1, A2, B1 (Inicial), B2 (Intermedio), C1 and C2 (Superior).
The exams take place in May, August and November.

Examinations for Italian
In consequence of a competition between the cities Florence, Siena and Perugia there are three different diploma systems:
ALTE from Perugia: CELI 1-5
AIL from Florence: DELI, DILI, DALI and DALC
ALS from Siena: CILS 1-4

Public holidays

Most schools are closed during public and local holidays and almost no school gives compensation for these days. Only a few compensate the lost hours during the other days or compensate financially. If you would like to know more about this of a specific school, please contact us. You find all the holdays mentioned with the course descriptions, below the starting dates. There you find the last day of class of the year as well, from which you can see whether the school closes for X-mas holidays or not. Please pay attention to the fact that in Spain holidays on a Sunday are often celebrated on the Monday after.
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A year abroad

Passed your exams? Or do you just want to do something completely different for a year? So, let's say you have plans to go abroad for at least a year. Perhaps a full year, but you're not sure yet. You're afraid a whole year might be too long. Is it not too expensive? And what to do if you don't pass your examination?

Tricolore helps you on the road
How will your year abroad be a success and how do you make the correct decisions? Tricolore helps you to make the choice which for you personally will be the best. You can call and mail us whenever and as many times as you like. By asking all the questions you have, you can avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.
If you are not sure yet, than do not book for a complete year in advance. For instance, you can only enrol for the period from September until Christmas. Later you can decide - with us, your parents or your fellow students - whether you continue, stop or move to another destination. In advance we can go over some possibilities, but you don't decide before November. Our team is always ready to answer your e-mails that you send from your first destination.

What are the options?
Whether you choose to learn Spanish in Spain, learn French in France or for an Italian language course in Italy, you have a choice between chains of schools or "stand alone" schools. If you prefer to stay throughout the year in one place, then just select a school that matches your demands, whether it's a part of a chain of schools or not. A chain gives you however more flexibility.

If you choose for a chain of schools, you can - if you like - only decide for the destination for the first few months. For the rest of the year you can decide later, to move to another city within the chain or to stay where you are. Some schools ask a change fee, however you won't have any cancellation costs!

Advantages of a chain of language schools:
- one teaching method
- one enrolment fee
- easy switching

Disadvantage:
- a somewhat limited choice

Chains of language schools:

Learn Spanish in Spain
don Quijote: Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Salamanca, Puerto de la Cruz (Tenerife) and Valencia
Enforex: Alicante , Barcelona, Madrid, Marbella, Salamanca, Sevilla and Valencia
Sampere: Alicante, Madrid and Salamanca

Learn Italian in Italy
Cultura Italiana: Arezzo and Bologna
Koinè: Florence, Lucca and Rio Marina (Elba)
Linguaviva/Linguadue: Florence and Milan

Learn French in France
Eurocentres: Amboise, La Rochelle, Lausanne and Paris
IFALPES: Annecy and Chambéry
France Langue: Paris and Nice

Long duration discount if you enrol via Tricolore:
€ 66 if you enrol for 12 weeks
€ 133 if you enrol for 24 weeks
€ 199 if you enrol for 36 weeks

The discount is only applied if you book the and follow the course of 12, 24 or 36 weeks, full payment to tricolore, language course with a minimum of 15 lessons per week. If you book your trimesters seperately but with a maximum of 2 weeks in between, then the number of weeks will be totalized for the discount. Within 12 months a maximum discount of € 199 is possible. No combination with other discounts, unless mentioned otherwise.

Let a great year start with an easy preparation!

References

The French Embassy in The Hague
Maison Descartes in Amsterdam
The French Cultural Centre in Groningen
Maison de la France (French Cultural Centre in Amsterdam)
Alliance Française des Pays-Bas
and . . . many thousands of ex-students