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High School French

Which French class should I start with?

Check the Reference Guide


This quick reference guide can help you decide which class to start with, depending on your high school French experience. Note that these are recommendations, which you can confirm with other factors explained below and by consulting with the French Adviser.

Use the Add/Drop period at the start of each BYU term/semester


The chart below offers recommendations. Start where you feel comfortable and try out a French section during the add/drop period of your first semester. You may change to another section or course if you feel like your original selection is not the right fit.

Placement using the Laser


If you are unsure about your class placement, the Center for Language Studies offers a self-evaluation device called the LASER. This test collects information about your French schoolwork and immersive experiences while collecting writing and speaking samples. It provides a recommendation for where you should start according to your language ability, but it requires a faculty evaluator. Learn more about this assessment on the Center for Language Studies website.

  • Recommended course: French 101

    This course aims to help students:

    • Comprehend French as they hear and read authentic language relating to familiar topics;
    • Speak French well enough to satisfy immediate needs;
    • And write short messages and well-articulated sentences in French on familiar topics.

  • Recommended course: French 101 or French 102

    French 101 and French 102 aim to help students:

    • Comprehend French as they hear and read authentic language relating to familiar topics;
    • Speak French well enough to satisfy immediate needs and handle a variety of simple communicative tasks in basic social situations;
    • Write short messages and well-articulated sentences in French on familiar topics, as well as sentences and texts related to personal experiences and common events.

  • Recommended course: French 102 or French 201
    French 102 is a continuation of French 101. French 201 is Intermediate French, Part 1.

    French 102 aims to help students:

    • Write well-articulated sentences and loosely connected texts related to personal experiences and common events;
    • Comprehend French as you hear and read authentic language relating to familiar topics;
    • Speak French well enough to handle a variety of simple communicative tasks in basic social situations.

    French 201 aims to help students:

    • Improve your ability to use French in real-life situations and for real-life purposes;
    • Create elaborated utterances and group them into paragraphs and narratives;
    • Broaden vocabulary for both reception and production;
    • Review and increase understanding of basic language structures;
    • Discuss in French selected current events and cultural practices of various francophone regions of the world.

  • Recommended course: French 201
    French 201 is Intermediate French, Part 1. It focuses on reading, writing, conversation, vocabulary building, and reviewing grammar.

    French 201 aims to help students:

    • Improve your ability to use French in real-life situations and for real-life purposes;
    • Create elaborated utterances and group them into paragraphs and narratives;
    • Broaden vocabulary for both reception and production;
    • Review and increase understanding of basic language structures;
    • Discuss in French selected current events and cultural practices of various francophone regions of the world.
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Click below for more detailed course information from the University Catalog.

Explore French Courses