Learn French Your Way!
Whether you’re just beginning your French journey or looking to refine advanced language skills, the French Library offers classes designed to fit your goals, schedule, and learning style.
Choose from in-person and online courses held mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays. Our programs combine expert instruction, engaging conversation, and authentic cultural exploration to help you build confidence in French every step of the way.
Why Learn with the French Library?
– Experienced native and near-native instructors
– Small, interactive classes
– In-person and online options
– A welcoming community of learners
– Access to French and Francophone culture beyond the classroom
– Programs designed for both personal enrichment and professional development
Join us and discover that learning French is more than studying a language. It’s opening the door to a global culture, new perspectives, and meaningful connections.
Explore Our Adult Programs
Language Classes:
Progress through the CEFR levels (A1 to C1) in a supportive and interactive environment. Develop speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while gaining practical confidence for real-life communication.
Conversation Classes:
Practice French in a relaxed setting through guided discussions, current events, cultural topics, and meaningful exchanges with fellow learners.
Theme Classes:
Discover the richness of the Francophone world through courses focused on literature, art, history, film, society, language, and culture.
Intensive Programs:
Need faster progress? Our immersive intensive courses are designed to help you accelerate your learning in a concentrated format. Perfect for students with busy schedules or specific goals.
New to the French Library?
Bienvenue! We’re delighted to welcome new students to our community of language learners and Francophiles.
Getting Started:
Complete beginner? –> You can enroll directly in A1.1 Beginner French.
Already know some French? –> Take our free placement test to identify the class that best matches your level and ensures a successful learning experience.
You can also explore our level guide to better understand the CEFR framework and the progression from beginner to advanced proficiency.
Need Help?
Our Education Team is here to assist you with placement, registration, and course selection.
adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org or call 617.865.2314
Find Your Class
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 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 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.
A1-2 | 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!
A1-4 | Beginner French 4
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!
A1-4 short track | Beginner French 4
You don't have time for a 10-week class? No worries! We have you covered. Our A1-4 “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.
A1-3 | Beginner French 3
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 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!
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.
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!
A2-3 | Advanced Beginner French 3
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!
A2-2 | Advanced Beginner French 2
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.
B1-1| Edito Pro SLOW PACE Part 1
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!
B1-1 | Intermediate French 1
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!
B1-2 | Intermediate French 2
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.
B1-4 | Intermediate French 4
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!
B1-3 | Intermediate French 3
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.
C1-2 | Proficient French 2 SLOW Part 2
In this class, you will learn how to make intercultural comparisons, analyze a provocative article, and analyze classic theater. Culturally, you will explore new technologies, family, education, and life expectancy.
B2-1 | Advanced French 1
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!
B1-5 | 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!
B1 | Dictées d'automne
An essential component of primary education in France, Dictée (dictation) is an excellent exercise to improve vocabulary, spelling, and memory for native French speakers and learners alike. In the French Library’s take on classic Dictées, you will work with a variety of interesting and entertaining texts ranging from science to culture, history and society that will challenge you and build your confidence as a French speaker and writer.
C1-1 | Proficient French 1
In this class, you will learn how to make intercultural comparisons, analyze a provocative article, and analyze classic theater. Culturally, you will explore new technologies, family, education, and life expectancy.
B1+/ B2 | Mystères de Paris | In Person
Can you solve a mystery in French? In this interactive conversation course, students become detectives, examining clues, questioning suspects, analyzing evidence, and proposing theories on actual 5 great mysteries that happened in France. Each week features a new investigation inspired by mysteries, crime fiction, and French culture. Through collaborative problem-solving, learners develop speaking confidence while practicing narration, hypothesis, description, and argumentation.
B1+/ B2 | Mystères français : enquêter sur l'histoire | In Person
Can you solve a mystery in French? In this interactive conversation course, students become detectives, examining clues, questioning suspects, analyzing evidence, and proposing theories on actual 5 great mysteries that happened in France. Each week features a new investigation inspired by mysteries, crime fiction, and French culture. Through collaborative problem-solving, learners develop speaking confidence while practicing narration, hypothesis, description, and argumentation.
B1 | Listen Up!
Are you strong on the page but weak when it comes to oral comprehension? Do you find you are constantly asking your teacher to repeat herself? Then this class is for you! Learn to capture those words the first time around in this class that emphasizes oral comprehension while at the same time building the fundamental skills for success in French.
A2 | La Grammaire en A2
Learn elements of grammar through structured practice. Topics vary based on class needs.
B2+/C1 | Literature
Améliorez votre expression orale et votre compréhension tout en lisant et en analysant des œuvres littéraires françaises issues d’une grande variété de genres. Ce cours vous invite à explorer la richesse de la littérature francophone — romans, poésie, théâtre, nouvelles — tout en développant vos compétences linguistiques. À travers des discussions guidées, des lectures approfondies et des activités interactives, vous renforcerez votre aisance à l’oral, enrichirez votre vocabulaire et affinerez votre compréhension des structures grammaticales, le tout dans un contexte culturel stimulant.
B1+/B2 | René Goscinni: l'humour au service de la société
Meet René Goscinny, one of France's most beloved writers and storytellers. Through his iconic characters and humorous writing, students will discover French culture, society, and everyday life while strengthening their language skills through discussion, analysis, and creative activities.
B1+/ B2 | Mystères français : enquêter sur l'histoire
Can you solve a mystery in French? In this interactive conversation course, students become detectives, examining clues, questioning suspects, analyzing evidence, and proposing theories on actual 5 great mysteries that happened in France. Each week features a new investigation inspired by mysteries, crime fiction, and French culture. Through collaborative problem-solving, learners develop speaking confidence while practicing narration, hypothesis, description, and argumentation.
B1 | Key Figures in French History
In this B1-level course, participants will discover five major historical figures through authentic materials, guided discussions, collaborative activities, and debates. Each session is designed to develop both listening and speaking skills while expanding participants’ cultural and historical knowledge.
A2+/B1 | Between Memories and New Discoveries: Conversation for Seniors
Suitable for senior learners at the A2+/B1 level, this class offers a relaxed and engaging space to expand vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and gain greater confidence speaking French. Whether sharing personal anecdotes, exchanging opinions, or discovering the experiences of others, you will enjoy meaningful interactions while continuing your language-learning journey.