It's winter in Massachusetts! So please note the following:
For online learning, classes will continue to be in session during a projected storm. Unless we announce otherwise, please assume classes are in session. For in-person learning, adults' and teens' classes will be switched to an online format. Kids' classes will be canceled and rescheduled. Please look for an email from your teacher or the Education Department for guidance and zoom links.
Please note that the best way to contact the Education Department is via email: adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org. You can also call our Reception at: 617.912.0400 Tuesday through Saturday.
ABOUT OUR CLASSES AND WAYS OF TEACHING
Join us at the French Library and immerse yourself in French learning! Our immersion method and curriculum target systematic acquisition of grammar skills as a means of acquiring and using the language with immediate results.
The French Library offers a wide variety of classes to accommodate your needs, schedule and budget. You can chose to attend classes online via Zoom or in person at the French Library. Our teachers benefit from the expertise of the Alliance Française for the most effective methods of French language instruction. Our class sizes are small (10 students max online; 12 in-person) providing more opportunities for you to communicate in French, creating a lively classroom atmosphere.
Here are your options:
Language courses:
Regular track: 3h per week for 10 weeks (classes meet twice a week for 1h30)
Slow-paced track: 1h30 per week for 10 weeks (classes meet once a week for 1h30)
Short track: 3h per week for 6 or 7 weeks depending on the level (classes meet twice a week for 1h30)
Theme courses:
Classes meet 1h30 or 2h per week for 5 or 10 weeks.
Please contact us at adultprograms@frenchlibrary.org if you have any questions!
How to purchase your book:
In person classes: on site at the French Library OR online at MEP Education.
Online classes: online with MEP Education. Please look for your class here. All your class material can be purchased at a preferential rate on the mepeducation.net website.
A1? A2? B1? What’s my level?
All our classes are structured according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). The CEF is the language and fluency level scale used in the European Union. It goes from A1 to C2 and serves as the guideline for describing the level of fluency achieved by a foreign language learner. The chart below details our courses’ codification, the level progression and what a learner can do after completing a whole section. Each level requires 30h of teaching time. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!
If you have never taken a class with us, we ask that you please complete the written and oral sections of our placement test for the upcoming session to ensure you enroll in the right course level.
A1 Absolute/Beginners (4 levels: A1.1 to A1.4)
A1.1 to A1.4: can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Class material for language courses: L'Atelier + 1 for short track and Edito A1 for regular track
A2 Advanced Beginners (4 levels: A2.1 to A2.4)
Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
Class material for language courses: L'Atelier + 2 for short track and Edito A2 for regular track
B1 Intermediate (5 levels: B1.1 to B1.5)
Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise while traveling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics that are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
Class material for language classes: Edito B1
B2 Independent (4 levels: B2.1 to B2.4)
Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Class material for language courses: Edito B2
C1 Proficient (2 levels: C1.1 to C1.2)
Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Class material for language courses: Tendances C1+/C2
C2 Proficient (1 level: C2.1)
Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organizational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
Class material for language courses: Tendances C1+/C2
Found 39 Results
A1 | Get Ready for the DELF TP A1! | In-Person
If you're planning to take the DELF A1 in June, this preparatory class is for you! Ensure your success and work on all four language skills tested on the exam.
Read MoreA1-1 | Beginner French 1 | In-Person
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.
Read MoreA1-2 | Beginner French 2 | In-Person
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!
Read MoreA1-3 | Beginner French 3 | In Person
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!
Read MoreA1-4 | Beginner French 4 | In Person
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!
Read MoreA2 | Get Ready for the DELF TP A2! | In-Person
If you're planning to take the DELF A2 in June, this preparatory class is for you! Ensure your success and work on all four language skills tested on the exam.
Read MoreA2 | Intensive Week | In-Person
Don't have the time to attend a full session this winter? 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 WINTER INTENSIVE WEEK WILL CLOSE ON MARCH 23.
Read MoreA2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1 - Slow-Paced - Part 1 | In Person
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.
Read MoreA2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1 | In-Person
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.
Read MoreA2-1 short track | Advanced Beginner French 1 | In-Person
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!
Read MoreA2-2 | Advanced Beginner French 2 | In Person
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.
Read MoreA2-3 | Advanced Beginner French 3 | In-Person
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!
Read MoreA2-4 | Advanced Beginner French 4 | In-Person
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!
Read MoreA2+ | Listen Up! | In-Person
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!
Read MoreA2+/ B1 | French Idioms | In Person
Have fun with Florine and learn idioms in context as you discuss French culture through the lens of its language!
Read MoreA2+/B1 | A la découverte des villes du Sud de la France | In-Person
Join Florine to learn about the most beautiful and intriguing cities of the South of France!
Read MoreB1 | Get Ready for the DELF TP B1! | In-Person
If you're planning to take the DELF B1 in June, this preparatory class is for you! Ensure your success and work on all four language skills tested on the exam.
Read MoreB1 | Intensive Week | In-Person
Don't have the time to attend a full session this winter? 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 WINTER INTENSIVE WEEK WILL CLOSE ON MARCH 23.
Read MoreB1 | Intermediate Conversation | In-Person
Master the art of conversation while perfecting the finer points of your grammar through the fun and varied speaking activities in this course!
Read MoreB1-1 | Intermediate French 1 | In Person
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!
Read MoreB1-1| Edito Pro | In Person
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!
Read MoreB1-2 | Intermediate French 2 | In Person
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.
Read MoreB1-3 | Intermediate French 3 | In Person
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.
Read MoreB1+ | A la découverte de… la Belgique | In-Person
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.
Read MoreB1+ | Listen Up! | In Person
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!
Read MoreB1+/ B2 | Les Classiques de la littérature française - Part 2 | In Person
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.
Read MoreB1+/ B2 | Parler avec soin | In Person
Comment communiquer avec nuance et délicatesse en français ? Quels mots et quelles stratégies les francophones mobilisent‑ils pour aborder les sujets sensibles ? Ce cours vous aidera à développer ces compétences à partir de la lecture d’une œuvre d’un médecin‑écrivain (Martin Winckler), d’exercices de langue et de l’étude de documents et situations authentiques. Il s’adresse à toute personne souhaitant utiliser le français comme outil relationnel, empathique et éthique — en particulier aux professionnels de santé, psychologues, thérapeutes et travailleurs sociaux.
Read MoreB1+/ B2 | Women Photographers: From Early Pioneers to Contemporary Practices | In Person
This B1/B2 French course introduces students to the work of French women photographers, from 19th‑century pioneers like the “Nadarines” to leading contemporary artists such as Valérie Belin and Bettina Rheims. Along the way, we’ll explore key movements—from the surrealism of Dora Maar and Claude Cahun to the humanist photography of Sabine Weiss—and discover how these women have used photography as a space for artistic innovation, self‑expression, journalism, fashion, and feminist engagement.
Read MoreB1+/B2 | Écrire le français | In Person
Faites rayonner vos idées en français écrit ! Ce cours vous accompagne dans le développement de votre style, de votre grammaire et de votre aisance rédactionnelle, que vous écriviez des essais universitaires, des analyses, des articles ou de courtes fictions. Grâce à des exercices ciblés et à un accompagnement personnalisé, vous apprendrez à structurer vos textes, enrichir votre vocabulaire et écrire avec clarté et assurance. Vous découvrirez également comment intégrer l’intelligence artificielle de façon éthique et pertinente pour soutenir votre créativité et porter plus loin vos projets d’écriture.
Read MoreB1+/B2 | Paroles d'intellectuels : les Lumières contemporaines | In Person
Ce cours vous invite à enrichir votre français par l’analyse et le débat autour des grands enjeux de la France contemporaine. Guidés par cinq penseurs majeurs — Jean Birnbaum, Vincent Delecroix, Cynthia Fleury, Michael Foessel et Geneviève Fraisse — vous apprendrez à formuler vos idées avec clarté, à affronter la complexité et à cultiver le courage de la nuance. Textes, vidéos et discussions guidées vous aideront à développer un véritable esprit critique… à la française.
Read MorePage 1 of 2