Learn French

If you feel that you can already converse at a basic level with most or all of the topics above, you may want to consider enrolling on the next level course, Beginners Improvers, which will allow you to build on your existing ability and develop your command of the language.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – BEGINNERS

This course has been designed for people who are Beginners and have little or no knowledge of French.

It is taught in such a way that from week 1, you will have the skills to use the language (even if it’s only saying Bonjour and Au Revoir at the beginning!).  The course runs for 29 sessions.  The course will start with some basic topics, such as everyday greetings, giving personal information, the time and weather, going to the doctor/hospital, going shopping etc.  Lessons are devised to give you the basic stepping stones on which this course and the following course will build and will give you the confidence to use French in everyday situations.

It is important to remember that 29 sessions are not enough for you to acquire the language, so it is vital that as you learn new vocabulary and phrases, you try to use what you have learnt as much as possible in your daily life and in a range of different situations.  Of course, you will make mistakes, but this is perfectly natural, and you should try not to let this put you off. Practice really does make perfect!!

Your tutor will advise you of any books you need to purchase once the course is underway.

If you feel that you already have a range of vocabulary in all (or most) of the topics above, and can take part in short and simple verbal exchanges, you may want to consider enrolling on the next level course, Progressive, which will allow you to build on what you already know and further develop your usage of the language in a more confident manner.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – IMPROVERS

This programme has been designed for people who have already completed the Absolute Beginners course, and/or people who have a range of vocabulary and simple sentences, and will focus on using it more confidently in everyday situations.

The course runs for 29 sessions.  The course will cover everyday topics, such as greetings, giving personal information, the time and weather, going to the doctor/hospital, going shopping etc.  Lessons are devised to give you the basic stepping stones on which this course and the following course will build, and will give you the confidence to use French in many everyday situations.

It is important to remember that 29 sessions are not enough for you to significantly improve your French language ability, so it is vital that as you learn new vocabulary and phrases, you make an effort to use what you have learnt as much as possible in your daily life, and in a range of different situations.  Of course, you will make mistakes, but this is perfectly natural and you should try not to let this put you off.   Practice really does make perfect!!

You will be advised by your tutor of any books you need to buy, once the course is underway.

If you feel that you can already converse at a basic level with most or all of the topics above, you may want to consider enrolling on the next level course, Progressive, which will allow you to build on your existing ability and develop your command of the language.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – IMPROVERS PLUS

This programme has been designed for people who have already completed the Absolute Beginners course and feel that it has been too easy. Or completed the beginners’ improvers course and feel that they have learned and understood a lot but like to explore some issues in more depth and also to carry on learning more.

In the first weeks there will be a revision of the 3 different kinds of questions, the use of definite and indefinite articles, adjective agreement, conjugation of -er verbs and of some irregular verbs, and the tenses »near future« and basics of the »passé composé« and also with a focus on forming simple sentences.

After the revision period the course will continue with the »passé composé«, conjugation of -ir verbs and more irregular ones, verbs being constructed with »être«, more complex questions. And if time allows introduction to the future tense and the »imparfait«.

Lessons are devised to give you the basic stepping stones on which the following course will build and will give you slowly but steadily more confidence to use French in many everyday situations.

It is important to remember that 29 sessions are not enough for you to significantly improve your French language ability, so it is vital that you do your homework. That you make an effort to use what you have learnt as much as possible in your daily life, and in a range of different situations.  Of course, you will make mistakes, but this is perfectly natural and you should try not to let this put you off.   Practice really does make perfect!!

You will be advised by your tutor of any books you need to buy, once the course is underway.

If you feel that you can already converse at a basic level with most or all of the topics above, you may want to consider enrolling on the next level course, Progressive Plus, which will allow you to build on your existing ability and develop your command of the language.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – PROGRESSIVE

This course follows on from the ACFAA Absolute Beginners Course and the Beginners Improvers Course.  Maybe you remember some French from your schooldays, or you have simply acquired some useful and usable French in your everyday life and can ‘get-by’ in some situations.  If so, this is probably the course for you.

The course runs for 29 sessions of an hour and a quarter.  The course will cover many of the topics used in everyday life and will extend your vocabulary.  It will include some grammar and will allow you to communicate in a range of different tenses, ie. the past, present and future. You will also start to use and develop some of the many phrases (hundreds, probably) that are a natural part of this language.

It is important to remember that 29 sessions is not enough for you to make huge advances in your ability to communicate more effectively, so it is vital that as you learn new vocabulary, phrases and grammatical structures, you make an effort to put what you have learnt into practice in your daily life and in a range of different situations.  Of course, you will make mistakes, but this is perfectly natural, and you should try not to let this put you off. Practice really does make perfect!!

This course will follow a textbook, which is widely available from online book sellers, or can be ordered through the Tabac in Eymet square.

Communication Progressive du Français (Débutant) ISBN 978-209-038445-1

This book contains many short dialogues that will be used in the weekly classes, and audio files of these dialogues are contained on a CD that is included with the book.

If you feel that you can already converse at a basic level with most or all of the topics above, you may want to consider enrolling on the next level course, Lower Intermediate, which will allow you to build on your existing ability and develop your command of the language.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – PROGRESSIVE PLUS

If you can converse in French to make medical appointments, book restaurants, greet people in the street, and take part in basic dialogues, this course will help you to further develop your skills and fluency, and of course, your confidence.

The course runs for 29 sessions of an hour and a quarter.  The course will cover many of the topics used in everyday life and will extend your vocabulary.  It will include some grammar and will allow you to communicate in a range of different tenses, ie. the past, present and future. You will also start to use and develop some of the many phrases (hundreds, probably) that are a natural part of this language.

It is important to remember that 29 sessions is not enough for you to make huge advances in your ability to communicate more effectively, so it is vital that as you learn new vocabulary, phrases and grammatical structures, you make an effort to put what you have learnt into practice in your daily life and in a range of different situations.  Of course, you will make mistakes, but this is perfectly natural, and you should try not to let this put you off. Practice really does make perfect!!

This course will follow a textbook, which is widely available from online book sellers, or can be ordered through the Tabac in Eymet square.

Communication Progressive du Français (Débutant) ISBN 978-209-038445-1

This book contains many short dialogues that will be used in the weekly classes, and audio files of these dialogues are contained on a CD that is included with the book.

If you feel that you already have a good command of the French language in these areas, take a look at our Intermediate Level 1 course.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – LOWER INTERMEDIATE

A text book may be introduced at some point during this course.

If you feel that you already have a good command of the French language in these areas, take a look at our Conversation Intermediate Level 2 & Grammar course.

GUIDANCE FOR LEARNERS – INTERMEDIATE LEVEL 1

A text book will be introduced at some point during this course.  This book is available online or it may be possible to order it from the Tabac in Eymet.  Details are:

Communication Progressive du Français ) Intermédiaire – ISBN 978 -209-038447-5

NB – this book will not be required at the start of the course, so you may wish to wait. You will be given sufficient notice of when it is going to be introduced.

If you wish to see a copy of this book, ask your teacher.

The two-hour course is in two parts: one hour of grammar/conjugation, using the A2/B1 intermediate “Grammaire progressive du français” textbook (ISBN : 978-2-09-038103-0)

The second hour is usually led by the students, who give presentations on subjects of their choice, using photos, music, etc….

When there are no presentations planned, we will work on reading the book *Sido & Les vrilles de la vigne* by Colette.