FOR TEACHERS
Create a French immersion experience for your students!
Want to offer a language immersion tour for your students but don’t have the time?
Organising an overseas trip for students is a full-time job and we know that teachers don’t have any extra time! Let AFX take care of everything so that you don’t have to. We will provide you with a turnkey solution, including flights, insurance, visas and wellbeing checks. We can also organise information sessions for your school community and support webinars for your staff prior to French students’ arrival.
With over two decades of experience, we are the experts in organising language immersion tours between Australia and France!
Unlike other companies, we are a small, not-for-profit, family-run business that only works with Australia and France. Our team comes to know each student personally and we prioritise lasting relationships with teachers. With a team in Australia and a team in France, we are proud to use our extensive network to find the perfect match for every student and to be there at every stage of their journey.
Meet Jess, your School Liaison Officer!
Jess’ connection to AFX goes back a long way. She participated in an AFX exchange back in 2008; she ended up in the quaint village of Azay-le-Rideau with a family who immediately made her feel like one of their own. She kept studying French and met her future husband while doing a semester abroad in Lyon. She worked as a French teacher in secondary schools in both Melbourne and France. Now with two young children, she is thrilled to be working for AFX so she can work with Australian schools and help other students who are passionate about language and culture to begin their own journeys between France and Australia.
Our Programs
Reciprocal program
One way program
Private boarding school
Student exchange program
Student Exchange Program (only available in VIC) Similar to the one-way program, but structured according to the VRQA guidelines.
Give us your wish list!
We are always excited to hear about what you would like to offer your students. A sister school partnership? An excursion to the Airbus factory in Toulouse? An historical study tour of the Normandy beaches? We can tailor a program just for your school!
Taking care of your students like they’re our own
Why choose AFX ?
– We have offices and teams in both Australia and France so we can offer seamless support.
– We take the time to get to know you personally, so we can tailor programs to suit your needs. You’ll never be just a number to us !
– We are a not-for-profit registered charity.
– With our 24/7 emergency line and thorough wellbeing checks, you can be sure that your students are in safe hands.
Benefits for Students
Peer-reviewed research suggests that language immersion programs exactly like those proposed by AFX offer numerous benefits for high school students, including enhanced language skills, cognitive development, improved academic performance, and increased cultural awareness. In other words, while their French will obviously improve, they will also develop their cognitive abilities such as problem solving and critical thinking which will serve them well across all subjects. Additionally, the self-confidence that comes from participating in a sometimes challenging experience will be invaluable during their rigorous Year Twelve studies. However, these benefits are compromised if the students are too stressed or overwhelmed by their new environment. This is why we do everything we can to find a perfect match, prepare students for their experience, and check in with them during their stay.
Benefits for Teachers
Ensuring safety and compliance
FAQ
Not if you work with us! We hold all the necessary accreditations so you don’t have to.
Yes, we are registered to operate in all states and territories in Australia.
Our traditional programs – reciprocal, one-way, boarding school and student exchange – are designed to allow the students to travel independently, with the exception of a chaperone on the reciprocal group flight. However, we are always open to hearing your ideas!
We hope to cause as little disruption as possible to the day-to-day life of your school. The visiting French student will need an extra chair and very little else! Some schools choose to create a special timetable for the French students so that they can experience more subjects, especially if their Australian correspondent is doing revision or exams, but that is up to the school. Additionally, the French student is not expected to be assessed on any coursework, although they do enjoy having their own copy of classwork so they can follow along.
Ideally, the French student accompanies their Australian correspondent to every activity, including school camp – this would certainly be an unforgettable experience for them! However, this may not always be possible, so the school might arrange for the French student to attend classes with a student from a different year level while their correspondent is away on camp. We would discourage a reciprocal exchange in the event that either correspondent plans to be absent for more than a week.
If your school is hosting a French student, we will ask you to nominate a school referent who will be our main point of contact. We will send them all of the documentation relating to the French students. Additionally, the school referent will be the go-to person for the French student while they are at school. Usually the school referent is a French teacher, but it could be the Australian student’s homeroom teacher or year level coordinator – someone with whom they will interact several times a week. Before the arrival of the French students, we run a webinar for all school referents outlining their responsibilities.
Nothing! It’s our pleasure!
Ensuring Safety and Compliance: Our VRQA Accreditation and the New Child-Safe Standards
Customized Thematic Experiences
Additionally, AFX Student Exchange offers the unique opportunity to organize thematic visits or stays tailored to your group's interests. Whether you're looking to explore the vibrant streets of Paris, delve into history at the Normandy landing beaches, or discover any other specific sites of cultural or educational significance, we can make it happen. Our personalized approach ensures that each trip is not just a journey, but a comprehensive learning experience designed to complement your educational objectives and immerse students in the rich tapestry of French culture and heritage.