Theme Classes for Adults

In person and online, mornings, lunch time and evenings – we’ve made it easy for you. Join us for a French for Professionals, French through songs, Décrypter l’Histoire or a conversation class, to name just a few of what we have in store for you!

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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!

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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 does it take to learn French here.

Our policies have changed! Make sure to read them before you register.

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B2
Online

B2 | Je ne sais queer… French History with a queer eye!

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Mondays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Jan 27 - Mar 3

Forget about Louis XIV or Napoléon! While such figures were busy conquering the world and making official history, a few fascinating individuals were revolutionizing the fronts of sexuality and gender norms. Through a gallery of five colorful portraits, discover that l’Histoire de France is painted in many more shades than just Bleu, Blanc, Rouge!

B1
Online

B1 | Ateliers de Grammaire

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 17 - Feb 14Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Feb 21 - Mar 21

Learn elements of grammar through structured practice. Topics vary based on class needs.

C1
Online

B2+/C1 | Literature

Regular Classes (10 weeks) Mondays | 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 31

Improve speaking and comprehension while reading and analyzing French literary works from a wide variety of genres.

B1
Online

B1+/B2 | A la découverte de la Bretagne

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Mondays | 6:40 PM - 8:10 PM | Jan 27 - Mar 3

Join Farida to learn all about Brittany. Discover the region's towns and cities, history, music, cuisine, and cultural events.

A1
Online

A1-1 | Beginner French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Mondays & Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26

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

A1-2 | Beginner French 2

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:40 PM - 8:10 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20Mondays & Wednesdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26

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

A1-4 | Beginner French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Wednesdays & Thursdays | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM | Jan 15 - Mar 20Mondays & Wednesdays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26

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!

A2
Online

A2-1 short track | Advanced Beginner French 1

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Oct 23 - Dec 6

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]

A2
Online

A2-3 | Advanced Beginner French 3

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20Mondays & Wednesdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 13 - Mar 26Mondays & Wednesdays | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26

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

B1-1 | Intermediate French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

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
Online

A2-4 | Advanced Beginner French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Mondays & Wednesdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26Tuesdays & Thursdays | 7:40 PM - 9:10 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

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!

B1
Online

B1-2 | Intermediate French 2

Language Classes (10 weeks) Mondays & Wednesdays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26

You're ready to move on to bigger and better things! Describe different behaviors, talk about and suggest outings or events, give advice, talk about family activities, go out as a group, analyze different customs and traditions, and more.

B1
Online

B1-4 | Intermediate French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

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!

B2
Online

B2-1 | Advanced French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

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!

B2
Online

B2-3 | Advanced French 3

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

Deepen your understanding of the complexities of French language and Francophone cultures as you analyze societal challenges and obstacles, take a position on an issue, describe and compare different cultures and political styles, and more.

B2
Online

B2-4 | Advanced French 4

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

Perfect your pronunciation, solidify your mastery of grammar and learn additional vocabulary—then apply your learning to demanding tasks like comparing and contrasting different professional behaviors, outlining a career path and explaining various life choices, and more!

A2
Online

A2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

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
Online

A1-2 short track | Beginner French 1

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Jan 15 - Feb 21

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.

A1
Online

A1-3 short track | Beginner French 3

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Mondays & Wednesdays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 13 - Feb 26

Long story short … the French Library is now offering a 6 week, online “Short Track” option our A1-3 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.

A2
Online

A2-2 short track | Advanced Beginner French 2

Short Track Classes (6 or 7 weeks) Wednesdays & Fridays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 15 - Feb 21

Long story short … the French Library is now offering a 6-week, online “Short Track” option for an A2-2 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 A2 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B1 as their standard language class cohort!

A2
Online

A2/A2+ | Listen Up!

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Mondays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 27 - Mar 3

Strengthen your listening skills while improving your vocabulary and grammar by engaging with a variety of fascinating audio media, including podcasts, readings, and mini role plays!

B1
In-Person | Online

B1| Edito Pro | Hybrid

French for Professionals Classes Mondays & Wednesdays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 13 - Mar 26

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
Online

B1-5 | Intermediate French 5

Language Classes (10 weeks) Tuesdays & Thursdays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Jan 14 - Mar 20

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!

B2
Online

B1+/B2 | Ateliers de Grammaire

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Mondays | 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM | Jan 27 - Mar 3

Learn elements of grammar through structured practice. Topics vary based on class needs.

B1
Online

B1 | Le Monde de la Santé - Medical French

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Jan 17 - Feb 14Fridays | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Feb 21 - Mar 21

Learn the basics of medical terminology in French, from the vocabulary one would need to go to the doctor, communicate symptoms, and understand a hospitalization report in a French-speaking country to the particular jargon used by medical professionals to describe disease transmission and various procedures.

B2
Online

B2/C1 | Advanced Conversation: Débattre!

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Mondays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM | Jan 27 - Mar 3Wednesdays | 6:40 PM - 8:10 PM | Jan 15 - Feb 12

With an emphasis on conversation, multimedia resources, and current events, this course will get you on your way to being a sparkling conversationalist (and improve your grammar too!)

B1
Online

B1 | Discover France through its wines and cheeses

Conversation Classes (5 weeks) Thursdays | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Jan 16 - Feb 13

Improve your French while discovering five amazing regions and learning about their local wines and cheeses! - Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Ossau Iraty / Bergerac rouge - Bourgogne Franche Comté: Delice de Bourgogne / Cotes-de-Beaunes rouge - Pays de la Loire: Chèvre / Vouvray blanc - Auvergne Rhône Alpes: Cantal / Côtes du Rhône rouge - Grand- Est: Brie / Vin d'Alsace blanc

B1
Online

B1+| 20th Century France - 5 Major Events

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Thursdays | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM | Feb 20 - Mar 20

In this class, we invite you to travel through time and learn more about five important events in 20th century French history, from 1945 to 1981.

B1
Online

B1 | A la découverte de… la Belgique et du Canada francophones

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Tuesdays | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Feb 18 - Mar 18

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 Julien to learn all about the history, culture and food of Belgium.

B1
Online

B1 | A la découverte des… régions françaises

Theme Classes (5 weeks) Tuesdays | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Jan 14 - Feb 11

Discover some of the most beloved and iconic regions of France. In this edition of A la découverte de..., you'll embark on an amazing trip through Bretagne, Côte d'azur, Limousin, Alsace and Rhône-Alpes.