About us
Hi. đ Welcome. Iâm François Normandeau, founder of The French Club.
We have over 7,000 members in 14 MeetUp groups around the world (New York, Paris, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Dallas, Montreal, Atlanta, Mumbai, Chicago, Sydney, Toronto, Washington DC, Tokyo, Vancouver).
If you want the same thing most adults want, a clear path to real, practical French you can actually use when speaking, then this is the right place!
And your free gift is ready: the full A1 French course (50 modules), now available on our platform. Itâs the equivalent of 1,200+ pages of explanations, examples, exercises, and homework, with extras like audio and video to help you build pronunciation and real speaking reflexes. No catch, no gimmick, no obligation, no credit card needed.
Start here:
https://www.frenchclub.net/
To unlock it, two quick steps:
1. Create your account.
2. Enroll in the Free Plan (the A1 course is included in the free plan, but it requires enrollment).
Step-by-step guide (account setup + free A1 enrollment):
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fSyoLZDxM2QdHXO0TnDh1UVFP_QjWTXA1Hj-qwcIIMM/
Once youâre in, begin with Module 1 right away.
The goal is momentum, not perfection.
What The French Club is
The French Club is a global community of French learners with live events on Meetup and a structured learning platform on frenchclub.net.
We focus on real-world fluency through:
- Structured courses from A1 to B2 (50 modules per level).
- Skill workshops that fix the real sticking points (pronunciation, listening speed, writing accuracy, confidence, etc.).
- Conversation events (A1 to B2), including practice sessions and student-led events.
- Small-group immersion experiences.
Meetup is where youâll discover and join live events.
Our site frenchclub.net is where your learning path is organized in one place (courses, materials, and enrollment).
See you at an event soon !! ă
â François Normandeau
Founder, The French Club
***
Links
Winter Academic Program 2026:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vjF6aQHIlpKUqaofeFEcv3wZcW1bPRaI_nToY9r4-Tw/
Website + free A1 course: https://www.frenchclub.net/
Meetup hub: https://www.meetup.com/pro/learning-speaking-french/
Welcome video: https://vimeo.com/1148335419
Substack: https://substack.com/@frenchclub
Upcoming events
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â Fun French Talks â
·OnlineOnlineImportant Availability Note:
This event will be free and open to everyone for the winter 2026 period:
10 weeks, from January 1 until March 15, 2026.Starting mid-March 2026, this will become available only to Starter ($25 USD/mo.) and Premium ($75 USD/mo.) plan holders on The French Club language platform (currently in development).
***
â Fun French Talks â
60-min French Talk :
Practice French with Speakers from Around the World***
Whether you can speak somewhat easily or with some difficulty,
this is a fun and relaxed way to practice and improve your French
with other French speakers who have varying levels of proficiency
and are based in different countries.Weâll spend 60 minutes, having a group meeting, online,
via a Zoom call.We will mix it up, every month, by doing exercises, word games, explaining grammar points, describing images and situations, doing some role-playing, inventing a story, being creative and just having lots of fun.
This Fun French Talks meeting will be more about fun and games, as opposed to The Chat Club where we have conversations in French about one new topic each week (minors not allowed).
***
Participants:
This meeting is posted in multiple groups. There will be a greater number of people than the participants list you can see in the group you belong to.
If you are a native French speaker, we kindly ask you not to join,
as space is limited and our focus is assisting learners.***
How to join the Zoom call:
* The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* he password is: galaxy
* These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.
* Please turn your camera on during the session,
for a more engaging experience.The Zoom password / passcode is always the same, for all the events organized by all the French Club chapters worldwide.
***
About Me
In 2017, I was hired as a French teacher by a university in Spain.
Since March 2020, Iâve had the pleasure of teaching French
to 725 students from many countries, delivering more than
5,000+ French lessons, online and in person (as of July 15, 2025).For some info about me as a teacher, and testimonials, see:
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
or https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
11 attendees
â 10-Week A1-Level French Learning Program - Open to all & free â
·OnlineOnlineâ A1 French Course â Beginner Level (10 Weeks) â
Course Title: French for Beginners â A1 Level
* Duration: 10 weeks
* Weekly Class Time: 2.5 hours per week
* Course format: Live on Zoom
* Self-Study Suggestion: Minimum 10 hours/week
* Total Estimated Learning Hours: ~125 hours
* Group Size: unlimited number of students***
Course Description
This A1-level French course is designed for absolute beginners who have no prior knowledge of the language.
Over the course of 10 weeks, learners will build a strong foundation in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
By the end of the program, students will be able to introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions, hold basic conversations, understand everyday expressions, and use fundamental grammar structures.
This course follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and prepares students to reach the A1 level, enabling them to interact in basic French in real-life situations.
***
Schedule:
Starts on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 (week #1)
Ends on Sunday, Mar. 8, 2026 (week #10)***
Cost & Payment Options:
This 10-week A1 French course is free and the explanations are provided in English. The course will have limited interactions (no speaking exercises), no correction of homework.
***
New platform: account creation and course enrollment
In the Google document linked here, youâll find a clear step-by-step guide showing exactly how to create your French Club account and then enroll in the Free Plan on our new platform.
French Club Account setup & free A1 course enrolling Step-by-step guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fSyoLZDxM2QdHXO0TnDh1UVFP_QjWTXA1Hj-qwcIIMM/edit?usp=sharingImportant: the Free Plan includes access to the free A1 course, but the A1 course is not automatic. After you activate the Free Plan, you still need to enroll in the A1 course directly on the platform to access the lessons and materials.
Platform: https://www.frenchclub.net/
***
A1 Course Zoom call for the class
Access & Attendance:
* Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* Password: galaxy***
Course Outline â 10 Weeks of Learning
Week 1: Foundations of French
- Vocabulary: Basic greetings, introducing yourself, numbers 0-100, days of the week
- Grammar: Subject pronouns (je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles), definite/indefinite articles (le, la, un, une, des)
- Speaking & Listening: Introducing yourself, greeting others formally/informally
- Reading & Writing: Writing a short self-introduction
- Homework: Practice dialogues, listening exercises
Week 2: Talking About Yourself & Others
- Vocabulary: Family members, nationalities, professions
- Grammar: Present tense of ĂȘtre and avoir (to be and to have), adjective agreement (petit/petite, français/française)
- Speaking & Listening: Describing yourself and your family
- Reading & Writing: Writing a short text about your family
- Homework: Flashcards for professions & adjectives, listening to beginner dialogues
Week 3: Daily Life & Regular Verbs
- Vocabulary: Common verbs, daily routines (se lever, manger, travailler, dormir)
- Grammar: Present tense of -ER verbs (parler, aimer, habiter), forming negative sentences (ne... pas)
- Speaking & Listening: Talking about daily habits and routines
- Reading & Writing: Describing a typical day
- Homework: Conjugation exercises, watching a short French video
Week 4: Places, Directions, and Prepositions
- Vocabulary: Cities, transportation, places (école, banque, supermarché)
- Grammar: Prepositions of place (Ă , de, sur, sous, devant, derriĂšre), the verb aller
- Speaking & Listening: Asking for and giving directions
- Reading & Writing: Writing short sentences about your city
- Homework: Practicing directions, listening to French street dialogues
Week 5: Shopping, Food, and Ordering in a Café
- Vocabulary: Common foods, numbers 100+, ordering at a restaurant
- Grammar: Articles partitif (du, de la, des), quantities (beaucoup de, un peu de)
- Speaking & Listening: Ordering food and drinks
- Reading & Writing: Writing a grocery shopping list
- Homework: Watching restaurant ordering videos, role-playing dialogues
Week 6: Future Plans and Basic Conversations
- Vocabulary: Talking about free time, future activities (cinema, sports, travel)
- Grammar: Futur proche (aller + infinitive), expressing likes/dislikes (jâaime, je prĂ©fĂšre)
- Speaking & Listening: Talking about weekend plans
- Reading & Writing: Writing about your future plans
- Homework: Listening to audio on leisure activities, creating your own future plans
Week 7: Talking About the Past
- Vocabulary: Common past actions (hier, la semaine derniÚre, déjà )
- Grammar: Passé composé (with avoir for regular verbs)
- Speaking & Listening: Talking about what you did last weekend
- Reading & Writing: Writing a short paragraph about a past experience
- Homework: Reading a simple story in past tense
Week 8: Travel, Transportation, and Asking for Help
- Vocabulary: Transportation (bus, train, taxi, avion), emergency phrases
- Grammar: Questions (oĂč, quand, comment, combien), the verb pouvoir
- Speaking & Listening: Asking for help, booking tickets
- Reading & Writing: Filling out a travel form
- Homework: Practicing travel dialogues, listening to real-life recordings
Week 9: Invitations, Socializing, and Giving Opinions
- Vocabulary: Social phrases (on va au cinĂ©ma ?, pourquoi pas ?, câest une bonne idĂ©e !)
- Grammar: The imperative (regarde ! Ă©coute ! parle !)
- Speaking & Listening: Inviting someone, accepting/refusing
- Reading & Writing: Writing a short invitation message
- Homework: Practicing role-plays, writing social messages
Week 10: Final Review & Everyday Conversations
- Vocabulary: Review of key topics
- Grammar: Reinforcing present, past, and future tenses
- Speaking & Listening: Role-playing real-life scenarios (restaurant, shopping, travel)
- Reading & Writing: Writing a final paragraph about yourself
- Final Assessment: Speaking practice & review exercises
***
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this 10-week course, you will be able to:
* Introduce yourself and others (name, nationality, profession, family)
* Use common verbs in the present, past, and near future
* Ask and answer simple questions in social situations
* Order food, buy things, ask for directions, and make plans
* Read and understand basic French texts (menus, timetables, invitations)
* Write simple sentences and short paragraphsThis course will give you the confidence to communicate in French in everyday situations!
***
About Me
As of November 25th, 2025, Iâve given 5,625 online lessons
to 780 students from about 50 countries.For some info about me as a teacher, and testimonials, see:
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
or https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
.
***
21 attendees
â Raconte-moi une histoire â Tell Me a Story â
·OnlineOnlineâA special event series where curious minds meet and French learners shine. â
Join Our French Learning Community Conferences
We host a unique series of conferences featuring remarkable people who are learning French alongside you. Each event centers around a passionate speaker who presents on a topic they love â entirely in French â for 30 to 45 minutes.
***
During the Presentation:
- Please keep your microphone muted to maintain the flow
- Cameras are optional throughout the entire meeting
- If you choose to participate in discussions, we encourage turning your camera on for a more engaging experience
After the Presentation:
We open the floor for casual, respectful group discussion in French, where you can ask questions, exchange ideas, and share experiences related to the topic.
While our guest speakers may occasionally accommodate questions in English, we encourage you to stretch yourself by using French â even if it feels challenging. Growth happens outside our comfort zone, especially in language learning!
Who Should Attend:
- Low-intermediate speakers (or a higher level) who can participate in simple conversations are warmly encouraged to join the discussion
- Beginners or shy learners are equally welcome to attend, listen, and absorb the French exposure
This is an excellent opportunity to hear spoken French and connect with fellow learners on the same journey.
Our Community Values: Every opinion is respected and everyone is welcome. We maintain a positive environment by avoiding divisive topics like politics, religion, and sexuality.
***
Who is the guest speaker?
Rahul (February 1)
Je suis arrivĂ© Ă MontrĂ©al pour poursuivre une maĂźtrise en cybersĂ©curitĂ© et, Ă terme, faire carriĂšre dans ce domaine. Je travaille actuellement comme enquĂȘteur en informatique lĂ©gale.
Jâai Ă©tudiĂ© le français grĂące aux cours offerts par le MIFI, un organisme gouvernemental. Cependant, il y a eu une longue pause entre ces Ă©tudes et le moment oĂč jâai rejoint The French Club. GrĂące au The French Club, jâai pu redĂ©couvrir mes compĂ©tences en français et reprendre confiance dans la langue.
Titre: "Façonner une passion"
Résumé: J'ai trouvé ma passion mais il m'a fallu sept années de défis, d'échecs et d'apprentissage pour enfin la concrétiser.
The guest speakers will be individuals who took a French course with me. Each speaker does this on a voluntary basis in order to practice French and showcase something they love or truly care about or are deeply interested in. Our guest speakers for this Winter 2026 term are:-
Jan 4: Djordje
Jan 11: Eugenia
Jan 18: Faisal
Jan 25: James
Feb 1: Rahul
Feb 15: Grayce
Feb 22: Fairy
Mar 1: Mishele***
Who Can Join?
This series of mini conferences is open to everyone who has a low intermediate understanding of French or higher.
Donât miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your French skills !!***
Practical Details :
- Duration: 90 minutes per session.
- Frequency: Every two weeks, on Sunday evening from 7 pm until 8:30 pm EST (NY time).
- The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
- The password is: galaxy
***
About Me
In 2017, I was hired as a French teacher by a university in Spain.
Since March 2020, Iâve had the pleasure of teaching French
to 775 students from many countries, delivering more than
5,625+ French lessons, online and in person (as of Dec. 10, 2025).For some info about me as a teacher, and testimonials, see:
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
or https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
.
6 attendees
Past events
215
