About Our Language Courses

WICE offers French language classes plus French and English guided discussion classes, film classes, and free conversation groups. Language courses are offered from September through June, except during Christmas holidays and official public holidays.

2023 Winter Trimester courses will be held on-line via Zoom as WICE reorganizes following the closing of our office location. Some classes may elect to meet from time to time in a café or other shared space.

For optimal personal attention and expression, core language classes (French 3 and 4) are limited to a maximum of 8 students, film and discussion groups to a maximum of 10.

Which Level Is Right For You

Before enrolling for the first time in a language-learning course, you may want to complete our online Placement Evaluation. It will collect your responses and display your final score sending a notice to the Languages Department. While it is not required, this evaluation may help you choose the right course level. If you have questions thereafter, or are unsure which course to take, please email us at languages@wice-paris.org.

Currently WICE is offering core French classes for levels 3 and 4 only. (See below for criteria.) If you are interested in a lower level, please email us at the address above.

  • Level 3: Capable of having a conversation on familiar topics and routine situations, with some errors. Ability to deal with simple, straightforward information. B1
  • Level 4: Capable of having a more fluent conversation on a wide rante of topics. Strong vocabulary with few mistakes. B2-C1.
  • Film and Discussion courses: These classes offer an opportunity to practice your oral and language skills and to increase vocabulary in a stimulating, less formal context. To participate fully, an intermediate level is recommended.

English Placement Test

French Placement Test

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • BS211 French 3.1 (Intermediate, DELF B1)

    • 18 Sep 2023
    • 14 Dec 2023
    • 24 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 3
    Register

    Course Description

    This lively French course will improve your ability to deal with an array of everyday life situations in French. This level is for students who understand simple, straightforward information and can express themselves in familiar contexts and take part in an everyday conversation on simple, predictable topics.

    Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will help you develop your vocabulary, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation.

    Geared for learners with an intermediate knowledge of French, the 90-minute class will be held in French, twice a week for a total of 3 hours per week.

    About the Instructor

    Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has years of French teaching experience in France and abroad.

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  • BS182 French 2.1 (Beginner DELF A2)

    • 18 Sep 2023
    • 13 Dec 2023
    • 24 sessions
    • In person, TBA
    • 8
    Register

    Course Description

    This course is designed for beginners, either for first-time learners or those who want to refresh their French at a basic level.

    Throughout the course students will acquire the essential French skills (writing, speaking, pronunciation) needed to function in everyday-life situations.

    Each class will take place in a lively and friendly atmosphere that encourages students' enjoyment and active participation. Along with  linguistic exercises, references to French culture and gastronomy will also be presented.

    The course meets twice a week for 90 minutes (a total of 3 hrs/week) and is conducted in French. When necessary, supplementary explanations may be given in English.

    About the instructor

    Nathalie Allain is a native French speaker with a master’s degree in FLE (French as a foreign language) who is also fluent in English, German, and Japanese. To future students, she says: “In addition to textbooks, I like to make French come alive by using the language to discover the culture and history of Paris in one field trip each month.”

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  • Tuesday Online French-English Conversation Group

    • 19 Sep 2023
    • 19 Dec 2023
    • 14 sessions
    • Zoom Online Conferencing

    Tuesday Online French - English Video Conversation Group

    There is no better way to practice your foreign language than by conversing with native speakers, and WICE can help you do just that.

    We meet online (Zoom) twice a week. Participants are divided into small groups of 5-6 members. We converse 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. Conversations are free-form and address topics of interest to the individual group members.

    The group is open to WICE members at all language levels. However, to get the most out of the conversations, an intermediate level in both languages is helpful. 

    Participation is free for WICE members.

    To participate, contact Mike Franks at: mike.franks@wice-paris.org

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  • BS201 French Film Discussion

    • 20 Sep 2023
    • 13 Dec 2023
    • 12 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 4
    Register

    Course description:

    For this advanced French course, you will watch a film at home (available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Canal Plus, Orange, YouTube and other platforms) before a lively and engaging discussion in class. Each week a new film provides a basis for an immersive lesson with authentic spoken language and cultural reference points. Watching films is entertaining and enjoyable which breaks through psychological barriers that can arise in traditional language learning.

    If you love movies, there’s no more enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of French culture. You can expect to view a wide range of films from the classic to the contemporary in many different genres. Here are the films under consideration for the fall trimester:


    1. Mercredi 20 sept. Être et avoir     (2002). Docu-film. De Nicolas Philibert. Avec l'instituteur, Georges Lopez et ses douze élèves.

    2. Mercredi 27 sept. Marius (2012). Drame. De Daniel Auteuil. Avec Raphaël Personnaz, Daniel Auteuil, Jean-Pierre Darroussin. 

    3. Mercredi 4 oct. Le Mandat (1968). Comédie dramatique. De Ousmane Sembene (Sénégal). Avec Makhouredia Gueye, Ynousse N'Diaye.

    4. Mercredi 11 oct. Chaos. (2001). Comédie dramatique. De Coline Serreau. Avec Vincent Lindon, Catherine Frot, Rachida Brakni. 

    5. Mercredi 18 oct. L'Odyssée (2016). Biopic. Drame & Aventure. De Jérôme Salle. Avec Lambert Wilson, Pierre Niney, Audrey Tautou. 

    6. Mercredi 25 oct. Le Cercle rouge (1970). Classique & Policier. De Jean-Pierre Melville. Avec Alain Delon, Yves Montand, Bourvil.

    7. Mercredi 1er nov. Hors normes (2019). Comédie dramatique. De Olivier Nakache & Éric Toledano. Avec Vincent Cassel, Reda Kateb. 

    8. Mercredi 8 nov.  Un sac de billes (2017). Drame. De Christian Duguay. Avec. Patrick Bruel, Elsa Zylberstein, Bertrand Campan. 

    9. Mercredi 15 nov. Il a déjà tes yeux (2016). Comédie. De Lucien Jean-Baptiste (Martinique). Avec Lucien Jean-Baptiste, Aïssa Maïga.

    10. Mercredi 22 nov. Vincent, François, Paul et les autres (1974). Comédie dramatique. De Claude Sautet. Avec Yves Montand, Michel Piccoli, Serge Reggiani.

    11. Mercredi 29 nov. Tous les matins du monde (1991). Drame.Biopic.Musical. De Alain Corneau. Avec Gérard Depardieu, Guillaume Depardieu, Jean-Pierre Marielle, Anne Brochet.

    12. Mercredi 6 déc. Chocolat (2016). Comédie dramatique. De Roschdy Zem. Avec Omar Sy, James Thiérrée, Clothilde Hesme.






    A Zoom link will be provided the day before the course begins. Be sure to check your email for it.

    About the Instructor

    Valérie Satterfield grew up in Paris and moved to the US in 1981 where she lived for 38 years in New York City, Washington, D.C and Boston. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University. She has been teaching French since 1986. She taught adults with the US State Department, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Afterwards, she taught at private high schools in Manhattan. She has taught all levels of French including Advanced and AP classes. She returned to Paris for retirement in 2018 and has been volunteering with WICE for four years.

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  • BS211 English Guided Discussion

    • 21 Sep 2023
    • 14 Dec 2023
    • 12 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 4
    Register

    Course Description

    This English Guided Discussion Group is open to people who have a strong intermediate or advanced level of English. Our group leaders suggest interesting topics and readings prior to each group discussion. If you enjoy reading, speaking, presenting, and engaging in diverse topic-centered discussions, this group is for you. In addition to learning and developing through guided conversation with other participants, you will also have the opportunity to get personalized constructive feedback. The group speaks only in English for one hour.

    Ce groupe de discussion guidée anglaise est ouvert aux personnes qui parlent anglais presque couramment (niveaux intermédiaire-avancé ou avancé). Nos animateurs proposent des sujets intéressants et des textes avant chaque groupe. Si vous appréciez la lecture, la communication, la présentation et la participation à des discussions diverses, ce groupe est pour vous. En plus d’apprendre et se développer à travers des discussions guidées avec d'autres participants, vous aurez également la possibilité d'obtenir des commentaires constructifs. Ce groupe de discussion guidée est un endroit idéal pour rencontrer d’autres passionnés de la langue anglais. Le groupe ne parle qu’anglais pendant une heure.

    About the Instructors

    The group will be led by several native English speakers of varying interests and backgrounds.

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  • BS213 French Guided Discussion

    • 21 Sep 2023
    • 14 Dec 2023
    • 12 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 3
    Register

    Course Description

    This French Guided Discussion Group is open to people who have a strong intermediate or advanced level of French. Group leaders provide participants with engaging weekly readings on a wide range of topics prior to each dynamic and fast-paced seminar. If you enjoy reading, speaking, presenting, and engaging in varied, topic-centered discussions, this group is for you. In addition to learning through focused conversation with other participants, you will also have the opportunity to get personalized constructive feedback. The French Guided Discussion group speaks only in French for 90 minutes which gives participants an excellent space to practice.

    Note the new day and time to give members in other time zones the opportunity to join in.

    About the Instructors

    Brice Dardel and Brigitte Le Quere, both native French speakers with extensive experience leading discussions, alternate weekly sessions.

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  • BS221 French 4.1 (Advanced Intermediate, DELF B2)

    • 22 Sep 2023
    • 15 Dec 2023
    • 12 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 3
    Register

    Course Description

    This dynamic course will fine tune your abilities in an array of everyday life situations in French. Students at this level have the ability to express themselves on a range of topics. They are comfortable in most situations and have a strong vocabulary with few mistakes. Using interactive methods to ensure learner engagement and lasting progress, the course will facilitate your progress in vocabulary development, oral and written expression, comprehension, and pronunciation. Geared for learners with prior advanced-intermediate French, this course will be held in French once a week for 90 minutes.

    About the Instructor

    Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has French teaching experience in France and abroad.
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  • BS222 American Film Classics (formerly English Film Discussion)

    • 22 Sep 2023
    • 01 Dec 2023
    • 3 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 2
    Register

    Course Description

    Discover and discuss masterpieces of American and British cinema in this class for intermediate and advanced English speakers. You’ll watch a film at home on streaming, or borrow the DVD from your local library, before a lively and engaging discussion in class. You’ll be assigned one scene to watch at least three times! Every month you’ll view a film from an influential director so you’ll come to know the stylistic hallmarks of favorite genres and filmmakers. If you love the movies, this course is an enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, get comfortable with idiomatic expressions, improve your conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of American culture and cinema.

    In the late 60’s and early 70s, there was a renaissance in American filmmaking, as exciting as the one in the mid-20’s when Keaton and Chaplin were at their peak. The so-called “New American Cinema,” whose most famous directors included Peter Bogdanovich, Martin Scorcese, and Robert Altman, were influenced by the French Nouvelle Vague’s use of innovative techniques, improvisational acting, smaller cameras, and location shooting.

    This trimester we’ll discuss three films from the early 1970s: McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971) by Robert Altman, A New Leaf (1971) by Elaine May, and Five Easy Pieces (1970) by Bob Rafelson.

    About the Instructor

    Ellen Feldman grew up in Philadelphia and currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She holds a Ph.D. in cinema studies from New York University and has taught film studies at the State University of New York, Geneseo campus, and Brooklyn College.

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  • Friday Online French-English Conversation Group

    • 22 Sep 2023
    • 15 Dec 2023
    • 13 sessions
    • Zoom Online Conferencing

    Friday Online French - English Video Conversation Group

    There is no better way to practice your foreign language than by conversing with native speakers, and WICE can help you do just that.

    We meet online (Zoom) twice a week. Participants are divided into small groups of 5-6 members. We converse 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. Conversations are free-form and address topics of interest to the individual group members.

    The group is open to WICE members at all language levels. However, to get the most out of the conversations, an intermediate level in both languages is helpful. 

    Participation is free for WICE members.

    To participate, contact Mike Franks at: mike.franks@wice-paris.org

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  • Tuesday In-person French-English Conversation Group

    • 26 Sep 2023
    • 19 Dec 2023
    • 13 sessions
    • Maison Communale, 69 rue Violet , 75015 Paris

    Tuesday In-Person French - English Conversation Group

    Looking for a relaxed and welcoming place to practice and improve your French or English? WICE conversation groups allow you to practice your language skills in an easy, convivial atmosphere with native speakers.

    The Tuesday group meets at the Maison Communale, 69 rue Violet , 75015 Paris from 15:00 - 16:30. Participants are divided into small groups of 5 - 6 people, and the conversations are 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. The subjects are of  the group’s choosing. Though an intermediate level of English and French is expected, there is a wide range of abilities.

    There is no need to register, but if you wish to participate in person in Tuesday's group, please contact Mary-Jo at maryjo@wice-paris.org.


    After the conversation group finishes, participants often go the nearby Le Commerce Café, 80 rue du Commerce, for an hour or so of socializing.

    Maison Communale, 69 rue Violet , 75015 Paris. Metro line 8 stop Commerce, and busses #42, #70, #88.

    Participation is free with WICE membership.

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  • Friday In-person French-English Conversation Group

    • 29 Sep 2023
    • 22 Dec 2023
    • 12 sessions
    • Le Patronage Laïque Jules Vallès, 72 Avenue Félix Faure, 75015 Paris

    Friday In-Person French - English Conversation Group

    Looking for a relaxed and welcoming place to practice and improve your French or English? WICE conversation groups allow you to practice your language skills in an easy, convivial atmosphere with native speakers.

    The Friday group meets at the Le Patronage Laïque Jules Vallès ,72 Avenue Félix Faure, 75015 Paris from 15:00 - 16:30. Participants are divided into small groups of 5 - 6 people, and the conversations are 45 minutes in French and 45 minutes in English. The subjects are of  the group’s choosing. Though an intermediate level of English and French is expected, there is a wide range of abilities.

    After the conversation group finishes, participants often go across the street to Bistro Mon Rêve for an hour or so of socializing.

    There is no need to register, but if you wish to participate in person in Tuesday's group, please contact Mary-Jo at: maryjo@wice-paris.org.

    Le Patronage Laïque Jules Vallès ,72 Avenue Félix Faure, 75015. Metro line 8 stop Boucicaut, and busses 62, 70, 80, 88.

    Participation is free with WICE membership.

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  • BO042 French Pronunciation: Speedy Shortcut to Better French

    • 04 Oct 2023
    • 08 Nov 2023
    • 6 sessions
    • Zoom (online)
    • 3
    Register

    Course description

    "I have a good grasp of French, but when I speak, people often ask me to repeat myself. It’s so frustrating!" 


    If this situation sounds all too familiar, our pronunciation class is for you. In six short weeks, you will noticeably improve your ability to communicate in every area of your French life. In each 90-minute class, you’ll get …


    - 30 minutes work on the French phonemes. Sometimes our mother tongue acts as a filter so we can’t even hear a sound, never mind reproduce it correctly. Through listening exercises (poetry, music...) you will learn to produce key French sounds by paying attention to your lips, tongue, vibration, and more.

     
    - 30 minutes using typical dialogues from daily life to become familiar with the rhythmic-melodic scheme of French and how to use it yourself. 


    - 30 minutes for spontaneity and fun where we put into practice what we have learned during the session. We will read texts aloud and perhaps even sing!


    About the instructor


    Audrey Charmont has a Masters in Marketing and Communications as well as a DAEFLE (French as a Foreign Language). She has French teaching experience in France and abroad

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  • BO112 French Lit for Fun

    • 11 Oct 2023
    • 13 Dec 2023
    • 3 sessions
    • Zoom online
    • 10
    Register

    Course Description

    Discover and discuss contemporary classics in this lively class for high-intermediate and advanced French speakers. You’ll read a book at home, either a short novel or play, then participate in a class discussion. The instructor will supply context and cultural elements, as well as discussion questions intended to spark reflection and debate. In the spirit of literary cafés, the class will help you gain a deeper knowledge of French societal issues and controversies.

    For the fall term, we will read Annie Ernaux’s La Place,  a short novel written after her father's death; Incendies, a play by Canadian-Lebanese author Wajdi Mouawad which was later made into a film by Canadian director Denis Villeneuve; and Le consentement by Vanessa Springora, a powerful look at her complicated involvement with the writer Gabriel Matzneff who pursued her when she was 14 and he was 50. A film based on the book is due in October.


    About the instructor

    Bleuenn Simon has taught French literature and French as a second language for over 18 years in France and in the United States. She is also a theater teacher, amateur actress, and author.

     

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