READ TO SPEAK FRENCH
A 6-week French speaking workshop built around an inspiring French book
Two groups: A2–B1 & B1–B2 • 6 live Zoom sessions • 60 min/week • Max. 4 learners • €149
Next A2–B1 group: 4 November 2026 • Wednesdays, 4–5 pm (Paris time)
Turn the French you understand into the French you can actually speak.
Read a short section before class, then use it to share ideas, tell stories, react and speak more naturally in French.
80% speaking · 20% targeted support
Le French Café · Read to Speak
Read a complete French book over six weeks. Between sessions, read the next part at home. In class, talk about what happened, react to the characters and use expressions from the book in your own French.
How much support do you need when you speak French?
I can answer simple questions, but I need help saying more.
Follow Manon and her grandfather. With sentence starters, retell a scene, explain how a character feels and talk about a memory of your own.
Tuesdays, 5:15–6:15 pm · Paris time
Starts 12 January 2027
12, 19 and 26 January · 2, 9 and 16 February 2027
I can hold a conversation and want to speak more spontaneously.
Retell one of Nicolas’s adventures, explain why it made you laugh and use expressions from the story to tell an anecdote of your own.
Thursdays, 5:15–6:15 pm · Paris time
Starts 14 January 2027
14, 21 and 28 January · 4, 11 and 18 February 2027
Between levels? Ask Muriel which group suits you.
Read at home. Read the next part between sessions and finish the book by the end of the workshop.
Discuss it in French. With Muriel’s guidance, retell the key events, talk about the characters and share your reactions with the group.
Make the expressions your own. Pick out useful phrases from the book, practise saying them and use them to talk about your own experiences and opinions.
Includes session recordings, PDF materials and access to the French Café 20/80 community.
“I especially loved the fact that we learned through reading a French novel, then used what we learned in real conversations.”
Sue · USA
“Muriel’s patience and guidance made me feel comfortable speaking, even when I made mistakes.”
Faith · United Kingdom
You read the book in stages between sessions. Each week, we discuss the part you’ve read and build on it as the story develops.
You’ll receive the recording and PDF materials so you can catch up.
You’ll receive a French–English vocabulary guide for each session, with simple explanations of unfamiliar or colloquial expressions.
Meet Muriel, your French coach
I’m Muriel, a French teacher with over 10 years of experience helping learners communicate in French. My 20/80 approach focuses on useful language you can put into practice straight away.
In our small group, I help you find the words, build your answers and reuse expressions from the story. You’ll receive clear corrections and time to practise, even when you hesitate or make mistakes.
This is not a traditional French course and not a literature class. The book is simply a tool to help you activate your French, learn useful expressions in context, and start speaking more naturally.
Two groups are available: A2–B1 and B1–B2.
Choose A2–B1 if you can make simple sentences about familiar topics but need support to build your answers and keep going. Choose B1–B2 if you can already sustain a conversation and explain an opinion, and want more detail, nuance and spontaneity.
If you are B1, choose according to how much speaking support you need. A1 / A1+ learners should first build an A2 speaking foundation. Perfect grammar is not required.
Unsure? Contact Muriel before enrolling to check which group suits you.
No. Each week, we focus on short chapters selected for the workshop. You don’t need to understand every word. We use the story as a starting point for conversation.
Each session is recorded, and you will receive the recording as well as the PDF materials.
Because speaking requires time. With a maximum of 4 participants, everyone has the opportunity to share ideas, practice, and receive personalized guidance.
LE FRENCH CAFE
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