Transparent Language

French for Library Professionals Course

Better serve French-speaking patrons at your library with this free 11-unit French course for librarians, staff, and volunteers working in a library!

You'll be ready to speak confidently in French about library services like:

Issuing library cards

Using computers & printers

Finding & checking out materials

Registering for library programs

*If your library subscribes to Transparent Language Online, create an account via your library's website. Trial accounts end in 14 days (but will gladly be extended on request).
French Course for Librarians on desktop and mobile

 

 

French for Library Professionals Course Syllabus

The course is completely flexible! You can as much or as little as you need based on your current French abilities and your library responsibilities. Feel free to learn it all, or to skip units or lessons that you do not need.

Unit 1 of 11
Issuing library cards
Conversation
Issuing a library card to a patron
Vocabulary
Filling in forms Meeting and greeting
Grammar
Definite articles Subject pronouns
Unit 2 of 11
Discussing library resources
Conversation
Telling a patron about available resources, from books to e-resources
Vocabulary
Library materials & resources Translation facilitation Personal pronouns
Grammar
Yes or no questions Indefinite articles
Unit 3 of 11
Finding library materials
Conversation
Helping a patron track down a specific book and locate it inside the library
Vocabulary
Locations within a library Book genres Making polite conversation
Grammar
Plural nouns The verb "être" (to be)
Unit 4 of 11
Checking out & returning materials
Conversation
Helping a patron check out materials and explaining how to access materials online
Vocabulary
Check out and returns Online holds and renewals Numbers
Grammar
Past tense with avoir
Unit 5 of 11
Using library computers & printers
Conversation
Helping a patron use a library computer and print a document
Vocabulary
Computer terms Printer terms Office supplies
Grammar
Possessive adjectives Demonstrative adjectives
Unit 6 of 11
Accessing e-resources
Conversation
Telling a patron about available e-resources for audiobooks, research, language learning, and more
Vocabulary
Types of e-resources Creating accounts Common verbs
Grammar
Interrogative words Asking questions with "quel" and "lequel"
Unit 7 of 11
Discussing adult programs
Conversation
Practice introducing adult programs like adult English classes and use dates and times to explain when they meet.
Vocabulary
Types of adult programs/events Registering for events Times of day
Grammar
Adjective placement Present tense reflexive verbs
Unit 8 of 11
Discussing book clubs
Conversation
Promoting an upcoming book club meeting based on a book a patron is checking out
Vocabulary
Registering for events Days of the week
Grammar
Formality: "tu" vs. "vous" Expressing quantity with "tout"
Unit 9 of 11
Summer reading program
Conversation
Explaining the Summer Reading Program to a patron checking out a book for her daughter
Vocabulary
Summer reading program terms Months
Grammar
Prepositions of place Present tense "-ir" verbs
Unit 10 of 11
Storytime
Conversation
Helping a patron sign up his children for storytime
Vocabulary
Storytime terms Registering for storytime Common adjectives
Grammar
Describing situations with "il y a" Common idioms with "avoir"
Unit 11 of 11
Explaining library policies
Conversation
Answering a patron's questions about the library's rules and policies including library hours
Vocabulary
Library hours Library rules Asking the time
Grammar
Pointing out things with "c'est" and "il est" Imperative

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