French
Ridgefield Continuing Education
French


French - Day and Evening



Reminder: Advanced registration and payment is required.


Classes are listed below. For Winter / Spring 2024, some classes are in person and some are on Zoom. Please note location for each course below.

French: Beginner, Part 1 - Morning - on Zoom
Let's start from scratch! This class is for people who have no experience of French, but would like to start building the 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. Instructor Nancy Maxwell was a teacher and counselor in an international school in Switzerland for more than twenty years. She had the opportunity to familiarize herself with the palaces and cathedrals of European cities, to savor the extraordinary wealth of artistic treasure that they contain, and to walk in the very footsteps of historical figures. She has taught French for Travelers previously in Ridgefield and has extensive travel experience in France. CLICK here to view her history classes.

6 Sessions (9 hours) $ 128 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 114) + $ text.
Please call (203) 431-2812 or email ridgefieldcontinuingeducation@gmail.com for future class information; taught online using Zoom.


French: Beginner, Parts 1a and 1b - Evening - In Person

The course is designed for people with no or very little knowledge of French who would like to build a solid learning foundation of the language with a project in mind: tourism, business, culture... The 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 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.

7 Sessions (10.5 hours) $ 150 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 133)
Part 1a - Mon., 2/5, 12, 26; 3/4, 11, 25; 4/1 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.
NOTE: No class 2/19; 3/18.

6 Sessions (10.5 hours) $ 150 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 133)
Part 1b – Mon., 4/8, 22, 29; 5/6, 13, 20 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.
NOTE: No class 4/15. Makeup date, if needed is Wednesday, May 8.


French: Basic User French - Evening - on Zoom

This class is a continuation of French Beginner (parts 1, 2, 3) or the equivalent. This class is for students who have rudimentary knowledge of the language and want to consolidate and build on their foundation in an easy, relaxed environment. Through level appropriate reading and listening resources we build vocabulary, practice grammas constructs, and develop French speaking skills, all while learning about regions, history, and character of France. Instructor Nancy Maxwell
was a teacher and counselor in an international school in Switzerland for more than twenty years. She had the opportunity to familiarize herself with the palaces and cathedrals of European cities, to savor the extraordinary wealth of artistic treasure that they contain, and to walk in the very footsteps of historical figures. She has taught French for Travelers previously in Ridgefield and has extensive travel experience in France. CLICK here to view her history classes.

6 Sessions (9 hours) $ 128 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 114) + $ text. A new text may be added to the online text the class has been using. Details to follow.
Mon., 3/25; 4/1, 8, 29; 5/6, 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.; taught online using Zoom.
No class 4/15, 22.


French: Intermediate, Parts 1a and 1b - Evening
This class is for people with the equivalent of 3 years of high school French or people who had an exposure to French but need refreshing. We will explore some aspects of French culture and work on pronunciation, speaking, and comprehension. The course will also emphasize basic communication and focus on grammar to develop skills for reading and writing. Text and other materials will be downloadable. The instructor Elhem Lansburg is a native of France. She was born in and grew up in the Alps.  She holds a BA in French literature. She is also licensed in History of French institutions and holds a master in constitutional law.  She successfully created and directed several projects for teenagers who resigned from school and help them to regain motivation to learn. She has also run several programs for adults especially in French philosophy.  Elhem has taught every level with the Alliance Française (AF), worked on the preparation of the exams for beginner/advanced and proficiency level and became a French certification expert.

6 Sessions (6 hours) $ 86 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 77)
Mon., 2/26; 3/4, 11, 18, 25; 4/1 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.


7 Sessions (7 hours) $ 100 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 89)
Mon., 4/1, 8, 22, 29; 5/6, 13, 20 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.



French: Advanced - Evening
This class is an advanced course. We will work on the expression and develop the comprehension aspect of the language. The class will feature a discussion/communication workshop using different tools and a reading/writing workshop using a variety of genres of books and articles. Text and other materials will be downloadable. The instructor Elhem Lansburg is a native of France. She was born in and grew up in the Alps.  She holds a BA in French literature. She is also licensed in History of French institutions and holds a master in constitutional law.  She successfully created and directed several projects for teenagers who resigned from school and help them to regain motivation to learn. She has also run several programs for adults especially in French philosophy.  Elhem has taught every level with the Alliance Française (AF), worked on the preparation of the exams for beginner/advanced and proficiency level and became a French certification expert.

8 Sessions (8 hours) $ 114 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 101)
Wed., 2/7, 14, 28; 3/6, 20, 27; 4/3, 10 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.
April 10 is the makeup for March 13. This class is currently at full capacity.

8 Sessions (8 hours) $ 114 (Ridgefield Sr./Disab. $ 101)
Wed., 4/24; 5/1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 6/5, 12 from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. at East Ridge Middle School.
NOTE: New start and end dates.


Why Learn a Foreign Language? in Person? or Online with active Instruction and Participation?

Step away from a rote computer program and into live, active learning of a foreign language.

Absorb news as heard in another country.

Visit another country to see the sites, converse, eat, and enjoy the culture.

Use original genealogical sources.



European and Meso American History - Available this Winter and Spring!


The Rise of Civilization in Meso America - The Teotihuacan, Mayans, Toltecs, Aztecs

World War I, the Versailles Settlement, and Interwar Period

The Mitford Family and World War II - a Tales of Passion and Pathos

World War II and the Cold War

and more . . .

Click here to view the European and Meso American History classes above.