Class Acts
by Carol Mongo

Paris adult education mini-guide

La rentrée spells back to school, back to work and back in action... So, it’s a good time to plug into a new language, study for an unfinished degree, or pick out a course in something you’ve always wanted to know more about, just for le fun.

Food and wine
Centre d’Information, de Documentation et de Dégustation (CIDD)
Learn about the vine and wine, and how to harmonize the best vintages with your meals. 30 rue de la Sablière, 14e, tel: 01 45 45 44 20, fax: 01 45 42 78 20

Le Cordon Bleu
This famous cooking school provides a complete culinary education on a year-round basis. In addition to its full-scale Grand Diplôme program spread over nine months, there are 10-week certificate courses, along with half-day to one month options, focusing on everything from French regional cuisine to foie gras and Christmas chocolates. Bilingual. 8 rue Léon Delhomme, 15e, tel: 01 53 68 22 50

The Ritz Escoffier School
Specializing in French classical and contemporary cuisine, the Ritz Escoffier dispenses a large choice of courses geared to amateur gourmets as well as to qualified chefs, and students may opt for one of six diploma programs. 38, rue Cambon, 1er, tel: 01 43 16 30 50

Language course
The Alliance Française
The world’s largest network of French language schools offers courses in written and conversational French at all levels. 101 bd Raspail, 6e, tel: 01 45 44 89 42, www.alliancefrancaise.fr

Berlitz
The most famous language program in the world has six centers in Paris. Opt for private tuition, intensive lessons or ongoing classes geared to your schedule. For addresses and info, tel: 01 40 74 00 17

Ecole des Roches
Established in 1899. the Ecole des Roches has been educating students of French for a century. Intensive and extensive tuition. Day or evening courses available and classes for beginners start monthly. 6 rue Spinoza, 11e, tel: 01 53 36 16 96

The British Institute
With a university perspective, this institute provides English and French courses, as well as a certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and there is also a creative writing workshop. 11 rue de Constantine, 7e, tel: 01 44 11 73 70

Eurocentres
Intensive year-round classes as well as cultural activities. Located in the heart of the Latin quarter, Eurocentres constitutes an enjoyable, high-quality learning experience, dispensed in an ideal setting. 13 passage Dauphine, 6e, tel: 01 40 46 72 00

Institut de Langue Française
French classes are offered at all levels; you can enroll at any time and start the following Monday. 3 av Bertie Albrecht, 8e, tel: 01 45 63 24 00, www.inst_langue_fr.com

Institut Parisien de Langue et de Civilisation Françaises
Geared to foreigners who want to learn the French language in the context of the country’s historical and cultural background, this institute combines lectures with outings. Year-round courses begin each week, at all levels, and programs focusing on French fashion are a further option. 87 bd de Grenelle, 15e, tel: 01 40 56 09 53

Langue Onze Paris
French courses in a friendly environment. Pupils also get the opportunity to study cultural topics. 15 rue Gambey, 11e, tel: 01 43 38 22 87

IFG
Language studies with experienced ELF teachers. 37 quai de Grenelle, 15e, tel: 01 40 59 31 31, www.igflangues.fr

Art, design and photography
Christie’s Education
Professional training in French, covering all aspects of fine art, as well as the decorative arts. A Cambrige University diploma course is available, while further options include 3-month certificate programs and lunch or evening classes. 11 rue Berryer, 8e, tel: 01 42 25 10 90

WICE
This organization specializes in continuing education. It offers a range of quality programs including Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), classes in photography, painting and art history, writing forums and floral arrangement workshops. Visits to various Parisian neighborhoods and landmarks are arranged to complement many of the programs. In English. 20 bd du Montparnasse, 15e, tel: 01 45 66 75 50

Parsons School of Design
Parsons Paris offers a variety of fine and applied arts courses. Dispensed in conjunction with Parsons New York, the program comprises studies in all aspects of fine art along with design options connected with fashion, marketing and communication. On the continuing education front, evening classes include life drawing, painting and photography. Bilingual. 14 rue Letellier, 15e, tel: 01 45 77 39 66

SPEOS Photographic Institute
Full- and part-time courses, as well as workshops, valid for transferable credit. Subjects include: fashion photography, photojournalism, photography and fine art as well as computer imaging and advertising. 8 rue Jules-Vallès, 11e, tel: 01 40 09 18 58

Tapestry and furniture restoration
A specialist in 18th century woodcraft. Learn how to restore your antique chairs and other fine furnishings, like an old-fashioned artisan. Benoît Sardin first developed a passion for this art as a result of hanging out in his grandfather’s atelier, before attending classes in woodcraft and tapestry. Today he offers courses in antique chair restoration for just 3,200F. Students come with their own chair frame and piece of fabric, while all other supplies are included in the fee. Benoît Sardin, 95 rue Jean Jaurès, 92800 Puteaux, tel: 01 45 31 47 85/01 47 73 89 89

Ecole Lesage
From one of the most celebrated embroidery houses in Europe comes a unique school specializing in the old-world art of hand embroidery for clothing, furniture or jewelry. In French or in English.13 rue de la Grange Batelière, 9e, tel: 01 44 79 00 88

Horticulture/gardening classes
The Paris Garden Guild sponsors classes focusing on landscape gardening, floral arrangements and horticulture. Tel: 01 47 41 21 59

Theater/dance
Acting International/Actors Studios
European and American methods of working and training in theater. Full- and part-time classes in both French and English. Bilingual. 55 rue des Alouettes, 19e, tel: 01 42 00 06 79

Hawaiian Dance
Learn hula in Paris and discover Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage. Tel: 01 43 87 55 08

L’Académie Américaine de Danse
Ballet and creative movement for children and adults. Classes taught in English and French. 5 rue Rousselet, 7e, tel: 01 47 34 36 22, or 06 60 86 47 27

Business & General Education
The American University of Paris
Professional Certificates include: Web & Site Management, Computer Graphics, International Marketing, Technical Writing and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Special courses will also be offered in Advanced HTML, Dreamweaver for Web design and Screenwriting. The Division of Continuing Education, 102 rue St-Dominique, 7e. tel: 01 40 62 06 14

American Graduate School of International Relations and Diplomacy
This school offers MA and PhD degrees in international relations and diplomacy. Students are provided with the in-depth knowledge and skills required to work at the highest echelons. 6 rue de Lubeck, 16e, tel: 01 47 20 00 94. Fax: 01 39 73 62 60

CEMHI
The European Center of International Hotel Management qualifies its students for an international management career in hospitality and service industries. Full- and part-time classes leading to a Bachelor of Science in International Hotel Management and Executive Masters in International Hospitality Management. Bilingual. 52 rue St-Lazare, 9e, tel: 01 45 26 59 28

The Open University
The UK’s largest distance-learning university offers a wide range of courses which can be accumulated toward bachelor or masters degrees (including an AMBA accredited MBA), or studied on a standalone basis. Contact R. Pearson, 51 rue de Villiers, Neuilly-sur-Seine, tel: 01 47 58 53 73

Schiller International University
Schiller provides a full curriculum of undergraduate courses leading to AA, AS, BA or BBA degrees in business administration, international relations and diplomacy, economics, and French. There are also continuing education programs for adults. In English. 32 bd de Vaugirard, 15e, tel: 01 45 38 56 01

The European University
The European University in Paris offers evening classes geared to an MA in International Management. Working professionals who wish to further their education while pursuing an active career can opt for an “Executive MBA,” while the “Flex-MBA” consists of intensive three-day seminars held twice a month on an eight-month basis. In English. 34 av de New York, 16e, tel: 01 47 20 96 96