Theme Classes for Adults

In person and online, mornings, lunch time and evenings – we’ve made it easy for you. Join us for A Journey through Love in French Culture, Urban Conspiracies, Hot Couture, French Irony or a conversation class, to name just a few of what we have in store for you!

Learn More

Intensive Programs

Looking to improve your language skills as quickly as possible? Can’t commit to a whole course session? These programs are for you!

Learn More

Are you new to the French Library?

Bienvenue ! Welcome! Check out this page dedicated to help new students

If you have any questions, contact us at adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org or call reception at 617.912.0400.

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

  • Formats

  • Weekdays

  • Time of Day

  • Type

  • Sessions

  • Clear All Filters
A1
In-Person

A1-3 | Beginner French 3 | In Person

Regular Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 7 - Jun 11Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

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!

A1
In-Person

A1-1 | Beginner French 1

Regular Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 8 - Jun 12

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.

A2
In-Person

A2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1 - Slow-Paced - Part 1 | In Person

Slow-Paced Classes (10 weeks) Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 9 - Jun 11

Do you like to take your time learning? Not a problem! This class will cover the first half of our A2-1 class over 10 weeks.

A1
In-Person

A1-4 | Beginner French 4 | In Person

Regular Classes (10 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 8 - Jun 12

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
In-Person

A1-2 | Beginner French 2

Regular Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 7 - Jun 11Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 8 - Jun 12

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
In-Person

A2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

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.

A2
In-Person

A2-3 | Advanced Beginner French 3

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

Keep building your language skills and awareness. In this class, you will learn how to interpret a chart about names, speak to someone’s character, describe someone, talk about your emotions and much more!

A2
In-Person

A2-2 | Advanced Beginner French 2 | In Person

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

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.

B1
In-Person

B1-1| Edito Pro | In Person

French for Professionals Classes Wednesdays & Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 8 - Jun 12

Identify criteria for something, be cautious or aware of something, express your wishes and intentions, ask politely for something, talk over the phone, give advice, outline a hypothetical situation, describe a memory, a place, a visit to a foreign city and more!

A2
In-Person

A2-4 | Advanced Beginner French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 8 - Jun 12

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!

A2
In-Person

A2+/ B1 | French Idioms | In Person

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | May 13 - Jun 10

Have fun with Florine and learn idioms in context as you discuss French culture through the lens of its language!

B1
In-Person

B1+ | A la découverte de… la Belgique

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 8 - May 6

Known for its medieval towns, Renaissance architecture and as headquarters of the European Union and NATO, Belgium has a lot to offer. The country has distinctive regions including Dutch-speaking Flanders to the north, French-speaking Wallonia to the south and a German-speaking community to the east. The bilingual capital, Brussels, has ornate guildhalls at Grand-Place and elegant art-nouveau buildings. Join Eva to learn all about the history, culture and food of Belgium.

B2
In-Person

B2-1 | Advanced French 1 | In Person

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

Build upon your French skills by studying advanced grammar concepts and performing challenging tasks. Talk about fashion and trends, talk about food fads, look at different travel trends and more!

B1
In-Person

B1-1 | Intermediate French 1 | In Person

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

Identify criteria for something, be cautious or aware of something, express your wishes and intentions, ask politely for something, talk over the phone, give advice, outline a hypothetical situation, describe a memory, a place, a visit to a foreign city and more!

B1
In-Person

B1+/B2 | French Souls. Langue, culture et émotions françaises | In Person

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | May 13 - Jun 10

Ce cours propose d’explorer l’expression des émotions, des pensées et des mouvements intérieurs en français à travers plusieurs chefs‑d’œuvre littéraires. En étudiant la conscience, la mémoire, le désir ou la nostalgie, nous verrons comment de grands écrivains ont révélé à la fois les limites et les richesses de la langue française pour représenter l’intériorité, tout en façonnant une certaine idée de “l’âme française”.

B2
In-Person

B1+/ B2 | Les Classiques de la littérature française - Part 2 | In Person

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | May 6 - Feb 11

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
In-Person

B1-3 short track | Intermediate French 3

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 7 - May 14

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! [/padded_text]

B1
In-Person

B2-1 short track | Advanced French 1

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 14 - Feb 20Wednesdays & Fridays BUNDLE B1-4 + B1-5 SHORT TRACK | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 14 - Apr 3

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!

B2
In-Person

B2 | Maîtrise de la grammaire: les temps verbaux difficiles| In Person

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 8 - May 6

Ce cours propose une exploration systématique — ou un perfectionnement — des temps verbaux souvent négligés : subjonctif présent, imparfait et plus‑que‑parfait, passé simple, futur et passé antérieur, ainsi que les conditionnels. L’accent sera mis sur le passé simple et le subjonctif, indispensables à la lecture de la littérature mais trop peu maîtrisés. L’objectif : faciliter l’accès aux textes littéraires. Au programme : une approche historique de ces temps, des exercices ciblés et ludiques, la lecture d’extraits d’auteurs classiques, ainsi que des ateliers d’écriture pour mettre activement en pratique ces conjugaisons.

A2
In-Person

A2+/B1 | A la découverte des villes du Sud de la France | In-Person

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 8 - May 6

Join Florine to learn about the most beautiful and intriguing cities of the South of France!

A1
Online

A1-2 | Beginner French 2

Language Classes (10 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 8 - Jun 12Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11Tuesdays & Thursdays | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

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!

A1
Online

A1-1 | Beginner French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Apr 8 - Jun 12Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 8 - Jun 12Wednesdays & Fridays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Apr 8 - Jun 12

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
Online

A1-4 | Beginner French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Mondays & Wednesdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 6 - Jun 17

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
Online

A1-3 | Beginner French 3

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11Mondays & Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 6 - Jun 17

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
Online

A2-3 short track | Advanced Beginner French 3

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 7 - May 14

The French Library is offering a 6-week, online “Short Track” option for an A2-3 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 A2 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B1 as their standard language class cohort!

A2
Online

A2-2 | Advanced Beginner French 2

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

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
Online

A2-4 | Advanced Beginner French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Wednesdays & Thursdays | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Apr 8 - Jun 11

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!

A2
Online

A2-3 | Advanced Beginner French 3

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:40 PM - 8:10 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

Keep building your language skills and awareness. In this class, you will learn how to interpret a chart about names, speak to someone’s character, describe someone, talk about your emotions and much more!

B1
Online

B1-3 | Intermediate French 3

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

Keep looking forward and making progress! Learn how to talk about your career path, express enthusiasm for a professional project, understand and give advice for an interview, take risks, describe your typical workday and more.

B1
Online

B1-1 | Intermediate French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Mondays & Wednesdays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Apr 6 - Jun 17Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Apr 7 - Jun 11

Identify criteria for something, be cautious or aware of something, express your wishes and intentions, ask politely for something, talk over the phone, give advice, outline a hypothetical situation, describe a memory, a place, a visit to a foreign city and more!