Learn French your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Darcy C. - Chicago French Teacher

One of the perks of living in a big city is the resources it can offer. Chicago in particular is an extremely diverse city, so if you’re interested in taking French lessons, you’re in a great place! The trick is to find opportunities to get out there and practice; and in the Windy City, there are many different ways to practice speaking French, meet French or Francophone people, and experience French culture. Find what’s right for you, and give it a try!

Improve Your Language Skills The Alliance Française de Chicago is a French cultural and learning center where you can take language classes and attend workshops on topics like global communication (“Voulez vous tweeter avec moi?”) and French cooking classes. Those with memberships are granted access to additional opportunities, like weekly conversation groups for different-level speakers and check-out privileges at the largest private French library in the Midwest. You can also sign up for their newsletter to receive invitations to a variety of events. http://www.af-chicago.org/app/homepage.php

If you find their prices a bit steep, another option is L’École Française Chicago. The École is explicit about its commitment to maintaining affordable rates and also offers language and cultural workshops, though not as often. http://www.lef-learn-french.com/

Meet People and Practice Even if you ace your French lessons in Chicago, your French is likely to slip away without some practice on your part. Chicago has several Meetup groups for French speakers of various levels. Google “Chicago French Meetup groups,” and take your pick! Need an incentive to put your inhibitions aside? Check out the Groupe Professionel Francophone, a more official group that meets on the last Thursday of each month over cocktails and tasty treats. http://gpfchicago.org/

Volunteer Another great way to meet other people and practice speaking French is by volunteering! World Chicago, an organization that offers programs for visitors to the United States, often needs French-speaking guides for tour groups or bilingual help at events (http://www.worldchicago.org/). These opportunities can be fun and extra-enriching on both a linguistic and cultural level, since they provide a chance to speak with people from a variety of French-speaking countries.

You can also keep tabs on the Lycée Français de Chicago, the French private school, which has opportunities to volunteer at annual events such as the Fall French Market, a fundraiser known as “La Soirée,” summer camps, and more throughout the year. http://www.lyceechicago.org/

Experience French Culture Everyone knows one of the best parts of French culture is the food! Make your way to the Chicago French Market, a year-round indoor marketplace open Monday to Saturday, to sample all kinds of French fare from wine and cheese to crêpes and crème brûlée. You can find nearly 30 specialty vendors at 131 North Clinton, or, if you are coming into the West Loop on the Metra, you can enter from right inside the train station.

I would be remiss not to mention the famed Art Institute of Chicago, which houses one of the largest collections of Impressionist paintings in the world. Study up on Monet, Renoir, Toulouse-Lautrec and all the others, then create your own classy field trip to see the famous works. Be sure to note the Art Institute’s special events and free days for Illinois residents, too! http://www.artic.edu/

Read in French If you’re a reader, take a few hours to explore one of Chicago’s foreign language bookstores. Powell’s Books in Hyde Park is one with a large selection of books in French and other languages. A Chicago-based online shop called Lectures de France allows customers to purchase French books online and pick them for free at their Chicago office. Get a French translation of a favorite book, or try some French children’s books like the popular Petit Nicolas series for a manageable read. (Bonus points if you read aloud!)

Whatever You Choose, Keep it Up! Whether you try a bunch of new things or find one activity you really love while taking French lessons in Chicago, taking advantage of the city’s resources will help you maintain and improve your French between lessons, meet other French students and speakers, and enjoy French culture right here at home. It’s up to you to take charge, and you might even have some fun!