Program Details

Face-to-face, Small-Group French lessons in Northampton or online

At ILI, we’re all about creating vibrant connections.

Step into the world of our Group French classes and experience real-time interactions guided by our passionate, highly qualified French instructors.

We’re committed to making learning accessible to everyone, offering the flexibility of both live online and in-person classes, ensuring an engaging learning journey that suits your needs.

Our classes maintain an intimate atmosphere with an average of just six students per group, fostering a dynamic and personalized learning environment.

Program Info

Tuition Fees $449$479 for 6 or 12 weeks (18 hours)
Language levels Beginners and up
Location ?
X

Online

Taking classes online means receiving live lessons with your ILI teacher via a video call at a pre-scheduled time.

In-person

In-person lessons take place at our campus in downtown Northampton, MA and require your physical attendance.

Online / In‑person
Minimum age 17
Frequency Once/Twice per week

Group Size

Average 6
Maximum 12

Course Timings

Duration 6 and 12 weeks
Study time 18 hours

Schedule

Our group French classes meet in person at our welcoming school in downtown Northampton or online.

We have two options which run on different dates throughout the year.

  • 12-week program, with one class of 1.5 hours per week in Spring and Fall
  • 6-week intensive program, with two classes of 1.5 hours per week in Summer and Winter

Class times and days depend on your level of French. Your instructor with be doing an informal assessment to make sure everyone is in the right level on the first day of class. You will receive a confirmation email the week before class starts.

For details on start dates and cost, please click on the Schedule & Cost tab.

Benefits

Group French classes are a great way to:

  • Experience the power of collaborative learning in a close-knit small group setting
  • Have plenty of opportunities to speak and practice your French skills with others
  • Enjoy a variety of speaking, listening, reading and writing
  • Gain confidence with well-paced and structured lessons
  • Join a vibrant community with people who shared the same goal.

Our teachers

Josh Owesly, ILI French teacher, helping a student.

ILI’s French teachers have many years of experience delivering creative and engaging lessons in a safe environment where students feel free to take risks in learning Italian while having fun with their classmates.

Feedback

“Learning French at the ILI has given me the confidence to converse with native speakers when we traveled to France last fall. “

A man smiling holding a tray of desserts.
David studied French at ILI Retired Superintendent

Program Info

Tuition Fees $449$479 for 6 or 12 weeks (18 hours)
Language levels Beginners and up
Location ?
X

Online

Taking classes online means receiving live lessons with your ILI teacher via a video call at a pre-scheduled time.

In-person

In-person lessons take place at our campus in downtown Northampton, MA and require your physical attendance.

Online / In‑person
Minimum age 17
Frequency Once/Twice per week

Group Size

Average 6
Maximum 12

Course Timings

Duration 6 and 12 weeks
Study time 18 hours

Schedule & Cost

Course fees

We offer group French programs four times a year, both ONLINE and IN-PERSON:

  • Winter Program
    January 21 – March 3, 2025
    $449 until Dec. 16 then $479Two classes per week, 6-week Winter program
  • Spring Program
    March 25 – June 12, 2025
    $449 until Feb. 10 then $479One class per week, 12-week Spring program
  • Summer Program
    July 7 – August 21, 2025
    $449 until June 9 then $479Two classes per week, 6 week intensive Summer program
  • Fall Program
    September 16 – December 11, 2025
    $449 until Aug. 11 then $479One class per week, 12-week program (No Classes Oct. 13, Nov. 11, 27 & 28)
Students gathered around the table playing a French language related card game together. There are smiles aplenty!

WINTER French Program levels, days and times

Below you’ll find details of all the class times and days for both our ONLINE option and the IN-PERSON French classes in school. The times and days of your French courses in Northampton and online depend on your current level of French.

You can use our level descriptions to calculate your level and check what time your lessons will take place.

Don’t worry if you’re not 100% sure of your level. When you book, we’ll get in touch with you and confirm you’re in the right group!

ONLINE
January 21 – March 27, 2025
IN-PERSON
January 21 – February 27, 2025
Level *Meet once per week with two in-person dates TBD
*Level 2 – NightTuesday
5pm – 6:30pm
Jan. 14 – March 18
Level 2 – DayTuesday & Thursday
9am – 10:30am
Level 5Tuesday & Thursday
9am – 10:30am
Level 6Tuesday & Thursday
11am – 12:30pm
*Level 7Tuesday: 5:30pm – 7pm
Jan. 21 – Mar. 25
*Level 8Thursday: 5:30pm – 7pm
Jan. 23 – Mar. 27
*Level 9 -French FilmWednesday: 7pm – 8:30pm
Jan. 22 – Mar. 26

FALL French Program levels, days and times

Below you’ll find details of all the class times and days for both our ONLINE option and the IN-PERSON French classes in school. The times and days of your French courses in Northampton and online depend on your current level of French.

You can use our level descriptions to calculate your level and check what time your lessons will take place.

Don’t worry if you’re not 100% sure of your level. When you book, we’ll get in touch with you and confirm you’re in the right group!

FALLSept. 17 – Dec. 19
Level ONLINE IN-PERSON
Level 1Wednesday
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Sept. 18 – Dec. 11, 2024
Level 2Tuesday
9am – 10:30am
Sept. 24 – Dec. 10, 2024
Level 3Tuesday
11am – 12:30pm
Sept. 24 – Dec. 10, 2024
Level 4Thursday
9am – 10:30am
Sept. 26 – Dec. 19, 2024
Level 5Tuesday
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Sept. 17 – Dec. 3, 2024
Level 6Thursday
11am – 12:30pm
Sept. 26 – Dec. 19, 2024
Level 7
Tuesday
5:30pm – 7pm
Sept. 24 – Dec. 10, 2024
Level 8Thursday
5:30pm – 7pm
Sept. 26 – Dec. 19, 2024
Level 9:
Advanced French Film
Wednesday
7pm – 8:30pm
Sept. 25 – Dec. 18, 2024

Find out as soon as new dates are posted

More days, dates and class times will be published later in the year. Please sign up to our newsletter below or follow us on Instagram and we’ll update you as soon as the new dates are released.

Levels

Formats

In-person, or Online?

Our group French lessons at ILI are available as:

  • face-to-face group classes you attend in our school in Northampton, or
  • live online group classes which take place on Zoom.

In-person, Face-to-Face Group French classes in Northampton, Massachusetts

Come into our school in downtown Northampton for your French class, and you’ll soon be a part of our friendly community of language learners and teachers.

We’re just a few minutes’ walk from the Roundhouse parking lot and the Peter Pan Bus Terminal (Peter Pan line, R42, R44).

Online Group French classes with ILI

Our online classes will also be with a real humans, in real time. The lessons will work in just the same way as with the in-person option, and we’ll make sure you progress just the same too.

One big benefit of online classes is that it saves you the logistical hassle of getting to and from the school each lesson. If you’re a very busy person, you also save time by just logging in and out for your lesson.

Northampton, Massachusetts is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) and observes daylight saving time (DST). You can join our online group French lessons from anywhere in the world, so long as you’re comfortable with the regular times the classes run. You can check out the compatibility of your time zone here.

If you’re not sure which option is best for you, please contact us and we can discuss this with you.

Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Selected FAQs

We assign optional homework as many of our students are working adults with very busy schedules. However, we encourage our students to practice outside of class as much as possible.

Some of our teachers are native speakers and others have native and near native fluency.

Yes! ILI is an approved provider of Professional Development Points for Massachusetts.

We do not allow this as we have found that it is disruptive to the class as they build a trusting community that enables students to take risks in learning. It’s also difficult for teachers to have students come and go.

We do not currently offer scholarships in the World Language program.

No, there is no financial aid for language classes. However, Career counselors at MassHire Career Centers can help you apply for an Individual Training Account (ITA), which provides financial support to job seekers who need occupational skills training in order to successfully re-enter the workforce. Eligible individuals choose from a pre-approved list of training courses, which include English teacher training courses and TESOL course distance learning, and tuition costs are paid directly out of the ITA. To find out if you are eligible for an ITA for your TESOL Certificate cost, please contact a MassHire Career Center.

Our students in the World Language Program tend to be aged anywhere between 17 and 88 years old.

  • Having a hard copy of your class book can be a real help. You can pick one up at our school in Northampton. Just give us a heads up when you can drop by so that we have one ready for you.
  • Take a little time before class to get your online learning environment ready. We recommend having good lighting and being within 2-3 feet of your computer camera. This way the teacher and other students can have a more visual feel for how students are reacting to lessons and activities. Have a notebook and something to write with.
  • Read the 7 Strategies for Success in your ILI workbook.
  • We always recommend that students take a little time before and or after your class to review the lessons.

Yes, we are happy to help you to enroll in the class that’s best for your level. Assessment are painless and are done via phone and take about 10-15 minutes. Simply fill out the assessment request form and we will be in touch shortly.

View our Staff page to learn about our teachers.

Still got an unanswered question?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch with us.

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Refund Policy

Courses Refund Policy

Policy applies to classes that are paid in full. In case the class is cancelled a full refund will be issued within 30 days.

  • If you withdraw…Refund
  • Before class begins100%
  • Before midpoint of your class50%
  • After midpoint of your classno refund

Complaint Procedure

Students are encouraged to voice their opinions during feedback in class and directly to the instructor. If a student has further concerns about the class or program, World Language students should contact the World Language Coordinator, Heather Hall, by email.  Further concerns should be brought to the attention of the Executive Director, Caroline Gear. Contact information is below. Students will receive a confirmation of receipt of complaint within 7 days. The final step in resolving a complaint is to contact ACCET, the agency that accredits the school. You can find the ACCET complaint procedure here.

Heather Hall: heather@ili.edu

Caroline Gear: caroline@ili.edu

ILI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, mental or physical handicap, political belief or affiliation, membership or non-membership in any organization, or veteran status in any aspect of the administration or treatment of students or in employment. ILI is committed to ensure that all of its services are accessible to qualified persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

ILI is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training and the International Association of Language Centres and a member of the American Association on Intensive English Programs

Ready to get started with our Face-to-face French lessons?

Registering for face-to-face French lesson couldn’t be easier! Simply follow the steps below to get started:

  1. Complete the application form
  2. We’ll place you in the appropriate class.
  3. We’ll confirm your class and email you with details the week before your class begins!

Still not sure?

Not a problem! If you are searching for more information you can:

The ILI Promise

At ILI, we believe that all our actions should stem from grace and loving kindness.

Portrait of Caroline Gear - Executive Director
  • We operate as an equal opportunity organization.
  • We nurture relationships beyond the classroom.
  • We are committed to providing the highest quality language instruction and teacher training.
  • We promote intercultural understanding and celebrate the diversity in our local communities.
  • We work collaboratively to build and sustain the communities we serve.
  • We believe in life-changing teaching and learning.

Other ways to learn French

Private French Lessons

Josh Owesly, ILI French teacher, helping a student.

Our Private French lessons online or in-person allow you to shape your learning around your busy life. You choose the times, days and topics, we’ll do the rest!

Study French Abroad

A field of lavender in front of the Senanque Abbey in Provence, France.

For the ultimate French language learning experience, head to a French-speaking country! We can assist in finding a program and location to fit your needs.