Learn French in Mons

After finishing high school I was interested to study French in university.

I forgot why.

Just like people who thought it sounds beautiful, and hoping someday I can go to Paris.

Now.. here I am, in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

I had the chance to study in a special class targeted for international students at the Université de Mons (UMONS). It’s called FLE, French as a Foreign Language. Classes run twice a week (2x2 hours) in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, catering for cultural and linguistic exchange. But unfortunately we didn’t learn from the very basic level, so it’s a little difficult for me. My option was to join the regular French class or the intensive summer class for a month.

More info, check out UMONS website.

A friend told me to try other institution, Ecole Industrielle Supérieure. To enroll just simply come and have written and oral test, then the teacher decided in which level/ class I belong to.

It’s a bigger class with people from a lot different backgrounds. A lot cheaper than UMONS but of course it also slower. Don’t expect the teachers speak English. They will normally try to explain something using simple French words. The interesting thing beside learning and making new friends is when we have a field trip.

View from the classroom at the 7th floor

More information of Ecole Industrielle Supérieure on the web.

Université de Mons

University of Mons (UMONS) was created in 2009 as the result of the merger of University of Mons-Hainaut (UMH) and the Faculty of Engineering of Mons (FPMs). This young university has a long history, as its first faculty was founded in 1836. 

The Polytech Faculty in Rue de Houdain originally was Houdain humanity college founded in 1545 by the magistrate of the town of Mons. Located in the heart of an old garden of the hospital Houdain, the present building dates from eighteenth century and was designed by architect Claude-J. Bettignies, and rebuilt from 1735 to 1739 by the same architect. A statue sculpted by Louis-Henri Devillez installed in 1902 in the center of the courtyard/ entrance of the former mining faculty. It represents Théodore Guibal and Alphonse Devillez, who were 19th century founders of the mining school, the first training school for civil engineers in Belgium (mining industry was very important in Belgium). In addition to the historic site, this building houses the Space and Earth Materials Museum.

One of the teachers at the mining school was Jules Cornet who discovered a mineral named after him: cornetite. He and his team also produced cartographically precise resources showing geological distribution of copper in Congo.

UMONS also offers student accomodation in its Hall of Residence. They are located throughout the town and close to the campuses where classes are held. 

This is Cité Pierre Houzeau-de-Lehaie in Boulevard Dolez 69 with a cafetaria on the ground floor. 

I guess so far it's the highest building in Mons. 

www.umons.ac.be