“I Couldn’t Have Done It Without Them” Teachers on the Value of Animateurs

The Unsung Hero of Your Paris Trip

We’re often asked by party leaders — especially those who’ve led Paris trips before — whether including a French-speaking animateur or animatrice is really worth the additional cost.

It’s a fair question. But based on recent feedback from three party leaders who travelled with an animateur this spring, the answer is a resounding yes.

The role of the animateur is to support your group throughout the trip, leading the itinerary in French to create a fun and fully immersive experience for your pupils. Not only do they lighten the load for teachers, they help maximise students’ language learning and engagement.

Here’s what some teachers told us after returning from their recent animateur-led Paris Parle tour:

Extra staff support = less stress for teachers

“It is important for me to be guided all the way... Having [an animateur] made the experience so much less stressful. I felt that I could rely on the team.”
— ER-B, Clifton High School

“Dylan was exceptional. The pupils loved him: he was cool and relatable. He took so much of the pressure off me, dealing with the hotel for things like the packed lunches. Can we have him next time, please?!!!”
— ND, Parmiter’s School

“Faisal was excellent… He liaised with our coach driver on every trip we did and was really supportive with me all throughout the trip. He gave explanations at every stage.”
—  ER-B, Clifton High School

 

A local expert to escort you — and your group

An experienced animateur knows the streets of Paris inside out. They help with timing, logistics and safety at busy sites like the Eiffel Tower, Versailles and Notre-Dame — not to mention where to find the best picnic spots or public toilets!

“Having someone leading the way in the streets of Paris is extremely valuable (what street is best to walk through, which park, where to sit, where to go to the toilets, keeping track of time, knowing where to go in the busy monuments such as Notre Dame, Eiffel Tower and Versailles...) It all adds to count for all of us to enjoy the experience. Members of staff and pupils alike.

I would not have been able to do this by myself… It’s a massive responsibility to lead an international residential trip, so it is important to be supported by a competent team!”
— ER-B, Clifton High School

 

Helping learners progress their French

Every animateur speaks exclusively in French with the students, using repetition and checking comprehension to help them follow along — and it shows in their results.

The Party Leader from Parmiter’s School scored his pupils’ progress:

• French Understanding: 5/5
• French Vocabulary: 4/5
• French Confidence: 4/5

“The more confident ones took the opportunity to practise their oral skills... They are exposed to so much language that listening (and reading) comprehension cannot help but improve.”

The party leader from Clifton College reported similar results:

“The pupils stretched their listening skills and enhanced their vocabulary by listening to all instructions in French. Parents and children gave positive feedback.”

The MFL teacher at Lancing College Prep, explained the impact on her pupils’ language learning:

“Anthony, our animateur, spoke only in French — it had such a positive impact on the pupils’ linguistic skills. One pupil even said he had dreamt in French!”

 

What’s the verdict?

Each of the teachers rated their experience 5/5 and all said they'd highly recommend Paris Parle to a colleague.

They also scored their trip 5/5 for value for money — not just because the travel, visits and accommodation were good, but because the animateur contributed so significantly to the pupils’ learning and enjoyment.

“This trip has had such a positive impact on all our children — especially our most vulnerable — who grew their confidence, social and emotional skills, and academic learning. Thank you / Merci Voyager!”
— AV, Lancing College Preparatory School

 

So, is it worth adding an animateur to your next Paris trip? If you’re looking for a smoother, more immersive and more rewarding experience for both you and your pupils — we think the answer speaks for itself.

 

Check out Voyager's Paris Parle tour, which is fully led by one of our experienced animateurs, or get in touch to find out how to benefit from an extra pair of hands on your next Paris itinerary.

 

Read more on this topic:

• Watch our video on how language immersion trips work
• Meet our animateurs and language instructors
• Read teachers' assessment of the educational benefit of language immersion
• Our immersive approach featured in Tes magazine