If you are an absolute beginner, you can register for the A1.1 class. If you already know or speak some French, even if the last time was many years ago in high school, make sure to take your free placement test. You can learn more about our levels and how long it takes to learn French here.
Our policies have changed! Make sure to read them before you register.
For online learning: In the event of power and/or internet outages, here are some general tips:
– If you experience a power outage or a Zoom interruption at your home, please contact the Education Dept. via email: adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org or at (617) 912-0400. You might also want to be in touch with the teacher directly, to make arrangements to review any missed material.
– If a teacher loses connection during a class, please stay in your virtual classroom for a few minutes while the teacher logs back in. If your teacher is unable to make it back quickly, please check your e-mail for further instructions from your teacher or a member of the education team.
Find Your Class
B1+ | Maîtrise de la grammaire: les hypothèses et concordance des temps | In Person
Maîtrisez l’art des hypothèses et de la concordance des temps ! Ce cours vous guide pas à pas dans l’univers fascinant des phrases hypothétiques, des conditionnels et des subtilités temporelles du français. Grâce à des explications claires, des exemples concrets et des exercices ciblés, vous apprendrez à exprimer des possibilités, des regrets, ou des situations imaginaires avec justesse et élégance. Idéal pour ceux qui veulent affiner leur expression écrite et orale !
B1+ | Dictées d'hiver
Build your vocabulary and knowledge of idioms through various creative writing techniques and activities.
B1-2 short track | Intermediate French 2
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our B1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B2 as their standard language class cohort!
B1-1 short track | Intermediate French 1
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our B1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B2 as their standard language class cohort! This class can be purchased as a B1.1 + B1.2 bundle and save you money!
A1-3 | Beginner French 3 | In Person
Are you ready to kick-start your French education? Learn how to look for an apartment, understand a room inspection, learn about lodging regulations, draft a set of rules for shared living, and much more!
A2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1
Time to go beyond the basics! Gain the grammar, vocabulary, and confidence you'll need to comprehend an excerpt from a piece of literature, describe a photograph, share a memory (happy or otherwise), read a tourist manual, and much more.
A1-4 | Beginner French 4 | In Person
Are you ready to kick-start your French education? Learn to understand an exchange program, describe positive experiences, express purpose, describe a professional goal, indicate a wish or desire, talk about an ability or skill, understand professional tasks. and much more!
A1-2 short track | Beginner French 2
You don't have time for a 10-week class? No worries! We have you covered. Our A1-2 “Short Track” option is your course! With the same 3 hours of instruction per week as our standard-length class, this new program is perfect for students who cannot make the financial or time commitment of 10 weeks of intensive learning. But just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our A1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into A2 as their standard language class cohort! Two things to know before registering: 1. This short track program requires that you spend time outside of time class to work on homework and 2. you cannot transfer from/to short track to/from regular track. You have the option to purchase A1.2 ST + A1.3 ST as a bundle and save $ !
A1-1 | Beginner French 1
Are you ready to kick-start your French education? Learn to Ask for and give directions, understand an itinerary, get around using public transportation, and much more! This class is for students with limited prior experience in French.
A1-2 | Beginner French 2
Give an opinion on an outfit, analyze a weather app, talk about the weather, ask for and give your clothing and shoe size, ask for the price, describe an object—all in French!
A2-2 | Advanced Beginner French 2 | In Person
Do you want to discuss jobs of the future, describe the future, highlight the utility of an object, express intent or remind someone of something? Do you want to do all of that in French? You can! Plus you'll improve your grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation skills at the same time.
A2-4 | Advanced Beginner French 4
This class will give you the skills to understand a tourist brochure, reserve a stay somewhere, research a destination online, express your indifference towards a situation and more!
A1-4 | Beginner French 4 AT YOUR OWN PACE PART 2 | In Person
Are you ready to kick-start your French education? Learn to understand an exchange program, describe positive experiences, express purpose, describe a professional goal, indicate a wish or desire, talk about an ability or skill, understand professional tasks. and much more!
A1-1 short track | Beginner French 1
The French Library is offering a 7 week, “Short Track” option for our A1-1 course! With the same 3 hours of instruction per week as our standard-length class, this program is perfect for students who cannot make the financial or time commitment of 10 weeks of intensive learning. But just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our A1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into A2 as their standard language class cohort! Two things to know before registering: 1. This short track program requires that you spend time outside of time class to work on homework and 2. you cannot transfer from/to short track to/from regular track.
B1-5 | Intermediate French 5
Delve deeper into the Francophone cultures around the globe while honing your language skills: understand a scientific documentary, learn about young, francophone thinkers, explain a scientific discovery, present the pros and cons of an innovation in technology, give your opinion, imagine the future. and more!
A1-3 short track | Beginner French 3
Join us for our 6 week with our “Short Track” option of the A1-3 course! With the same 3 hours of instruction per week as our standard-length class, this program is perfect for students who cannot make the financial or time commitment of 10 weeks of intensive learning. But just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our A1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into A2 as their standard language class cohort! Two things to know before registering: 1. This short track program requires that you spend time outside of time class to work on homework and 2. you cannot transfer from/to short track to/from regular track.
A2-1 short track | Advanced Beginner French 1
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our A2 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B1 as their standard language class cohort! [/padded_text]
B1-4 short track | Intermediate French 4
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our B1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B2 as their standard language class cohort!
B1-5 short track | Intermediate French 5
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our B1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B2 as their standard language class cohort!
A2-2 short track | Advanced Beginner French 2
The French Library is offering a 6-week “Short Track” option for an A2-2 course! With the same 3 hours of instruction per week as our standard-length class, this program is perfect for students who cannot make the financial or time commitment of 10 weeks of intensive learning. But just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our A2 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B1 as their standard language class cohort!
B1+ | Cuisine et gastronomie | In Person
Did you know the word “repast,” the first English word for meal, derives from the ancient French "past,” the collection of dishes served and eaten at regular hours? Food has always been central in French culture. The French have always celebrated their unique local dishes, their history of great chefs, and their diversity of culinary style and technique. In this class, we invite you to join us and travel through time and rediscover and discuss famous dishes and cultural staples created by famed chefs. From Carème to Ducasse and Bocuse and Alix Lacloche, and from profiteroles to slow fooding, vous en aurez l'eau à la bouche! Taught by Isabelle and intended for intermediate + to advanced students.
B1+ | Maîtrise de la grammaire: les temps du passé | In Person
Ce cours vous permettra de maîtriser l’imparfait, le passé composé, le plus-que-parfait et bien plus encore. À travers des exemples concrets, des exercices pratiques et des mises en situation, vous apprendrez à raconter des histoires, décrire des souvenirs et exprimer des actions passées avec clarté et précision. Rejoignez-nous pour enrichir votre français et donner vie à vos récits !
B1+ | Paris's Greatest Museums | In Person
Embark on an in-depth historical and artistic tour of some of Paris's iconic museums. Visit the collections, get great insights and the tools to understand and talk about art!
B1+ | Parisian Art de Vivre | In Person
Découvrir Paris à travers ses traditions, sa gastronomie, sa mode et ses lieux culturels emblématiques, tout en développant la compétence de communication en français.
B2 | French Irony - l’esprit et les nuances du discours | In Person
Unlock the secrets of French irony, a cornerstone of French culture and communication. Through literature, film clips, songs and conversation, you’ll learn to recognize, understand, and play with irony—that elegant blend of humor, understatement, and intelligence that defines French expression. A unique and engaging course designed to help you sound more natural, confident, and culturally fluent in French.
A1+ | Ateliers de Grammaire
Learn elements of grammar through structured practice. Topics vary based on class needs.
B2 | Urban Conspiracies - Season 1 | In Person
Step into the shadowy world of urban legends and conspiracy theories—all in French! This 10-week conversation course invites students to explore some of the most intriguing and controversial narratives that have shaped modern culture and collective imagination. Through lively discussions, multimedia resources, and thematic vocabulary, students will sharpen their speaking skills while diving into stories that blur the line between fact and fiction. This class is designed as a 10-week journey: you can choose to attend just Part I (5 weeks, covering 5 themes), just Part II (also 5 weeks, covering 5 themes), or the full 10-week course at a discounted rate!
B1+/ B2 | Les Classiques de la littérature française - Parlons-en! | In Person
Explorez ou revisitez les œuvres majeures et les auteurs emblématiques de la littérature française — de Molière à Camus, de Balzac à Duras — dans un cadre pédagogique dynamique et interactif. À partir d’extraits soigneusement sélectionnés, de débats argumentés et d’activités communicatives, ce cours propose une immersion dans la langue, la culture et l’imaginaire français. Il constitue une opportunité privilégiée pour perfectionner vos compétences conversationnelles, enrichir votre lexique et approfondir votre compréhension des fondements du prestige culturel français, tout en cultivant le plaisir de la lecture et de l’échange intellectuel.
B1+/B2 | How the French Talk... and Think | In Person
"How the French Talk… and Think” (B1+/B2) is an intermediate to advanced language course designed for learners seeking to refine their French proficiency while engaging with the intellectual traditions, cultural values, and social practices that shape French thought. Drawing on adapted excerpts from Sudhir Hazareesingh’s How the French Think alongside authentic materials—such as articles, interviews, and short essays—participants will consolidate their vocabulary, grammatical accuracy, and comprehension skills. The program integrates cultural analysis with practical language development through reading, listening, discussion, and writing activities, enabling learners to deepen their understanding of French culture while enhancing their ability to communicate with confidence and nuance in French.
B1+/ B2 | Breaking Boundaries: French Women Artists across three Centuries | In Person
Deepen your understanding of art history while advancing your French proficiency. This course offers an exploration of three centuries of artistic production through the works and careers of women artists whose contributions to major aesthetic movements were significant yet frequently overshadowed by their male counterparts.