The French Club (Toronto)

Fri, Oct 10 · 8:30 PM EDT

•

Online

⭐ Fun French Talks ⭐

Online

The French Club (all chapters) : already 275 events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — July 15, 2025)

Upcoming events :
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/

Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/

***

Note: This meeting is posted in five (5) MeetUp groups. There will be a greater number of people than the participants list you can see in the group you belong to.

***

60-min French Talk :
Practice French with Speakers from Around the World

This week's theme :
"Practicing, practicing, practicing while having fun" :)

***

Whether you can speak somewhat easily or with some difficulty,
this is a fun and relaxed way to practice and improve your French
with other French speakers who have varying levels of proficiency
and are based in different countries.

We’ll spend 60 minutes, having a group meeting, online,
via a Zoom call.

We will mix it up, every month, by doing exercises, word games, explaining grammar points, describing images and situations, doing some role-playing, etc.

***

Participants:

This meeting is posted in multiple groups. There will be a greater number of people than the participants list you can see in the group you belong to.

If you are a native French speaker, we kindly ask you not to join,
as space is limited and our focus is assisting learners.

***

MeetUp Fee for this event:

The MeetUp fee is optional.
$6 CAD (or $4.50 USD) for this 60-minute group meeting.
If you see the value and can afford it, please make the contribution.
That will help ensure that we keep hosting 20+ meetings each month.

Payment Methods:

PayPal (worldwide payments) : @M2TradingUniversity
Interac E-Transfer (Canada only) : f_normandeau@protonmail.com

***

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel 24 hours before the event, or more,
then your payment will be applied to another event
which has the same time duration.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the event,
then your payment WILL NOT be applied to another event
and refunds won't be issued.

***

How to join the Zoom call:

* Only confirmed participants (on the MeetUp event's page)
will be allowed in a group meeting.
* The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* he password is: galaxy
* These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.
* Please turn your camera on during the session,
for a more engaging experience.

***

About me:

Since March 2020, I’ve taught French to 680 students from multiple countries, delivering 4,600 online lessons (as of April 26, 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 seeing you soon, and helping you as best I can,

François Normandeau

Sat, Oct 11 · 7:00 PM EDT

•

Online

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

Online

# ⭐ "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.

***

Masterclass #3

Topic: Prepositions “à” and “de” in French (part 2)

Date: Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025
Time: 7:00–8:30 pm NY time
Format: One topic, across multiple levels (A1 to B2)

Google document for the Masterclass:
"Voilà!" French Masterclasses Series — #2 — French prepositions à and de — Sat., Oct. 4, 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HsV5jFgH0AU9PEKFD9RWrHguvQEifLhMvJ3sf47vU0E/edit?usp=sharing

***

We’ll climb the “à vs de” ladder vertically—from simple A1 foundations to B2-level nuance. You’ll see what’s essential for your level right now and what’s coming next, so the pieces click together across tenses and structures.

How the level ladder works:

• A1 → Core meanings and reflexes: destinations and indirect objects with à (aller à Paris, téléphoner à Marie); origin/possession/quantity with de (venir de Montréal, le livre de Paul, beaucoup de café); essential contractions (au, aux, du, des) and clock time with à (à 7 h).
• A2 → Infinitive patterns and everyday frames: common verbs + à (aider à, apprendre à, réussir à) vs + de (essayer de, éviter de, décider de); negative rule with quantities (pas de); nouns/adjectives + de before infinitives (content de, peur de); first steps with pronouns: y for à + thing/place, en for de + thing/quantity.
• B1 → Look-alike verbs that change meaning: penser à (have in mind) vs penser de (opinion); manquer à (be missed by) vs manquer de (lack); parler à (talk to) vs parler de (talk about); jouer à (games/sports) vs jouer de (instruments); servir à (purpose) vs servir de (function/role). Multi-link chains mixing verbs + infinitives + pronouns without breaking agreement.
• B2 → Nuance, style, and edge cases: alternating verbs (continuer à / de) and why both exist; fixed idioms and register (être en train de, avoir besoin de, se servir de); relative-like patterns with à (la première personne à arriver); superlatives and comparisons with de (le plus rapide de la classe); pronoun precision under negation or quantity (en), and when not to replace people with y/en.

***

Who it’s for:
Mixed-level learners (A1 to B2). Beginners build reliable habits; intermediate/advanced learners patch the classic holes (think manquer à vs manquer de) and tighten pronoun/preposition coordination.

***

Takeaway:
A simple decision path to pick à or de in real time, a short list of high-frequency verb frames you can trust, and clear pronoun swaps (y / en) that won’t collapse when you add tense, negation, or quantities.

***

Format and details

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Level: Listed per workshop (A1–A2–B1–B2).
• No prior attendance required. The events are not organized in a logical or continuous sequence. Attend the events when needed.
• Mode: Live, interactive Zoom session.
• Time zone: All times shown in New York time (ET).

***

Access & Attendance:
* Zoom access closes 10 minutes after class starts to maintain class flow
* 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
.

Sun, Oct 12 · 8:00 AM EDT

•

Online

⭐ Fun French Talks ⭐

Online

The French Club (all chapters) : already 275 events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — July 15, 2025)

Upcoming events :
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/

Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/

***

60-min French Talk :
Practice French with Speakers from Around the World

This week's theme :
"Practicing, practicing, practicing while having fun" :)

***

Whether you can speak somewhat easily or with some difficulty,
this is a fun and relaxed way to practice and improve your French
with other French speakers who have varying levels of proficiency
and are based in different countries.

We’ll spend 60 minutes, having a group meeting, online,
via a Zoom call.

We will mix it up, every month, by doing exercises, word games, explaining grammar points, describing images and situations, doing some role-playing, etc.

***

Participants:

This meeting is posted in multiple groups. There will be a greater number of people than the participants list you can see in the group you belong to.

If you are a native French speaker, we kindly ask you not to join,
as space is limited and our focus is assisting learners.

***

MeetUp Fee for this event:

The MeetUp fee is optional.
$6 CAD (or $4.50 USD) for this 60-minute group meeting.
If you see the value and can afford it, please make the contribution.
That will help ensure that we keep hosting 20+ meetings each month.

Payment Methods:

$6 CAD STRIPE payment link (available worldwide):
https://buy.stripe.com/5kQaEY7x3bfV4aWcbogbm02

PayPal (worldwide payments) : @M2TradingUniversity

Interac E-Transfer (Canada only) : f_normandeau@protonmail.com

***

Cancellation Policy:

If you cancel 24 hours before the event, or more,
then your payment will be applied to another event
which has the same time duration.

If you cancel less than 24 hours before the event,
then your payment WILL NOT be applied to another event
and refunds won't be issued.

***

How to join the Zoom call:

* The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* he password is: galaxy
* These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.
* Please turn your camera on during the session,
for a more engaging experience.

The Zoom password / passcode is always the same, for all the events organized by all the French Club chapters worldwide.

***

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

Sun, Oct 12 · 10:00 AM EDT

•

Online

⭐ 10-Week A1-Level French Learning Program - Open to all & free ⭐

Online

The French Club (all chapters) : already 275 events completed
(Sept. 1, 2024 — July 15, 2025)

Upcoming events :
https://www.meetup.com/the-french-club-montreal/events/

Testimonials :
https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-frenchclub/feedback-overview/

***

⭐ A1 French Course – Beginner Level (10 Weeks) ⭐

Course Title: French for Beginners – A1 Level

* Duration: 10 weeks
* Weekly Class Time: 2.5 hours per week
* Course format: Live on Zoom
* Self-Study Commitment: Minimum 10 hours/week
* Total Estimated Learning Hours: ~125 hours
* Group Size: unlimited number of students

***

Course Description

This A1-level French course is designed for absolute beginners who have no prior knowledge of the language.

Over the course of 10 weeks, learners will build a strong foundation in French through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.

By the end of the program, students will be able to introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions, hold basic conversations, understand everyday expressions, and use fundamental grammar structures.

This course follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and prepares students to reach the A1 level, enabling them to interact in basic French in real-life situations.

***

Session Start Date

Schedule:

Starts on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 (week #1)
Ends on Sunday , Nov. 16, 2025 (week #10)

***

Group class #1 importance:

During the first meeting, we will go over the overall structure of the A1 French course, explain how the documents are organized, show you how to make copies, where to add your homework (in Tab 2), and answer any practical questions you may have.

This introduction (covering all practical details) is only covered in the very first group meeting. To respect those who attended from the beginning, these topics will not be repeated in later sessions (weeks 2–10). If you join after the first meeting, please note that this information will not be re-explained.

***

Documents:

A1 French - Week 1 - Modules 1 to 5 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1n8znkQrkSNctXnoix6aimEBOPvIPnh2oNGYk8-TSpaU/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 2 - Modules 6 to 10 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rrlgn03J3cCM6h1R8eXTydLouQ0AVxZKwPrSZsmE6ws/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 3 - Modules 11 to 15 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XJTs8sf1QndEjIir0GLKf9HuVNmfLF3J2U-6PhMZvjY/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 4 - Modules 16 to 20 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IAOYyl8zjBFUKz97865otKimZb-Iyz7tbBtPBusfeSo/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 5 - Modules 21 to 25 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15D47l4AKfJi6L46_BYtsyqWDw1XQiNLnWVHH4xJGcAY/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 6 - Modules 26 to 30 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Aftbgsa-YngkoOP1XOah6cgw8ACvm3jpaZQH1GShpC0/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 7 - Modules 31 to 35 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jue6HYQFdD3oktbW5Ic37hkdsR_oh-dKEa7KTeDdMaU/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 8 - Modules 36 to 40 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FPQS92tHZYmrPhIhEUQlL1ow6WQvET76jhb8Esu5BIo/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 9 - Modules 41 to 45 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hAAVfZeiLDdTob2ROEI7sCb8iTphdb-3Ma25GWsfBRY/edit?usp=sharing

A1 French - Week 10 - Modules 46 to 50 - Summer Session 2025
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mAZ_eEZr0pt8DgL9s4kw2lfeSblb3oax4ZMydYW4TTw/edit?usp=sharing

***

Cost & Payment Options:

This 10-week A1 French course is free. The course will have limited interactions (no speaking exercises), no correction of homework and no dedicated WhatsApp group (unlike the paid courses).

***

Access & Attendance:

* Zoom access closes 10 minutes after class starts to maintain class flow
* Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
* Password: galaxy

Each and every week, people keep asking me what the passcode is.
The passcode is always mentioned on each event's page.
I always use the same passcode.

***

Course Outline – 10 Weeks of Learning

Week 1: Foundations of French

• Vocabulary: Basic greetings, introducing yourself, numbers 0-100, days of the week
• Grammar: Subject pronouns (je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles), definite/indefinite articles (le, la, un, une, des)
• Speaking & Listening: Introducing yourself, greeting others formally/informally
• Reading & Writing: Writing a short self-introduction
• Homework: Practice dialogues, listening exercises

Week 2: Talking About Yourself & Others

• Vocabulary: Family members, nationalities, professions
• Grammar: Present tense of être and avoir (to be and to have), adjective agreement (petit/petite, français/française)
• Speaking & Listening: Describing yourself and your family
• Reading & Writing: Writing a short text about your family
• Homework: Flashcards for professions & adjectives, listening to beginner dialogues

Week 3: Daily Life & Regular Verbs

• Vocabulary: Common verbs, daily routines (se lever, manger, travailler, dormir)
• Grammar: Present tense of -ER verbs (parler, aimer, habiter), forming negative sentences (ne... pas)
• Speaking & Listening: Talking about daily habits and routines
• Reading & Writing: Describing a typical day
• Homework: Conjugation exercises, watching a short French video

Week 4: Places, Directions, and Prepositions

• Vocabulary: Cities, transportation, places (école, banque, supermarché)
• Grammar: Prepositions of place (à, de, sur, sous, devant, derrière), the verb aller
• Speaking & Listening: Asking for and giving directions
• Reading & Writing: Writing short sentences about your city
• Homework: Practicing directions, listening to French street dialogues

Week 5: Shopping, Food, and Ordering in a Café

• Vocabulary: Common foods, numbers 100+, ordering at a restaurant
• Grammar: Articles partitif (du, de la, des), quantities (beaucoup de, un peu de)
• Speaking & Listening: Ordering food and drinks
• Reading & Writing: Writing a grocery shopping list
• Homework: Watching restaurant ordering videos, role-playing dialogues

Week 6: Future Plans and Basic Conversations

• Vocabulary: Talking about free time, future activities (cinema, sports, travel)
• Grammar: Futur proche (aller + infinitive), expressing likes/dislikes (j’aime, je préfère)
• Speaking & Listening: Talking about weekend plans
• Reading & Writing: Writing about your future plans
• Homework: Listening to audio on leisure activities, creating your own future plans

Week 7: Talking About the Past

• Vocabulary: Common past actions (hier, la semaine dernière, déjà)
• Grammar: Passé composé (with avoir for regular verbs)
• Speaking & Listening: Talking about what you did last weekend
• Reading & Writing: Writing a short paragraph about a past experience
• Homework: Reading a simple story in past tense

Week 8: Travel, Transportation, and Asking for Help

• Vocabulary: Transportation (bus, train, taxi, avion), emergency phrases
• Grammar: Questions (où, quand, comment, combien), the verb pouvoir
• Speaking & Listening: Asking for help, booking tickets
• Reading & Writing: Filling out a travel form
• Homework: Practicing travel dialogues, listening to real-life recordings

Week 9: Invitations, Socializing, and Giving Opinions

• Vocabulary: Social phrases (on va au cinéma ?, pourquoi pas ?, c’est une bonne idée !)
• Grammar: The imperative (regarde ! écoute ! parle !)
• Speaking & Listening: Inviting someone, accepting/refusing
• Reading & Writing: Writing a short invitation message
• Homework: Practicing role-plays, writing social messages

Week 10: Final Review & Everyday Conversations

• Vocabulary: Review of key topics
• Grammar: Reinforcing present, past, and future tenses
• Speaking & Listening: Role-playing real-life scenarios (restaurant, shopping, travel)
• Reading & Writing: Writing a final paragraph about yourself
• Final Assessment: Speaking practice & review exercises

***

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this 10-week course, you will be able to:

* Introduce yourself and others (name, nationality, profession, family)
* Use common verbs in the present, past, and near future
* Ask and answer simple questions in social situations
* Order food, buy things, ask for directions, and make plans
* Read and understand basic French texts (menus, timetables, invitations)
* Write simple sentences and short paragraphs

This course will give you the confidence to communicate in French in everyday situations!

***

About Me

From May 2020 to mid-July 2025, I’ve given over 5,000 online lessons
to 725+ students from about 50 countries.

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