French - Day and Evening


Reminder: Advanced registration and payment is required.


Classes are listed below. Some classes are in person and some are on Zoom. Please note location for each course below.


French: Beginner, Part 1 - Evening - on Zoom
This Zoom class is for people who have no experience of French, but would like to start from scratch building foundation and become familiar with the practical, everyday usage. Along the way, we will explore aspects of French culture and history to tantalize those considering a visit to France. Text info on website. Instructor Nancy Maxwell was a teacher and school counselor in Switzerland for over 20 years and traveled extensively in Europe, particularly France. Makeup date, if needed, is 3/23.

6 Sessions (9 hours) $ 130 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 116)
Mon., 2/2, 9, 23; 3/2, 9, 16 from 5:30 to 6:55 p.m. on Zoom.


French: Beginner, Part 1 - Evening - in Person
For people with no or very little knowledge of French who would like to build a solid learning foundation of the language for travel, business, culture . . . Students will discover how English and French are similar in their structure and vocabulary.  Text is Learn French the Fast and Fun Way (Barron's 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 1438074948 or ISBN-13: 978-1438074948). Focus will be on learning alphabet (Pronunciation) and numbers, listening, written comprehension and short conversation related to everyday life situations with native speaker, Jean Vianes, who formerly worked for IBM in France and the U.S. and is now teaching and tutoring French.

Available Fall 2026.


French: Beginner, Part 2 - Evening - in Person
A continuation of Part 1 from Fall. For people with no or very little knowledge of French who would like to build a solid learning foundation of the language for travel, business, culture. . . Newcomers are welcome. The students will acquire essential vocabulary, become familiar with the simplest rules of grammar and conjugation while studying short texts and visuals illustrating the habits of French i.e. site visits or local activities. Text is Learn French the Fast and Fun Way (Barron's 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 1438074948 or ISBN-13: 978-1438074948). Focus will be on comprehension, pronunciation, interactions with questions / answers conversations related to everyday life situations with native speaker, Jean Vianes, who formerly worked for IBM in France and the U.S. and is now teaching and tutoring French.

7 Sessions (12.25 hours) $ 174 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 155)
Wed., 1/26; 2/4, 11, 25; 3/4, 11, 18 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. NOTE: No class 2/18.


French: Beginner, Part 3 - Evening - in Person
For people with very little knowledge of French who would like to build a solid learning foundation of the language for travel, business, culture. . . Newcomers are welcome. The students will progress in the discovery and understanding of the language. Text is Learn French the Fast and Fun Way (Barron's 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 1438074948 or ISBN-13: 978-1438074948). Focus will be on studying script of events and associated video, the comprehension of these events, conversational exchanges, expressing yourself when visiting a francophone country, with native speaker, Jean Vianes, who formerly worked for IBM in France and the U.S. and is now teaching and tutoring French.

7 Sessions (12.25 hours) $ 174 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 155)
Wed., 3/25; 4/1, 15, 22, 29; 5/6, 13 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. NOTE: No class 4/8.


French: Advanced Beginner - Evening - In Person
The course is designed for people who have completed French Beginner, Parts 1, 2 and 3. Newcomers with equivalent knowledge (A1/2-FLE) are welcome. Students will consolidate already acquired vocabulary and strengthen the way they can express themselves. Each session will encompass discussion (s) between the attendees themselves and the speaker. Topics covered will be linked to daily life matters, history, geography, books, tourism, health, shopping, etc. There will be references in the classes to grammar, spelling, and conjugation. The idea is to bring all students closer to fluency in speech. Text is Learn French the Fast and Fun Way (Barron's 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 1438074948 or ISBN-13: 978-1438074948).   Instructor is native speaker, Jean Vianes, who formerly worked for IBM in France and the U.S. and is now teaching and tutoring French.

Available Fall 2026.


French: Intermediate, Part 1 - Evening - In Person
The course is designed for people who have completed Advanced Beginner classes. Newcomers with equivalent knowledge (A1/2-FLE) are welcome. Students will consolidate already acquired vocabulary and strengthen the way they can express themselves. Each session will encompass discussion(s) between the attendees themselves and the speaker. Topics covered will be linked to daily life matters, history, geography, books, tourism, health, shopping, etc. There will be references in the classes to grammar, spelling, expressions and conjugation. The idea is to bring all students closer to fluency in speech. Text is Learn French the Fast and Fun Way (Barron's 4th Edition. ISBN-10: 1438074948 or ISBN-13: 978-1438074948).   Instructor is native speaker, Jean Vianes, who formerly worked for IBM in France and the U.S. and is now teaching and tutoring French.

7 Sessions (12.25 hours) $ 174 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 155)
Mon., 2/2, 9, 23; 3/2, 9, 16 AND a makeup for the snow day on 1/26 to be determined from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. NOTE: No class 2/16.


French: Intermediate, Part 2 - Evening - In Person
The course is designed for people who have completed French Intermediate Part 1. Newcomers with equivalent knowledge (A2-FLE) are welcome. Students will consolidate already acquired vocabulary and strengthen the way they can express themselves. Each session will encompass discussion(s) between the attendees themselves and the speaker. Topics covered will be linked to daily life matters, history, geography, books, tourism, health, shopping, shows, etc. There will still be references in the classes to grammar, spelling, expressions, and conjugation. Instructor is native speaker, Jean Vianes, who formerly worked for IBM in France and the U.S. and is now teaching and tutoring French.

7 Sessions (12.25 hours) $ 174 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 155)
Mon., 3/23, 30; 4/13, 20, 27; 5/4, 11 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School. NOTE: No class 4/6.


French: Intermediate/Advanced - Day - In Person
This class will read à haute voix and discuss in detail Nouvelles Orientales, a collection of short stories by Nobel Prize winner, Marguerite Yourcenar. Copies of the book are available at Amazon.com Makeups, if needed, are added to the end of the session and could adjust the following session.

Instructor John Lamb began his decades-long love affair with the French language at Fordham Preparatory School where he also studied Latin and Ancient Greek. He continued his French studies at Amherst College and later spent a year in Paris studying Islamic art history at the Institut d’histoire de l’art et d'archéologie (Paris IV) and colloquial Arabic at Langues O as well as participating in a post-graduate seminar in Arabic epigraphy at the École pratique des hautes études. Mr. Lamb currently serves as vice-président of the Alliance française du Northwest Connecticut (AFNWCT) and is a member of its governing Conseil. He has given private lessons to adults seeking to improve their ability to read and speak French and also leads a French book club at the AFNWCT.