Advanced(B2/C1)
2 hours per week for 5 weeks Starting July 30, 2026
At Online via Zoom
Taught by
Loïc Lerme
Time Slots
About this Class
How did bold ideas become revolutions—and how did revolutions reshape the modern world? This course explores the birth of democracy through the powerful exchange of ideas between France and the United States in the 18th century.From Enlightenment thinkers and revolutionary texts to decisive political actions, we will examine how concepts like liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty moved from theory to practice. By comparing key moments on both sides of the Atlantic, students will uncover how words inspired change—and how those changes still shape our democracies today.
Class objectives:
Linguistic
Express cause, consequence, hypothesis, and concession
Summarize and react to historical texts
Argue and justify opinions orally and in writing
Use reported speech and rhetorical devices
Pragmatic & Intercultural
Understand democratic ideals from different cultural perspectives
Compare French and American revolutionary narratives
Reflect on how language shapes political thought
Engage in structured debate and civic discussion
Cultural & Civic
Identify key Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Jefferson, Paine, Olympe de Gouges, Lafayette)
Understand the circulation of ideas between France and the American colonies
Connect 18th‑century ideas to modern democratic values
Class is taught by Loic.