Two new French classes for adults and home-schooled teenagers will be offered at the Damariscotta Baptist Church in Damariscotta beginning the fourth week of January. Taught by Margot Stiassni of Edgecomb, both classes are designed to helping each student relax and progress at his/her own pace while gaining fluency and confidence. Gently encouraging students to learn through active participation, Stiassni involves students in structured and open-ended conversations, movement and games while helping them refine their pronunciation. French music and slides of France enhance cultural learning and language usage. Both classes provide home practice activities, including listening comprehension and pronunciation development. French textbooks and internet websites complement class instruction.

Voyageons! (Let’s Travel!) is an introduction to French with a focus on travel expressions and cultural tips for beginning students and more experienced students who want to review in preparation for travel. The course covers topics including how to ask for directions, rent a car, buy train tickets and much more. It meets Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m. beginning Jan. 26.

Parlons Ensemble! (Let’s Speak Together!) offers an immersion conversation experience to advanced beginners and intermediates. Students will improve and enjoy their French conversation skills, while learning new expressions and cultural tips, plus enjoy cultural vignettes of French regions, art, music and cuisine. Parlons Ensemble begins Thursday, Jan. 25, from 10-11:30 a.m. Like Voyageons, it runs for eight weeks.

Both courses include one class session of French cooking (and eating!) and possibly a French movie night. For more information and to learn which class best meets your needs, call Margot Stiassni at 882-7593 or email her at domusic@gwi.net.