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+ | A la découverte de… la Provence | In Person
Step into the sun-drenched landscapes of southern France and explore the rich tapestry of Provençal life. This immersive course invites you to uncover the region’s vibrant history—from Roman ruins to medieval hilltop villages—while savoring its world-renowned cuisine, from lavender-infused honey to bouillabaisse. Through stories, traditions, and hands-on experiences, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the art de vivre that makes Provence so enchanting. Whether you're a lover of language, food, or French culture, this class offers a journey you won’t forget. After this class, Provence will have no more secrets for you!
B2-4 | Advanced French 4
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!
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!
B1-4 | 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!
B2 | Diplomatie francophone : convaincre, négocier, rayonner
Explorez le rôle stratégique de la diplomatie dans la promotion du français à l’échelle mondiale ! Ce cours passionnant vous plonge dans les coulisses des relations internationales où la langue française devient un outil d’influence, de coopération et de rayonnement culturel. À travers des études de cas, des débats et des interventions d’experts, vous découvrirez comment la diplomatie linguistique façonne les politiques, soutient la francophonie et défend la diversité culturelle. Un rendez-vous incontournable pour les passionnés de langue, de culture et de relations internationales !
B2| Intensive Week
Don't have the time to attend a full session this fall? Not a problem! Join us for our intensive week! 15h of French in one week. Are you ready for the challenge? PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL INTENSIVE WEEK WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 24.
B1 | Intensive Week
Don't have the time to attend a full session this fall? Not a problem! Join us for our intensive week! 15h of French in one week. Are you ready for the challenge? PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL INTENSIVE WEEK WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 24.
A1 (absolute beginner) | Intensive Week
Don't have the time to attend a full session this fall? Not a problem! Join us for our intensive week! 15h of French in one week. Are you ready for the challenge? PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL INTENSIVE WEEK WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 24.
B1+ | Portraits d'Auteurs: Special Antoine de St Exupéry | In Person
With literary legend Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the question isn’t if you will fall in love with him, but how quickly! For most readers, it happens by page one of any of his works—though some claim they had to wait until page two to feel the magic strike! A mythical pioneer of aviation alongside Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, Saint-Exupéry was also a gifted poet. He had a rare ability to make readers feel the thrill of his airborne adventures, while also drawing them into his emotional and philosophical reflections. His favorite themes—nature’s harsh beauty, human connection, the search for meaning, and personal growth—are woven throughout his writing with lyrical intensity. The first five weeks of the course will focus on his acclaimed early novel Vol de nuit (Night Flight), studied through selected excerpts, along with his poignant short piece Lettre à un otage (Letter to a Hostage). The second five-week segment will delve into Terre des hommes (Wind, Sand and Stars), also through selected texts, and conclude with three weeks dedicated to his most iconic work, Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince), which we will aim to read in its entirety. This class is designed as a 10-week journey: you can choose to attend just Part I (5 weeks, covering 2 works), just Part II (also 5 weeks, covering 2 works), or the full 10-week course (4 works total) at a discounted rate!
B2+ | Literature: Postmodern Love
Is there a theme more ubiquitous than love, in any culture, and at any time? No there is not. And nowhere is this more evident than in French literature. This course, Postmodern Love, invites you to explore the realms of love and romantic relationships through the eyes—and hearts—of four major authors of the second half of the 20th century. We will focus on one work each: Françoise Sagan (La Chamade), Patrick Modiano (Villa Triste), Marguerite Duras (L’Amant) and Annie Ernaux (Passion Simple). Far from traditional romantic ideals, these tales from the age of deconstruction often employ irony to challenge conventional portrayals of romance, presenting it as a space of tension between desire and disillusionment, intimacy and alienation. From each work’s themes and concepts, we will delve into the analysis of its composition and artistry, exploring the author’s possible intentions and motivations and examining how these translate into an artwork of words that resonates both with its original context and with us today.
B2 | Urban Conspiracies
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!
A2 | Intensive Week
Don't have the time to attend a full session this fall? Not a problem! Join us for our intensive week! 15h of French in one week. Are you ready for the challenge? PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATION FOR THE FALL INTENSIVE WEEK WILL CLOSE ON NOVEMBER 24.
B2 | La Sorbonne, comme si vous y étiez! | In Person
Découvrez tous les secrets de la plus célèbre université de France, la Sorbonne. Vous vous amuserez à parcourir les murs de l'école, à vous faire passer pour un étudiant tout en découvrant l'histoire fascinante de cet établissement prestigieux.