During the School Year, Institut Villa Pierrefeu offers a 3, 6 or 9 month "Higher Certificate in Finishing" course in collaboration with Surval Mont-Fleuri.

A Unique Knowledge

Over the last 50 years we have developed a know-how in International Social and Business Etiquette and Protocol second to none. Our alumni have realised that what they have acquired at IVP is often even more useful than their university or hotel management degree !

The IVP Higher Certificate in Finishing course is the comprehensive and traditional one taught for many years at IVP (Institut Villa Pierrefeu). As the IVP campus was custom designed for such courses the students are brought to it in the afternoon (5 min. by bus) for their classes. This allows for a good balance between theory and practice, thus enabling the students to develop efficiency and proficiency in all aspects of Hostessing and Etiquette along with a greater knowledge of the manners of both western and non-western cultures.

The classes are taught in English and support materials are provided in the form of study manuals and text-books created by IVP.

Students must be at least 16 years old and there is no upper age limit.

Dates

The full course leading up to the IVP “Higher Certificate in Finishing®” is spread over 3 terms and as the course content taught is different each term , and not subordinated to that learned the previous term, it is possible to enrol in October, January or April.

• Autumn Term (26.09 - 11.12.2010)
  
• Winter Term (09.01  - 19.03.2011)
  
• Spring Term (10.04 - 18.06.2011)
  

The Programme

The IVP "Higher Certificate in Finishing" Course
Intensive Language Course: French or English	SMF	18
Second Language Course: French or English	SMF	5
International Etiquette, Protocol, Savoir-Vivre	IVP	6
Table Service Practice & Hostessing	IVP	3
Cooking, Nutrition, Food Decoration, Exam Preparation	IVP	5
Home Management	IVP	1
Floral Art & Table Decoration	IVP	2
Total of class periods per week		40
IVP = Institut Villa Pierrefeu; SMF = Surval Mont-Fleuri

The classes :

INTERNATIONAL ETIQUETTE, PROTOCOL AND SAVOIR-VIVRE.

• The art of entertaining: introductions, precedence at the table, table manners in various countries and menu planning for receptions. Tricky foods.
• Family receptions: engagements, weddings and children’s parties.
• Private receptions: formal dinners, cocktails, buffets and afternoon teas.
• How to listen and guide a conversation: discretion, tact and prejudices to avoid.
• Correspondence: titles and international forms of address, invitations, business cards and letterheads, apology and thank you letters.
• Rules of official and diplomatic protocol: precedences and introductions.
• How to express oneself verbally and the importance of body language.
• How to dress according to place and occasion.
• International customs to be aware of when travelling, particularly in hotels and restaurants.
• International Savoir-Vivre: covering social and business customs and manners in 14 major countries of the world, alternating Western and Eastern or Northern and Southern geographical areas:
  • Background, history and culture.
  • Dress code.
  • Greetings, introductions, business cards.
  • Meetings and styles of negotiation.
  • Dining and entertaining.
  • Conversational do’s and don’ts.
  • Gift-giving.
  • Cultural surprises.

TABLE SERVICE & HOSTESSING

• The history and traditions of serving food.
• Setting the table, distribution and co-ordination of work, table service with or without help;
• Serving wines; alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Pairing food with wine.
• History, tasting and service of different types of tea and coffee.
• Organization of cupboards and logical distribution of silverware and china.

Both formal and informal table service are practiced during the meals which follow the cooking class.

COOKING, NUTRITION & FOOD DECORATION

• Techniques, methods and culinary vocabulary.
• Composition of menus, buying and storing, food order lists, work plans and cost calculation, food hygiene and handling.
• Nutrition and dietetics.
• Refined and everyday menus including elegant French cuisine, vegetarian cuisine, pastries, ethnic cuisine, quick dishes.
• Decoration of dishes.

Vegetarian students are not required to cook meat or fish dishes.
The School has tested and developed its own recipes and published several books. These cover a great variety of recipes from the very simple to challenging dishes.

HOME MANAGEMENT

Any practical class is given in very small groups so as to gain maximum benefit.

• The planning and equipping of a house.
• Organising a household efficiently, including management of staff.
• Upkeep and cleaning of furniture.
• Laundry, ironing and general care of clothes and household linen.
• Washing by hand and with the dishwasher.
• Cleaning silver, upkeep of household appliances and utensils.
• Family budget.

FLORAL ART AND TABLE DECORATION

• Students learn how to create a variety of floral arrangements according to season and to complement the occasion.
• Selecting and preparing fresh and dry flowers as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, they will consider new trends in tableware and decoration, including napkin folding, menu and place cards and decorative table pieces.
• IVP students won 3 places out of 6 at the prestigious "L’Art de La Table" competition held by the renowned shop and company Touzeau.

PUBLIC RELATIONS (Extra)

The objective of these studies is to open the mind to different perspectives and ways of analysis so that the student is able to achieve with success, specific goals.
When there is little to choose between two products, services, ideas or beliefs, the “public” compares the organisations behind them. If the image of an organisation is not right in some way, the public will not buy what it is offering. It is as simple - or complicated - as that.
PR is a vital part of business success and students will cover such issues as selling skills, image and crisis management.
PR is also essential to your own personal success. When you are interviewed for a job, for example, it will not matter how qualified you are, if the image you are putting across is poor or inappropriate you will not be offered the position.
Students will consider relevant topics such as body language, creativity, personal influence and public speaking.

Cultural trips, excursions and skiing weeks.

• Various excursions in Switzerland and cultural trips abroad complete the students’ educational experience. During the Easter Holidays, Surval Mont-Fleuri organizes a trip to Italy and a cruise in the Mediterranean that is especially designed for the girls who do not go home for the holidays. Have a look at the program of the year!
  
• In January you spend three weeks skiing in Andermatt. The day is split in two with intensive languages courses every morning and skiing in the afternoon.
  

Accomodation and language classes during the School Year

Since Autumn 2004, IVP collaborates with SMF (Surval Mont-Fleuri) though both schools remain separate entities. 

During the School Year students lodge at SMF and have their language classes there in the morning. In the afternoon they are taken by bus (5 minutes) to the IVP purpose built campus for the Finishing classes.

During the Summer Course, lodging and classes are on the IVP campus as the course is attended by many older students.

Should you have any questions, we look forward to hearing from you.