A1.1 is an introductory course designed for complete beginners in French. Students will start with the alphabet and numbers, then build essential vocabulary to introduce themselves and others. Throughout the course, they will learn basic phrases, ask and answer simple questions, and express likes and dislikes. The primary focus is on developing listening and speaking skills, with additional practice in reading and writing. As they learn the fundamentals of the French language, students will also explore Paris, France, and other French-speaking regions around the world. For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 1

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A1.1 through A1.4. A1.1 will review Units 1 and 2.

A1.1 is an introductory course designed for complete beginners in French. Students will start with the alphabet and numbers, then build essential vocabulary to introduce themselves and others. Throughout the course, they will learn basic phrases, ask and answer simple questions, and express likes and dislikes. The primary focus is on developing listening and speaking skills, with additional practice in reading and writing. As they learn the fundamentals of the French language, students will also explore Paris, France, and other French-speaking regions around the world. For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 1

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A1.1 through A1.4. A1.1 will review Units 1 and 2.

A1.2 is designed for students who have completed A1.1 or for false beginners—those who have previously studied French and still retain some knowledge. Participants should be comfortable introducing themselves (including name, age, and profession), and using the verbs être and avoir. They should also be able to ask simple questions and express likes and dislikes. In this course, students will explore vocabulary and concepts related to families and homes.  For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 1

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A1.1 through A1.4. A1.2 will review Units 3 and 4.

A1.3 is designed for students who have completed A1.2 or for false beginners—those who have previously studied French and still retain some knowledge. Students entering this level should be comfortable introducing themselves and others (including name, age, and profession), using the verbs être, avoir, and regular -er verbs. They should also be able to describe their family members and their homes.

In this course, students will learn to talk about their daily and professional lives, routines, and hobbies. By the end of the class, they will also be able to describe aspects of a vacation they would like to take. Key themes covered include everyday life, work, leisure activities, and social outings.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 1

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A1.1 through A1.4. A1.3 will review Units 5 and 6.

A2.1 is intended for students who have completed A1.4 or have approximately 100 hours of French study. New to AF Denver? Please take a placement test before registering. At the A2 level, students transition from basic French to expressing themselves more fully and describing the world around them. This course introduces key topics such as shopping, consumption, health, and medicine.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 2 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A2.1 through A2.4. A2.1 will review Units 1 and 2.

A2.2 is the second course in the A2 series. Students will strengthen their descriptive abilities and place greater emphasis on reading and writing, while continuing to improve their listening and speaking skills. This course explores themes such as gastronomy and sports.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 2 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A2.1 through A2.4. A2.2 will review Units 3 and 4.

A2.2 is the second course in the A2 series. Students will strengthen their descriptive abilities and place greater emphasis on reading and writing, while continuing to improve their listening and speaking skills. This course explores themes such as gastronomy and sports.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 2 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A2.1 through A2.4. A2.2 will review Units 3 and 4.

A2.3 is the third course in the A2 series. In this class, students will learn to use a wider range of grammatical structures to form complex sentences and express more nuanced, detailed ideas. The course explores themes such as education, professional life, and the world of work.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 2 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A2.1 through A2.4. A2.3 will review Units 5 and 6.

A2.4 is designed for students who have completed A2.3. In this course, students will learn how to support causes and stay informed in French. By the end of the session, you'll be able to present a cause you care about and explain your reasoning, as well as discuss current events that matter to you. The course also explores topics such as architecture, cultural and historical landmarks, literature, and travel.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Note that there is NO CLASS during the week of THANKSGIVING.

Textbook information:  Défi 2 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for A2.1 through A2.4. A2.4 will review Units 7 and 8.

At the B1 level, learners typically demonstrate the following abilities:

• A broad enough range of language to handle unpredictable situations, explain the main points of a problem or idea with reasonable precision, and express opinions on abstract or cultural topics such as music or film.
• Adequate vocabulary and language resources to communicate on familiar topics, including family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events.
• Good grammatical control, allowing for clear and accurate communication in familiar contexts.
• A solid repertoire of common phrases and expressions suited to everyday, predictable situations.
• Clear and generally accurate pronunciation, with appropriate intonation and correct articulation of most words.
• The ability to produce coherent and understandable written texts. Spelling, punctuation, and formatting are usually accurate enough to ensure ease of reading.
• An understanding of key rules of politeness and the ability to behave appropriately in social interactions.
• Awareness of the most important differences in customs, practices, attitudes, values, and beliefs across francophone cultures.

At the B1.1 level, students will learn to talk about their origins, memories, and future plans. They will also explore the themes of traditions and storytelling.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 3 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for B1.1 through B1.4. B1.1 will review Units 1 and 2.

At the B1 level, learners typically demonstrate the following abilities:

• A broad enough range of language to handle unpredictable situations, explain the main points of a problem or idea with reasonable precision, and express opinions on abstract or cultural topics such as music or film.
• Adequate vocabulary and language resources to communicate on familiar topics, including family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events.
• Good grammatical control, allowing for clear and accurate communication in familiar contexts.
• A solid repertoire of common phrases and expressions suited to everyday, predictable situations.
• Clear and generally accurate pronunciation, with appropriate intonation and correct articulation of most words.
• The ability to produce coherent and understandable written texts. Spelling, punctuation, and formatting are usually accurate enough to ensure ease of reading.
• An understanding of key rules of politeness and the ability to behave appropriately in social interactions.
• Awareness of the most important differences in customs, practices, attitudes, values, and beliefs across francophone cultures.

At the B1.2 level, students will explore the French language, its evolution, and the performing arts. This course introduces learners to linguistic and artistic traditions across the French-speaking world. By the end of the class, students will be able to express and defend their views on language, as well as share their opinions on different artistic styles and performances.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 3 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for B1.1 through B1.4. B1.2 will review Units 3 and 4.

At the B1 level, learners typically demonstrate the following abilities:

• A broad enough range of language to handle unpredictable situations, explain the main points of a problem or idea with reasonable precision, and express opinions on abstract or cultural topics such as music or film.
• Adequate vocabulary and language resources to communicate on familiar topics, including family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events.
• Good grammatical control, allowing for clear and accurate communication in familiar contexts.
• A solid repertoire of common phrases and expressions suited to everyday, predictable situations.
• Clear and generally accurate pronunciation, with appropriate intonation and correct articulation of most words.
• The ability to produce coherent and understandable written texts. Spelling, punctuation, and formatting are usually accurate enough to ensure ease of reading.
• An understanding of key rules of politeness and the ability to behave appropriately in social interactions.
• Awareness of the most important differences in customs, practices, attitudes, values, and beliefs across francophone cultures.

At the B1.3 level, students will explore how social and mainstream media, as well as digital connectivity, shape contemporary French-language discourse. The course also introduces key environmental topics, including waste management and climate change. Students will examine the impact of modern technology on francophone societies and how it has transformed communication and daily life. By the end of the class, they will be able to articulate and defend their views on social media and its influence on society. Environmental issues such as waste and recycling will be discussed within the broader framework of eco-citizenship.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 3 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for B1.1 through B1.4. B1.3 will review Units 5, 6, and 7 (dossier 1).

At the B1 level, learners typically demonstrate the following abilities:

• A broad enough range of language to handle unpredictable situations, explain the main points of a problem or idea with reasonable precision, and express opinions on abstract or cultural topics such as music or film.
• Adequate vocabulary and language resources to communicate on familiar topics, including family, hobbies, work, travel, and current events.
• Good grammatical control, allowing for clear and accurate communication in familiar contexts.
• A solid repertoire of common phrases and expressions suited to everyday, predictable situations.
• Clear and generally accurate pronunciation, with appropriate intonation and correct articulation of most words.
• The ability to produce coherent and understandable written texts. Spelling, punctuation, and formatting are usually accurate enough to ensure ease of reading.
• An understanding of key rules of politeness and the ability to behave appropriately in social interactions.
• Awareness of the most important differences in customs, practices, attitudes, values, and beliefs across francophone cultures.

At the B1.4 level, students will examine the theme of climate change and its impact on the natural environment, while developing language skills for expressing cause and effect, as well as articulating concerns, worries, and fears. The unit will also address social inequalities and individual differences, encouraging learners to engage with broader societal issues.

For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 3 

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for B1.1 through B1.4. B1.3 will review Units 7 (dossier 2), 8 and 9.

At the B2 level of language proficiency (according to the CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), learners reach an upper-intermediate stage where they can function independently and effectively in most everyday and professional situations. Here are the key milestones typically achieved at the B2 level:

Communication & Comprehension

• Can understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialization.
• Can follow extended speech and complex lines of argument in standard spoken language, even in lectures or debates.
• Can interact with native speakers with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular conversation possible without strain for either party.

Speaking

• Can express themselves clearly and in detail on a wide range of topics.
• Can explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
• Can take an active part in discussion, defending their opinions and responding to others’ arguments effectively.

Writing

• Can write clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects.
• Can produce essays or reports that present arguments or viewpoints systematically, highlighting important points and supporting ideas.
• Can write personal or professional correspondence, adjusting tone and register appropriately.

Grammar & Vocabulary

• Has a good command of grammar with occasional slips that do not cause misunderstanding.
• Can use a broad range of vocabulary, including idiomatic expressions and some nuanced language, especially in familiar contexts.
• Can vary language to avoid repetition and express subtle shades of meaning.

Independence & Adaptability

• Can function effectively in francophone environments, whether traveling, studying, or working.
• Can adapt language use to different social and professional contexts.
• Shows an ability to learn new vocabulary and expressions from context and incorporate them into conversation.

At the B2.3 level, students will examine the concept of work and its impact on society. The course will also explore themes related to the arts and the challenges of mastering the French language, fostering meaningful discussion and personal reflection. In addition, it will place a strong emphasis on developing advanced writing skills. For a detailed overview of the language milestones covered in this course, please refer to the syllabus.

Textbook information:  Défi 4

This book is available at https://klettwl.com/store/content/afdenver-french. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. This book will be used for B2.1 through B2.4. B2.3 will review Units 5, 6, and 7 (dossier 01 only) .

Develop your ability to express yourself fluently and spontaneously in French. Expand and refine your vocabulary, master the use of appropriate expressions for introducing ideas and opinions, and learn to produce clear, well-structured discourse. At the C level, the goal is to become a truly independent and confident user of the French language. In this course, both oral and written expression are practiced through individual and group activities. 

Textbook information:  Cosmopolite 5 

Each unit explore various themes and issues through literature, visual arts, cinema, customs, and traditions. These cultural insights will deepen your understanding of French and Francophone societies while strengthening your language skills. See our textbook page for information about purchasing options. C2.2 will start at dossier 7.