A Day in the Life of an Acon Academy French Student

What does it actually feel like to study at Acon Academy? Here's a typical day for a student preparing for the TEF Canada exam at our Surrey campus.

Morning: Arrival and Warm-Up

Students arrive at the Surrey campus, conveniently located near public transit. The classroom holds a maximum of 12 students — small enough that every student gets individual attention, large enough to create a dynamic group learning environment.

The session begins with a 10-minute warm-up: a short listening exercise or quick vocabulary review from the previous class. This primes the brain for French and eases students into the session.

The Core Session: Skills in Action

A typical 90-minute class covers two or three skill areas. The instructor might begin with a reading comprehension exercise drawn from authentic French texts — news articles, opinion pieces, or formal letters similar to what appears on the TEF exam.

This flows into a writing exercise, where students draft a formal letter or argumentative paragraph. The instructor circulates, providing real-time feedback on grammar, structure, and vocabulary.

The final 30 minutes are dedicated to speaking practice. Students work in pairs or small groups on role-play scenarios, then present to the class. The instructor provides targeted feedback on pronunciation, fluency, and argumentation.

After Class: Independent Practice

Students leave with specific homework: a vocabulary list to review, a grammar exercise, and a 10-minute listening task. The goal is to maintain daily French exposure between sessions.

The Community

One of the most consistent things students mention is the community. Being surrounded by others on the same journey — all working toward Canadian PR — creates a sense of shared purpose that keeps motivation high through the inevitable difficult weeks.