French · Columbia University
Although I had taken French in the past, I often felt that the learning was rushed and that I lacked a strong foundational understanding of the language. Professor Bournery’s Elementary French I course completely changed that. Over the semester, I built a solid foundation in French grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. I now feel confident in identifying and recalling vocabulary, conjugating verbs in the present, past, and futur proche tenses, and expressing myself in writing and conversation at a beginner level. The pace and structure of the course allowed me to learn deeply rather than just memorize, and I now feel much more prepared to continue studying French.
My pronunciation skills improved and I learned how to speak and write a lot of french which I can use in my daily life. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2022 Course: FRENUN1102_003_2022_3-ELEMENTARYFRENCHII : FRENUN1102_003_2022_3 - ELEMENTARY FRENCH II Instructor: Eric Matheis
I learned how to better communicate in French, practicing speaking about various topics, such as politics in France. I also improved my abilities to understand movies and stories in French.
We learned many new verb tenses and other variations of french
Just less assigned homework. If the homework every-night took 10-15 minutes, not 30+ minutes, it would be much more manageable. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Fall 2021 Course: FRENUN1102_004_2021_3-ELEMENTARYFRENCHII : FRENUN1102_004_2021_3 - ELEMENTARY FRENCH II Instructor: Eric Matheis
I learned how to use indirect and direct object grammar in french which was very difficult to get used to, but I eventually got the hang of it. I also learned how to conjugate in new ways such as imperfect, conditional, and subjective.
The teacher was absolutely amazing! So kind and generous. I learned more french in this class than I did for 4 years in highscool.
I would absolutely recommend this course to other students, especially those who want to build a solid foundation in French. Even if you’ve taken French before and feel unsure about your basics, this class is a great place to start fresh. Professor Bournery creates a supportive, engaging, and low-pressure learning environment that makes a big difference, especially for beginners. The course is well-paced, and while it does require consistent effort, the progress you make is incredibly rewarding. 1 Columbia University: Arts & Sciences Spring 2025 Course: FRENUN1101_006_2025_1-ELEMENTARYFRENCHI : FRENUN1101_006_2025_1 - ELEMENTARY FRENCH I Instructor: Alexandre Bournery
Vocabulary, sentence structure, different verb tenses
It's very difficult to learn a language over zoom