Pack your bags — and your French! French: Language for Travel is a practical A1 course that helps you speak with confidence on holiday or work trips. Over two consecutive Saturdays via Zoom, you’ll practice the phrases that matter through role-plays, guided conversations and real travel scenarios. 

You’ll leave with a “survival French” toolkit: high-frequency vocabulary, clearer pronunciation, and easy strategies to keep talking even when you can’t remember the exact word.  

Why study French at IH London? 

French is one of the world’s most widely spoken languages and an excellent choice for travel, culture and international communication.

At International House London, you’ll learn with expert teachers and dynamic, interactive lessons that help you build real communication skills quickly and naturally — with plenty of guided speaking practice from day one. 

What’s included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes and learning resources 

• Additional self-study materials 

• Ongoing support from experienced teachers 

• Access to exclusive IH London student workshops and events

This course is ideal for learners who want practical French for travel, including: 

• students who have studied very little French but want to use it more confidently 

• beginners who want a focused “holiday French” boost 

• learners who can understand basic French but hesitate when speaking 

• anyone travelling to France or other French-speaking destinations who wants useful language for real situations 

If you’re unsure about your level, we can help you choose the best option. 

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 

Communicate confidently in common travel situations 

You’ll practice French for real-life travel scenarios, such as: 

• greetings, introductions and polite social language 

• checking in/out at hotels and handling common requests 

• ordering in cafés/restaurants (dietary needs, problems, paying) 

• asking for and understanding directions and transport information 

• shopping and making simple enquiries (prices, sizes, tickets, times) 

• dealing with unexpected situations (lost items, delays, health/pharmacy basics) 

Speak more clearly and naturally 

You’ll also build speaking confidence through: 

• key survival phrases and high-frequency vocabulary 

• strategies to keep going when you don’t know the exact word (rephrasing, clarification, “buying time”) 

• pronunciation support for clearer, more intelligible French 

• mini role-plays and speaking tasks to help you respond quickly and naturally 

Explore French-speaking cultures 

Alongside the language, you’ll build cultural confidence through: 

• polite requests and everyday etiquette 

• typical service interactions and communication style 

• practical tips for France and French-speaking destinations 

Course materials: All course materials are shared via SharePoint. You will receive the access link in your welcome email, which is sent 24 hours before the course starts. 

Do I need previous knowledge of French? 
Some basic French is helpful, but the course is designed to support learners who want practical travel language and lots of guided speaking practice. 

When is the course and how long is each class? 
The course runs on two consecutive Saturdays, 10:30–13:00 (UK time), via Zoom. 

Is this course face-to-face or online? 
This is a live online course taught on Zoom. 

What level is the course? 
This course is best for beginners and near-beginners who want practical French for travel. If you’re unsure, we can advise you on the best option. 

Will there be lots of speaking practice? 
Yes. The course is highly practical and includes guided speaking tasks, role-plays and realistic travel scenarios to help you build confidence quickly. 

Do I need to install anything to join the course? 
You’ll need access to Zoom (app or browser). We’ll send joining details before the course starts. 

What do I need for the online lessons? 
A stable internet connection, and a device with a microphone and camera (headphones recommended). You may also want a notebook for quick notes. 

What if I miss a Saturday? 
Because this is a short course, it’s best to attend both sessions. If you miss a class, we’ll share key materials via SharePoint, but we can’t replicate the live speaking practice. 

Can I continue studying after this course? 
Yes! Your teacher can recommend the best next step, such as a general French course or a level-based programme at IH London. 

How will I receive the course materials? 
All course materials are shared via SharePoint, with access provided in your welcome email 24 hours before the course starts. 

Is there a coursebook? 
No fixed coursebook is required — your teacher will provide targeted materials and resources for the course. 

French Level 1 (A0) is a complete beginner course for students who have never studied the language before. If you already have some basic knowledge of French, we recommend taking our placement test or contacting the Foreign Language Department, as a more suitable course may be available for you.   

Our Online French language classes take place via Zoom with a qualified, experienced teacher. 

Classes at IH London are dynamic and interactive as the emphasis is on spoken communication. Lessons are primarily taught in French and include interactive activities like group work and role-plays to boost confidence and fluency. Our courses help you use French in everyday situations, while building core skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 

After Level 1, continue your learning with Level 2 and beyond. Progression is based on your class participation and self-study—there are no formal tests. To help you better understand our level system, check our level chart. 

What do you need for an online class? 

To get the most from this course you will need: 

• A reliable internet connection 

• A desktop computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone 

• A web camera on or attached to the device you are using 

• An integrated microphone in the device you are using or an attached headset 

• The day before your course, you will be sent via email all the details you need to connect to the IH London Zoom classroom 

What’s Included in your course? 

• Lesson summaries, notes & resources 

• French study tips 

• Additional study resources 

• Support from experienced teachers 

• Exclusive workshops and events to IH London students 

By the end of your course, you should be able to: 

• Introduce yourself and others and exchange basic personal information 

• Ask and answer simple questions about nationality, language, and contact details 

• Express likes and dislikes and engage in basic social interactions 

• Use the present tense of être and avoir, and apply simple grammar structures (articles, pronouns, negation) 

• Understand and use numbers, dates, and vocabulary related to family and personal interests 

• Recognise and use formal and informal language appropriately in everyday situations 

• Gain cultural awareness of naming customs and social conventions in French-speaking contexts 

Materials 

Required Coursebook: 
Mon Alter Ego 1 – Livre de l’élève A1 – Celine Himber, Catherine Hugot & Monique Waendendries 

Publisher – Hachette  

ISBN 978-2017153139 

Unit 1 

Please note we might not cover all activities during the course. You can buy your coursebook via our website with a link shared with you in your welcome email. 

French Kickstart is a new live online course for complete beginners who want to start speaking French in a short, practical format. 

In just 4 Saturday mornings, you will build confidence with the basics of everyday French through live teacher-led lessons, interactive activities, and guided speaking practice. The course is designed for people who are new to the language and want a friendly, achievable introduction without committing to a long programme or following a traditional coursebook. 

Lessons focus on useful communication from the start. You will learn how to introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions, and manage short everyday interactions in French. 

Course format 

• Duration: 4 weeks 

• Schedule: Saturdays, 10.00–11.30 

• Delivery: Live online 

• Level: Complete beginners 

• Materials: Teacher-created materials, no coursebook required 

Why choose French Kickstart? 

• study with a trusted and internationally recognised language school 

• learn in a live online classroom with expert teacher support 

• enjoy a short and manageable format designed for busy adults 

• build confidence through practical speaking-focused lessons 

• make clear progress in just 4 weeks 

This course is for complete beginners who want a clear and motivating introduction to French. 

It is a good fit for: 

• adults who have never studied French before 

• learners who studied a little French a long time ago and want to start again from the beginning 

• people looking for a short course before committing to a longer programme 

• busy learners who want a focused and manageable course on Saturday mornings 

• anyone interested in learning practical French for everyday situations, travel, or general interest  

This course may be especially useful if you want to: 

• try French for the first time 

• build confidence speaking in a supportive group 

• learn through communication rather than a traditional coursebook 

• see quick progress in a short period of time 

This course may not be the right choice if you already have a solid foundation in French and can already hold basic conversations. In that case, a higher-level course would be more suitable. 

Do I need any previous knowledge of French? 

No. This course is for complete beginners. 

Is there a coursebook? 

No. The course uses teacher-created materials, so you do not need to buy a coursebook. 

How are the lessons taught? 

Lessons are taught live via Zoom by a teacher and include interactive activities, guided speaking practice, and focused language input. 

How much study is expected outside class? 

We recommend short practice between lessons to help you review and remember what you learn in class. These tasks are designed to be manageable and supportive. 

Will I be speaking in class? 

Yes. The course is designed to help you start using French actively from the beginning, so there will be regular speaking practice in a supportive environment. 

What will I be able to do by the end of the course? 

By the end of the 4 weeks, you will be able to introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions, and manage short everyday interactions in French with more confidence. 

What happens after French Kickstart? 

French Kickstart is designed as a first step. After the course, you can continue with our follow-on course, French Kickstart 2, to build on what you have learnt. 

Who is the course suitable for? 

The course is aimed at adults (18+) who want a short, practical introduction to French in a live online format. 

Why not try out a sample beginners French lesson before signing up to a full course? These one-off sessions are aimed at students who have never studied the French language before. 

Sample Lesson Plan

• Greeting people
• Introducing yourself and someone else
• Asking and giving personal details (name, nationalities, profession, age, phone number, date of birth)