French Immersion For Adults
Want to speak French with better ease and fluency? Join in conversation with your French-speaking child or family member? Prepare to travel to a Francophone destination — or simply brush up on a new language as part of your lifelong learning? Join us for an immersive, conversational French class for adults!
SPEAK WITH BETTER EASE & FLUENCY
At Waring School, French classes are taught entirely in French — right from the start. NO ENGLISH! Waring’s award-winning French program is distinguished among schools in our region and beyond. Join in with other adults in a rare opportunity to learn from the best, brush up on daily conversation, be immersed in French culture and media (at your level) and dip into some reading, music-listening, art, news, and film clips appropriate for the level of your class cohort! Waring’s teachers are flexible and can engage students from multiple levels and backgrounds (beginner and beyond) within the same classroom.
- 1 Month Sessions
- 2 Evening Classes Each Week
- 8 Conversational Sessions Total
Classes are offered in-person at Waring School with hybrid options when possible and as appropriate.
April/May Session, 2025, Instructor, Paul Merter:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 7:30-8:20pm, Waring School ‘House’ building
April 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29, May 1
Brief Description: Our French Evening Classes for Beginners are designed for adults with little to no prior knowledge. This course focuses on developing essential communication skills through interactive lessons. You can :
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- Practice everyday conversation and improve pronunciation.
- Learn to read basic texts and write simple sentences.
- Build a strong foundation in essential grammar rules and useful vocabulary.
- Explore French customs, traditions, and everyday life.
Whether for travel, work, or personal enrichment, this class is the perfect first/next step in your French-learning journey!
May/June Session, 2025, Instructor, Allegra Smick:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 7:30-8:20pm, Waring School
May 13, 15, 20, 27, June 3, 5, 10, 12
Brief Description: French for beginners (including as a ‘refresher’) and timid speakers. Using guided conversation in French, Allegra will open a window into a lively exchange of questions and responses about our likes and dislikes, our families, our homes, colors, nature, weather and food. Role play and simple skits will involve everyone in the conversation. No books are needed, but a sketchpad and drawing pencil would be useful.
Please contact us with any questions.
REGISTRATION
Paul Merter has taught French and Ceramics at Waring since the fall of 2024. Paul received his MA in French Lit at the University of Florida and his BA in English Lit at the University of Angers/France. He has taught world languages (including English, French and Romance languages) for several years both in the states — such as Florida and Santa Fe — and in France and most recently Angers. Paul is also fluent in Turkish, and an accomplished ceramicist.
Allegra Smick is a life-long educator, master French instructor, and francophile who served as Waring’s French Department Chair for over 15 years. When she came to Waring in 1991, Allegra was instrumental in bringing an ‘only in French’ immersion pedagogy to Waring — a pedagogy that thrives to this day. She founded the Core Immersion program in 1996 and the Angers 9th grade exchange program in 1999. Allegra is the mother of 4 Waring graduates and resides locally. In retirement she has become a textile artist, working in quilts and embroidery as well as a Costume Designer for Imago Stage Company and Pingree School.