Beginner 1 Online French Group Classes
Learning French works best when you start with a clear, solid foundation. This 8-week live course is for complete beginners and anyone returning to French after a long break.
You’ll learn how to introduce yourself, talk about your personal life, build simple sentences, and have your first real conversations in French. Each week combines grammar, pronunciation, conversation, and French culture, so you can put what you learn into practice right away.
Classes are taught live by one of our Hello French teachers in a small group, with selected sessions featuring Cécilia for additional work on pronunciation and culture.
How It Works
BOOKING POLICIES
Is This the Right Level for You?
How It Works
1️⃣ Book your Beginner 1 class
Complete your purchase to secure your place. Enrollment is confirmed once your booking is complete.
2️⃣ Receive your confirmation and welcome information
You’ll receive an email confirming your enrollment and outlining your next steps.
3️⃣ Prepare for your first class
Before the program begins, you’ll receive your detailed onboarding information, including Zoom access, course resources, and guidance for your first session.
4️⃣ Join your weekly live sessions
Meet your teacher and classmates on Zoom each week for your 90-minute lesson and 30-minute Speaking Lab.
5️⃣ Keep learning between classes
Use your private Google Classroom to access digital coursebooks, lesson recaps, whiteboards, assignments, cultural resources, and recordings when available.
Booking Policies
Refunds and credits
Group course purchases are eligible for refunds or credits before the program start date according to the refund schedule outlined in our Lessons Terms & Conditions. Once the program has begun, all sales are final.
Attendance
Group lessons do not include make-up sessions for missed classes.
Recordings
When available, class recordings are provided for personal review and can be accessed through the Classroom portal.
Language of instruction
Beginner 1 is taught primarily in English, with increasing French used throughout the course. Students should have sufficient English proficiency to follow explanations and participate in class.
Instructor structure
Group courses are led by the instructors listed on the sales page. Instructor participation may change when necessary because of illness, emergencies, or operational requirements.
Content use
All course materials, recordings, and shared resources are proprietary and may not be copied, shared, or redistributed.
Conduct
Disruptive or inappropriate behavior may result in removal from the program without refund.
By enrolling, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to the full Lessons Terms & Conditions applicable to group lessons.
Is This the Right Level for You?
Beginner 1 is a good fit if:
- You’re starting French from scratch or returning after a long break.
- You know only a few words or phrases, such as bonjour or je m’appelle.
- Building sentences, conjugating verbs, and grammatical gender still feel completely new.
- You’re ready to build a strong foundation and start speaking French from your very first class.
Beginner 2 may suit you better if:
You’re already comfortable introducing yourself, talking about your daily routine, asking and answering simple questions, and forming basic sentences in French.
If that sounds like you, Beginner 2 may be a better fit, or you can explore private lessons tailored to your level and goals.
Not sure where you belong?
Take our free French Level Test. It only takes a few minutes and will help you identify the class that matches your current French.
You can also email us at classes@hellofrenchnyc.com, and our team will help you choose the right level.
What You’ll Get
✅ Eight 2-hour live group sessions on Zoom
✅ A small group designed for participation
✅ Live teaching with a Hello French teacher
✅ An exclusive live Drop-in or Masterclass with Cécilia
✅ A new interactive digital coursebook every week
✅ Curated French culture built into every lesson
✅ Your private Google Classroom
✅ French that stays with you between classes
AFTER 8 WEEKS
You'll Be Able To
👋 Talk about who you are
Introduce yourself, including your name, nationality, where you’re from and live, and the languages you speak.
💬 Talk about your personal life
Share basic information using key verbs such as être and avoir, along with simple sentence structures.
🗣 Interact in simple conversations
Ask and answer basic questions with people you know.
✍️ Build simple sentences
Form affirmative and negative sentences, along with basic questions using common verbs.
🕐 Talk about your daily routine
Describe your day using simple actions, time, and frequency.
👨👩👧 Talk about the people around you
Describe your family and close circle using simple adjectives and possessive forms.
Why You'll Love These Classes
1️⃣ Your first conversations start here
You're building much more than vocabulary and grammar. From your very first class, you'll begin speaking French. Each week, you'll gain the language to talk about yourself, your daily life, and the people around you with greater confidence.
2️⃣ The Speaking Lab
Every session ends with a dedicated 30-minute Speaking Lab, where you put that week's French into conversation. Many schools offer conversation as a separate class. We build it into every session so you can apply what you've learned and build confidence speaking French naturally.
3️⃣ The Hello French Method, taught live
This course follows the Hello French Method, developed by Cécilia and Marie-Lola through more than 25 years of combined teaching experience. Grammar gives you structure, pronunciation helps you communicate clearly, and culture gives the language meaning.
4️⃣ Learning continues between sessions
Your live class is one part of the learning experience. Inside your private learning portal, you'll find interactive practice, lesson recaps, listening activities, vocabulary review, and cultural resources connected to what you're studying — helping French become part of your week.
What Students Are Saying
"I loved the beginner class, the tips and the speaking practice were what helped me most. The lesson plans take you slowly through the grammar, so you actually understand the thinking behind the rules instead of just memorizing them. The teachers are positive and never make you feel like you're not trying, even when you stumble on a sentence. I'm already looking forward to the next level."
– Tiffany S.
"I tried learning French for years and nothing made it stick, until my Beginner 1 course with Hello French. The class is well structured and pushes you to actually speak, with real focus on pronunciation. My teacher was patient and created a welcoming space where you're not afraid to make mistakes, and my classmates were just as driven. I'm already counting down to the next level."
– Lauren P
Meet Your Teacher
Bonnie has been teaching French for more than 10 years, with experience spanning higher education, secondary education, and leading language institutions.
Originally from Portland, Oregon, she holds a Master’s degree in French Language and Literature from the University of Oregon, where she completed a Graduate Fellowship at Université Lumière Lyon 2 in Lyon, France. She also earned a Master’s in Teaching with a specialization in French and second language acquisition.
Bonnie has taught at Lewis & Clark College, the Alliance Française, Vox-Sprachschule in Switzerland, and in secondary schools.
Having learned French as a second language herself, Bonnie brings a perspective that many students find both practical and encouraging. She understands the challenges of becoming fluent and knows how to help learners move beyond memorization to communicate with confidence.
Her classes combine language, culture, curiosity, and conversation in an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and speaking French from the very beginning. Drawing on her background in theatre, she brings warmth, creativity, and energy to every lesson, making learning both engaging and memorable.
Can't Join This Group?
We’d love for you to join us in a future class. Share your ideal schedule below so we can open new spots that actually work for you.
FAQ
Beginner 1 is designed for adult learners aged 18 and over who are starting French from scratch or returning after a long break. You’ll build a strong foundation while learning to speak, understand, read, and write French from the very beginning.
Not at all. Beginner 1 is designed for complete beginners and anyone looking to start again with a strong foundation. We’ll guide you step by step from your very first words in French.
Yes. Beginner 1 is taught primarily in English so you can clearly understand explanations and build strong foundations from the start. You should be comfortable enough in English to follow lessons, ask questions, and participate in class.
Every class takes place live on Zoom. You’ll learn, practice, ask questions, and speak with your teacher and classmates in real time every week.
Yes. Classes are small and interactive, giving every student regular opportunities to speak, ask questions, and receive feedback. You’ll participate throughout the lesson and continue practicing during the dedicated 30-minute Speaking Lab.
Every session ends with a dedicated 30-minute Speaking Lab, where you use the French you’ve just learned in guided conversations. You might introduce yourself, talk about your daily routine, describe your family, or ask simple questions about everyday life. There’s no new grammar, just dedicated time to speak, receive feedback, and build confidence while everything is still fresh.
This course is led by one of our trained Hello French teachers. Cécilia joins selected sessions focused on pronunciation and culture, and students also receive access to an exclusive Cécilia Drop-in or Masterclass during the course.
Live classes take place on Zoom, while your interactive digital coursebooks, lesson recaps, assignments, whiteboards, cultural resources, and available recordings are housed in your private Google Classroom.
Recordings are provided when available and added to your private Google Classroom for personal review. You’ll also have access to that week’s lesson materials, interactive digital coursebook, whiteboards, and resources. Course materials remain available for up to 30 days after the program ends.
Each week, you’ll receive an interactive digital coursebook connected to your live lesson. It includes self-correcting grammar exercises, vocabulary flashcards, listening activities, and guided writing practice designed to reinforce what you’ve learned in class. Your Google Classroom also includes lesson recaps, class notes, curated cultural content, and additional resources connected to each week’s theme.
Yes. The course takes place entirely online, so students can join from anywhere in the world.
Check the class time carefully before enrolling to make sure the schedule works in your time zone.
Yes. Eligible customers can split their payment at checkout using Affirm, ShopPay or PayPal, depending on your preferences and eligibility.
If you contact us at classes@hellofrenchnyc.com:
14 days or more before your course begins:
You’re eligible for an 80% refund or full credit toward a future cohort.
7 to 13 days before your course begins:
You’re eligible for a 50% refund or credit.
Fewer than 7 days before your course begins:
Your booking is final and non-refundable because of the limited class size and scheduling.
Once the course begins, you’ll retain access to the course materials and available recordings according to the program access period.
By booking, you agree to our Lessons Terms & Conditions for group classes.