French
with St. Thérèse
Learn Beginning French this summer
...with St. Thérèse of Lisieux!
10 weeks = 1st Semester High School French 1
What Will We Cover?
You are invited to discover the beauty and delight of French language and culture accompanied by St. Thérèse of Lisieux and the saints of France! ⚜️
We will enjoy ten lovely summer weeks together learning beginning French in a fun and friendly online classroom. Part "pilgrimage in place," part "conversation club," this experience will provide a solid and systematic overview of foundational language skills while weaving in the enchantment and elegance of the land of ballet, Monet, macarons, and medieval cathedrals. ⚜️
A rich experience of language, culture, and spirituality
This will be a rich, integrated experience of language, culture, and spirituality surpassing anything you could gain from a language app or "French for Travelers" CD set (remember those?). We will learn the building blocks of language typical of the first semester of high school French 1. In addition to common verbs, grammar, and vocabulary, we'll learn about French art, history, cuisine, and pilgrimage sites. By the end of the course, you'll have the Hail Mary memorized en français, you'll have the confidence to ask for directions and order at a café, you'll be able to write and translate basic sentences in the present tense, and you'll grow in spiritual intimacy with the Little Flower and other sister saints from France.
Who Is This Perfect For?
This course is perfect for Catholic women, homeschool families, and anyone who's ever thought they'd like to learn French someday.
Perhaps you are planning a pilgrimage to France and want to prepare.
Or, perhaps you just returned from one and want to extend the experience.
Maybe you love French culture and you're seeking to inspire your summer with French flair.
Or maybe you're a savvy homeschool mom looking to give your eighth grader a running start on her high school academics, or ease the load of your tenth grader's upcoming school year--while also nurturing her heavenly friendship with the Little Flower.
No prior French language experience is necessary.
Adults, high school students, and advanced middle school students are warmly welcome to join.
Homeschool families wish to count this course on their students' high school transcripts, but no official institutional credit will be given by the instructor.
Who is Your Teacher?
Bonjour!
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sarah Bartel, and I'm a Catholic theologian, mother of five, and an intimacy and marriage coach. With my husband, Nathan, I am the co-founder of the CanaFeast.com Catholic marriage ministry. I have a minor in French from Gonzaga University, and I spent a year studying in Paris at l'Institut Catholique and La Sorbonne. Before becoming a mom, I taught French in classrooms at the middle school, high school, and college levels. Later, I used my French language skills in my dissertation on St. Thérèse and her domestic church. In early May of 2026, I had the joy of leading a dream-come-true women's pilgrimage to France.
On a personal note, two of my homeschooled daughters wanted to learn French this summer. My rising 10th and 8th grade mademoiselles asked me to teach them in a structured and fun way, and together, we came up with the idea to create an online course open to others as well!
It would be my joy to have you on this French learning journey with me and my girls this summer.
Bienvenue!
The Details
⚜️
When
Wednesdays at 10 am Pacific / 1 pm Eastern
June 10-Aug 12, 2026
Where
Classes will be live on Zoom.
Recordings will be available if you can't make it live.
Textbook and Homework
You will download and print your own beautiful French coursebook, custom-created for this course. You'll correct your own homework with guides that will be provided.
Online quizzes and pronunciation audios will complement your learning.
You will be able to join an online community where you can share posts of your creative projects, ask questions, and cheer each other on!
At the end of class, you will receive a charming, personalized Certificate of Completion to celebrate your success!
Le Menu
Main dish pricing: $249
for enrollment June 4-9th
VIP dessert tier:* $347
*This premium level includes extra 1:1 live support in 3 language lab group calls, to be scheduled, plus asynchronous support by voice memo.
A customized playlist of French music will also complement this premium tier, in addition to surprise bonuses throughout the course.
Everyone will enjoy
10 week online French course
Live instruction once a week (recordings will be available if you can't make it live)
Beginning vocabulary, grammar, syntax and pronunciation
Downloadable coursebook
Catholic saints, prayers and pilgrimage sites
Basic phrases for pilgrims and travelers
French art, culture, and cuisine
Online quizzes and self-corrected homework
And more!