Learning French

Science Accueil organizes French as a Foreign Language courses tailored to international scientists on professional assignments (from students to researchers) and their families.

Regular evening classes held twice a week from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. —totaling 60 hours per semester—foster solid, long-lasting learning.

Classes take place in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The focus is on oral practice in groups of 8 to 10 students—small enough for everyone to speak while still benefiting from group dynamics—complemented by two or three on-site immersion sessions each semester. Optional homework exercises allow students to continue practicing outside of class hours.

All our teachers are qualified and experienced in teaching French as a foreign language.

Several locations are available, depending on the level: Gif-sur-Yvette (Moulon), Bures-sur-Yvette, Palaiseau Plateau (Polytechnique campus), Massy/Palaiseau, Villejuif, or online. Locations in Evry, Versailles, and Noisy-le-Grand are also available upon request. See locations and access details.

These inter-group workshops, offered as an optional extra one Friday evening a month, are led by Science Accueil staff or an instructor. They provide an opportunity to practice French in a different—and often fun—setting, featuring activities such as board games, outdoor games, and debates.

It is the highlight that concludes the semester and offers a chance to celebrate the progress made: games, short group presentations, the presentation of certificates of attendance, photos, and a buffet.

Do you want to make rapid progress in French in a short amount of time?

Semi-intensive courses are organized—one session in July and another in September—to prepare you for the start of the academic year.

The sessions comprise a total of 20 to 24 hours of classes, scheduled over 2 to 3 weeks (4 to 5 evenings a week, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Classes are led by a qualified instructor who will tailor the curriculum to the group’s proficiency level and specific needs.

Next summer course: July 2027

Do you want to make rapid progress in French in a short amount of time?

Semi-intensive courses are organized—one session in July and another in September—to prepare you for the start of the academic year.

The sessions comprise a total of 20 to 24 hours of classes, scheduled over 2 to 3 weeks (4 to 5 evenings a week, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.).

Classes are led by a qualified instructor who will tailor the curriculum to the group’s proficiency level and specific needs.

We offer five levels or programs designed to match different skill levels. Participants are placed into appropriate groups based on the results of an online placement test:

• Beginner: you have just arrived in France and have little to no knowledge of the French language
• False Beginner: you have basic knowledge of French and would like to gain confidence in speaking
• Pre-intermediate: you have a basic command of French and would like to deepen your knowledge
• Intermediate: you can express your ideas clearly and in detail but would like to speak more fluently in conversation
• Advanced: you have a strong command of French and would like to perfect your skills in the language of Molière

« Je viens d’une petite ville de Toscane. S’installer dans une ville comme Paris n’est pas facile : tout est nouveau, différent, dans une langue que je ne comprends pas encore complètement… Cependant, grâce à Science Accueil, j’ai retrouvé, de manière très inattendue, un vieil ami de ma ville natale que j’avais perdu de vue.  J’aime les mathématiques et les probabilités : il me fait sourire de penser que dans une ville comme Paris, avec des millions de personnes qui vont et viennent, je me suis retrouvé dans le même cours de français qu’un garçon avec qui j’ai passé une partie importante de mon adolescence  à jouer au tennis (bien que toujours avec de mauvais résultats…). Maintenant, nous pouvons recommencer à jouer au tennis ensemble et, toujours grâce à science accueil, nous pouvons même commander un café au bar en français ! »
De Francesco MAZZONCINI 

“Je souhaitais vous remercier de cet atelier, je l’ai beaucoup apprécié et j’ai trouvé ce temps très bénéfique pour moi. (…) merci beaucoup.”
Enayat Abuismail