The French Club

Description:
Are you preparing for your B2-level French test? This free online event is tailored for non-Canadians aiming to achieve B2 proficiency in French. Whether you’re preparing for the DELF exam or meeting language requirements, this session will help you:

• Master advanced grammar and vocabulary.
• Build confidence in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Practice with real-life test exercises and mock exams.
• Improve fluency with personalized feedback and strategies.

Details:

• Maximum participants: 15
• Cost: Free. Some students are already taking private lessons with me on Italki, and they need to take a B2-level exam in a few months. Other people find me here on MeetUp, and end up taking private lessons. Of all the types of people I am assisting, this group of people who need to take a B2-level exam soon, is the group with the most urgent need. At the same time, their ability to work in Canada is often limited. Therefore, I have decided to not ask a fee for this group meeting, until June 1st, 2025.
• Who can join: Non-native French speakers only, as space is limited.

How to Join:

• RSVP on Meetup to confirm your spot.
• Only confirmed participants will be admitted. If you are on the waitlist on MeetUp, you won't be allowed in the Zoom meeting. And if your Zoom name does not match your name on MeetUp, you won't be allowed in the Zoom meeting.
• Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
• Password: galaxy

Attendance Policy:
No-shows prevent others from participating. If you RSVP and don’t attend without canceling, you’ll be removed from future events to prioritize active participants.

About Me:
Since March 2020, I’ve taught French to over 550 students from around the world, delivering 3,850+ online lessons. For testimonials and more info, visit my teacher's profile.
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721

Whether you’re kind of fluent or still finding your way, this fun and relaxed session will help you practice and improve your French through grammar tips, conversations, role-playing, and more.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you succeed.

François Normandeau

________________________________________________________

### A1 Level: The Basics

1. Articles and Gender

• Definite (le, la, l’, les) and indefinite articles (un, une, des).
• Understanding masculine and feminine nouns.

2. Subject Pronouns

• Je, tu, il/elle/on, nous, vous, ils/elles.

3. Present Tense of Regular Verbs

• Conjugating -ER, -IR, and -RE verbs in the present tense.

4. Common Irregular Verbs

• Être, avoir, aller, faire, vouloir, pouvoir, and devoir.

5. Adjectives: Agreement and Placement

• Gender and number agreement (petit/petite, petits/petites).
• Adjective placement (most follow the noun, but some precede it: beau, vieux).

6. Possessive Adjectives

• Mon, ma, mes, ton, ta, tes, etc.

7. Basic Negation

• Using "ne...pas" around verbs.

8. Question Formation

• Using intonation, "est-ce que," and inversion (e.g., Où habites-tu ?).

9. Numbers, Dates, and Time

• Cardinal and ordinal numbers, days, months, and telling time.

10. Prepositions of Place

• À, de, dans, sur, sous, devant, derrière, etc.

***

### A2 Level: Expanding Basics

11. Reflexive Verbs

• Daily activities (e.g., se lever, se laver).

12. Passé Composé

• Forming the past tense with avoir/être and past participles.

13. Imparfait

• Describing ongoing past actions and conditions.

14. Future Proche

• Expressing near future actions (aller + infinitive).

15. Imperative Mood

• Giving commands and advice.

16. Partitive Articles

• Du, de la, de l’, des (e.g., Je bois du café).

17. Pronouns: Direct and Indirect Objects

• Le, la, les / lui, leur.

18. Comparatives and Superlatives

• Plus...que, moins...que, aussi...que, le/la/les plus.

19. Relative Pronouns: Qui and Que

• Joining sentences (e.g., La femme qui parle…).

20. Basic Adverbs

• Placement and usage (e.g., souvent, toujours, bien).

***

### B1 Level: Intermediate Grammar

21. Pronominal Verbs in the Past

• Reflexive verbs in passé composé (e.g., Je me suis levé).

22. Conditional Mood (Présent)

• Expressing wishes, hypotheses, and polite requests (e.g., Je voudrais…).

23. Subjunctive Mood (Basics)

• Common expressions requiring subjunctive (e.g., Il faut que…).

24. Relative Pronouns: Dont, Où

• More complex sentence connections (e.g., Le livre dont j’ai besoin…).

25. Passive Voice

• Forming the passive with être + past participle.

26. Y and En Pronouns

• Replacing places and quantities (e.g., J’y vais, J’en mange).

27. Future Simple

• Expressing actions further in the future (e.g., Je partirai).

28. Complex Negation

• Ne…plus, ne…jamais, ne…rien, etc.

29. Expressions of Quantity

• Beaucoup de, peu de, assez de, etc.

30. Connecting Words

• Conjunctions like parce que, puisque, alors, donc, cependant.

***

### B2 Level: Advanced Grammar

31. Subjunctive Mood (Advanced Use)

• Nuanced use with emotions, doubts, and conjunctions (e.g., Bien que, pour que).

32. Past Conditional

• Expressing hypothetical past actions (e.g., J’aurais aimé…).

33. Reported Speech (Discours Indirect)

• Shifting tenses when reporting (e.g., Il a dit qu’il viendrait).

34. Relative Pronouns: Lequel, Auquel, Duquel

• More precise sentence linking.

35. Complex Relative Clauses

• Using ce qui, ce que, ce dont.

36. Gerund (Gérondif)

• Expressing simultaneous actions (e.g., En marchant, je pense…).

37. Prepositions with Infinitives

• Common combinations (e.g., décider de, commencer à).

38. Inverted Questions (Formal)

• Advanced question structures (e.g., Que fait-il ?).

39. Nuanced Comparisons

• Expressions like d’autant plus que, moins…que.

40. Hypothetical Sentences (Si Clauses)

• Si + présent/futur, imparfait/conditionnel, plus-que-parfait/conditionnel passé.

***

### Nationally Recognized Tests in Canada

These tests are used across Canada for various purposes, including immigration, academic admission, and professional certification:

1. DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française)

• Recognized globally, including in Canada, for academic and professional use.
• Certifies B2-level French proficiency as an independent user.

2. TEF Canada (Test d'Évaluation de Français)

• Specifically recognized by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration and citizenship applications.
• Tests listening, speaking, reading, and writing at different CEFR levels, including B2.

3. TCF Canada (Test de Connaissance du Français)

• Similar to TEF Canada but conducted by another organization (CIEP).
• Accepted by IRCC for immigration applications.

4. TFI (Test de Français International)

• Assesses French proficiency for business and professional contexts.
• Recognized in Canada for specific academic and workplace evaluations.

5. DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française)

• Although primarily for C1 and C2 levels, some candidates progress to DALF after B2 certification.

6. ECL (European Consortium for the Certificate of Attainment in Modern Languages)

• A standardized test for several European languages, including French.
• Offers B2-level certification recognized in some Canadian institutions.

***

### Specific Tests in Quebec

These tests cater to Quebec's unique requirements for immigration and professional purposes:

1. TEFaQ (Test d'Évaluation de Français adapté pour le Québec)

• A version of the TEF tailored for Quebec's immigration programs.
• Focuses on oral comprehension and expression.
• Required for Quebec Experience Program (PEQ) and other immigration processes.

2. TCFQ (Test de Connaissance du Français pour le Québec)

• A variant of the TCF, customized for Quebec.
• Assesses oral proficiency for immigration and PEQ applications.

3. OQLF French Exam (Office québécois de la langue française)

• Required by certain professional orders in Quebec to certify French proficiency.
• Tests oral and written French for professionals seeking to join regulated professions.

4. SEL (Service d'Évaluation Linguistique)

• Administered by the Quebec government to evaluate French language skills for specific programs or professional orders.

***

### Which Test Should You Choose?

• For Canadian Immigration (IRCC): TEF Canada or TCF Canada.
• For Quebec Immigration (PEQ, CSQ): TEFaQ or TCFQ.
• For Academic Admission: DELF or DALF.
• For Professional Certification in Quebec: OQLF French Exam or SEL.

Each test evaluates listening, speaking, reading, and writing to varying degrees. The choice of test depends on your purpose, such as immigration, academic requirements, or professional certification.

80-min French Talk :
Practice French with Speakers from Around the World

This week's theme :
"Practicing, practicing, practicing while having fun... " :)
Maximum : 8 participants

This is a free online event.
No registration elsewhere is required.

If you are a native French speaker: we kindly ask you not to join,
as space is limited and our focus is assisting learners.

1st Note:

10 minutes before the group meeting, I make a list of the names
I can see on MeetUp, as confirmed participants (not on the waitlist).

When the Zoom call starts, I only allow the names I can recognize
on Meetup.

If your Zoom name does not match what you are using on MeetUp,
you won't be allowed in the group meeting.

ONLY confirmed participants (on the MeetUp event's page)
will be allowed in a group meeting.

2nd Note:

This Meetup group has a strict "failure to show up & cancel" policy.
See the bottom of this page for more details.

***

Hello! :)

Since March 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching French to 520 students from many countries, delivering more than 3,700 French lessons, online.

Here is the link to my teacher's profile on Italki :
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721

Whether you're just starting out or you can speak somewhat easily or with some difficulty, this is a fun and relaxed way to practice and improve your French.

This event is focused on fostering a good and interesting conversation
among a range of speakers who have a different level of French
and are based in different countries.

We’ll spend 80 minutes, having a group conversation, online, via a Zoom call.

The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
The password is: galaxy
These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.

NOTE:
As of January 1, 2025, all group meetings offered by The French Club
will be fee-based, using this fee schedule:
80-minute group meetings: $8 CAD per person per meeting,
payable 24 hours ahead of time, in order to secure a spot.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

François Normandeau

***

A Note on Attendance:

One common issue with Meetup events is no-shows. This prevents others from joining, as space is limited to a small number of participants.

If you RSVP and don’t attend without canceling, you will be removed from future events in order to prioritize those who actively participate.

Thank you for understanding and for helping create a positive and rewarding experience for everyone.

80-min French Talk :
Practice French with Speakers from Around the World

This week's theme :
"Practicing, practicing, practicing while having fun... " :)
Maximum : 8 participants

This is a free online event.
No registration elsewhere is required.

If you are a native French speaker: we kindly ask you not to join,
as space is limited and our focus is assisting learners.

1st Note:

10 minutes before the group meeting, I make a list of the names
I can see on MeetUp, as confirmed participants (not on the waitlist).

When the Zoom call starts, I only allow the names I can recognize
on Meetup.

If your Zoom name does not match what you are using on MeetUp,
you won't be allowed in the group meeting.

ONLY confirmed participants (on the MeetUp event's page)
will be allowed in a group meeting.

2nd Note:

This Meetup group has a strict "failure to show up & cancel" policy.
See the bottom of this page for more details.

***

Hello! :)

Since March 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching French to 520 students from many countries, delivering more than 3,700 French lessons, online.

Here is the link to my teacher's profile on Italki :
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
or https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721

Whether you're just starting out or you can speak somewhat easily or with some difficulty, this is a fun and relaxed way to practice and improve your French.

This event is focused on fostering a good and interesting conversation
among a range of speakers who have a different level of French
and are based in different countries.

We’ll spend 80 minutes, having a group conversation, online, via a Zoom call.

The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
The password is: galaxy
These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.

NOTE:
As of January 1, 2025, all group meetings offered by The French Club
will be fee-based, using this fee schedule:
80-minute group meetings: $8 CAD per person per meeting,
payable 24 hours ahead of time, in order to secure a spot.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

François Normandeau

***

A Note on Attendance:

One common issue with Meetup events is no-shows. This prevents others from joining, as space is limited to a small number of participants.
If you RSVP and don’t attend without canceling, you will be removed from future events in order to prioritize those who actively participate.

Thank you for understanding and for helping create a positive and rewarding experience for everyone.

French Talk : Practice French with Speakers from Around the World

This week's theme :
"Practicing, practicing, practicing while having fun" :)

Maximum : 8 participants

This is a free online event.
No registration elsewhere is required.

If you are a native French speaker: we kindly ask you not to join,
as space is limited and our focus is assisting learners.

1st Note:

10 minutes before the group meeting, I make a list of the names
I can see on MeetUp, as confirmed participants (not on the waitlist).

When the Zoom call starts, I only allow the names I can recognize
on Meetup.

If your Zoom name does not match what you are using on MeetUp,
you won't be allowed in the group meeting.

ONLY confirmed participants (on the MeetUp event's page)
will be allowed in a group meeting.

2nd Note:

This Meetup group has a strict "failure to show up & cancel" policy.
See the bottom of this page for more details.

***

Hello! :)

Since March 2020, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching French to 520 students from many countries, delivering more than 3,700 French lessons, online.

Here is the link to my teacher's profile on Italki :
https://www.italki.com/F_Normandeau
or https://www.italki.com/en/teacher/7237721

Whether you're just starting out or you can speak somewhat easily or with some difficulty, this is a fun and relaxed way to practice and improve your French.

This event is focused on fostering a good and interesting conversation
among a range of speakers who have a different level of French
and are based in different countries.

We’ll spend 60 minutes, having a group conversation, online, via a Zoom call.

The zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5456313643
The password is: galaxy
These are the Zoom login details for all events by this group.

NOTE:
As of January 1, 2025, all group meetings offered by The French Club
will be fee-based, using this fee schedule:
60-minute group meetings: $6 CAD per person per meeting,
payable 24 hours ahead of time, in order to secure a spot.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

François Normandeau

***

A Note on Attendance:

One common issue with Meetup events is no-shows. This prevents others from joining, as space is limited to a small number of participants.
If you RSVP and don’t attend without canceling, you will be removed from future events in order to prioritize those who actively participate.

Thank you for understanding and for helping create a positive and rewarding experience for everyone.