In this course, students will read Les Aurores Montréalaises par Monique Proulx 

Students will be responsible for weekly assigned readings and encouraged to share their questions and impressions on our e-learning platform. During class, the instructor will guide the discussion about the weekly reading, touching on relevant historical and cultural context, character development, major themes, and overall impressions through general questions as well as close readings. 

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result at placement test 

Les Aurores Montréalaises par Monique Proulx

Ce sont des nouvelles, textes courts et incisifs, tous soigneusement taillés dans l’insupportable bana­lité des drames et des lieux. Le livre se compare à une petite mosaïque de pierres multicolores. Chacune conserve sa couleur rare et la forme unique de sa froide minéralité. L’ensemble n’en constitue pas moins un vivant portrait de Montréal, une effrayan­te collection de spécimens humains, un tableau prodigieux de cacophonie et de tristesse nordique.

View or purchase the book here. 

Pace: Once a week, 1h30 per session (course duration varies)

In this course, students will read The Art of Haikus: Neige by Maxence Fermine. 

Students will be responsible for weekly assigned readings and encouraged to share their questions and impressions on our e-learning platform. During class, the instructor will guide the discussion about the weekly reading, touching on relevant historical and cultural context, character development, major themes, and overall impressions through general questions as well as close readings. 

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result at placement test 

The Art of Haikus: Neige by Maxence Fermine 

Students can purchase the book here. 

Pace: Once a week, 1h30 per session (course duration varies)

In this Winter Special edition of our podcast course, students will work on oral expression and listening comprehension through audio content focused on seasonally relevant topics. Together, we will explore carefully selected podcasts related to winter themes such as holiday traditions, cultural rituals, the end-of-year spirit, and how societies reflect on the passing of time. Each session will include listening, vocabulary work, and in-depth discussion aimed at encouraging personal reflection and thoughtful debate. This is a great opportunity to improve your French while engaging with meaningful and timely subjects, all in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Pace: Regular

A class for fluent students wishing to perfect their linguistic and cultural understanding in areas such as geopolitics and economics, literature and history, the arts, and many more. Students will focus on formulating ideas and opinions with precision and on discussing clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects. 

Course materials—including newspaper articles, TV, and radio shows—are to be studied before class; expect approximately two hours of autonomous study per week. 

Prerequisite: Both former and current AFSeattle students, as well as all new students, must take our online placement test and complete an oral assessment to confirm their level prior to enrolling in their first C1 level course. 

Pace: Regular

The first sublevel in B2 (Advanced). In this course, students will continue to work on how to recount an event or a conversation through indirect discourse and passive structures, as well as additional ways to make comparisons, express themselves in the negative and speak about future events. They will also learn to develop more complex sentences in addition to exploring idiomatic expressions and word games.

Textbook & Workbook (not included in tuition): Défi 4 (Chapters 1-2) - Textbook & workbook available here 

Prerequisite: B1.3 course, B1 Review, or B1.1 result on placement test

Next course: B2.2 and/or a Specialized B2 course.


Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 1h30 per session, twice a week, total of 30h

The second sublevel in B2 (Advanced). In this course students will learn new ways to express feelings, goals, and regrets. They will focus on taking a stand and structuring their points of view by using expressions of cause and consequence, idiomatic expressions, and varying language registers.

Textbook & Workbook (not included in tuition): Défi 4 (Chapters 3-4) - Textbook & workbook available here 

Prerequisite: General French B2.1 or B2.2 result on placement test

Next course: General French B2.3 and/or a Specialized B2 course
Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 1h30 per session, twice a week, total of 30h

The second sublevel in B2 (Advanced). In this course students will learn new ways to express feelings, goals, and regrets. They will focus on taking a stand and structuring their points of view by using expressions of cause and consequence, idiomatic expressions, and varying language registers.

Textbook & Workbook (not included in tuition): Défi 4 (Chapters 3-4) - Textbook & workbook available here 

Prerequisite: General French B2.1 or B2.2 result on placement test

Next course: General French B2.3 and/or a Specialized B2 course
Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 2h30 per session, once a week, total of 25h

The third and final sublevel in B2 (Advanced). In this course, students will continue to strengthen their ability to defend their ideas or share their opinions. They will use temporal markers and other logical connectors to express cause, consequence, goals, opposition, and concession in a structured and convincing way. At the end of the course, students will be guided through a DELF review of the B2 level.

Textbook & Workbook (not included in tuition): Défi 4 (Chapters 7-9 & DELF B2 review) - Textbook & workbook available here

Prerequisite: General French B2.2 or B2.3 result on placement test

Next course: B2 Review or a Specialized B2+ course. At the end of the B2 level, students may be able to enroll in a C1 class contingent on the result of a mandatory placement test and oral assessment.


Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 1h30 per session, twice a week, total of 30h

The third and final sublevel in B2 (Advanced). In this course, students will continue to strengthen their ability to defend their ideas or share their opinions. They will use temporal markers and other logical connectors to express cause, consequence, goals, opposition, and concession in a structured and convincing way. At the end of the course, students will be guided through a DELF review of the B2 level.

Textbook & Workbook (not included in tuition): Défi 4 (Chapters 7-9 & DELF B2 review) - Textbook & workbook available here

Prerequisite: General French B2.2 or B2.3 result on placement test

Next course: B2 Review or a Specialized B2+ course. At the end of the B2 level, students may be able to enroll in a C1 class contingent on the result of a mandatory placement test and oral assessment.


Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 2h30 per session, once a week, total of 25h

In this course, students will read En Attendant Godot by Samuel Beckett and three short extracts from Le Mythe de Sisyphe by Albert Camus.

Students will be responsible for weekly assigned readings and encouraged to share their questions and impressions on our e-learning platform. During class, the instructor will guide the discussion about the weekly reading, touching on relevant historical and cultural context, character development, major themes, and overall impressions through general questions as well as close readings. Materials for the Albert Camus readings will be provided by the instructor.

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result on the Level Assessment. 

En Attendant Godot by Samuel Beckett

Vous me demandez mes idées sur En attendant Godot, dont vous me faites l''honneur de donner des extraits au Club d''essai, et en même temps mes idées sur le théâtre.Je n''ai pas d''idées sur le théâtre. Je n''y connais rien. Je n''y vais pas. C''est admissible.Ce qui l''est sans doute moins, c''est d''abord, dans ces conditions, d''écrire une pièce, et ensuite, l''ayant fait, de ne pas avoir d''idées sur elle non plus.C''est malheureusement mon cas.Il n''est pas donné à tous de pouvoir passer du monde qui s''ouvre sous la page à celui des profits et pertes, et retour, imperturbable, comme entre le turbin et le Café du Commerce.Je ne sais pas plus sur cette pièce que celui qui arrive à la lire avec attention.Je ne sais pas dans quel esprit je l''ai écrite.Je ne sais pas plus sur les personnages que ce qu''ils disent, ce qu''ils font et ce qui leur arrive. De leur aspect j''ai dû indiquer le peu que j''ai pu entrevoir. Les chapeaux melon par exemple.Je ne sais pas qui est Godot. Je ne sais même pas, surtout pas, s''il existe. Et je ne sais pas s''ils y croient ou non, les deux qui l''attendent.Les deux autres qui passent vers la fin de chacun des deux actes, ça doit être pour rompre la monotonie.Tout ce que j''ai pu savoir, je l''ai montré. Ce n''est pas beaucoup. Mais ça me suffit, et largement. Je dirai même que je me serais contenté de moins.Quant à vouloir trouver à tout cela un sens plus large et plus élevé, à emporter après le spectacle, avec le programme et les esquimaux, je suis incapable d''en voir l''intérêt. Mais ce doit être possible.Je n''y suis plus et je n''y serai plus jamais. Estragon, Vladimir, Pozzo, Lucky, leur temps et leur espace, je n''ai pu les connaître un peu que très loin du besoin de comprendre. Ils vous doivent des comptes peut-être. Qu''ils se débrouillent. Sans moi. Eux et moi nous sommes quittes.Samuel Beckett, Lettre à Michel Polac, janvier 1952

You can purchase the book here: [https://amzn.to/4hTWp2U] 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 7.5h

In this course, students will read Memoirs of Hadrian by Marquerite Yourcenar. 

Students will be responsible for weekly assigned readings and encouraged to share their questions and impressions on our e-learning platform. During class, the instructor will guide the discussion about the weekly reading, touching on relevant historical and cultural context, character development, major themes, and overall impressions through general questions as well as close readings. 

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result on the Level Assessment. 

Memoirs of Hadrian by Marquerite Yourcenar

Cette œuvre, qui est à la fois roman, histoire, poésie, a été saluée par la critique française et mondiale comme un événement littéraire. En imaginant les Mémoires d'un grand empereur romain, l'auteur a voulu "refaire du dedans ce que les archéologues du XIXe siècle ont fait du dehors". Jugeant sans complaisance sa vie d'homme et son œuvre politique, Hadrien n'ignore pas que Rome, malgré sa grandeur, finira un jour par périr, mais son réalisme romain et son humanisme hérité des Grecs lui font sentir l'importance de penser et de servir jusqu'au bout.
"... Je me sentais responsable de la beauté du monde", dit ce héros dont les problèmes sont ceux de l'homme de tous les temps : les dangers mortels qui du dedans et du dehors confrontent les civilisations, la quête d'un accord harmonieux entre le bonheur et la "discipline auguste", entre l'intelligence et la volonté.

You can purchase the book here:[https://amzn.to/3LBs7WH] 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 7.5h

The first sublevel in C1 (Expert). Through authentic texts, videos, and reports, students will broaden their general and specialized vocabulary while mastering the grammatical structures necessary to present the theme of a document, provide a synthesis, support a point of view or personal opinion with both primary and secondary arguments, and offer advice.

Textbook (not included in tuition): Edito C1 2022-2024 version
C1.1 : Units 1, 2 and 3

Prerequisite: Both former and current AFSeattle students who never took classes at the C1 level, as well as all new students, must take our online placement test and complete an oral assessment to confirm their level prior to enrolling in their first C1 level course.
Contrary to lower levels, the C1 General French classes (C1.1, C1.2, C1.3) can be taken in any order. 

Next course: Students may take any C1 level General French course, Specialized class or Workshop.


Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 2h per session, once a week, total of 20h

The second sublevel in C1 (Expert). Through authentic texts, videos, and reports, students will broaden their general and specialized vocabulary while mastering the grammatical structures necessary to denounce inequality and other social injustices, summarize a speech, and share personal experiences related to the themes. Students will also continue to master the different registers of language, both formal and informal, and practice analyzing artworks, songs, and poems.

Textbook (not included in tuition): Edito C1 2022-2024 version
C1.2 : Units 4, 5 and 6

Prerequisite: Both former and current AFSeattle students who never took classes at the C1 level, as well as all new students, must take our online placement test and complete an oral assessment to confirm their level prior to enrolling in their first C1 level course.
Contrary to lower levels, the C1 General French classes (C1.1, C1.2, C1.3) can be taken in any order. 

Next course: Students may take any C1 level General French course, Specialized class or Workshop.


Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 2h per session, once a week, total of 20h

This class is a film-centered language class, dedicated to building oral comprehension and communication skills. Through film, students will enhance their knowledge of spoken French of all levels—formal, standard, and informal—as well as their French cultural literacy.  

French Cinéma is also a conduit to explore French culture— sociological, or political—through stories captured on film. This quarter we’ll explore the genre of the ‘polar’ in French cinéma, which means we’ll be studying the underbelly of society and the characters that inhabit it. This fatalist vision of a corrupt society is integral to the ‘polar’ genre and demonstrated perfectly in our three films. We’ll begin this quarter with a classic of French Cinéma Jacques Becker’s Touchez pas au grisbi (1954), and then continue with two more recent examples of the genre, first, Stéphane Demoustier’s ‘carceral polar’: Borgo (2023), and then Alain Guiraudie’s ‘peculiar and biting polar’: Miséricorde (2024). 

We will read criticism and reviews of all three films to deepen your appreciation of them.  

Lastly, you’ll listen to and study popular songs from the periods and artists depicted in each film. No textbook required for this course

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result on the Level Assessment.  

Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 15h

In this course focused on oral expression and listening comprehension, students will listen to podcasts and speculate together on subjects worthy of greater debate. The instructor will guide a discussion of current events, including important moments that characterize the Anthropocene and its drifts. Students will also discuss topics related to science, societies, fauna and flora, and arts and culture, amongst others. These subjects will allow the class to reflect on and discuss the various stakes which constitute our current society. All course materials will be provided by the instructor 

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result on the Level Assessment. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 2h once a week, total of 10h

In this course focused on oral expression and listening comprehension, students will listen to podcasts and speculate together on subjects worthy of greater debate. The instructor will guide a discussion of current events, including important moments that characterize the Anthropocene and its drifts. Students will also discuss topics related to science, societies, fauna and flora, and arts and culture, amongst others. These subjects will allow the class to reflect on and discuss the various stakes which constitute our current society. All course materials will be provided by the instructor 

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result on the Level Assessment. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 2h once a week, total of 10h

The third and final sublevel in B1 (Independent). In this course, students will learn to recount an event or a conversation through indirect discourse and passive structures, and how to present uncertain information. They will also learn to express concession, cause, and consequence. At the end of the course, students will be guided through a DELF review of the B1 level.

Textbook & Workbook (not included in tuition): Défi 3 (Chapters 7-9 & DELF B1 review) - Textbook & workbook available here

Prerequisite: General French B1.2 or B1.3 result on placement test

Next course: B1 Review, Specialized B1+, or General French B2.1


Pace: Regular, 10 weeks, 1h30 per session, twice a week, total of 30h

Explore contemporary French society through authentic documents. This couse will look at clothing, social and cultural debates, modern writings, and other aspects of French society, to learn about today's France. Good for developing oral and written comprehension and expression. 

Prerequisite: B2.3 or B2+ course, or B2.3/C1 result at placement test 
Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 7.5h

This literary journey will transport you to the heart of Paris, where three iconic authors—Guy de Maupassant, Victor Hugo, and Émile Zola—found their inspiration, penned their masterpieces, and left an indelible mark on the literary landscape.

During this 2-part workshop, participants will delve into the lives, works, and impact of these three literary giants, exploring their unique styles, themes, and contributions to the literary canon. Through a blend of interactive discussions, engaging presentations, and guided activities, attendees will gain a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of French literature and the city that inspired it.

All materials will be provided by the instructor before and during class via the Apolearn platform.

Prerequisite: having completed General French B2.3 or having received a B2+/C1 recommendation from our Admissions Coordinator. This workshop is for advanced French speakers and will be held mainly in French. 

Pace: Workshop, two sessions of 2h

This class is designed for students wishing to strengthen their vocabulary and grammar at the upper B1 independent level. Each week, through a study in areas such as politics and economics, literature and history, the arts, and many more, students will have the opportunity to practice and strengthen their linguistic skills in the language, review grammatical concepts, and develop their cultural understanding of France and the francophone world. No textbook required for this course. 

Prerequisite: B1.3, B1+ or B2.1 course completed, or B2.1/B2.2 result on the Level Assessment. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 twice per week, total of 15h

This class is designed for students wishing to strengthen their vocabulary and grammar at the upper B1 independent level. Each week, through a study in areas such as politics and economics, literature and history, the arts, and many more, students will have the opportunity to practice and strengthen their linguistic skills in the language, review grammatical concepts, and develop their cultural understanding of France and the francophone world. No textbook required for this course. 

Prerequisite: B1.3, B1+ or B2.1 course completed, or B2.1/B2.2 result on the Level Assessment. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 twice per week, total of 15h

This class is designed for students who reached at the end of the B1 level (completed B1.3) and who wish to strengthen and practice their oral comprehension and production skills through a communicative and action-oriented approach to language learning. Some written comprehension and production may be introduced in support of the targeted oral communication outcomes. 

Each week, a theme will be explored through a reading and/or listening exercise appropriate to the level. Relevant vocabulary and one or more grammar points at the B1 level will be reviewed based on support materials and put into practice through structured activities designed to generate authentic conversation, including role playing, presentations, discussions, games, etc. Throughout the course, students will receive personalized and prompt feedback from their instructor on grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and pronunciation. 

B1+ learners are expected to communicate in a simple manner on familiar topics regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. and cope flexibly with problems of everyday life; they can generally identify the topic of a discussion which is conducted simply and clearly. No textbook required for this course. 

Prerequisite: General French B1.3 completed, or B1.3/B2 result on the Level Assessment. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 7.5h

This class is designed for students who reached at the end of the B1 level (completed B1.3) and who wish to strengthen and practice their oral comprehension and production skills through a communicative and action-oriented approach to language learning. Some written comprehension and production may be introduced in support of the targeted oral communication outcomes. 

Each week, a theme will be explored through a reading and/or listening exercise appropriate to the level. Relevant vocabulary and one or more grammar points at the B1 level will be reviewed based on support materials and put into practice through structured activities designed to generate authentic conversation, including role playing, presentations, discussions, games, etc. Throughout the course, students will receive personalized and prompt feedback from their instructor on grammar, vocabulary, syntax, and pronunciation. 

B1+ learners are expected to communicate in a simple manner on familiar topics regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. and cope flexibly with problems of everyday life; they can generally identify the topic of a discussion which is conducted simply and clearly. No textbook required for this course. 

Prerequisite: General French B1.3 completed, or B1.3/B2 result on the Level Assessment. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 1h30 once a week, total of 7.5h

This intensive week is designed to strengthen major skills acquired during the B2 level in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

This class can help you to boost your French or simply to give you more confidence and enhance your knowledge before joining the C1 level.

• Prerequisite: B2.3 course completed, or C1 result at placement test. New students and students returning after more than three quarters are required to take a short online placement test.

• Next course: A specialized B2+ course or a C1 course upon approval (please take our C1 placement test and our Admissions Coordinator will contact you to assess your oral skills).

This course is designed to perfect written expression, to revise certain grammatical points, and to enrich vocabulary through the practice of French to English translation. We will look at a rang of documents covering different subjects, tones, vocabulary and communication styles. All projects will help students perfect their knowledge of French and English, and help in understanding nuances of word choice.

Course materials: All materials will be made available on our e-learning platform Student Portal

Prerequisite: Both former and current AFSeattle students, as well as all new students, must take the online Level Assessment and complete an oral assessment to confirm their level prior to enrolling in their first C1 level course.

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 2h once a week, total of 10h

A class for fluent students wishing to perfect their linguistic and cultural understanding in areas such as geopolitics and economics, literature and history, the arts, and many more. Students will focus on formulating ideas and opinions with precision and on discussing clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects. 

Course materials—including newspaper articles, TV, and radio shows—are to be studied before class; expect approximately two hours of autonomous study per week. All course materials will be provided by the instructor 

Prerequisite: Both former and current AFSeattle students, as well as all new students, must take our Level Assessment and complete an oral assessment to confirm their level prior to enrolling in their first C1 level course. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 2h once a week, total of 10h

A class for fluent students wishing to perfect their linguistic and cultural understanding in areas such as geopolitics and economics, literature and history, the arts, and many more. Students will focus on formulating ideas and opinions with precision and on discussing clear, detailed descriptions of complex subjects. 

Course materials—including newspaper articles, TV, and radio shows—are to be studied before class; expect approximately two hours of autonomous study per week. All course materials will be provided by the instructor 

Prerequisite: Both former and current AFSeattle students, as well as all new students, must take our Level Assessment and complete an oral assessment to confirm their level prior to enrolling in their first C1 level course. 

Pace: Regular, 5 weeks, 2h once a week, total of 10h