The French Class

This is my second time having Dominique Bremond translate documents for me. She is courteous, professional, accurate and fast — a true problem solver! I had tried to have documents translated from French to English in France, and the price was easily twice as much and half as fast. If you are looking for a translator, look no further!

So you’re marrying into a French family eh? Excellent! But wait, how do you impress the in-​laws? With your perfect French grammar of course, duh! Registration is very easy, you can sign up online, or by telephone. When you pay for the first level, you are essentially paying for level 2, as they encourage you to continue. As you should. There are classes available mid-​day or after work during the week or on the weekend. So there is a time that should fit everyones busy routine. Most of the staff will speak to you in French, in order to encourage your brains ability to switch into another language. Trust me, they are patient and will speak slow so you understand.
The flexibility here is excellent. You can attend a class on Monday then repeat it on Thursday or Saturday without extra cost, if you need additional practice. Most class sizes are around 4 – 6 students, so you have ample 1:1 time with the professor, as well as ample opportunity to converse in French. There is no pressure to move forward, so if you feel you didn’t quite grasp your current level, just repeat it. They want you to have a solid foundation for advancement. Since it’s just up from the Powell street BART station, getting to the class is très facile (very easy).
There is a small library to check-​out French books and on occasion they will have a box of free books looking for a new home. I scored on the Little Prince! Special sessions for pronunciation, learning about different regions in France, as well as other intensive learning courses are offered regularly. They really want you to succeed. All of the ‘extras’ are shared in a brief monthly newsletter sent by email. It also includes a few brief lessons on grammar, pronunciation, phrases and positive encouragement.
I am currently in level 3 and yes, the language is becoming more difficult. But with the support that I have from my professor, the newsletter and add on courses I have no doubt that I will be fluent in no time.

I’m not naturally gifted when it comes to learning languages, but I speak Spanish somewhat fluently but only because I was a Peace Corps volunteer for three years in Latin America. I spent the last three years learning French on my own via Fluenz, the computer program which I must say is excellent. But I wanted to increase my confidence in speaking when I travel to France.
I have only taken two classes thus far at The French Class and my experiences have been unbelievable. Everyone there is extremely patient and genuinely nice. They speak French all the time which I love hearing because this helps me to understand how French should be spoken. The classes are non-​intimidating and everyone feels very comfortable to make mistakes, which I do quite often. I used to feel terrible trying to speak because I hate making mistakes especially when speaking French because it is such a beautiful language. I made a joke at today’s class saying that the French must hate us because we Americans naturally butcher their language when we speak it. Yet, my teacher, Elodie, creates an atmosphere where people are encouraged to talk and she is always upbeat and patient and corrects our mistakes, without judgment. The book and the exercises are very well put together with very clear explanations. I’m so looking forward to taking more classes in the next couple of years to get to the advanced level of French.

I had my first class today and so far I’m impressed. Learning a new language is difficult, but instructor made us all feel very comfortable. Class size is small. The prices are reasonable and you don’t get gouged on books. There are classes on everyday but Sunday and if you miss your assigned class you can sit in on another day’s as long as there is space.

Excellent school for learning french! I had taken some french classes in Paris, but it was always kind of a hit or miss. These classes are far by superior. I took from Beginning Level 1 and am in the middle of Level 2. I plan to continue as long as I can. They teach from workbooks they created and they are formulated perfectly, with much thought. I feel as if I have finally learned the basics properly and am slowly getting used to the verbs. I really love the teachers; both Lola and Laurence have their own way of teaching, and their own strong points. I think the key is to attend more than one class. It helps to soak it in and because they have different techniques and there’s different students, it isn’t boring. With this school, you are allowed to attend as many classes as you want within a week, versus other schools where you pay for one class per week and cannot attend any others. Being able to attend more than one class is gold! I cannot stress this enough. It helps to cement the material into my head!
They also allow you 2 make ups (one on one sessions, 30 min) per term and I’ve had to use it once. It helps immensely, because I am not one who studies well on my own.
Finally, I hope they add Laurence for at least 1 class in Level 3 and beyond, because I’ll be sad if she’s not teaching our group again! Also, all the staff I’ve encountered here are very friendly.

With a father who lived just outside of Paris for 6 years and because I spent 7 years studying French (a loooong time ago), I felt it was time to revisit learning one of the universe’s most romantic languages. I took a colleague’s recommendation for what she considers the strongest French instruction in a city full of French schools, and immediately signed up for my first course at The French Class.
9 weeks later? I’m hooked, and have already started my second course after completing the first 8-​week session along with a Saturday intensive review class. In short — I can’t get enough! From the native French-​speaking instructors, to the specially-​created curriculum, to being connected with wonderful classmates who push me to be my best, I can’t imagine a better experience.
The classroom provides an adventure in full immersion — the instructors aim to teach only in French starting from the very beginning. It sounds overly ambitious, but soon you’ll find yourself thinking in French vs. translating in English. And after an intense day at work, I actually look forward to using my brain in a completely different way during my French class. It may sound strange, but I even find it relaxing to focus so intently on just one thing!
Looking forward to continuing my French language education at such an exceptional institution. À bientôt!

Wonderful. The quality of the classes are really super. I took from Level 1 to Level 4. The flexibility of being able to attend any class they offer that week is really good for busy schedules. The class is most productive when people do their homework. This is not a easy process, but The French Class instructors make the process something I looked forward to. I went to France for 3 weeks and although I only had to use French once, it was extremely helpful and I felt confident. Wonderful. Highly recommend if you’re serious. My teachers were amazing! Please support this small business.
I hope to return. Thank you.

I took level one class one year ago with Dorthee and it was excellent. When I signed up for level 2 this year, they had a schedule and then cancelled classes on the schedule, so I couldn’t go to any make-​ups that I was originally planning to attend. What bothered me most was that they started over-​booking their classes, and turning people down for make-​ups (I was turned down twice-​even by the director, even when the class I went to only had 5 people)!!! Also, you are on their e mail list for life. I get so much junk e mail, there is no unsubscribe, and I have written them three times to please remove me from the e mail list. I think this school was once reputable, but now I can really tell that it is all business and they only care about money. There are many other excellent language schools in the Bay Area, and I highly recommend staying clear of The French Class.

A wise friend once told me, «Luck is when preparation and opportunity collide.» For example, what good can come from meeting a charming French man who wants to rescue you from your humdrum American life and wisk you away to Paris (opportunity), when you haven’t spent any time learning French (preparation)? You’ve gotta have both pieces of the puzzle.
Prepare yourself for such lucky collisions of fate by enrolling at the French Class, and ensure that some other well-​prepared girl doesn’t steal your golden opportunity!
I’ve taken courses all over the Bay Area for the past year, and am wholeheartedly giving my seal of adoration to the French Class — it’s literally as good as French lessons get around here. After completing 4 courses with the Alliance Francaise (SF and Berkeley locations), my French brain hit a wall. I needed something to reinvigorate me: some rigorous, thorough, and challenging instruction to send me to the next level. The 5-​day intensive course at the French Class was exactly what the doctor ordered.
They offer 8-​week sessions and 5-​day intensive courses during the breaks between sessions. The intensive course covers 8 weeks of material in 5 days (3 hours per day), perfect if you need to cram before a trip or brush up on your rusty skills. There were 7 students in my class, and the teacher, Veronique, was wonderful — the best French teacher I’ve had yet, exuding a perfect balance of kindness and sternness. The curriculum was very structured and we covered a ton of material using the workbooks they’ve created especially for their courses (not stock textbooks made for French kids vs. American kids). This is quality instruction, for sure.
Location is great, located in a nice office building near Union Square and just a 10 min walk from Powell BART. I loved my intensive course so much that I immediately enrolled in the next level and will continue to build my skills with the French Class until it’s time to export my skills to the Motherland :)
If you have any interest in France, French people, gourmet food, expensive champagne, feeling sexy, or obtaining that elusive «joie de vivre»…French lessons are the perfect gateway to these things and so much more!!!
Bonne chance mes amis!

I have been taking classes from the French Class for about 3 months now. My husband is from France, and last night we were out with his friends and they were so blown away by not only how much I could speak, but also by how well I spoke it (in only 3 months!). I realized then that I should at the very least share what a positive experience I have had so far on Unilocal.The classes are very small, and there is a real sense of community. The teachers are wonderful and they provide a safe environment where I feel comfortable taking «risks» when speaking in class. I have tried a lot of things to learn languages over the years from Rosetta Stone to college courses, however this is the first program that has worked for me. I highly recommend this school and this program.

Took a beginning French class with the then-​fiancé-​now-​hubby before our honeymoon to Paris. I can’t tell you how much it helped. Don’t get me wrong, I barely spoke any French the entire time I was in France, however, when I did I had it DOWN and I felt really comfortable navigating signage, instructions, websites, and menus in French. I could even understand directions (simple ones) from people on the street. Michel doesn’t teach many classes and he comes off a little coldly at the first lesson, but he’s a softy on the inside, is French, and studies linguistics. The other students were great and ran the entire gamut of abilities. If SF weren’t so far away from where we live now, I would without a doubt go back for more French Class!!!

I took the French Level I class. I thought it was a great introduction to French, and I thought the instructor, Dorothée, was amazing!

I’ve been taking classes off and on here for about a year and a half. The classes are small and by the end of each one all the students seem to be friends, I’ve learned some french, made some very nice acquaintances and really enjoy the atmosphere and dynamics created in these classes. Plus every few weeks there is some wine cheese and sausage to snack on after class on Saturdays.
All in all, I wouldn’t change a thing about The French Class.

I took a little break from French classes after a couple of years at L’Alliance Francaise so I was quite surprised at my first advanced conversation class at The French Class. The class sizes are small (2 – 3 students), the rates are reasonable, the location is great, and my current teacher Maelle is fantastic. The receptionist is warm and friendly and they seem quite intent on making the overall experience a positive one for the students. I highly recommend it.

I woke up one morning and thought to myself, Jordan, you should learn a new language. After all, I love France and I always felt it was sad that I had to resort to pantomime whenever I interacted with anyone there.
I am not naturally gifted when it comes to foreign languages. I took Spanish in high school and promptly forgot a great deal about grammar and tenses, but if push came to shove, I wouldn’t starve to death if dumped in the middle of Mexico.
I signed up to the French Class because it was small. It occupies a little building on Sutter and Powell and I can walk to it from my house. I’ve had three teachers (I’m on level 4) and each has been an attractive French woman — not that being an attractive woman is necessary to teach French, but I thought I should mention it for the sake of completeness.
Every one of my teachers has been excellent and exceedingly patient.
If you sign up for the class, you can go to as many of the classes during the week as you want, so if you want to go to the Monday class and the Saturday class because you feel like you need some more instruction on the lesson, more power to you. Miss a class? You get a free make up. The lesson book is very French. I often laugh out loud at the dialogues.
So what are the negatives? Well… it is a tiny space and a few of the rooms are quite small. Because anyone can go to any class, the Saturday classes often get pretty full from people who miss the mid-​week classes (it can go the other way too… several times I was either alone or with only a single other person in the class). Sometimes your classmates are a lot slower than you and slow down the class — that’s not really their fault however.
Anyway… if you want to learn French in a formal setting, I recommend the French Class. Sign up for the membership and get a discount. It is well worth it (two classes pays for it). You’ll also get a discount if you sign up early to the next session.

I’ve taken both group classes and private lessons from folks at the French Class, and have always been impressed by the quality of the instructors. After Levels 1 and 2, I took a successful trip to France where I spoke French most of the time. An awesome place with dedicated, friendly people.

If there were more reviews, I would simply add that when you miss a class the secretary calls you the next day to let you know what you missed, ir if there is any homework assignments due for next week — This would suffice to indicate how small and dedicated this great alternative to the Alliance really is.
But, since there are only 2 reviews, I’ll expand a bit.
Classes are very small, and they don’t get canceled by a lack of students. Ever. Instead, they may shorten the length of the class if there’s one or two people. This means that, with only two other students, you get to take a high quality course for an hour an a half each week at roughly the same price as the Alliance, which packs up to 8 or 10 students in each class (I know it’s not their fault they’re more popular, but hey), and at a much more centric and accessible location.
They also offer interesting combination of courses, like Literature and Conversation, at both the intermediate AND the advanced levels. This means that you get to read and stay in touch with your French during the week, and you get to speak in French during the class while also learning tons of vocabulary and grammar. And because you have a book that’s not a textbook, it makes it that much more practical and visual.
As a loyal francophone, I strongly recommend you give this little joint a chance if you are serious about learning the language. The quality of the teachers and the seriousness of the place deserve it.

I chose The French Class over the more established Alliance Francaise de San Francisco because
1) it is closer to downtown where I can take classes after work
and
2)their class size is very small — there were only 4 people in my class
In the beginner 1 class, we learned about 50 verbs, present, future, past conjugation and pronunciation — A good foundation.
All of their instructors are native French speakers as well.
If I had a criticism, it would be that I wish they were stricter! Especially on pronunciation. There were a few times when I felt we could have been corrected more. There’s nothing more embarrassing than butchered French since it’s such a pretty language! But this may very from teacher to teacher as well. Also, I wish there was more explanation on grammar rules in the workbook.
Thanks to Connie P.‘s review, I now know there is an Alliance Francaise in Berkeley where I live, so I will be giving them a try on my next round of classes for a better point of comparison.
In any case, I would definitely recommend The French Class to beginners like myself. For fluent speakers, they have conversational groups and advance classes as well.
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I never ended up taking a class at Allicance Francaise because of scheduling conflicts. Instead, I signed up, again with The French Class for level 2.
I was the only person who signed up for this class. At other schools, they raise the prices or drop the class if there are not enough people. Not so at The French Class. I basically have private lessons right now for the same price and it’s fantastic. Since it’s smaller, they really tailor to the student’s needs.