Grammar For Conversation

For levels A1 to B1

In-person and Online

This class presents corresponding level grammar concepts through everyday life situations using current spoken French. The course covers, on average, 2 chapters per session from the textbook, during which students have the opportunity to discuss and apply grammar topics through written activities, conversation, and audio comprehension.

Offered for A1/A2 (prerequisite: 103 or equivalent), B1 (prerequisite: 205 or equivalent). 

Available in-person and online.

Essential Everyday French

For levels A1 to C1

Learn how native speakers communicate on a day-to-day basis. Interaction and exchanges between students are facilitated by the instructor following weekly thematic topics that include essential vocabulary and grammar.

This class is offered for:

• A1/A2 (prerequisite: 104 or equivalent),
• B1 (prerequisite: 205 or equivalent), and
• B2/C1 levels (prerequisite: CECR B1)

Available both in-person and online.

Please note that this is a non-sequential class, and the book can be studied in any order. There is no need to attend previous classes where the earlier chapters were covered.

Defining Moments in Art- A Morning

For levels B1/B2

For visual arts enthusiasts and those simply curious about the art world. Each week, examine several artworks to learn about the events, personalities and works that have had the greatest impact in their time. This is a highly interactive class using art as a vehicle of conversation. This class will explore art across various countries during World War II.

French Pronunciation Mastery

For A1 level

Mastering pronunciation is crucial for effective communication in French, especially for beginners at the A1 level. Over the course of 10 weeks, this class focuses on addressing common pronunciation challenges faced by new learners. Led by a seasoned instructor who utilizes paper-based materials and a textbook due to a preference for non-digital teaching methods, sessions will emphasize practical pronunciation exercises and techniques. Students will receive personalized feedback to enhance their spoken French skills, ensuring they gain confidence and clarity in their communication. Primarily taught in English.

"French Couturiers and their legacy”. Le chic parisien d'hier à aujourd'hui

For B1, B2 and C1 levels

Discover the captivating history of French fashion through the visionary couturiers who shaped their times. This course celebrates the contributions of iconic designers and their profound influence on culture, art, and society.

Explore Yves Saint Laurent’s legendary legacy, from his collaborations with stars to his ties to art history, including the iconic Mondrian-inspired dress. Dive into Coco Chanel’s revolutionary role in women’s emancipation, her influence during pivotal historical moments, and the enduring evolution of the Chanel empire.

Uncover the transformative work of Dior and Courrèges, whose innovations like the short skirt redefined women’s liberation and the female form in the 20th century. Examine Jean-Paul Gaultier’s bold creativity, his Parisian roots, his collaboration with Madonna, and his impact on masculinity in fashion and the industry’s response to fast fashion today.

This class welcomes students at level B1 and above, with a prerequisite of level 301 or equivalent proficiency.

Literature Classes

Litterature Française

For levels B2/C1, online

Spanning several terms, this course offers a unique opportunity for literature enthusiasts to delve deep into French literature across centuries. Featuring a selection of excerpts from diverse literary works, this class explores movements, styles, iconic figures, and provides historical context, fostering rich discussions.

Littérature Française

For levels B1/B2, In-person 

Discover French literary works and authors with a well-structured textbook. Learn about different authors and read excerpts of their works. Perfect for those wishing to broaden their knowledge of French literature beyond the scope of a single book or author. Throughout the year, you will discover literary works from the Middle Ages to contemporary French literature. The curriculum is structured around a particular theme each term, with literary works chosen from different eras. This winter we will discuss 10 texts, ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day, that explore the boundaries between literature and philosophy, theater, history, and the visual arts, with Apollinaire’s Calligrammes.

Lecture guidée

For levels B1/B2, online

Meet your fellow literature buffs, read and discuss your reading under expert guidance from Marie-Pierre Wolfe. Marie-Pierre will send you the weekly questionnaire to promote in-depth understanding of each book segment.

The book chosen for winter term is available from online retailers. Please make sure to purchase it before the start of the class. The book choice:

C'est une nouvelle policière de Georges Simenon dans un recueil de 4 nouvelles au titre générique de "Maigret et l'inspecteur malgracieux". Il y a 4 nouvelles dans le livre et nous lirons la deuxième nouvelle: "Le témoignage de l'enfant de choeur ". Le commissaire Maigret est un personnage de fiction et héros de 75 romans policiers et de 27 nouvelles de Georges Simenon publiés entre 1931 et 1972. Physiquement, il s'agit d'un homme imposant, large d'épaules, à l'allure bourrue, aimant la bonne chair, le vin et les alcools, et fumeur de pipe invétéré. Sa technique d'investigation est fondée sur la compréhension de la personnalité des di!érents protagonistes d'une a!aire, tout en se laissant guider par son instinct.

Don't forget to check out our free monthly meetup Le Cercle Littéraire!

DELF B1 Preparation

For B1 level

This class will interest you if:

1. You are planning on passing DELF B1 exam and need to prepare for it.
2. You’ve completed B1 level and wish to consolidate the newly acquired skills, all the while evaluating your strengths and weaknesses before jumping to next level.

The class has a double goal: 1) to introduce you to the DELF exam structure and 2) to work on the skills one needs to master in order to validate a level and successfully start the next one. A partial simulation of the DELF exam (excepting the oral production section) at the end of the 10-week series will allow students to have a comprehensive evaluation of their skills.

Speak with Confidence: French Conversation Mastery

For A2/B1 level or B1 level

In this conversation class, we'll begin by refreshing essential grammar and vocabulary before diving into speaking practice. Our experienced teacher will offer tailored support in grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics to help you feel at ease and enthusiastic about speaking.

For A2/B1 level:

Whether you're getting ready for a presentation, planning a trip, or simply looking to enhance your conversational skills, this class is designed to help you reach your goals with confidence and ease.

For B1 level:

Topics covered: family and relationships, travel and holidays, education and work, shopping and services, health and well-being, culture and entertainment, society and environment, technology and media, food and cooking, weather and seasons.

Learning French through Sartre’s Les jeux sont faits

For A2/B1 level

This French language class uses Jean-Paul Sartre's Les jeux sont faits as the primary learning material, focusing primarily on language skills with some cultural content. Through structured lessons, students will build vocabulary, study grammar, and improve reading comprehension within the context of Sartre’s existentialist themes. Each session includes vocabulary exercises, targeted grammar topics, and assigned readings, immersing participants in the novel's narrative. Grammar topics range from pronouns and relative pronouns to negation, adjectives, comparisons, and past tenses. By the final week, students will be prepared to discuss the novel’s impact, share critiques, and deliver oral presentations, advancing both their understanding and conversational skills in French.

Discovering French Culture: A Journey Through Civilization

For B2/C1 levels

This course offers a comprehensive synthesis of historical, political, social, and cultural knowledge essential for students. The curriculum is structured around two main axes:

1. Understanding the French system through its history, politics, and culture.
2. Exploration of French cultural achievements: literature, visual arts, performing arts, music. At the core of linguistic expression lies civilization, which serves as its beating heart.

Civilization not only narrates stories but also inspires storytelling, provokes reactions, imparts knowledge, and nurtures introspection. It serves as the foundation for meaningful cross-cultural dialogue. Join us in exploring the fascinating world of French civilization and culture in this year-long advanced French class. Feel free to join this class at any time, as it's non-sequential, and you can study the book chapters in any order you prefer.

French Ripped From The Headlines

For B1/B2 levels

Want to speak with a rich vocabulary and use idioms and common expressions spontaneously? Stop just encountering new vocabulary and start retaining and using it in this class based on RFI’s “Le journal en Français Facile”! RFI-FF is a publicly supported nonprofit organisation that’s existed for 23 years and offers a wide range of subjects in its news broadcasts. Visit their website to see the examples of the themes to be covered in class. No flashcards required!

From Haussmann to Nouvel: Exploring the Legacy of French Architecture and Urban Planning

For levels B1, B2 and C1

Discover the history of French architecture and urban planning through the iconic works of its greatest architects and urbanists. This course highlights bold achievements that have shaped the French landscape and influenced the world, while exploring the cultural connection between France and the United States through architecture.

From Haussmann’s transformation of Paris to Gustave Eiffel and the Industrial Revolution, and from Le Corbusier and Hardouin Mansart to contemporary visionaries like Jean Nouvel and Christian de Portzamparc, this course delves into major accomplishments in France and abroad.

Topics include post-war reconstruction, the evolution of materials such as reinforced concrete, and the influence of French architects on American architecture, particularly in New York.

Cinéma

For levels B1, B2 and C1

This course offers an exploration of French cinema through the works of its most iconic actresses. Each session will focus on one or more of these legendary figures, highlighting their most significant films. You will expand your cinematic vocabulary, improve listening comprehension, and explore the history of French cinema while discovering cult films and unforgettable performances. On the program:

• Simone Signoret: Discover her role in Casque d’or (1952), her gripping performance in Les Diaboliques (1955), and her portrayal in Le Chat (1971).
• Jeanne Moreau: Explore her characters in Jules et Jim (1962), Baie des Anges (1963), and Journal intime d’une femme de chambre (1964).
• Isabelle Huppert: Analyze her performance in Madame Bovary (1991), La Cérémonie (1995), and La Syndicaliste(2023).
• Juliette Binoche: Enjoy her memorable roles in Blue (1993), With Love and Determination (2022), and The Taste of Things (2023).

Each session will include an introduction to the actress’s biography, an overview of the selected films, as well as film excerpts shown and analyzed in class to better understand the evolution of French cinema through these leading female figures.