French at UMA

08/03/2026

HUM 350: Franco-Americans: Cultural Identity in Context

Fall 2026 (starts September 3rd)
1:00-3:00 p.m. on Thursdays via Zoom (with an asynchronous section)
You do not need any background in French to take this course—it is taught in English

Do you want to learn more about the history and culture of Franco-Americans in New England?
Are you interested in reading memoirs, short stories, and plays by Franco-American authors?
Do you want to be part of a course that connects you to the greater Augusta community?

fulfills upper-level writing intensive elective and/or Humanities course

Course will include visits from members of the Franco-American community whose works we are reading in class, a creative writing memoir piece in which you explore your own background, and a final project in which you will connect with a member of the Franco-American community and help to document the history of Maine. This course is part of the French minor at UMA.

For more information, contact Chelsea Ray at [email protected].

07/25/2026

Ready to take your French to the next level? UMA and AATF-Maine are once again hosting our French Immersion Weekend — a full day of workshops, conversations, and culture, all en français!
When: Saturday, November 7th (optional dinner Friday, November 6th and–special this year!--a concert of African music and dancing afterwards!)
Where: UMA, Augusta Campus
Who: Intermediate, Advanced and Heritage speakers welcome (you must have taken at least one year of college or two years of high school or equivalent)
Cost: $90 for students (full- and part-time). $125 for community members (scholarships available); $40 for Friday night dinner
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to immerse yourself in French language and culture right here in Maine. Workshops include cooking, music, art, games, and more — with an authentic full-day immersion experience.
Register now: https://uma.edu/frenchimmersion

04/20/2026

Looks like a great event on April 21st! Zoom and in person.

You’re invited to join us for Culture in Motion: Stories We Carry, a university-wide celebration of the experiences, traditions, and stories that shape who we are. You can join us in person on the Augusta campus in the Fireside Lounge or via Zoom!

03/19/2026

ATTENTION AUX PROFS! AATF-Maine vous invite à participer à la conférence de printemps, qui aura lieu le samedi 28 mars, à l'Université du Maine à Augusta. Le thème est.... “Apprenez en lisant des histoires de nos communautés francophones voisines”.
Click for the detailed program. Envoyez un email à Nathalie Gorey pour plus d'informations ou pour s'inscrire: [email protected]

We are accepting registrations until Wednesday, March 25th at the latest.

*** We have decided to offer a hybrid version. There will now be the opportunity to attend the conference (all or some of it!) via Zoom. Please register and mention the format you would prefer.

03/19/2026

Bonjour, new French classes are opening up both at UMA and the Alliance française du Maine. A multilevel FRE 103 conversation course at UMA runs for 7 weeks on Thursdays 4-5:30 p.m. on Zoom, starting March 26th. It is multilevel, so you are never behind! FMI contact [email protected]
The Alliance is holding numerous events for the month of March...check out this link for events and classes starting! There is a special event on the UMA campus featuring a fictionalized work on Acadian history on March 28th at 3:00 p.m. FMI on this and other events:

Our Mission The Alliance Française du Maine (AFDUME) is an energetic educational and cultural 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to the promotion and appreciation of the French language in Maine. Through high-quality language instruction, cultural programming, film screenings, inc...

02/27/2026

Want to learn more about Acadian culture in a work of fiction? Hoping to test your listening skills in French?
Venez à cet événement intéressant à propos de ce nouveau livre qui se concentre sur la culture acadienne!

10/23/2025

AMAZING SHOW ON OCTOBER 24TH!

Click link below for Zoom link. You can join on Friday anytime after 5 p.m.

I'd love to see you this one woman multi media show on Friday, October 24th 5:15-6:45 p.m. It will be in person on the Augusta campus with appetizers starting at 4:30 p.m. (come and meet me!) or on Zoom. Wonderful show about overcoming adversity! It will show in New York City later this fall, as it was selected to be part of a prestigious film festival! DON'T MISS IT. This should will not be recorded to watch later.

“Learning to Swim” is a powerful multi-media one-woman show, written and performed by Nargiz Alizada, that showcases one woman’s search to find her own voice. Breaking free of the societal and cultural constraints of the Soviet Union and navigating love and loss while dealing with the challeng...

10/15/2025

Come to UMA for an amazing one woman multimedia show that will be featured at a festival in New York City this fall!

“Learning to Swim” is a powerful multi-media one-woman show, written and performed by Nargiz Alizada, that showcases one woman’s search to find her own voice. Breaking free of the societal and cultural constraints of the Soviet Union and navigating love and loss while dealing with the challeng...

10/15/2025

Join us next year if you weren't able to this year! MARK YOUR CALENDARS: it will held on the UMA campus Nov. 6-7th.

More than 90 French speakers from across Maine filled UMA’s Augusta campus with lively conversation, laughter, and learning during this year’s French Immersion Weekend. The annual event, held Oct. 4, brought together students, teachers, and community members of all ages for a full day of speakin...

09/18/2025

TEN SPOTS LEFT! Please share with your networks. Deadline to sign up: September 23rd
PARLEZ-VOUS FRANÇAIS? Want to have fun and meet other people trying to improve or retain their French? The annual French immersion weekend is at UMA, Oct. 3rd-4th! There is a full day of immersion on Saturday, October 4th and an optional dinner on Friday, October 3rd at Le Club Calumet. Check out the website. You need two years of high school or one year of college French, or equivalent, to participate. VENEZ TOUS!
https://www.uma.edu/academics/programs/french/events/

This year, we are offering wonderful and interactive workshops on topics such as: African storytelling, Franco-American culture in Augusta, yoga, cooking Jambalaya, visiting Quebec, songs, games, and more!

The deadline to sign up is September 23rd–don’t wait!