⭐ "Voilà !" : Masterclasses on Essential French Topics (90-min) ⭐

⭐ "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 masterclass: Master the Y Pronoun in French
Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 7 pm until 8:30 pm NY time:

We'll start with a quick look at how the preposition à connects to the Y pronoun, then dive deep into Y itself—climbing vertically from A1 foundations to B2-level mastery. You'll see what's essential for your level right now and what's coming next, so the pieces click together across all contexts.

***

"Voilà!" French Masterclass Series — #4
French preposition à and the y adverbial pronoun
Sat., Oct. 18, 2025

Document:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ZiCdXGEWlu5bPdwTFgpziJAJ9BNPzYEb1lXeD4HSHi8/edit?usp=sharing

***

How the level ladder works:

• A1 → Understanding à and meeting Y: Brief introduction to à for locations and things (aller à Paris, être à la maison, penser à quelque chose); first encounter with Y as the pronoun that replaces à + place/thing (Tu vas à Paris ? → Oui, j'y vais); recognizing Y in common expressions (il y a, j'y vais).
• A2 → Y replacing places and things systematically: Y replaces à + location (habiter à Montréal → j'y habite); Y replaces à + thing with common verbs (répondre à la question → j'y réponds, penser à tes examens → j'y pense); position of Y in simple sentences (j'y vais, je n'y vais pas, tu y penses ?); understanding that Y = things/places, NOT people.
• B1 → Y across tenses and complex structures: Y in all tenses (j'y suis allé, j'y allais, j'irai, j'y suis resté); Y with modal verbs and infinitives (je veux y aller, tu dois y penser, on peut y participer); verb families that take à + thing and therefore use Y (s'intéresser à → je m'y intéresse, s'habituer à → je m'y habitue, tenir à → j'y tiens, réfléchir à, participer à); Y vs lui/leur distinction (clear rules for things vs people); when NOT to use Y.
• B2 → Idiomatic Y, nuance, and native-level usage: Fixed expressions and idioms with Y (ça y est, on y va, je m'y connais, je m'y attendais, s'y prendre, s'y faire, y compris, n'y voir que du feu); Y in imperative with pronoun order (vas-y, penses-y, allons-y, allez-y vs ne t'y fie pas); Y with abstract meanings (y croire = believe in it, y arriver = succeed/manage, ne pas y couper = can't avoid it); subtle distinctions and register (when natives drop or emphasize Y); recognizing frozen expressions where the original à meaning has faded but Y remains essential.

***

Format and details

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Mode: Live, interactive Zoom session.
• Time zone: All times shown in New York time.

***

Access & Attendance:

* 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/7237721

I look forward to assisting you soon.

François Normandeau
.