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

  • BS161 French 2.1 (Beginner DELF A2)

    • 16 Sep 2024
    • 16 Dec 2024
    • 24 sessions
    • In person, location TBD
    • 5
    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.

    PLEASE NOTE: Although the course normally takes place in person, the semester will begin on Zoom due to temporary mobility issues on the part of the teacher. As soon as possible, the class will meet in person once again, in a private apartment.

    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.”

     

    Show details

  • BS171 French 3.1 (Intermediate, DELF B1)

    • 17 Sep 2024
    • 16 Dec 2024
    • 24 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom (online)
    • 6
    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.

    PLEASE NOTE: Although the class normally meets Monday and Thursday, the first class only (17 September) will meet on Tuesday, due to a conflict. After that, the Monday/Thursday schedule resumes.

    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.

    Show details

  • BS201 French 4.1 (Advanced Intermediate, DELF B2)

    • 19 Sep 2024
    • 13 Dec 2024
    • 12 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom (online)
    • 4
    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.

    PLEASE NOTE:  Although the class usually meets on Friday from 10h - 11h30, the first class of the term will take place on Thursday 19 September at 10h30 - 12h due to a conflict. The normal schedule resumes the second 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 French teaching experience in France and abroad.
    Show details

  • BS192 English Guided Discussion

    • 19 Sep 2024
    • 19 Dec 2024
    • 12 sessions
    • Online via Zoom
    • 7
    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.

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

    Facilitators

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

  • BS193 French Guided Discussion

    • 19 Sep 2024
    • 19 Dec 2024
    • 12 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 2
    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.

    About the Instructors

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

    Show details

  • BS202 French 4.1.2 (Advanced Intermediate, DELF B2)

    • 27 Sep 2024
    • 13 Dec 2024
    • 11 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom (online)
    • 4
    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.

    PLEASE NOTE:  Although the class usually meets on Friday from 10h - 11h30, the first class of the term will take place on Thursday 19 September at 10h30 - 12h due to a conflict. The normal schedule resumes the second 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 French teaching experience in France and abroad.
    Show details

  • BS272 American Film Classics

    • 27 Sep 2024
    • 22 Nov 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 0
    Registration is closed

    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 fall, we’ll discuss three films from the mid-1970s: 

    A Woman Under the Influence (1974) by John Cassavetes

    The Conversation (1974) by Francis Ford Coppola

    Nashville, (1975) by Robert Altman

    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.
    Show details

  • BO112 French Film Discussion

    • 11 Oct 2024
    • 13 Dec 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • Remote on Zoom
    • 5
    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 month a new film provides a basis for an immersive lesson with authentic spoken language and cultural reference points. If you love movies, there’s no more enjoyable way to increase vocabulary, improve conversational skills, and deepen your understanding of French cinema and culture. 

    Each discussion will focus on analyzing the film from different angles:

    • Creation; production; and reception, both critical and commercial
    • Screenplay, direction, and artistic collaborations such as script, cinematography, acting, and music
    • Specific features in the director's filmography and its place in the French cinema of his/her era.

     During the fall trimester, we will be discussing these three films:

     1. La Reine Margot (1994) de Patrice Chéreau

    Avec Isabelle Adjani, Vincent Perez, Pascal Greggory, Daniel Auteuil

    1572, Charles IX règne, mais c’est sa mère Catherine de Médicis qui gouverne. Pour mettre fin à la guerre civile qui ravage le royaume, elle oblige sa fille Marguerite de Valois à épouser contre son gré, le protestant Henri de Navarre. Ce mariage royal n’empêche pas le massacre de la Saint Barthélémy.

    Des costumes splendides, une distribution somptueuse. Un grand metteur en scène de théâtre qui signe un film ambitieux, intime, une tragédie du pouvoir shakespearienne. « Film en noir et rouge, film de nuit, de mort et de sang. »

    2. La Cérémonie (1995) de Claude Chabrol

    Avec Sandrine Bonnaire, Isabelle Huppert

    Sophie, une jeune femme analphabète, est engagée par un couple de grands bourgeois pour servir de bonne à tout faire dans leur belle maison dans la province bretonne. Elle se lie avec Jeanne, une postère accusée d’infanticide qui la dresse contre ses employeurs.

    Une grande réussite dans l’œuvre de Chabrol qui se montre pourfendeur des suffisances, des inconséquences, et de l’inconscience de la grande bourgeoisie de province. Film dénué de manichéisme, qualifié de « fable marxiste » par son réalisateur, qui valut en 1995 un prix d’interprétation à La Mostra de Venise aux deux actrices. Adaptation brillante et glaçante d’un roman de Ruth Rendell, renvoyant aussi au destin tragique des sœurs Papin.

    3. Rois et Reine (2004) d’Arnaud Desplechin

    Avec Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos

    L’une apparemment radieuse, s’apprête à se marier. L’autre, interné de force dans un asile psychiatrique, semble toucher le fond de l’abîme. Ces deux histoires distinctes fusionnent quand la future épouse propose à cet ancien amant qu’elle a passionnément aimé d’adopter son fils, né d’un premier lit.

    Totalement burlesque et en même temps, terriblement émouvant, ce film est un formidable exercice de style réalisé par un virtuose de la construction. « Comme si l’ombre de Bergman croisait celle de Chaplin ».

    • ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: A graduate of Sciences Po Paris and ESCP Business School with a master's in political philosophy, Pascale Borenstein co-founded the first professional training course for screenwriters, the Conservatoire Européen d'Ecriture Audiovisuelle (CEEA), which she subsequently directed. From 2004 to 2017, she was Director of International Relations and Continuing Education at France's national film school, La Fémis, where she collaborated with the film departments at NYU, Columbia University, and Calarts. Pascale is the co-author of "Histoire de films français" published by Bordas and a lecturer at l'ICART (École du Management Culturel & Marché de l'Art).


    Show details