The start of the school year is full of fresh possibilities. Your students are excited, your classroom is buzzing, and you’ve got a head full of new ideas.
Then… you hear it:
“Madame/Monsieur, can we have a French club this year?”
It’s a wonderful request — but let’s be honest. The thought of adding one more thing to your overflowing to-do list might make you want to hide behind your lesson plan binder.
The good news? Starting (or reviving) a French club doesn’t have to mean extra stress. With the right approach, it can be a fun, low-pressure way to share French language and culture with students — and actually give you energy instead of draining it.
Here’s how to make it happen.
1. Choose a Simple French Club Structure and Schedule
Your French club doesn’t need a complicated schedule or a binder full of bylaws. Start with a clear meeting time (once or twice a month works for most) and a theme or focus for each session.
Examples:
French Food Day – Try a snack or dish from the Francophone world.
French Film & Game Night – Watch a short video clip and play a themed game.
Culture Spotlight – Pick a country, city, or holiday to explore.
The simpler it is to prepare, the more likely you’ll stick with it — and enjoy it.
2. Encourage Student-Led French Club Activities
A French club works best when it’s for students and by students. Let them brainstorm topics, plan activities, or even lead parts of meetings.
Not only does this lighten your load, but it also gives students ownership, making them more engaged and excited to participate.
3. Use Classroom Resources and Virtual Field Trips to Francophone Countries
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel (or the croissant) for French club. Many of the activities, games, and cultural lessons you already use in class work beautifully in a club setting.
One of my favorite additions is virtual field trips to Francophone places. They’re engaging, work for all levels, and bring authentic culture into your club without needing to leave the classroom. Whether it’s a Paris bakery, a Canadian sugar shack, or a Moroccan market, these trips spark curiosity and conversation.
4. Keep French Club Fun, Relaxed, and Different from Class
French club isn’t another class — it’s an invitation to explore and enjoy the language in a relaxed setting. Let students move around, talk, and experience French in ways that feel different from their regular lessons.
A relaxed atmosphere will keep them coming back.
Starting a French club doesn’t have to mean more stress on your plate — it can be one of the most rewarding and energizing parts of your school year. With a few simple steps, you can create a space where students connect with French language and culture in a way that feels fresh, fun, and completely worth it.