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 MoreA1-1 short track | Beginner French 1 | Online
Join us for our 7-week online “Short Track” option our A1-1 course! With the same 3 hours of instruction per week as our standard-length class, this 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 MoreA1-2 | 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 MoreA1-3 | 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 MoreA1-4 | 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 MoreA2 | Prononciation en Action! | Online
Master French sounds with flair! TV5MONDE’s Prononciation en action series is your go-to toolkit for leveling up your French pronunciation. Through fun, interactive videos led by phonetics expert Magali Boureux, you'll explore the rhythms and sounds of French using the verbo-tonal method. Whether you're in class or learning solo, these bite-sized lessons blend visuals, repetition, and real-life examples to help you speak more clearly and confidently. Say goodbye to tricky nasal vowels and hello to smooth, natural French!
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 | 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 short track | Advanced Beginner 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 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 | 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 MoreA2-4 | 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 MoreA2-4 short track | Advanced Beginner French 4 | Online
Join us for a 6-week, online “Short Track” option for an A2-4 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 A2 Short Track program, students will feel just as confident moving into B1 as their standard language class cohort!
Read MoreA2/A2+ | Advanced Beginner Conversation | Online
Develop your conversational and communication skills through role-play, discussion of French media and other speaking activities adapted to your level.
Read MoreA2+ | French through songs | Online
Do you love French? Do you love music? Then this class is made for you! Come explore the rich world of French songs and discover talented artists while improving your language skills in a fun and engaging way. Learn, listen, and enjoy French like never before!
Read MoreA2+ | 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 MoreB1 | Dictées d'été | Online
Build your vocabulary and knowledge of idioms through various creative writing techniques and activities.
Read MoreB1 | Intermediate Coffee Talk | 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 | La Grammaire en B1 | Online
Learn elements of grammar through structured practice. Topics vary based on class needs.
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 MoreB1-4 | 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 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!
Read MoreB1+ | 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 MoreB1+ | 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+/ B2 | A Summer in France with Van Gogh | Online
Vincent van Gogh embraced the French language, speaking it fluently, and felt a deep connection to the country’s landscapes and people—sources of constant inspiration for his art. See France anew through his eyes: its luminous countryside, its vibrant light, and its everyday life, captured from Paris to Provence in his paintings. Explore, too, the letters he wrote in French to his brother, his sister, and fellow artists, where he shares his journey as a painter in the country he came to call his own.
Read MoreB1+/ B2 | La Bête du Gévaudan : mythes et réalités | Online
Have you ever heard of the Beast of Gévaudan? Between 1764 and 1767, in a remote region of south-central France, a mysterious “wolf-like” creature carried out a series of deadly attacks, spreading fear among the population. The case became so sensational that it circulated across Europe, drawing the attention of Louis XV’s monarchy and revealing the limits of royal authority. Was the Beast a wolf, a hybrid, a human killer, or a product of collective fear? Through the lenses of sociology, religion, and politics, this course explores why the story emerged when and where it did—and what it reveals about rural life, superstition, media, and power in 18th-century France.
Read MoreB1+/ B2 | Thinkers, Words, and Acts: The Birth of Democracy (France–USA) | Online
How did ideas spark revolutions—and how did those revolutions transform the world? This course traces the rise of democracy through the dynamic exchange between France and the United States in the 18th century. Exploring Enlightenment philosophy, revolutionary texts, and key historical events, we will see how ideals like liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty moved from theory into action. By comparing both sides of the Atlantic, students will discover how powerful ideas shaped enduring democratic systems.
Read MoreB1+/B2 | French Souls. Langue, culture et émotions françaises | Online
Ce cours propose d’explorer l’expression des émotions, des pensées et des mouvements intérieurs en français à travers plusieurs chefs‑d’œuvre littéraires. En étudiant la conscience, la mémoire, le désir ou la nostalgie, nous verrons comment de grands écrivains ont révélé à la fois les limites et les richesses de la langue française pour représenter l’intériorité, tout en façonnant une certaine idée de “l’âme française”.
Read MoreB1+/B2 | Le football, un sport mondial | Online
Passionate about football and eager to boost your French? This lively class is just what you need—especially as we celebrate the excitement of the World Cup! Dive into the language through the thrilling world of football: pick up key vocabulary, practice your speaking and listening skills, and discover the cultural importance of the sport across French-speaking countries. From legendary players to unforgettable matches, you’ll discuss it all while gaining confidence in a fun, interactive atmosphere. Get ready to celebrate the game—and score goals in French!
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