Learning through the Arts of Eloquence
Practice English with Storytelling, Poetry, Debate, Theatre, Roleplaying Games, Nature-Walking, Adventure!
Unlock your Creativity, Fluency, and Confidence in Spoken English, with cultural and artistic language-activities in a supportive and welcoming environment.
THE ARTS OF ELOQUENCE
In the Tradition of the Irish Bardic Schools…
The Gaelic Irish traditions of the Bard, trained in Poetry, Debate, Eloquence, History, Storytelling, Glamour, and Spectacle are brought to life with an approach based on 18th and 19th century Hedge Schools: independent wandering teachers, who taught what they knew, wherever they could, outside the Educational Establishment.
The Art of the Storyteller & the Poet
Learn how to captivate an audience, to create drama and suspense, atmosphere and flavour: to learn stories, invent stories, to tell YOUR story…
Learn to use language with grace and effect, through sound and rhythm, imagery and concision: to bring the poet’s flair to your communication.
After School Programs
We offer varied programmes for language-learners of collège age (11-14 years old), lycée age (15-18), as well as a group for young people who are already Native English speakers and want to keep up their language-use with their peers.
Collège : Mondays 17h-19h
Lycée : Tuesdays 17h-19h
Native-Speakers : Thursdays 17h-19h
Adult Education
We also offer workshops, tuition, and regular language-activity groups for adults. A weekly meeting is available as well as small group or individual tuition and practice on request.
Depending on demand and availability, adult groups could take place on weeknights 19h-21h, by appointment.
SEASONAL COURSE-OFFERINGS
The Hedge School Terms
Harvest Term – La Rentrée 2023
September to October – Storytelling
A six-week introductory course, based around telling one’s own life story: who am I, and where do I come from? What is my background? What are the stories we tell ourselves? How do we fit into a larger story?
Samhain Term – Toussaint 2023
November to December – Poetry
Six-week course on how to approach poetry in English. What is a poem? What makes it special? How do we read and understand poetry? How do we appreciate it? How do we write our own?
Midwinter Term – Hiver 2023
January to February – Debate
Six-week course on how to structure an argument, how to use rhetoric, eloquence, humour, evidence, and presence in order to fruitfully disagree with each other. We will learn the Parliamentary Debating Style, and also how to go beyond it, and apply these lessons to everyday life.
Spring Term – Printemps 2024
March to April – Theatre
Six-week course on using Theatre and Acting techniques, including improvisation, voice-work, movement and gesture, scripting, props and sets, character-work, archetypes and caricatures, to practice and make more effective our use of language and communication.
Summer Term – Été 2024
May to June – Adventure
Six-week course involving outdoor activities, hiking, nature-walks, games, orienteering, treasure-hunting, and heading off in search of Adventure! Using language to engage with the world around us, to name, to describe, to discover, to explore.
Online Courses – Ongoing 2023-24
October 2023 – May 2024
A series of six-week courses, based on the seasonal offerings of in-person courses, but aimed at adults, and more particularly Anglophone ones. Classes will be announced on Social Media pages, and usually take place on Sundays between 21h and 00h CET. The format will be very interactive and discussion based, and PDF materials sent in advance. Slide-shows and recordings will be made available, subjet to the accord of participants.
Engagement
Our creative and stimulating courses ensure our students are actively engaged and having fun while learning new skills.
20
Years of Excellence in Teaching
What We Offer
Expert instructors with international experience at all levels of education
✓ Building Confidence and Fluency
✓ Engaging, Fun-Filled Curriculum
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Frequently Asked
Questions
How do I enroll ?
Contact us by phone or email, and places in each of our Seasonal Courses in weekly sessions will be filled subject to availability. A student can enroll in one six-week course, or a whole academic year’s classes at a discount. The first session can be tried for free.
Can I adjust my child’s schedule or level?
Most children will stay with their age group, but exceptions may be made in order that each student is in the best group for them. Individually-tailored or special group lessons, workshops, or events are available on request. NB We do not, for the moment, offer courses for complete beginners. All courses will take place primarily in English.
Can classes be cancelled in advance and reimbursed?
Students may withdraw from a cycle of classes before it starts, but once it has begun, unfortunately no reimbursements can be made, even in the case of absences.
How do I pay for enrollment?
The six-week seasonal cycles are paid in advance, with each course costing €55. If a student is signed up for the whole school year (five seasonal courses), there is a special discounted rate of €200, which is payable in installments by arrangement.
A small number of special discounts and scholarships are available on application.
Where do the lessons take place?
We are currently renovating our new location, and initially will be using the rooms in the Annexe, with a view to expanding into larger venues as demand increases and our work on the buildings continutes. We are to be found at :
La Faïencerie,
595 rue Henri de Navarre,
24130 LE FLEIX
Do the students need any special materials or equipment?
Not at all! A notebook and pen would be nice, but apart from that just bring your enthusiasm, curiosity, and attention!
Any other materials needed will be provided. Students will of course be responsible for being appropriately dressed for some movement and activity, and the weather!
Still have questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s anything else you’d like to know!