CURRENT classes and programs
Magical Melodies:Music, Stories, and Songs in French
A fun, interactive story and sing-song class, designed to nurture and stimulate the creativity and imagination of young children in a foreign language. Enter a world of original French stories, songs, puppets and humorous props, and share the adventure with your child. Nurture your child’s natural enthusiasm for rhythm, and experience the joy of singing French songs together! No French experience required for child or caregiver.
Age : 3 mo. – 2 years
Day : Wednesday
Time : 9:30 – 10:15am
La Pré Maternelle, a gentle introduction to preschool
Each week, la Pré Maternelle will meet for an hour and a half. This child and caregiver program offers a unique and creative first school experience for young children. We warmly welcome them into a world filled with songs, movement, art projects, and silly creatures and characters, which will encourage them to exercise their imagination and begin to learn French. This program is a valuable introduction to the daily classroom routines of preschool life and will give them a strong foundation to begin school the following year.
Age : 1.5 – 3 yrs
Day : Wednesday
Time : 10:30 – 12:00pm
Une Introduction à la Littérature Jeunesse Française Contemporaine- Cours d’introduction
In this group class, our engaging instructor will introduce the students to French books. Students will discover the French culture and language by reading together, discussing what they have read, and working on projects related to the themes of these stories.
For our youngest students this year, we offer a course that focuses on the basics of reading, prononciation, vocabulary, spelling and reading comprehension through reading some classic works of French children’s literature. Along with reading, we will be playing related word games, drawing characters from our books, and some outdoor activities!
The Francophone Graphic Novel/ Enquêter la BD francophone- Niveau Intermédiaire
Known as the ninth art, la “bande dessinée” or “BD”, is a massive part of contemporary French culture, and is a staple of French children’s (as well as adults’) entertainment and education. In this class, we will experience the classic adventures of Asterix and Obelix, Spirou and Fantasio, as well as discover some contemporary BD’s from artists all over the world, including Aya de Yopougon. We will also investigate some graphic interpretations of classic French literature, such as Peter Sfar’s “Le Petit Prince”. Along with reading these entertaining and beautiful works, students will make their own BD’s with everything they have learned throughout the class!
Age : 11- 14 yrs
Day : Thursday
Time : 4:00 – 5:00pm
Découvrir la Musique Française/Francophone Moderne du 20ème siècle - Niveau Intermédiaire
This course offers an introduction to modern and contemporary French and Francophone music through a collaborative, discussion based and–of course–music-filled classroom environment. Along with discovering some important artists, songs, and genres of Francophone music from the last century, we will also discuss the important cultural and social roles music has played during this time as well as today. Some artists we’ll be discussing include Aristide Bruant, Josephine Baker, and Johnny Hallyday. In class, discussions will often be student-led and based on their own interests regarding French and Francophone music. Allons découvrir la beauté de la musique francophone ensemble !
Age : 11 – 14 yrs & 15-17 yrs
Day : Tuesday
Time : 5:00 – 6:00pm
Le Film Francais/francophone de l’entre-deux-guerres:
By exploring the rich cinematic production of the interwar era in France, this course will be using film as its primary learning tool. From the silent film classics of poetic realism to films on the subject of war, trauma, and collective memory this class will focus on developing knowledge of French cultural history, skills in visual and film analysis, as well as nurturing greater fluency and sophistication in oral and written French. Some films we will be watching in class include “L’Atalante” by Jean Vigo, “La Règle du Jeu” by Jean Renoir, and “Pépé le Moko” by Julien Duviviers.
Age : Adults
Day :Thursday
Time : 6:00 – 7:30pm
French Songs, Art, and Musical Games
Our Monday class is for children ages 4 to 6. It is a drop off class. This is a creative art and music class that teaches the beginning skills of rhythm, pitch, and the musical scale in a fun way that incorporates French vocabulary. Additionally, visual art is used as another form of expression and is another way for children to build French vocabulary and speaking confidence in creating and building their original art projects. This class is active and engaging making French learning fun and hands-on. It is a good fit for children who already speak French and also for those who are just being introduced for the language. This class is conducted in French with the needs of all children met by the instructor. A healthy snack is served.
Age : 4 – 7 yrs
Day : Monday
Time : 3:30 – 5:00pm
French Music in the Park
Join our new outdoor music class on Friday afternoons! This drop off class is for children ages 4 – 8 and will meet in Fort Greene Park. This is a creative music class that teaches the beginning skills of rhythm, pitch, and the musical scale in a fun way that incorporates French vocabulary. Children will build French vocabulary and speaking confidence, as they explore music together outdoors in a small group. This class is active and engaging, making French learning fun and hands-on. It is a good fit for children who already speak French and also for those who are just being introduced to the language.
Age : 4 – 8 yrs
Day : Friday
Time : 3:45 – 4:45pm
Jeux D'Rôles: Atelier de théâtre - Theater program for young people and teens
What better way to build speaking confidence with the French language than through a fun and engaging acting class? Jeux D’Rôles is an acting class based on role plays, improvisations, silly acting games, and character work. The classes incorporate games, acting exercises, sense memory work, improvisation, vocal work, and articulation. These exercises are used to explore and create scenes, monologues, and plays. In this safe and supportive environment children are able to grow creatively and strengthen their imagination, focus and self-confidence. This class is taught all in French and is intended for children with French speaking abilities and also complements the work done in Wednesday “Academic French” class. To best accommodate our families, we can arrange for a pick up from the local schools ; to do so, however, we must pick up a minimum of four students from the same school.
Age : 7 – 12 yrs
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL CLASSES ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION WITH FULL REIMBURSEMENT IF ENROLLMENT THRESHOLD IS NOT MET.