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Current Events
French Affaires offers travel, culture, cuisine, and language events
designed to enchant the most ardent Francophiles, the first-time-to-France
traveler, and everyone in between. Check with us regularly on our
class offerings--there is always something new to discover about France!
Join our French Affaires Weekly email list to be notified about
upcoming events, classes and trips (see sign-up form at the left).
New! Sign up online via credit
card. See register buttons for details.
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- French Affaires French Cookbook Club New series in 2012!
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French Cuisine & Culture Workshops
Great food and great dining are a way of life in France. Join us as we explore both French culinary techniques and the cultural traditions that accompany them in the French Affaires French Cuisine & Culture Workshops for 2012.
This special program provides the opportunity for participants to learn hands-on culinary techniques from a variety of instructors and to discover the customs, background, etiquette, and language of French food culture. Perfect for novices and more experienced cooks alike, each session will focus on a particular aspect of French cuisine with a user-friendly hands-on workshop, cultural discussions, food tastings and more. Sign up for a particular workshop to deepen your experience with the culinary life of France. For optimum benefit, class size is limited. Advance registration is required.
 French Cuisine & Culture Workshops New!
WORKSHOP: "The Art of French Afternoon Tea"
Thursday, January 19, 2012 - ** SESSION FULL **
Thursday, February 23, 2012 - SPACES AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME
"With their innate sense of style and sophistication, the French elevate even the simple act of taking tea to an art form." From the book French Tea: The Pleasure of the Table by C. Manchester
Tea has a long and wonderful history in France, even though many still think of it as a primarily British custom. In fact, one could say that today the French do afternoon tea better than the British. From savory tastes to sweet treats and pastries to the array of nuanced and flavorful teas, French afternoon tea is a special and memorable event.
Join us for this insightful, hands-on workshop where we'll explore the cultural aspects of taking tea in France, prepare several savory and sweet tea-time dishes, and of course, taste several teas from the world-class French tea company Mariage freres. On our French afternoon tea menu - Smoked salmon with dill cream on toasts; Goat cheese tartelettes with sun dried tomato, herbs & pine nuts; Normandy caramelized apple cake; Chocolate madeleines; French classic lemon tart; and French brioche with condiments. We'll also discuss some of the best tea salons - salons de thé - in Paris so you will have a "French Afternoon Tea Guide" ready for your next trip!
The cost is $75 per person and includes the French afternoon tea culture discussion, hands-on savory & sweet preparation workshop, all recipes, Mariage freres teas direct from Paris, and the French afternoon tea experience.
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Date: |
Thursday, January 19, 2012 - ** SESSION FULL **
Thursday, February 23, 2012 - SPACES AVAILABLE |
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Time: |
2 to 4:30pm |
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Cost: |
$75 |
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Location: |
Central Dallas location provided upon registration |
WORKSHOP: "French Food Market Tour"
DATE TBD
If you love French food and French cooking techniques, then get the most out of your culinary efforts with this special workshop focused on stocking your pantry the French way. Though it takes more effort to find real French and French-style ingredients in the U.S., it can be done. Our "French Food Market Tour" will help identify fantastic fresh produce, wonderful French gourmet items & dry ingredients, special French cheeses at all price points, French charcuterie from the deli department, French wines worth drinking & cooking with, and more. Our class includes tastings and recipes so you will walk away ready to create your own French kitchen.
The cost is is $TBD per person and includes the French food & wine tour, accompanying shopping guide with pantry recommendations, & tastings. This tour is limited to 8 participants. Advance registration is required.
| Date: |
Spring, 2012 |
| Time: |
TBD |
| Cost: |
TBD |
| Location: |
Central Market - Dallas, TX |
Past 2011 Workshops:
"Spotlight on French Vinaigrettes"; "French Baguettes & Breads" with Empire Bakery; "French Happy Hour: The Art of the Apéritif"; "Cooking School Provence: How to Shop, Cook & Eat the Southern French Way" with SMU's Continuing Studies Program & Central Market Dallas Cooking School
French Cookbook Club 2012
"French Chefs Cooking"
French Affaires is introducing a new twist on the classic book club idea with our 'French Cookbook Club.' Every quarter, we will read and cook our way as a group through a specially chosen French-themed cookbook. We will gather for a seated dinner to taste our recipes and enjoy an evening of great French cuisine, wines and food conversation. It will be a unique chance to get to know French cookbooks already in your library or to add to your cookbook collection as the French Cookbook Club continues. And of course, it will be a festive occasion to make friends with other gourmets interested in French cuisine and l'art de vivre.
Our French Cookbook Club theme this year is "French Chefs Cooking." The chefs are French yet the cookbooks are in English, making it easy to cook our way through authentic French culinary terrain. And the combination of classic cookbooks and new offerings makes our French Cookbook Club even more interesting. Sign up now as spaces are limited!
French Chefs Cooking: Recipes & Stories from the Great Chefs of France, Edited by Michael Buller
I Know How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot
The Provencal Cookbook: Shop, Cook & Eat Like a Local by Gui Gedda and Marie-Pierre Moine
French Bistro Seasonal Recipes by Bertrand Auboyneau & Francois Simon - New in 2012
| Dates: |
Full program details coming soon |
| Time: |
6:30 TO 9PM |
| Cost: |
$35 per session plus your recipe |
| Location: |
Central Dallas location provided upon registration |
French Affaires Book Series 2012 
Do you love books about France and the French? So do we! Join us for our unique French book club as we meet quarterly to read and discuss books on French culture, art, cuisine, wine, language, and travel. Our meeting locations and hosts tie to each month's book theme which makes our gatherings and events especially rich.
At each event, we'll enjoy French themed food and beverages and hear from our hosts / speakers about their 'French connection' to our book. Then French Affaires founder Dr. Elizabeth New Seitz will facilitate a lively discussion about our book selection. And we’ll close with French Affaires' signature "If you liked this book, then you'll also like..." Whether or not one has finished the book, our book club gathering is interesting, informative and delicious. Perfect for any Francophile wanting to enjoy casual conversation in English about great books on France and the French.
New Series Coming Soon!
French Language & Culture Classes
Our offerings get at the heart of communicating well in French - both in language & in the culture. Here's what some recent class attendees had to say about their French Affaires language class:
"Our group from your class just got back last night from our trip to Europe, most of which was in France. We had a ball and owe a lot of our success to your class. The French were great. They just light up when you greet them and bounce a 'Bonjour' back. It's really an ice breaker. And sure enough, we always had to ask for the check which you taught us...Thanks again for all the tips on visiting France. It really helped."
Beth & Don M. (June, 2010)
French Affaires' language and culture classes run for 4-week sessions to make them an easy fit into busy schedules and calendars. Upon class completion, we break for a week or two and then start back up with another 4-week series. For details on the variety of courses offered, please see the class descriptions below.
Beginning French Part 1 ** Full **
Learn the basics of French in this beginning French series taught by French Affaires' founder Dr. Elizabeth New Seitz. We will have fun covering key French words and phrases, essential pronunciation, and beginning language structures while mastering real cultural situations. And we will use what we are learning to actually communicate in authentic situations.
Our class sizes are small to ensure an optimum language learning experience. Come prepared to absorb, participate and learn the essential elements of the French language in a supportive environment. Please note that this course is designed for those who have had little to no French instruction prior to joining our group.
Cost: The class fee is $95 per person and includes all language instruction, cultural lessons, special handouts, and personalized language coaching. Advance registration is required. Payment by check or credit card. Class text: Ultimate French Beginner-Intermediate by Living Language (ISBN 1400009634); available at Amazon.com. NOTE: Please be sure to bring a copy of our book to our first class meeting!
| Date: |
4 Wednesdays - January 25, February 1, 8 and 15, 2012 |
| Time: |
6 to 7:15pm |
| Cost: |
$95 per person |
| Location: |
Paper & Chocolate boutique - A bit of French flavor in Dallas! 5460 West Lovers Lane, Suite 236 (behind Inwood Theatre), Dallas, TX 75209 |
Beginning French Class - Ongoing
We'll continue learning the basics of French in this beginning French series. We'll have fun covering key words and phrases, essential pronunciation, and beginning language structures while mastering real cultural situations. Our class sizes are small to ensure an optimum language learning experience. Come prepared to absorb, participate and learn the essential elements of the French language in a supportive environment.
Please note that this class is designed for those who have already taken beginning French classes with French Affaires and/or who have had some French in college or high school. Class size is limited for maximum effectiveness. Cost: The class fee is $95 per person and includes all language instruction, cultural lessons, special handouts, and personalized language coaching. Advance registration is required. Payment by check or credit card. Class text: Ultimate French Beginner-Intermediate by Living Language (ISBN 1400009634); available at Amazon.com. NOTE: Please be sure to bring a copy of our text to our first class meeting!
| Date: |
If you are interested in this course, please email us at info.french@frenchaffaires.com ASAP, and we will set up a custom class based on everyone's availability beginning the week of January 23. Class format runs once a week for 4 weeks. |
| Time: |
TBD |
| Cost: |
$95 per person |
| Location: |
TBD |
Intro to French Conversation New! ** Full **
By popular request! This class is being offered for those who are in that "in-between place" with their French...You have had a fair amount of language instruction in college or high school and have taken in the building blocks of French. But you find yourself needing a little help to begin to string phrases and sentences together to make "conversation."
In this introduction to French Conversation class, we'll communicate in real time in French with plenty of structure and input so you can proceed with confidence. Using authentic French topics for our conversation efforts, you'll learn more about the culture while increasing your ability to speak the language. Our class sizes are small to ensure an optimum language learning experience. Come prepared to absorb, participate and learn the essential elements of the French language in a supportive environment.
Please note that this class is designed for those who have already learned the basics of French in college or high school or in France. Cost: The class fee is $95 per person and includes all language instruction, cultural lessons, special handouts, and personalized language coaching. Advance registration is required. Payment by check or credit card. Class text: Read & Think French: Discover French Culture & Master the French Language (ISBN 0071702334); available at Amazon.com. NOTE: Please be sure to bring a copy of our book to our first class meeting!
| Date: |
4 Mondays - January 23, 30, February 6, and 13. If you are interested in this class, please email us at info.french@frenchaffaires.com. Class format runs once a week for 4 weeks. |
| Time: |
6 to 7:15pm |
| Cost: |
$95 per person |
| Location: |
Central Dallas location |
Advanced French Conversation Class ** Full **
We'll enhance your French language skills in this class devoted to French conversation and fluency. With other France lovers, Dr. Elizabeth New Seitz will lead discussions on current, interesting French topics based on short authentic readings in French--these readings are provided as part of the class. Practice communicating in French while adding to your French vocabulary and strengthening your French grammar.
In each class, we'll also include a short grammar review related to our conversation topic using the text The Ultimate French Review & Practice. Our goal is to build confidence as well as conversational ability in French--and to also stay current on contemporary French culture. Class size is limited for maximum benefit.
Cost: The class fee is $95 per person and includes all guided conversation, language instruction, grammar review, cultural lessons, special handouts, and personalized language coaching. Advance registration is required. Payment by check or credit card. Class text: The Ultimate French Review & Practice: Mastering French Grammar for Confident Communication SECOND EDITION WITH CD-ROM (ISBN 0071744142); available at Amazon.com. NOTE: Please be sure to bring a copy of our book to the first class meeting!
| Date: |
4 Mondays - Jan 23, 30, February 6, and 13. If you are interested in this class, please email us at info.french@frenchaffaires.com. Class format runs once a week for 4 weeks. |
| Time: |
7:30 to 9pm |
| Cost: |
$95 per person |
| Location: |
Central Dallas location |
Travel French: Top 10 Keys to Having a Great Time in France ** Full **
Join us for this four-part class specifically devoted to traveling in France! We'll cover the following key language and culture topics that will make your time in France easy and rewarding:
- Greetings
- French Etiquette
- Markets
- Shopping
- Museums
- Hotels
- Taxis & Public Transport
- Restaurants
- Travel Logistics
- Money & Tipping
- How to choose the best French guidebooks & phrasebooks
This content-rich course focuses on key French expressions, cultural expectations and etiquette related to each of these areas. We'll discuss how to navigate these French travel situations and topics and spend time practicing the relevant French language to make your interactions with French people successful and even fun!
You will walk away with specific tips and strategies about traveling well in France and also the confidence to really enjoy your time there. Dr. Elizabeth New Seitz will lead our "Travel French" class experience, and our class size is limited for optimum learning. Please note that this class is conducted primarily in English with practice in French.
Class fee: The cost is $115 per person and includes all class instruction, complete handouts, and personalized travel coaching. Bring your France travel questions! Advance registration is required. Payment by check or credit card.
| Date: |
UPDATED!! 4 Wednesdays - January 25, February 1, 8, 15, 2012 |
| Time: |
7:30 to 8:45pm |
| Cost: |
$115 per person |
| Location: |
Paper & Chocolate boutique - A bit of French flavor in Dallas! 5460 West Lovers Lane, Suite 236 (behind Inwood Theatre), Dallas, TX 75209 |
French Pronunciation Clinic New!
Join us for this new four-part class specifically devoted to pronouncing French with a real French flair!
In a fun and not-too-technical format, we'll participate in special targeted exercises, drills and readings to quickly enhance your French prounciation skills and to help shed that American accent. Whether you've taken just a bit of beginning French, majored in it in college or spent loads of time trying to speak in France, you will immediately notice positive results and feel much more confident interacting in the French language.
Dr. Elizabeth New Seitz has taught French to Americans for over 20 years and will lead our "French Pronunciation Clinic" experience. The class size is limited for optimum learning and personalized coaching. Class fee: The cost is $95 per person and includes all pronunication instruction and exercises, cultural lessons, complete handouts, and personalized pronunciation coaching. Advance registration is required. Payment by check or credit card.
| Date: |
Spring, 2012 |
| Time: |
TBD |
| Cost: |
$95 per person |
| Location: |
TBD |
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