
This course will take place online. We are running an introductory offer on all beginners' language sessions, with 25% off this course at Full £146 / Conc. £110
The aim of this course is to help you gain a basic knowledge of the French language and pursue further studies at a subsequent level.
Who is this course for?
This course is for absolute beginners.
Will I need any equipment or materials?
This course will be held via Zoom. You need a computer/laptop or mobile phone to access the Zoom website, and a reliable internet connection. For further information on how to join a Zoom meeting, you can watch the joining video here.
You will need a computer or other device to connect with Zoom and a notebook/paper and pen/pencil, or digital equivalent.
Lessons will be based on: Angela Aries & Dominique Debney,Façon de parler 1, French for Beginners, John Murray Learning, 2019 (6th edition) (ISBN 9781529374223). The tutor may ask you to purchase a copy of the textbook, but please wait until the first class to confirm this with them.
Are there follow-on courses I can take?
Where possible, we will always aim to offer students the opportunity to progress in their learning. The next level after this course is French Level 1: Module B.
Will I be assessed?
There is no formal assessment for courses at Bishopsgate Institute. However, to monitor your learning and progress, tutors will assess your participation in classroom activities.
You will learn
By the end of this course, you will have covered:
- Introducing yourself and others
- The alphabet
- Numbers 0-100
- Dates (days of the week, months of the year)
- Personal pronouns
- Difference tu/vous
- Place of origin, nationality
- Family, marital status
- Jobs and professions
- Ordering food in a café/restaurant
- Definite/indefinite articles
- An introduction to gender of nouns and adjectives
- Possessive adjectives
- Negative form (ne pas)
- Regular ER verbs
- Basic irregular verbs (être, avoir, aller, faire).
Meet the Tutor

Silvana Avram
Silvana is a highly qualified MFL teacher (BA French and English, MA French Cultural Studies, PGCE French) with a wealth of experience in teaching.
She is passionate about sharing her love for languages and creates lessons that are rich in cultural content.
With a strong interest in Cultural Studies and a BSc in Philosophy, Silvana likes bringing authentic materials and new views into the classroom. Amongst her other interests are: philosophy, meditation, astrology, healthy living, and sociology. She is also a motivational life coach and author.
Course Overview
Week 1
- Greetings, basic communication in class
- The French alphabet
Week 2
- Introducing yourself
- Tu and Vous
- Numbers and dates
Week 3
- Saying where you live and where you are from
- Personal pronouns
- The present tense of être = to be
Week 4
- Vocabulary related to countries and nationalities/languages
- Formulating questions
Week 5
- Learning vocabulary about family and marital status
- The present tense of avoir = to have
Week 6
- Describing oneself and one’s family using all the vocabulary learnt so far
- Possessive adjectives
Week 7
- Learning vocabulary about different professions and places of work
- The present tense of regular verbs (travailler)
- Gender of nouns and adjectives
Week 8
- Learning vocabulary about food and drinks
- Ordering in a café
- Definite and indefinite articles
- Present tense continued
Week 9
- Expressing likes and dislikes + more complex opinions
- Using negatives
- Practising asking and responding to questions
Week 10
- Revision and consolidation
- Assessment of progress, feedback + looking ahead...
Need to Know
Metadata
- Time
- 18:00 - 20:00
- Price
- £146/£110
- Day
- Thursdays
- Duration
- 120
- Venue
- Bishopsgate Institute
- Tutor
- Silvana Avram
- Max Students
- 15
- No. of Sessions
- 10
- Course Code
- LA21321
Dates and Times
French Level 1: Module A
#FROMTHE ARCHIVES
