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 43 Results
B1+| A Virtual Tour of France's Sublime Gardens | Online
Join Julien to virtually wander through some of France's most marvelous gardens from Giverny to Monaco.
Read MoreB2 | Diplomatie francophone : convaincre, négocier, rayonner | Online
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 !
Read MoreB2 | The Académie Series : Science | Online
The Académie Series: Spotlight on the Institut de France The Institut de France — a cornerstone of French intellectual life — was founded in 1795 with a bold mission: to unite the nation’s brightest minds in science, literature, and the arts. Its goal? To advance knowledge, foster independent thinking, and advise public authorities. At the heart of the Institut are five prestigious academies, each a guardian of excellence in its field. Their formal gatherings — held under the iconic dome — are steeped in tradition, with members donning the famous green ceremonial attire. Here’s the lineup: Académie Française – 40 members dedicated to the French language and its legacy. Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres – 55 members exploring history, archaeology, and classical studies. Académie des Sciences – 250 members under 75 (plus senior members), pushing the frontiers of scientific discovery. Académie des Beaux-Arts – 67 members shaping the future of visual and performing arts. Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques – 50 members reflecting on philosophy, law, economics, and politics.
Read MoreB2 | The Académie Series: Ethics and Principles | Online
The Académie Series: Spotlight on the Institut de France The Institut de France — a cornerstone of French intellectual life — was founded in 1795 with a bold mission: to unite the nation’s brightest minds in science, literature, and the arts. Its goal? To advance knowledge, foster independent thinking, and advise public authorities. At the heart of the Institut are five prestigious academies, each a guardian of excellence in its field. Their formal gatherings — held under the iconic dome — are steeped in tradition, with members donning the famous green ceremonial attire. Here’s the lineup: Académie Française – 40 members dedicated to the French language and its legacy. Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres – 55 members exploring history, archaeology, and classical studies. Académie des Sciences – 250 members under 75 (plus senior members), pushing the frontiers of scientific discovery. Académie des Beaux-Arts – 67 members shaping the future of visual and performing arts. Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques – 50 members reflecting on philosophy, law, economics, and politics.
Read MoreB2 | The Académie Series: Fine Arts | Online
The Académie Series: Spotlight on the Institut de France The Institut de France — a cornerstone of French intellectual life — was founded in 1795 with a bold mission: to unite the nation’s brightest minds in science, literature, and the arts. Its goal? To advance knowledge, foster independent thinking, and advise public authorities. At the heart of the Institut are five prestigious academies, each a guardian of excellence in its field. Their formal gatherings — held under the iconic dome — are steeped in tradition, with members donning the famous green ceremonial attire. Here’s the lineup: Académie Française – 40 members dedicated to the French language and its legacy. Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres – 55 members exploring history, archaeology, and classical studies. Académie des Sciences – 250 members under 75 (plus senior members), pushing the frontiers of scientific discovery. Académie des Beaux-Arts – 67 members shaping the future of visual and performing arts. Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques – 50 members reflecting on philosophy, law, economics, and politics.
Read MoreB2 | The Académie Series: French Language | Online
The Académie Series: Spotlight on the Institut de France The Institut de France — a cornerstone of French intellectual life — was founded in 1795 with a bold mission: to unite the nation’s brightest minds in science, literature, and the arts. Its goal? To advance knowledge, foster independent thinking, and advise public authorities. At the heart of the Institut are five prestigious academies, each a guardian of excellence in its field. Their formal gatherings — held under the iconic dome — are steeped in tradition, with members donning the famous green ceremonial attire. Here’s the lineup: Académie Française – 40 members dedicated to the French language and its legacy. Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres – 55 members exploring history, archaeology, and classical studies. Académie des Sciences – 250 members under 75 (plus senior members), pushing the frontiers of scientific discovery. Académie des Beaux-Arts – 67 members shaping the future of visual and performing arts. Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques – 50 members reflecting on philosophy, law, economics, and politics.
Read MoreB2 | Urban Conspiracies | Online
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!
Read MoreB2-1 | Advanced French 1 | Online
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!
Read MoreB2-2 | Advanced French 2 | Online
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!
Read MoreB2-4 | Advanced French 4 | Online
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!
Read MoreB2+/ C1 | Advanced Conversation | Online
Vous maîtrisez le français et vous avez envie de participer à des conversations amusantes, réelles et intellectuellement stimulantes ? Ce cours est fait pour vous ! Chaque leçon est conçue sur mesure en fonction de thèmes qui reflètent vos propres intérêts, en utilisant divers médias et activités interactives et ludiques. Vous gagnerez en confiance, améliorerez votre compréhension orale et écrite, élargirez votre vocabulaire et perfectionnerez votre grammaire en contexte, grâce aux retours personnalisés d'un enseignant natif francophone expérimenté.
Read MoreB2+/C1 | Literature | Online
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.
Read MoreLes Ados A1.1 - Step 1 | Online
Through oral and written comprehension as well as speaking and writing exercises, students acquire the linguistic tools they will need to effectively communicate in a variety of contexts.
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