The best of French in Chicago: French language classes for adults

Is building your French language skills one of your New Years resolutions? Then you’re in luck. Chicago offers a wealth of class options so you can make 2013 the year you learn French – and connect and engage with fellow French speakers and Francophiles at the same time.

With 2013 around the corner, now is the perfect time to resolve to start the New Year off right by enrolling in a French language class. It doesn’t matter if you studied French back in high school or if you’re new to the language, you can take advantage of the wide range of French language learning resources available in Chicago. From one-day bootcamps to eight-week sessions, to classes offered on an ongoing basis, there are a variety of French language class formats and options to meet your experience level and schedule needs.

Here are a few resources that can help you build your French language skills this year.

Alliance Française de Chicago

The Alliance Française de Chicago  is dedicated to the study of French language and cultural appreciation of the Francophone world.

It offers four and eight-week class sessions, with the winter session beginning February 13, 2013. Classes are taught by native French speakers and usually include five to 15 students. An eight-week, beginner-level session costs $355 for non-members. Materials cost about $85 and can be used for other classes.

L’École Française

L’École Française opened in April 2012 and aims to instill a passion for French language learning and build a deeper appreciation for the cultures of Francophone nations.

It offers nine-week classes, with the winter session beginning on January 14, 2013. Class sizes are limited to 10 students, and are led by two native French speakers who have previously taught at the Alliance Française de Chicago. A nine-week session costs is $250.

Multilingual Chicago

Multilingual Chicago has been providing interactive, immersive language instruction in Chicago since 2005.

It offers small group classes and one-day intensive bilingual boot camps that focus on understanding the people who speak French to help increase your chance of effective communication.

Group classes include four to eight students and are offered in eight-week sessions. The winter session starts January 7, 2013. One-day boot camps provide the basics in just seven hours and are offered once a month on Sundays. Group classes cost $299 and boot camps cost $150.

Immersion Chicago

Immersion Chicago was founded by Mélissa Wittmeier who has taught French for more than 10 years. Classes combine a focus on grammar instruction with conversational practice and are held on an ongoing basis with students welcome to start at any time.

Individual classes costs $50 per hour and group classes cost $30 per hour. Classes are currently held at Awake Cafe (736 West Irving Park Road, Chicago.)

Not sure where to start? Each resource offer free placement tests to determine your class level. You also can attend open houses or trial classes to help you choose the program that’s right for you.

Do you have other suggestions or thoughts on French language resources in Chicago? Please include them in the comments below.