Children's courses with Madame Wafa
We offer weekly French classes seasonally throughout the year for children 5-10 and youths 11-14.
Courses are taught by Madame Wafa Elhajj, a mother, grandmother and long-time children’s teacher who instructs adults and newcomers to Canada at Université Sainte-Anne. All classes are online using Microsoft Teams. There are Introduction to French courses offered, a Storytelling/Reading class for those who already have some French, and a Les Histoires story course for Immersion and francophone students. Sessions are offered in eight to 10-week blocks, with a maximum of 10 per class.
During the Summer, Intro to French classes take place primarily during the week, and most classes are 50 or 55 minutes long and last eight or nine weeks in total.
QUICK COURSE COST REMINDER: More than one child registered = Half price (See details in Registration below)
- Weekly Learn French courses (Intro 1-5; Intermediate 1-2; Pilot class - 45 minutes weekly, 10 wks, 7.5 hours): $85 for session
- NEW Accelerated Learn French classes twice weekly (Intro 2 & Intro 3 - 1 hour 30 weekly, 10 wks, 15 hours): $170 for session
- Weekly Story classes (Reading class 5-10 or 11-14 / Les Histoires 5-10 or 11-14 - 30 minutes weekly, 8 wks, 4 hours): $60 for session
* Those who completed a minimum of Intro 2 can take both a 'Story' & 'Learn French' class /
(Immersion students & francophones would enrol for the all-French 'Les Histoires' class).
Course descriptions
Beginner
Intro 1
This introductory course designed for young learners starts with the basics. Children will learn concrete skills such as the alphabet, numbers, important vocabulary and how to introduce oneself while building blocks such as the first-person forms of the verbs être and avoir, and themes like family members and the weather are intertwined. Each 45-minute class begins with a revision of the previous week’s material. Games, songs, stories from the Paul et Suzanne series and class activities from the children’s learning program Alex et Zoé are also incorporated.
The class is in English, with some French.
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Intro 1 FUNdamentals Refresher (not offered every session)
(For those who took Intro 1 with us more than five months ago, or those needing a bit more preparation before Intro 2):
Important elements such as vocabulary and grammar from the Intro 1 class are reviewed, and more preparation for Intro 2 is added.
The class is in English, with some French.
- Session duration: 8 weeks
- Class duration: 30 minutes (4 hours total)
- Cost: $60
Intro 2
(For those who finished Intro 1 ready to enter Intro 2):
Learners continue with the key verbs être and avoir, and later explore some common verbs. Students present themselves to others, talk about likes and dislikes, add more themed vocabulary and practise basic questions.
The class is in English, with some French.
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Intro 3
(Those who successfully finished Intro 2 are eligible for the next level):
This class picks up where Intro 2 left off. Students are encouraged to add more vocabulary, phrases and conversation skills through French readings and activities. Idiomatic expressions of emotion like ‘J’ai faim’ et ‘J’ai soif’ are introduced, as well as descriptive adjectives such as ‘Je suis grand(e).’
English and French.
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Intro 4
(For those who successfully completed Intro 3 and are ready to take the next step):
The articles "le, la, les" and "un, un, des" are discussed in greater detail. The expression "Est-ce que je peux" is added to practise asking questions in-class. Regular ER verbs, and adjectival phrases such as "Elle a les yeux bleus" are used in a "Guess Who?" format to promote better detailed comprehension and speaking.
French and English
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Intro 5
(For those who successfully completed Intro 4 and are ready to take the next step):
This is the last level in our Intro to French 1-5 Beginner learning cycle. There is an emphasis on vocabulary, themes and the incorporation of key verbs such as faire and jouer with prepositions to describe sports, music, daily tasks and professions. The importance of the verb aller is reviewed, before students use it to practise forming the future tense in conversation. Useful connecter phrases, the seasons, time, travel and French countries are introduced, as well as a revision of clothing, housing, animals and preferences as learners gradually progress to expressing themselves orally in complete phrases and reading paragraphs in the target language. Those who finish this class are ready for the Intermediate level.
French and English
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Accelerated
Twice-weekly "Learn French" classes. Not available in shorter Summer sessions.
Intro 2 & 3
This accelerated course covers both the Intro 2 and Intro 3 levels during the session. With twice-weekly classes, the first half of the session covers the Intro 2 level, while the last half is for Intro 3.
This course is more intensive, as it offers twice as much French as the once-per-week classes.
French and English
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 2 x 45/50 minutes weekly (15 hours total)
- Cost: $170
Students have the option of choosing either a weekly course, or the twice-weekly classes, when registration opens.
As usual, all possible classes proposed depend upon registration. If there is enough interest, we can offer the once-weekly courses for students for whom that option works best, as well as the accelerated, twice-weekly classes for other students who prefer that. Registration for all classes is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Intermediate
Intermédiaire 1
This course is the entry point into the intermediate level. The class begins with a revision of some of the key elements learned during the Beginner stage. As the course continues, students will continuously encounter previously acquired grammar points and themes, with a goal of integrating them more seamlessly into their everyday French-language habits.
Students in Intermédiaire 1 will learn the forms of politeness in French, more masculine and feminine objects, and the difference between key expressions C’est / Ce sont et Il y a. Vocabulary will include professions, stores and buying items, countries and the prepositions they require as well as a possible project on a country, and a focus on the main group of verbs ending in ER.
French and English
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Intermédiaire 2
The first class begins with a revision of the previous level, and each class starts with a quick recap of previous work before moving on to other material. Students will continue with the geography theme from Intermédiaire 1, this time with a focus on cities and the prepositions required, as well as the countryside. The difference between prepositions for towns, cities and countries with the verb aller will be looked at, and students will talk about where they prefer to go on vacation.
Different clothing items and sizes will be discussed, and a shopping element will reintroduce food and supermarkets. A possible project idea will be creating a recipe. Learners will tackle the reflexive verbs, as well as giving orders and commands. Students will practise reading a text with questions as the focus continues shifting toward the more difficult oral component necessary for gradually including grammar and vocabulary in everyday spoken French.
French and English
- Session duration: 9 or 10 weeks
- Class duration: 45-50 minutes (7.5 hours total)
- Cost: $85
Story Classes
Story class: (English/French: Minimum of Intro 2 required)
(Prerequisite: Minimum of Intro 2):
Each weekly class includes a mix of stories, songs and some revision of elements learned in previous levels.
The class is in English, but with French stories.
- Session duration: 8 weeks
- Class duration: 30 minutes (4 hours total)
- Cost: $60
Les Histoires de Madame Wafa
(Storytelling class for Immersion/francophone students):
Digital books from the well-known Paul et Suzanne series are a key source. Videos, songs and activities for youngsters are included.
(All in French)
- Session duration: 8 weeks
- Class duration: 30 minutes (4 hours total)
- Cost: $60
Important notes
New students, or those who have not attended at least one of our previous two sessions, can contact us for an assessment before classes start at
- Students must complete a minimum of 6 of 10 classes in Winter (or 5 of 9 in Summer or Fall) in the Introduction to French courses to qualify for the next appropriate level.
- Parents who would like to arrange individual tutorials can contact us at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. about our expanded turorial program for youth. - Each course plan is flexible and may be modified during the session according to student need and the number of weeks. Texts, notes and exercises will be provided in class
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Joining Classes Online with Microsoft Teams
All courses are offered online using the Microsoft Teams platform. All you need is a headset, microphone and camera. After you register and once your course has been confirmed, your teacher will send you a link for the session by email shortly before classes start. To participate from a computer, just click on the link that your teacher sent. (Please enter the email address to be used to send you the login information at time of registration).
Make-Up Dates
In the event of any cancelled classes, a make-up one will be held. Students will be consulted and informed in advance of an alternate date.
This session, there are NO CLASSES on Friday, April 3; or Monday, April 6. Make-up classes have been added
Specification
| Course Details | |
|---|---|
| Registration End | 2026-02-16 |
| Registration Start | 2026-01-12 |
Registration
To register more than one child
Parents registering multiple children should contact us to request a coupon code before proceeding. Additional children receive a 50% rebate for registration.
When registering more than one child please update your course selection and/or the child's name and then click the "Add to cart" button again. You can add as many as required to register each child to each course. When you view your cart, you should see each course as a separate item, once for each child. For example, if you have 2 children, and each are being registered to 2 courses, you will need to add the course 4 times: once per course per child. Your cart should likewise contain 4 items. If not, please return to this page to add the missing registrations.
Confirmation: You will receive a verification of payment, and later an email from the university confirming registration. Once a course is confirmed, you receive another email shortly before class begins with more details.
Cancellation policy: Once your class is confirmed, there will be a $10 administrative fee for withdrawals by 9 a.m., Monday, March 2, 2026. After that date, there are no refunds.
REMINDER: All class times listed are for the Atlantic time zone
(11 a.m. Atlantic = 10 a.m. Eastern / 9 a.m. Central; 8 a.m. Mountain / 7 a.m. Pacific - BUT 11:30 a.m. in Newfoundland)
