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.
Meet our School Liaison Officer, Camille
To contact: auschools@afxstudentexchange.com
Our Programs
One Way Program
Get ready to step into the shoes of a French high schooler and embark on an unforgettable journey.
Private Boarding School Program
Live alongside your new friends in a true home away from home, with our once-in-a-lifetime boarding house exchange.
Student Exchange Program
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime and discover the French culture and experiences that will stay with you forever.
Give us your wish list !
We're always excited to hear what you'd like to offer your students. A sister school partnership? A visit to the Airbus factory in Toulouse? A 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.
Once your students arrive in France, we are always there to offer support if needed. Our team in France will check in regularly, and when possible we will visit them at school to have a chat. We have a 24/7 emergency hotline and always have a Plan B just in case unexpected situations arise. Of course, the same applies to French students being hosted in Australia. The travelling students' wellbeing is our top priority and we are always close at hand.
Why Choose AFX Student Exchange ?
We have over twenty years' experience. We've seen it all! 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 shows that immersion programs like ours boost language skills, cognitive development, academic performance and cultural awareness. Students also build problem-solving and critical thinking skills, plus the self-confidence that will serve them well during Year Twelve. But these benefits only hold if students feel supported, not overwhelmed — which is why we focus on finding the right match, preparing students thoroughly, and checking in throughout their stay.
Benefits for Teachers
Every teacher wants to see their students succeed, and students who participate in a language immersion program will almost certainly return with a better level of French and a higher chance of success in VCE. Importantly, having French students attending the school can boost the visibility and prestige of the Languages department and motivate younger students to continue their Language studies. Running an overseas language immersion program is also a fantastic way to gain an edge over other schools who cannot offer the same experience to their students.
Ensuring Safety & Compliance
We are an accredited student exchange organisation with the VRQA, ensuring our student exchange programs adhere to Victorian safety standards. The VRQA’s accreditation process includes a thorough screening to certify organizational structures, affirming compliance with the Child Safe Standards. The introduction of the latest child-safe standards represents a significant advancement in creating safer environments for children. These standards may influence some current preferred programs or modify the responsibilities of your school.
Tailored Exchange Program To Your School Needs
AFX Student Exchange, we recognize the value of your school's existing programs and tailor our approach to complement your ethos and students' needs. With over twenty five years of experience between France and Australia, we offer study tours, sister-school partnerships, student exchanges and linguistic immersion, including travel arrangements, international support, risk management, and full compliance with Child Safe Standards. We pride ourselves on flexibility in dates, pricing and program features, including tours and teacher accompaniment options. We also organize thematic visits tailored to your group's interests, from the streets of Paris to the Normandy landing beaches or any site of cultural and educational significance. Each trip is designed as a comprehensive learning experience that complements your curriculum and immerses students in French culture and heritage.
What Makes Our Program Stand Out
Exclusively French
Our depth of knowledge and experience, as well as being French, means that we offer exquisite immersive cultural and linguistic experiences to France.
Individualised
We treat every student as an individual with their own distinct personality and passions, and then carefully match them with the perfect French correspondent.
Affordable
Our starting price for a six week program in France is $5840. This includes everything from travel insurance to a trip to Paris but not the airfare.
Safe
We’re the only Australian student exchange organisation sending students exclusively to France that meets the strict safety standards needed for government accreditations.
FAQ
Does the school have to be registered with the VRQA to be able to host students ?
Not if you work with us! We hold all the necessary accreditations so you don’t have to.
Are you registered in all states ?
Yes, we are registered to operate in all states and territories in Australia.
Can a teacher accompany their students overseas as part of your programs ?
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!
What are the daily expectations for a school hosting a French student ?
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.
What if the French student is here for school camp (or similar activities) ?
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.
What is a school referent ?
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.
How much do you charge to run an information session at the school ?
Nothing! It’s our pleasure!