French Classes for Complete Beginners
Looking to start your French journey? You are in the right place!
The Alliance Française de St. Louis offers a wide range of French classes for learners of all levels - from complete beginners on up. Most classes are available as hybrid classes, which can be taken in person or remotely over Zoom - whichever works best for you.
Our teaching staff is composed of highly qualified French instructors of native language proficiency. We welcome all students of French and aim to offer fun and effective classes for your learning journey.
Class Levels
Classes are structured into one of five levels: A1 (Beginner), A2 (Advanced Beginner), B1 (Intermediate), B2 (Independent), and C1 (Proficient). These levels correspond to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), an international standard for describing language proficiency. If you’d like to know your level, please take our free placement test!
Tuition & Enrollment
Adult classes are arranged in eight-week terms. Classes meet once per week for two hours and are $280 per eight-week term ($17.50 per hour of instruction).
We have a total of six terms in a calendar year with a two-week break in the summer and winter.
Classes are offered on a variety of days and times - morning, afternoon, and evening.
Membership & Textbook
In addition to tuition, an annual membership is required. Memberships are $50 for an individual or $80 for a family. Students currently enrolled in a local university may receive 50% off an individual membership.
You will also need a textbook. Our classes use the Tendances books, which are $58 for the textbook/workbook combo. Your book will last you an entire level (roughly one year).
2024 Adult Class Schedule
Please note: beginning in 2024, we are shifting all classes to eight-week terms (from the previous six-week terms).
Term 1: January 8 - March 2
Term 2: March 4 - April 27
Term 3: April 29 - June 22
Summer Break (Closed): June 24 - July 6
Term 4: July 8 - August 31
Term 5: September 2 - October 26
Term 6: October 28 - December 21
Winter Break (Closed): December 23 - January 4
How to Enroll
Complete Beginners
If you are a complete beginner, check our course listings to see if there is an A1.0 complete beginner class posted.
If there is not, please contact us to inquire about the next complete beginners class. We typically start a new beginners class every other term.
If You Have Some Experience
If you already have some experience with French, please take our free online placement test. We will reach out to you as soon as we receive your results to determine which classes best suit you.
View Our Full Class Offering
If you already know what you are looking for or would like to browse our full schedule, head to our Enroll Online page.
You will notice that each class is labeled by their CEFR level (A1, B2, etc.) and followed by a second number. The second number describes which chapter in the book the class is currently in. Therefore, A1.5 is a Beginner class in the 5th chapter of the book. This helps you to know how progressed the class is within their level.
Purchase a 4-class pass for our Casse-Croûte classes, which take place every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 12:00pm to 1:30pm.
Passes are just $68 for 4 classes. If you are already enrolled in another regular class at the Alliance Française, you also receive a discounted rate of $38 for 4 tickets.
Please Note: Our Wednesday classes are suspended for Term 5 but will be returning in Term 6.
Monday 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 1
Instructor: Francis
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Saturdays 12:00pm - 2:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 1
Instructor: Aliru
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Tuesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 1
Instructor: Dominique
Wednesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire A2
Instructor: Aliru
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Thursdays 4:00pm - 6:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 2
Instructor: Aliru
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Tuesdays 5:30pm - 7:30pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire A2
Instructor: Hélène
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Wednesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Tendances A2
Instructor: Francis
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Mondays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 2
Instructor: Marko
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Thursdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 2
Instructor: Jenna
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Thursdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 2
Instructor: Hélène
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Mondays 9:00am - 11:00am
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Alter Ego+ A2
Instructor: Stephanie
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Tuesdays 5:00pm - 7:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 3
Instructor: Francis
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Saturdays 10:00am - 12:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Tendances A2
Instructor: Marie-Claire
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Mondays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 3
Instructor: Morgan
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Wednesdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Tendances B1
Instructor: Isabelle
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Mondays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 3
Instructor: Aliru
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Wednesdays 9:00am - 11:00am
Zoom Only
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Cosmopolite 3
Instructor: Stephanie
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Tuesdays 1:30pm - 3:30pm
In-Person Only
$304 / 8-week term
No textbook required
Instructor: Myriam
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Mondays 4:00pm - 6:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
No Textbook
Instructor: Isabelle
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Tuesdays 10:00am - 12:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
No textbook required
Instructor: Isabelle
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Saturdays 10:00am - 12:00pm
In-Person Only
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Tendances B2
Instructor: Myriam
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Mondays 10:00am-12:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Instructor: Isabelle
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Tuesdays 9:30am - 11:30am
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Cosmopolite 5
Instructor: Stephanie
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Thursdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
No textbook required, professor-provided materials
Instructor: Isabelle
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31
Do you have questions about adult French classes? Please do not hesitate to contact us!
Thursdays 6:00pm - 8:00pm
In-Person and Zoom
$304 / 8-week term
Text: Inspire 1
Instructor: Aliru
Now enrolling for Term 5 of 2026, which starts August 31