About us
Hi. Welcome. I’m François Normandeau, founder of The French Club.
We have over 7,000 members in 17 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. It’s 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:
- Create your account.
- 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 you’re 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 you’ll 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 !! ツ
— 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
60
⭐ 10-Week "TEF/TCF CANADA" Mock Exam Series (with mocko.ai)⭐
·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 (https://www.frenchclub.net).
***
⭐ 10-Week TEF & TCF Canada Mock Exam Series (with Mocko.ai) ⭐
Every Friday • Jan 9 – Mar 13, 2026 • 11:00 am–1:00 pm (NY time)
Free • Live on Zoom • Open to all French learners
***
Ready to see what a French exam really looks like?
Join us for a brand-new 10-week series where we will practice TEF Canada and TCF Canada mock exams together, live, using the powerful AI platform Mocko.ai.
This series is designed for anyone preparing for an official French exam or simply wanting to understand the exam structure, timing, strategies, and question types.
***
What to Expect Each Week
Over 10 Fridays, we will alternate between full mock-exam walkthroughs and special sessions with the Mocko.ai team.
8 sessions — Live mock exam practice
We will complete different sections of TEF and TCF Canada exams using the Mocko.ai platform. François will share his screen, guide you through the exam step-by-step, so that you can try to answer the questions, and then he will explain some key sections and provide answers and explanations.
2 sessions — Live presentations with Mocko.ai
Meet the Mocko.ai team directly! They will join us on:
• Friday, January 23, 2026
• One Friday in February (date announced soon)
These sessions will include a short presentation, Q&A, and tips on how to use AI-powered tools to improve your exam performance.
***
How the Sessions Work
Each meeting lasts up to 2 hours:
• First hour: Guided mock exam practice in real time
• Second hour: Explanation of key points, strategies, error analysis, and Q&A
This combination lets you see both the AI engine at work and the human teaching that makes everything clearer.
***
Why Join This Series?
• Experience real TEF/TCF exam conditions
• Understand question types, timing, and scoring
• Learn effective strategies for listening, reading, and structure
• Discover how to use Mocko.ai to strengthen weak areas
• Ask questions directly to the Mocko.ai team
• Prepare consistently over 10 weeks with a supportive community
• Use the referral code FRENCHCLUB if you later decide to upgrade to a premium plan on mocko.ai
This event series is free and open to everyone in The French Club’s community (6,700+ members across 13 groups).
***
Who Should Attend?
• Anyone preparing for TEF Canada or TCF Canada
• Students aiming for B2 / C1 results
• Learners wanting to demystify the exams
• Anyone curious about AI-powered language learning
***
Schedule
Every Friday, from January 9 to March 13, 2026
11:00 am – 1:00 pm (New York time)
Live on Zoom • Event in English
Where?
• Online, on Zoom
• Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
• Password: galaxy
***
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 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/7237721
I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
***2 attendees
⭐ "Voilà!" : Masterclasses on Essential French Topics ⭐
·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 (https://www.frenchclub.net).
***
⭐ "Voilà!" : Masterclasses on Essential French Topics ⭐
***
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.
***
Format and details:
- Duration: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- 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 link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* Password: galaxy
* The passcode is the same for all MeetUp meetings and events.
***
Schedule:
Jan 10 - Masterclass #1: French feels different
Jan 17 - Masterclass #2: Reflexive verbs
Jan 24 - Masterclass #3: Verbs of movement
Jan 31 - Masterclass #4: French Past Tenses
Feb 07 - Masterclass #5: Ce and Relative Pronouns
Feb 14 - Masterclass #6: Prépositions “à” and “de”
Feb 21 - Masterclass #7: Master the “à” and the Y Pronoun in French
Feb 28 - Masterclass #8: French Preposition de & the en Adverbial Pronoun
March 7 - Masterclass #9: Personality Types & Language Learning (part 1)
March 14 - Masterclass #10: Personality Types & Language Learning (part 2)
***
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 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/7237721
I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
.2 attendees
⭐ 10-Week A1-Level French Learning Program - Open to all & free ⭐
·OnlineOnline⭐ 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 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, you’ll 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=sharing
Important: 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 – 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 paragraphs
This course will give you the confidence to communicate in French in everyday situations!
***
About Me
As of November 25th, 2025, I’ve 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/7237721
I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
.
***2 attendees
Past events
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