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Institut de Touraine French Language

Expansive building in Tours. It has symmectrical windows and archways across the building, along with cylindrical pieces on the ends. The architecture near the top is very detailed.

France, Tours

Located in Tours, a city in central France, the Institut Touraine was founded in 1912 to teach French language and culture to students and French teachers. The Institut is housed in the beautiful Hotel Torterue which dates to the Second Empire (1852-1870). Now the Institut welcomes over 2,500 students each year from over eighty countries. The Institut employs twenty-five highly qualified teachers, along with four student support staff members.

This program is perfect for students at all French levels who wish to improve their language skills while learning about the French culture with other students from around the world.

Students can choose one four-week program in June, July or August or combine two sessions for an eight-week program. The courses are primarily focused on French language learning but also include elements of culture, literature and history.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Strengthen language skills
  • Navigate new educational systems, as well as new learning and teaching styles
  • Observe French perspectives on academic disciplines.
  • Deepen cross-cultural understanding through host families

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students.

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA; 3.0 cumulative GPA in all French language courses

  • Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Language Prerequisite(s):
    1st Semester French
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

French language

Classroom Language

French

Housing

Apartments, Local Hosts

Program Duration

Summer June Session: Late May – Late June
Summer July Session: Early July – Late July
Summer August Session: Late July – Late August

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 - [June] 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [June & July] 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [July] 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [July & August] 2/6/2026 Cost Details
Summer 2026 - [August] 2/6/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Participants take classes at the beautiful Hotel Torterue with students from over 80 countries. Upon arrival, participants will take a placement test to determine their language proficiency. Class size does not exceed fifteen students and courses are split into two groups for all spoken activities and laboratory classes. Instruction takes place Monday-Friday and students can expect to spend twenty hours a week in class.

Courses are taught by twenty-five instructors who are trained in teaching French as a foreign language. The instructors are familiar with the particular language acquisition problems common to native English speakers. Students are assessed on a regular basis and can move into the next language level on their teacher's recommendation.

Students on this program can earn 6 credits per session, up to 12 credits over two sessions. The 6 credits will include 4 credits of language sequenced French credits, and 2 credits of directed study/civilizations credit.

Affiliate Institution(s)

Institut de Touraine

Foreign Courses

Intensive French Course

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents