
What we’re about
The French Club (all chapters) : already 500+ events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — Oct 1, 2025)
Upcoming events (The French Club Montreal MeetUp group):
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/
Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@the-french-club
***
Where French learners can practice, meet people from around the world, have fun and improve their language skills. There is no judgment and no shame, regardless of your level and ability to speak.
I offer online and in-person meetings, from fun conversations to specific events with a particular focus (like French pronunciation workshops), all the way to "confidence building" events. In April 2025, I also started to give French courses over 10 weeks (A1, A2, B1 and B2). The group classes will be offered in 2026, in an 10-week format (A1 to B2).
About Me
In 2017, I was hired as a French teacher by a university in Spain.
Since March 2020, I’ve 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/7237721
I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
***
Cool Stats (as of September 10, 2025) :
The French Club (San Francisco)
* 2,630 members
* 670 events past events
The French Club (Montreal)
* 930 members
* 365 past events
The French Club (Toronto)
* 755 members
* 40 past events
Other chapters:
Vancouver, NYC, Chicago, Dallas, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai
Upcoming events
51
•Online⭐ "Voilà !" : Masterclasses on Essential French Topics (90-min) ⭐
Online⭐ "Voilà!" : Masterclasses on Essential French Topics (90-min) ⭐
***
These are stand-alone, single-topic sessions designed for focused progress without a long commitment. Attend one or mix and match—there is no sequence and no prerequisite beyond the level noted for each event.
***
Upcoming events:
• Verbs of movement (Nov. 1)
• Past tenses focus: imparfait, passé composé and plus-que-parfait (Nov. 8)
• The neutral demonstrative pronoun (ce) and the relative pronouns: qui, que, dont, où, and lequel (Nov. 15)***
"Voilà!" French Masterclasses Series — #6 : French verbs of movement
Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM EDT (NY time)https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FeZnM1mdSCgIeqsL7zY2DkmAwDEXeiku2ddI2XKfQXc/edit?usp=sharing
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/310942019/
***
Format and details
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Level: Listed per workshop (A1–A2–B1–B2).
- No prior attendance required. The events are not organized in a logical or continuous sequence. Attend the events when needed.
- Mode: Live, interactive Zoom session.
- Time zone: All times shown in New York time (ET).
***
Access & Attendance:
* Zoom access closes 10 minutes after class starts to maintain class flow
* Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* Password: galaxy
The passcode is the same for all MeetUp meetings and events.***
Cost & Payment Options: These masterclasses are free.
***
Examples of topics in this series
- Reflexive verbs in French: meaning, forms, and high-frequency routines.
- Don't translate literally from English to French, and why
- Asking questions in French: the three core patterns you need.
- Imparfait vs. passé composé: when, why, and how to choose.
***
About Me
In 2017, I was hired as a French teacher by a university in Spain.
Since March 2020, I’ve 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
.13 attendees
•Online⭐ Fun French Talks ⭐
OnlineThe French Club (all chapters) : already 275 events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — July 15, 2025)Upcoming events :
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/***
60-min French Talk :
Practice French with Speakers from Around the WorldThis week's theme :
"Practicing, practicing, practicing while having fun" :)***
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.We’ll 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, etc.
***
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.***
MeetUp Fee for this event:
The MeetUp fee is optional.
$6 CAD (or $4.50 USD) for this 60-minute group meeting.
If you see the value and can afford it, please make the contribution.
That will help ensure that we keep hosting 20+ meetings each month.Payment Methods:
$6 CAD STRIPE payment link (available worldwide):
https://buy.stripe.com/5kQaEY7x3bfV4aWcbogbm02PayPal (worldwide payments) : @M2TradingUniversity
Interac E-Transfer (Canada only) : f_normandeau@protonmail.com
***
Cancellation Policy:
If you cancel 24 hours before the event, or more,
then your payment will be applied to another event
which has the same time duration.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the event,
then your payment WILL NOT be applied to another event
and refunds won't be issued.***
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, I’ve 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
9 attendees
•Online⭐ 10-Week A1-Level French Learning Program - Open to all & free ⭐
OnlineThe French Club (all chapters) : already 275 events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — July 15, 2025)Upcoming events :
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/***
⭐ A1 French Course – Beginner Level (10 Weeks) ⭐
Course Title: French for Beginners – A1 Level
* Duration: 10 weeks
* Weekly Class Time: 2.5 hours per week
* Course format: Live on Zoom
* Self-Study Commitment: 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.
***
Session Start Date
Schedule:
Starts on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 (week #1)
Ends on Sunday , Nov. 16, 2025 (week #10)***
Group class #1 importance:
During the first meeting, we will go over the overall structure of the A1 French course, explain how the documents are organized, show you how to make copies, where to add your homework (in Tab 2), and answer any practical questions you may have.
This introduction (covering all practical details) is only covered in the very first group meeting. To respect those who attended from the beginning, these topics will not be repeated in later sessions (weeks 2–10). If you join after the first meeting, please note that this information will not be re-explained.
***
Documents:
A1 French - Week 1 - Modules 1 to 5 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n8znkQrkSNctXnoix6aimEBOPvIPnh2oNGYk8-TSpaU/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 2 - Modules 6 to 10 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rrlgn03J3cCM6h1R8eXTydLouQ0AVxZKwPrSZsmE6ws/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 3 - Modules 11 to 15 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XJTs8sf1QndEjIir0GLKf9HuVNmfLF3J2U-6PhMZvjY/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 4 - Modules 16 to 20 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IAOYyl8zjBFUKz97865otKimZb-Iyz7tbBtPBusfeSo/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 5 - Modules 21 to 25 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15D47l4AKfJi6L46_BYtsyqWDw1XQiNLnWVHH4xJGcAY/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 6 - Modules 26 to 30 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Aftbgsa-YngkoOP1XOah6cgw8ACvm3jpaZQH1GShpC0/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 7 - Modules 31 to 35 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jue6HYQFdD3oktbW5Ic37hkdsR_oh-dKEa7KTeDdMaU/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 8 - Modules 36 to 40 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FPQS92tHZYmrPhIhEUQlL1ow6WQvET76jhb8Esu5BIo/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 9 - Modules 41 to 45 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hAAVfZeiLDdTob2ROEI7sCb8iTphdb-3Ma25GWsfBRY/edit?usp=sharingA1 French - Week 10 - Modules 46 to 50 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mAZ_eEZr0pt8DgL9s4kw2lfeSblb3oax4ZMydYW4TTw/edit?usp=sharing***
Cost & Payment Options:
This 10-week A1 French course is free. The course will have limited interactions (no speaking exercises), no correction of homework and no dedicated WhatsApp group (unlike the paid courses).
***
Access & Attendance:
* Zoom access closes 10 minutes after class starts to maintain class flow
* Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* Password: galaxyEach and every week, people keep asking me what the passcode is.
The passcode is always mentioned on each event's page.
I always use the same passcode.***
Course Outline – 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 être 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 (à, de, sur, sous, devant, derrière), 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 (j’aime, je préfère)
- 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 dernière, 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 (où, 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 cinéma ?, pourquoi pas ?, c’est une bonne idée !)
- Grammar: The imperative (regarde ! écoute ! 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
From May 2020 to mid-July 2025, I’ve given over 5,000 online lessons
to 725+ 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
18 attendees
•Online⭐ Raconte-moi une histoire — Tell Me a Story ⭐
OnlineThe French Club (all chapters) : already 275 events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — July 15, 2025)Upcoming events :
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/***
⭐A special event series where curious minds meet and French learners shine. ⭐
***
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—entirely in French—for 15-25 minutes.***
Upcoming presentation on November 2, 2025 by Ray.
Title: Why Fiction helps you find yourself
Summary: Fiction is a way to escape the every day but writing fiction, it can be one of the best ways to get to know ourselves. This workshop will explain a brief history of fiction and why writing fiction can be better for your mental health than just journaling.
Prochaine présentation le 2 novembre 2025 par Ray.
Titre : Pourquoi la fiction vous aide à vous retrouver
Résumé : La fiction est un moyen d’échapper au quotidien, mais écrire de la fiction peut être l’un des meilleurs moyens de se connaître soi-même. Cet atelier vous présentera un bref historique de la fiction et expliquera pourquoi écrire de la fiction est meilleur pour la santé mentale que de simplement tenir un journal.
***
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—even if it feels challenging. Growth happens outside our comfort zone, especially in language learning!
Who Should Attend:
- Low-intermediate speakers 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?
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.
***
Who Can Join?
This series of mini conferences is open to everyone who has a low intermediate understanding of French.
Don’t 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
These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.
***
MeetUp Fee for this event:
This series of conferences by guest speakers (who are French learners) will remain free in 2025.
***
About Me
In 2017, I was hired as a French teacher by a university in Spain.
Since March 2020, I’ve 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
6 attendees
Past events
103
