About us
Hi. Welcome. I’m François Normandeau, founder of The French Club.
We have over 8,000 members in 18 MeetUp groups around the world (New York, Paris, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Dallas, Montreal, Dubai, 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:
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 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
The French Club — Academic Program Spring 2026:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xKGaWnqk2GOAXTduhpj0etXgXU7DNE_eML2GFgP52VU/edit?usp=sharing
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?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
Substack: https://substack.com/@frenchclub
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-french-club/
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Upcoming events
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⭐ 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.
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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=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/
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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
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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, 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/7237721I look forward to assisting you soon.
François Normandeau
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***
1 attendee
🍿 Movie Night: My Internship in Canada (2015) 🍿 — Prep for Feb 11 Discussion
·OnlineOnline🍿 Movie Night: My Internship in Canada (2015)🍿
Come watch My Internship in Canada with us on Zoom on Sunday, February 8 (7–9 pm NY time / ET), as a relaxed prep session so you’re ready for the full conversation on February 11 during the 'C’est La Vie' event (1-2 pm NY time / ET).
My Internship in Canada is a gentle political comedy film about cultural adaptation, identity, and the everyday challenges of living and working abroad. An idealistic young Haitian travels to rural Quebec to intern for an independent Member of Parliament when a national debate erupts. The independent politician is thrust into the parliamentary spotlight and has to rely on his Haitian intern to help him navigate the complexities of Parliament Hill. Ideal for international audiences, students, and anyone who has experienced migration, study, or professional transition.
Release date: 2015 (Canada)
Director: Philippe Falardeau
Languages: English, French, Haitian Creole
Running time: 1h 48mEveryone is welcome: French learners, educators, film lovers, curious newcomers, and friendly strangers.
Both events are optional and can be attended separately, but if you plan to join the February 11 discussion, watching the movie first is strongly recommended so you have the context to follow and participate.
How it works
We will share our screen so you can watch along and hear the full movie. If you prefer, you can also watch on your own device using your own access (streaming, rental, or purchase). We’ll stay connected on Zoom during the viewing and have a short discussion afterwards. We will discuss the film much more in-depth during the 'C’est La Vie' event on February 11.If you’d like, keep a notebook nearby and jot down a few movie moments or lines you’d like to discuss on February 11. Movie availability varies by country, so please check your local services ahead of time.
For your reference, C’est La Vie event on February 11, 2026:
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/312365659/Language note
French audio is encouraged. Subtitles are totally optional. French subtitles can help comprehension, and English subtitles can help if you want to focus more on themes and character dynamics. We will be using French subtitles for this movie event.Content note
The film includes political themes. Please read the description of the movie ahead of time to make sure it’s a film you want to watch.Zoom call details
The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
The password is: galaxyWatch the movie on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80084092
or on Amazon Prime Video: https://www.primevideo.com/dp/amzn1.dv.gti.b8b4cbdb-34de-409f-60d7-febb6bcbf8adMovie reviews
IMDb 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes 72%
Prime Video 6.9/10🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
2 attendees
Past events
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