A man writes on a white board, smiling.

Placement in a specific level is determined by language proficiency. All students, except for complete beginners, take a language assessment prior to the start of the program. The language assessment is not part of the application process.

*In describing expected outcomes for each level (A1 through C1), we refer to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Each level comprises 4 or 5 hours of daily classroom instruction, Monday to Friday, and awards three units of credit.  Classroom instruction is supported by individualized tutoring sessions and faculty office hours.

Explore our course catalog to see the courses offered in past years.

Level 1: Beginning French

Level 1 is intended for students with no previous experience with the French language.

  • The course emphasizes communicative proficiency, with special attention to the development of oral and listening skills, self-expression, and cultural insights.
  • Classroom activities are varied and interactive and are focused on acquiring all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) simultaneously-always in the context of a cultural narrative.
  • Free-form classroom interactions are balanced with structured grammar and vocabulary drills.

By the end of this seven-week immersion program, students should reach an *A1/A2 level of proficiency in all language skills. They will be able to navigate a variety of real-world situations, to communicate about simple topics, to express opinions, to use grammar foundations correctly, and to interact in situations of everyday life.

Level 1.5: Advanced Beginning French

Level 1.5 is intended for students who have had limited formal instruction in the French language and who are seeking to review the basics thoroughly, to solidify previous learned structures, to learn new structures and vocabulary, and to expand all their skills.

  • The course emphasizes communicative proficiency, with special attention to the development of oral and listening skills, self-expression, and cultural insights.
  • Classroom activities are varied and interactive and are focused on acquiring all four language competencies (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) simultaneously-always in the context of a cultural narrative.
  • Free-form classroom interactions are balanced with structured grammar and vocabulary drills.

By the end of this seven-week immersion program, students should reach an *A2/A2+ level of proficiency in all language skills. They will be able to navigate a variety of real-world situations easily, to feel comfortable carrying on conversations on a variety of topics, providing detailed information, and giving explanations and viewpoints.

Level 2: Early Intermediate French

Level 2 is an integrated, intensive program for students who have received formal instruction in French, and who have achieved some proficiency but are not yet able to function independently in full immersion. Level 2 focuses on the following:

  • Developing listening comprehension, oral competence, and socio-cultural communicative proficiency.
  • Systematic acquisition of strategies for oral and written expression through progressive practice, with topical review of basic morphological and syntactic structures.
  • An overview of various cultural aspects of French-speaking communities worldwide, through readings and recordings.

By the end of this seven-week immersion program, students should reach a *B1 level of proficiency in all language skills. They will be able to navigate a variety of real-world situations easily, to speak with a certain degree of fluency and spontaneity, to describe complex experiences and events, and to comprehend the main ideas of a wide range of authentic materials.

Level 2.5: Intermediate French

Level 2.5 is aimed at students who have had previous instruction in French and whose results on the placement test indicate that they have reached an intermediate level of proficiency. Typically, the students in this level have studied the fundamentals of the language but need further instruction in the language skills of written and oral comprehension and written and oral expression. Level 2.5 therefore focuses on the following:

  • Developing listening comprehension, oral competence, and socio-cultural communicative proficiency.
  • Systematic acquisition of strategies for oral and written expression through progressive practice, with topical review of basic morphological and syntactic structures.
  • An overview of various cultural aspects of French-speaking communities worldwide, through readings and recordings.

By the end of this seven-week immersion program, students should reach a *B1+/B2 level of proficiency in all language skills. They will be able to navigate a variety of real-world situations very easily, to speak with a good degree of fluency and spontaneity, to comprehend a wide range of authentic materials, and to engage in critical intercultural comparisons and reflections.

Level 3: Upper Intermediate French

Level 3 is for students who have had significant previous instruction in French and are already able to function independently in full immersion. Typically, students at this level demonstrate textual/writing ability beyond the sentence level. The individual components of the program are designed to complement one another, and all include intensive study of the language. Students will also arrive at a broader appreciation of French and Francophone cultures and literatures. The four course segments share the following common objectives:

  • Develop ease, fluidity, and efficiency in aural/oral proficiency and oral expression through the use of video and audio-based media, movies, songs, TV programs, etc.
  • Review selected grammatical structures in close coordination with topics and activities taught in class.
  • Provide a broad introduction to French and Francophone cultures, literatures, and literary styles through the study of fiction and nonfiction texts.

By the end of this seven-week immersion program, students should reach a *B2 level of proficiency in all language skills. They will have no problem navigating a variety of real-world situations and be able to speak with increasing ease, fluency, and spontaneity, to engage with a wide range of materials from various contexts, to recognize implicit meaning, and to show sophistication in all their skills.

Level 4: Advanced French

Level 4 is designed for students who have had significant previous instruction in French, are already able to express themselves in French fluently and spontaneously, using idiomatic sentences and colloquialisms, and will easily adapt to and study in full immersion. Typically, students at this level demonstrate a high level of proficiency in all language skills. Students in Level 4 take four classes a day, comprising two required courses and two electives. All students at this level take a course in Advanced Grammar and Composition and a course in Oral Production and Pronunciation. Additionally, students elect two courses in the areas of contemporary Francophone Cultures and Societies and/or Literatures.

Required Courses

  • Advanced Grammar and Composition

    This course develops a thorough understanding of the mechanisms of the French language in order to improve students’ writing skills. Grammatical structures will be analyzed in three types of texts (narrative, descriptive and expressive).
  • Oral Production and Pronunciation

    This course is designed to improve oral communication and pronunciation of modern standard French for advanced-level students. Through a variety of activities, students will improve their phonetic production (focus on vowels, consonants, cadence, nasalization, liaison, elision, intonation, phonetic alphabet) while developing vocabulary and the capacity to express ideas in a myriad of functional settings. Topics may include: French culture, current events (from French-language newspapers, magazines, and TV programs), travel, music, and sports.

Samples of Elective Courses

(Courses are subject to change)

  • Young People and Politics in France and Beyond
  • The Great Speeches of French Political Rhetoric
  • The Regions of France: History, Folklore and Culture
  • Heroes and Women
  • Autobiographical Writing
  • Health and Societies in Africa

     

By the end of this seven-week immersion program, students should reach a *B2+/C1 level of proficiency in all language skills, be able to express themselves fluently and spontaneously, to produce sophisticated speech and writing on complex political, social, cultural and/or literary topics relating to the French speaking world.