Register now for our 2025 winter term!
- Multiple levels
- Small class size – max. 12 students
- Native-speaking & experienced instructors
- Affordable tuition – $380 per level
- 4 terms per year – each 10 weeks long
- Convenient downtown location or online
Learn French and study at ILI in Washington, DC or Online
Learn French with the International Language Institute. Our French Language Program at ILI consists of four 10-week terms throughout the year. We offer 8 different levels from beginner to advanced. French language classes meet once a week in the evenings or on Saturday mornings. Our teachers are all native-speaking and experienced. The French Language Program integrates speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We maintain small class sizes to enable adequate time for conversation in every class. To find your level, please refer to the level description or use our self-evaluation guide. If you have further questions, please call Jane Edwards, ILI’s Foreign Language Coordinator, at 202-686-5610 extension 105. Enroll now!
Live, Instructor-led In-Person or Online French Classes
Learn French in person or online from a live instructor using Zoom. All online classes are instructor-led, in real-time, allowing for the same live interaction as our in-person classes. Some of our classes are a combination of in-person and online students. We have 360-degree cameras in the rooms enabling online participants to feel part of the class. This hybrid class environment allows students to engage with each other and the instructor and to practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking the French Language.
Schedule Register Now!
Register now for our 2025 winter term!
| 2025 Term: | Session Dates: | Registration Deadline: |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Jan. 13-Mar. 22, 2025 | Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 |
| Spring | Apr. 7-Jun. 14, 2025 | Monday, Mar. 24, 2025 |
| Summer | Jun. 30-Sep. 6, 2025 | Monday, Jun. 16, 2025 |
| Fall | Sep. 22-Dec. 6, 2025 | Monday, Sep. 8, 2025 |
French Level Description
Offered on: Tuesdays: 6:15 - 8:45 pm or Saturdays: 10:00 am -12:30 pmEnroll now!
The emphasis of this introductory class is on pronunciation, vocabulary building, basic grammar and basic conversation. This course is for those students with little or no ability in the language. At this level, students will be exposed to the use of the present indicative tense and the formation and use of the imperative, which will enable them to handle basic everyday conversations about familiar topics. Introduction to basic listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course. Previous French not required.
Objective: To introduce students to basic French vocabulary, present tense of regular and irregular verbs, gender in pronouns and nouns, and fundamental idiomatic expressions and to provide students with the ability to engage in simple conversation.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use simple verbs in the present tense; engage in basic conversations involving greetings/introduction of self and the description of things; know general expressions and short phrases; and become familiar with the fundamental geography and culture of France and Francophone regions of the world.
Topics: Regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, informal vs. formal, gender of nouns, alphabet, colors, numbers, telling time, ask basic questions, use of the definite and indefinite articles, prepositions, pronouns, expressions of time and season, and imperatives.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 1-4, 10-11.
The emphasis of this introductory class is on pronunciation, vocabulary building, basic grammar and basic conversation. This course is for those students with little or no ability in the language. At this level, students will be exposed to the use of the present indicative tense and the formation and use of the imperative, which will enable them to handle basic everyday conversations about familiar topics. Introduction to basic listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course. Previous French not required.
Objective: To introduce students to basic French vocabulary, present tense of regular and irregular verbs, gender in pronouns and nouns, and fundamental idiomatic expressions and to provide students with the ability to engage in simple conversation.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use simple verbs in the present tense; engage in basic conversations involving greetings/introduction of self and the description of things; know general expressions and short phrases; and become familiar with the fundamental geography and culture of France and Francophone regions of the world.
Topics: Regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, informal vs. formal, gender of nouns, alphabet, colors, numbers, telling time, ask basic questions, use of the definite and indefinite articles, prepositions, pronouns, expressions of time and season, and imperatives.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 1-4, 10-11.
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm or Saturdays: 10 am - 12:30 pmEnroll now!
This course is the continuation of the Basic 1 level and for students who have taken formal instruction a while ago, or have previous informal exposure to the language. Building of the basic foundation provided in the introductory level, students will learn to introduce themselves and conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subject. Students will learn to correctly use past and future verb tenses along with more complex vocabulary and grammar. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To provide students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of reading and pronouncing the French language and to continue to increase their conversational skills and knowledge of French and Francophone culture.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to engage in conversations involving themselves, each other and their immediate surroundings; name everyday objects, expand their knowledge of French pronunciation through reading and role playing, including increasingly complicated sentences and paragraphs and to gain a better understanding of French and Francophone culture.
Topics: More regular and irregular verbs; reflexive verbs; the verb avoir; pronunciation and counting; direct/indirect object pronouns; infinitive expressions; idioms; possession; adjectives; negations; vocabulary for asking directions and getting around town, and the expression il faut.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 5-8.
This course is the continuation of the Basic 1 level and for students who have taken formal instruction a while ago, or have previous informal exposure to the language. Building of the basic foundation provided in the introductory level, students will learn to introduce themselves and conduct simple conversations on a range of everyday subject. Students will learn to correctly use past and future verb tenses along with more complex vocabulary and grammar. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To provide students with the opportunity to expand their understanding of reading and pronouncing the French language and to continue to increase their conversational skills and knowledge of French and Francophone culture.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to engage in conversations involving themselves, each other and their immediate surroundings; name everyday objects, expand their knowledge of French pronunciation through reading and role playing, including increasingly complicated sentences and paragraphs and to gain a better understanding of French and Francophone culture.
Topics: More regular and irregular verbs; reflexive verbs; the verb avoir; pronunciation and counting; direct/indirect object pronouns; infinitive expressions; idioms; possession; adjectives; negations; vocabulary for asking directions and getting around town, and the expression il faut.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 5-8.
Offered on: Tuesdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This level continues to build up necessary grammar skills that will enable students to understand, read, write and translate sentences and paragraphs. It continues to build on Basic 2 by adding vocabulary and more complex sentences. This course is well-suited for students that have completed at least one semester of college-level French or the equivalent in a language institute. Reflexive verbs will be studied in depth. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will continue to be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To continue to develop and enhance students’ basic level toward intermediate level of reading, writing and oral skills in the French language through more intricate verb tenses and lengthier speaking and reading assignments.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use more complicated French vocabulary in dialogues and written work; to correctly use present and reflexive tenses; and to continue to engage in increasingly complex conversations in French.
Topics: More reflexive verbs; relative pronouns; object pronouns; demonstrative pronouns; comparison; adverbs; definite articles, professions; telling time and the 24-hour clock; making suggestions, expressing likes and dislikes; the use of the verbs vouloir and pouvoir and the preposition chez.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 12-15, 28.
This level continues to build up necessary grammar skills that will enable students to understand, read, write and translate sentences and paragraphs. It continues to build on Basic 2 by adding vocabulary and more complex sentences. This course is well-suited for students that have completed at least one semester of college-level French or the equivalent in a language institute. Reflexive verbs will be studied in depth. Listening, reading, speaking and writing skills will continue to be addressed throughout the course.
Objective: To continue to develop and enhance students’ basic level toward intermediate level of reading, writing and oral skills in the French language through more intricate verb tenses and lengthier speaking and reading assignments.
Learning Outcome: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to use more complicated French vocabulary in dialogues and written work; to correctly use present and reflexive tenses; and to continue to engage in increasingly complex conversations in French.
Topics: More reflexive verbs; relative pronouns; object pronouns; demonstrative pronouns; comparison; adverbs; definite articles, professions; telling time and the 24-hour clock; making suggestions, expressing likes and dislikes; the use of the verbs vouloir and pouvoir and the preposition chez.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 12-15, 28.
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is ideal for those who studied French a while ago and need a refresher but Basic French is not advanced enough. While the first part of the course will be dedicated to a review, much of the course introduces new material. Grammatical points will include: idiomatic verb usages, expression of quantity, adverbial structures, expression of habitual and progressive actions.
Objective: To work toward a more advanced level of reading, comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision.
Topics: Students will review and expand their knowledge of verb conjugations, composite and verbal nouns, prepositions, direct and indirect object constructions, reflexive verbs, negative usages, possessives, conjunctions, and adjectives.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 16-19.
This course is ideal for those who studied French a while ago and need a refresher but Basic French is not advanced enough. While the first part of the course will be dedicated to a review, much of the course introduces new material. Grammatical points will include: idiomatic verb usages, expression of quantity, adverbial structures, expression of habitual and progressive actions.
Objective: To work toward a more advanced level of reading, comprehension and speaking with increasingly more complex subject matter and style.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to engage in conversations and be involved with reading about a broader range of topics with greater confidence and precision.
Topics: Students will review and expand their knowledge of verb conjugations, composite and verbal nouns, prepositions, direct and indirect object constructions, reflexive verbs, negative usages, possessives, conjunctions, and adjectives.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 16-19.
Offered on: Wednesdays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This course is designed to be a commencement of a thorough and comprehensive intermediate review with continuing understanding of intermediate elements of the French language and culture. Grammatical topics will review simple and irregular past as well as future verb tenses. More advanced thematic vocabulary and French and Francophone civilization topics will be introduced.
Objective: Through more complex vocabulary, grammatical style and topics, students will work toward a more complete understanding of reading and speaking, particularly about France and Francophone regions.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to take a French conversation or written passage to a more complicated level while acquiring a more advanced understanding of French and Francophone culture subjects.
Topics: By studying about current aspects of daily, real life situations such as speaking on the phone and making appointments, ordering food and discussing the details of food preparation and nourishment, students will review uses of the infinitive, auxiliary and reflexive verbs, relative clauses, and the past and future verb tenses.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 20-22.
This course is designed to be a commencement of a thorough and comprehensive intermediate review with continuing understanding of intermediate elements of the French language and culture. Grammatical topics will review simple and irregular past as well as future verb tenses. More advanced thematic vocabulary and French and Francophone civilization topics will be introduced.
Objective: Through more complex vocabulary, grammatical style and topics, students will work toward a more complete understanding of reading and speaking, particularly about France and Francophone regions.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level students will be able to take a French conversation or written passage to a more complicated level while acquiring a more advanced understanding of French and Francophone culture subjects.
Topics: By studying about current aspects of daily, real life situations such as speaking on the phone and making appointments, ordering food and discussing the details of food preparation and nourishment, students will review uses of the infinitive, auxiliary and reflexive verbs, relative clauses, and the past and future verb tenses.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 20-22.
Offered on: Mondays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This level is designed to be a final review of Intermediate classes as well as an introduction to the advanced levels. Students will be introduced to the complicated relationship between the passé composé and imperfect past tenses. Also included will be a deepening of already acquired topics, such as other verb tenses. Articles on Francophone culture will be presented in more detail than before.
Objective: Through increasingly more complex vocabulary and working interrelationships of verb tenses, students will deepen their knowledge of topics regarding reading and speaking and writing.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level, students will have deepened their knowledge acquired in Intermediate 1 and 2 classes, and be able to successfully use all working verb tenses in an interactive manner. Past tense will become very familiar to students at the end of this course with the introduction of Passé Simple and listening and reading exercises in sophisticated past tenses.
Topics: Students will acquire enough fluency to be able to express thoughts and ideas, give detailed information about various means of transportation, directions, and detailed descriptions of areas, cities and towns in France. Students will review and master grammatical forms such as complex imperative constructions, conjunctions, subjunctives, adverbs, the recent past, conditional tenses, and expand their vocabulary.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 23-26.
This level is designed to be a final review of Intermediate classes as well as an introduction to the advanced levels. Students will be introduced to the complicated relationship between the passé composé and imperfect past tenses. Also included will be a deepening of already acquired topics, such as other verb tenses. Articles on Francophone culture will be presented in more detail than before.
Objective: Through increasingly more complex vocabulary and working interrelationships of verb tenses, students will deepen their knowledge of topics regarding reading and speaking and writing.
Learning Outcome: Upon completion of this level, students will have deepened their knowledge acquired in Intermediate 1 and 2 classes, and be able to successfully use all working verb tenses in an interactive manner. Past tense will become very familiar to students at the end of this course with the introduction of Passé Simple and listening and reading exercises in sophisticated past tenses.
Topics: Students will acquire enough fluency to be able to express thoughts and ideas, give detailed information about various means of transportation, directions, and detailed descriptions of areas, cities and towns in France. Students will review and master grammatical forms such as complex imperative constructions, conjunctions, subjunctives, adverbs, the recent past, conditional tenses, and expand their vocabulary.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 23-26.
Offered on: Mondays: 6:15 pm - 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This level is designed to prepare the student for advanced work in French. There will be a review of topics taught in Intermediate levels and introduction of new topics such as conditional and pluperfect verb tense and more sophisticated vocabulary and themes in French and Francophone culture.
Objective: Through new, advanced vocabulary, students will become accustomed to communicating in the imperfect tenses as well as review the use of irregular and reflexive verbs. A wealth of new vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will be introduced together with exposure to new cultural/social topics.
Learning Outcome: Students will become very familiar with various forms of the imperfect verb tenses, and they will be able to communicate in an evermore sophisticated fashion, especially about France and Francophone regions.
Topics: Grammatical areas of concern will be covered based on the specific needs of the participants in class. Grammar such as direct and indirect objects; more irregular verbs; adverbs; comparisons with adverbs and amounts; and the imperfect tenses, will be covered. Also, current social, economic, historical, political and other topics from varied French speaking countries will be introduced and discussed.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 27-30.
This level is designed to prepare the student for advanced work in French. There will be a review of topics taught in Intermediate levels and introduction of new topics such as conditional and pluperfect verb tense and more sophisticated vocabulary and themes in French and Francophone culture.
Objective: Through new, advanced vocabulary, students will become accustomed to communicating in the imperfect tenses as well as review the use of irregular and reflexive verbs. A wealth of new vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will be introduced together with exposure to new cultural/social topics.
Learning Outcome: Students will become very familiar with various forms of the imperfect verb tenses, and they will be able to communicate in an evermore sophisticated fashion, especially about France and Francophone regions.
Topics: Grammatical areas of concern will be covered based on the specific needs of the participants in class. Grammar such as direct and indirect objects; more irregular verbs; adverbs; comparisons with adverbs and amounts; and the imperfect tenses, will be covered. Also, current social, economic, historical, political and other topics from varied French speaking countries will be introduced and discussed.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 27-30.
Offered on: Thursdays: 6:15 – 8:45 pm. Enroll now!
This level is for advanced work in French. There will be a review of previous material covered in the pre-advanced level, but the focus of this class will be on advanced topics; complex grammar, such as conditional, pluperfect, subjunctive verb tenses and more sophisticated vocabulary and themes in French and Francophone culture.
Objective: Through new, more advanced and complex vocabulary, students will become accustomed to communicating in the most advanced tenses as well as a review of irregular verbs. A wealth of new and more complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will be introduced together with exposure to new cultural/social topics.
Learning Outcome: Students will become very familiar with various forms of the conditional and subjunctive verb tenses, and they will be able to communicate in an evermore sophisticated fashion, especially about France and Francophone regions.
Topics: Grammatical areas of concern will be covered based on the specific needs of the participants in class. Grammar such as direct and indirect objects; more irregular verbs; relative pronouns; imperative and past tense of reflexive verbs; and the past perfect, conditional and subjunctive tenses, will be covered. Also, current social, economic, historical, political and other topics from varied French speaking countries will be introduced and discussed.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 31-36.
This level is for advanced work in French. There will be a review of previous material covered in the pre-advanced level, but the focus of this class will be on advanced topics; complex grammar, such as conditional, pluperfect, subjunctive verb tenses and more sophisticated vocabulary and themes in French and Francophone culture.
Objective: Through new, more advanced and complex vocabulary, students will become accustomed to communicating in the most advanced tenses as well as a review of irregular verbs. A wealth of new and more complex vocabulary and idiomatic expressions will be introduced together with exposure to new cultural/social topics.
Learning Outcome: Students will become very familiar with various forms of the conditional and subjunctive verb tenses, and they will be able to communicate in an evermore sophisticated fashion, especially about France and Francophone regions.
Topics: Grammatical areas of concern will be covered based on the specific needs of the participants in class. Grammar such as direct and indirect objects; more irregular verbs; relative pronouns; imperative and past tense of reflexive verbs; and the past perfect, conditional and subjunctive tenses, will be covered. Also, current social, economic, historical, political and other topics from varied French speaking countries will be introduced and discussed.
Textbook: Practice Makes Perfect: Complete French All-in-One, 3rd ed., $51 including tax. Chapters 31-36.
Program Details
$380 ($400 in 2025) for a 10-week one level class per student. Au-Pairs can receive a 10% discount on tuition with proof of their status. Enroll now!
May be purchased at the time of registration or at the Institute before or on the first day of class. All prices quoted include a 6% DC sales tax and all prices are subject to change at any time. Tax-exempt organizations or individuals need to provide proof of sales tax exemption before being charged. No retroactive refunds of sales tax. Once received by the student, books and other materials are the property of the student and are non-refundable.
Regarding placement, we recommend that you go to our self-evaluation guide on our website. Kindly read through each description of each level. If you feel that you are able to fulfill all the tasks described in one level, then move on to the next level and so on, until you reach a description of tasks that you are unable to fulfill. That would correspond to the level of classes in which you should enroll. If, once enrolled, you should not feel comfortable at that level, you can transfer to another level, availability permitting. We do not offer placement tests.
Regular group classes meet once weekly in the evening (6:15-8:45 pm ET) or on Saturday mornings (10 am-12:30 pm ET) for 10 weeks. Each session is 2.5 hours. All class hours are U.S. Eastern Time (Standard or Daylight Saving). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week.
In-person at ILI and online via Zoom. Our classes are usually held in person at Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036. Classes are also offered online via Zoom. We are within walking distance from the Metro's Dupont Circle (South exit) and Farragut North stations. Parking garages are close by and parking on the street is available after 6:30 pm.
Minimum 3, maximum 12 students. We recommend signing up as early as possible so we can adequately plan for all classes. If the minimum enrollment of at least 3 students per class is not met, we will have to cancel that class after the registration deadline has passed. In case of a cancellation, students will be given the opportunity to change classes, postpone their enrollment or request a full refund.
Our program requires each student to participate in weekly quizzes, which will be graded, based on a “Pass” or “Fail” system. There will be a final quiz that will measure the sum of the instructional objectives for the course. Grades are verbally communicated to students at the end of each class/course, and are marked on the attendance/performance sheet. Students must have completed and passed at least 70% of the quizzes to move to the next level.
It is important for students to attend every class meeting. It is also important that they arrive on time for class. We cover a lot of material in each class. The instructor cannot repeat material for students who are absent or come late. Students will be marked absent when they do not come to class. Missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Students who arrive 15 minutes after the advertised starting time will be marked late. For every 3 times that the student is marked as late, it will count as a missed hour. If we notice that a student’s attendance is in danger of falling below 70%, we will issue an attendance report to the student.
Per request, we can issue certificates of completion after the term has ended. The certificate can be ordered at the front desk. In order to be eligible to receive a certificate or pass to the next level, you are required to attend a minimum of 70% of the classes and have a “Passing” grade. We will need a couple of days in order to verify your attendance and passing grade before issuing the certificate.
ILI’s foreign language group programs are accredited by ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training), and we also offer 2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) per every successfully completed course, 5.0 for the accelerated courses. Upon request, our Certificates of Completion can include the CEU’s earned per semester.
No refunds are issued for any reason after the registration deadline for the term (see Schedule above). Classes cancelled due to holidays, instructors’ sickness, or other unforeseen circumstances are made up at the end of the regular term unless the entire class can arrange for a make-up on another day of the week. Individually missed group classes may only be made up if the same level is being offered on another day and the class is not at full capacity. Otherwise there is no make-up for individually missed classes.
The International Language Institute reserves the right to cancel any class if deemed necessary. Prior to commencement of class, students will be given a full refund. In the event of cancellation after the commencement of class, the pro-rata portion of the unexpended tuition will be refunded. The prorated amount of refundable monies will be determined by the ratio of classes completed to the total number of classes in the scheduled program. The International Language Institute reserves the right to assign substitute instructors whenever necessary.
Classes are cancelled in accordance with federal government closures for the entire day due to inclement weather. Please check public announcements on radio, TV and the internet; or call ILI at (202) 362-2505. Closures are also posted on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ILIinDC. We rarely follow early dismissals. ILI is closed for the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day. Group classes will not meet on these holidays and the missed class(es) will be made up at the end of the term.
Please contact our Foreign Language Coordinator, Jane Edwards, at (202) 686-5610 ext. 105 or at [email protected].