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
Start or continue your journey into the French language without the hassle of leaving home. Our online classes offer the same high-quality instruction and teachers as our in-person classes. 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!
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. For our 10 week regular track, 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 37 Results
A1-1 | Beginner French 1 | Online
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 | Online
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 MoreA1-2 short track | Beginner French 1 | Online
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.
Read MoreA1-3 | Beginner French 3 | Online
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 MoreA1-3 short track | Beginner French 3 | Online
Long story short … the French Library is 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.
Read MoreA1-4 | Beginner French 4 | Online
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 MoreA1-4 short track | Beginner French 4 | Online
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.
Read MoreA2 | Literature: Easy Reading - Eugénie Grandet| Online
You don't have to be at the Advanced level to enjoy reading in French! Develop speaking and comprehension while reading and analyzing simple literary works from a wide variety of genres. For this edition, discover Balzac's Eugénie Grandet.
Read MoreA2-1 | Advanced Beginner French 1 - Slow-Paced - Part 1 | Online
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 - Slow-Paced - Part 1 | Online
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 | Online
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 | French for Professionals | Online
Focus on specific areas of real-life professional situations such as résumés, business presentations, reports, surveys and more in this course.
Read MoreA2-2 | Advanced Beginner French 2 | Online
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 | Online
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 | Online
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/A2+ | Listen Up! | Online
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+ | Advanced Beginner Lunch Break | Online
Come join us for this casual conversation class! Learn French in a relaxed environment during your lunch break. Sharpen your skills and discuss everything from daily activities to social issues. No homework and no required textbook.
Read MoreB1 | Get Ready for the DELF B1! | Online
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 | Literature: Easy Reading - Candide| Online
You don't have to be at the Advanced level to enjoy reading in French! Develop speaking and comprehension while reading and analyzing simple literary works from a wide variety of genres. For this edition, discover Voltaire'sCandide.
Read MoreB1 | Literature: Easy Reading - Germinal| In-Person
You don't have to be at the Advanced level to enjoy reading in French! Develop speaking and comprehension while reading and analyzing simple literary works from a wide variety of genres. For this edition, discover Germinal.
Read MoreB1 | Morning Chat | Online
A relaxed environment for lovers of French language and culture to sharpen their speaking skills. Discuss everything from daily activities to social issues. No homework and no required textbook.
Read MoreB1-1 | Intermediate French 1 - Own-Paced - Part 1 | Online
Do you like to take your time learning? Not a problem! This class will cover the first half of our B1-1 class over 10 weeks.
Read MoreB1-1 | Intermediate French 1 | Online
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 short track | Intermediate French 1 | Online
Just because you’re short on time, doesn’t mean you can’t live life to the fullest! By the end of our B1 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B2 as their standard language class cohort! [/padded_text]
Read MoreB1-2 | Intermediate French 2 | Online
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 | Online
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 MoreB1-3 | Intermediate French 3 | Online
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 MoreB1-4 | Intermediate French 4 | Online
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!
Read MoreB1-5 | Intermediate French 5 | Online
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!
Read MoreB1+ | A la découverte de la Bretagne | Online
Join Farida to learn all about Brittany. Discover the region's towns and cities, history, music, cuisine, and cultural events.
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