Haitian Creole classes meet once per week for a 2-hour lesson*. At each level, the program length is 8 weeks. We offer levels 1 to 6 and beyond.

HIGHLIGHTS: Experienced and qualified teachers, structured teaching, communicative approach, and measurable results.

TEXTBOOK: Pawol Lakay. The textbook is not included in the price.

While we use the prescribed textbook throughout the course, the lesson plans exhibit teacher’s experience and the adaptability skills in view of the classroom's changing needs.  We believe that using a textbook yields the best results for beginner and intermediate students. Therefore, it’s advisable to buy the prescribed textbook(s). They also provide explanatory information that may be useful for a questioning adult student and for homework.

SOME OF THE TOPICS COVERED AT EACH LEVEL
For further details/course descriptions, contact: creole@merrimacklanguage.com

Haitian Creole Level 1: This beginner-level course is designed for students with little to no prior knowledge of Haitian Creole. Using the Pawòl Lakay textbook, students will build a strong foundation in pronunciation, essential vocabulary, and everyday communication while exploring Haitian culture and traditions.

What you'll learn:

• Master Haitian Creole pronunciation and spelling.
• Use common greetings and everyday expressions.
• Introduce yourself and talk about your family and personal background.
• Ask and answer simple questions.
• Count and use numbers in everyday situations.
• Describe people, places, and common objects.
• Talk about daily routines and activities.
• Build simple sentences using essential grammar patterns.
• Develop practical listening and speaking skills through interactive conversations.
• Gain an introduction to Haitian culture and customs.

Haitian Creole Level 2: This course builds on the skills developed in Haitian Creole Level 1 by expanding students' grammar, vocabulary, and conversational abilities. Using Pawòl Lakay, learners will gain confidence communicating in a wider variety of everyday situations while deepening their understanding of Haitian language and culture.

What you'll learn:

• Communicate about family, work, school, and community life.
• Discuss food, shopping, transportation, and daily activities.
• Ask for and give directions.
• Talk about time, dates, schedules, and appointments.
• Describe past and ongoing events using common verb patterns.
• Express preferences, opinions, and personal experiences.
• Expand vocabulary for real-life conversations.
• Improve listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills through practical activities.
• Explore additional aspects of Haitian culture and traditions.

Haitian Creole Level 3: This course helps students communicate more fluently and confidently in a variety of personal, social, and professional situations. Through continued study with Pawòl Lakay, learners will strengthen their grammar, expand their vocabulary, and develop greater confidence in both spoken and written Haitian Creole.

What you'll learn:

• Communicate using more complex sentence structures.
• Discuss future plans, goals, and personal experiences.
• Express opinions, preferences, and emotions with greater detail.
• Talk about travel, health, education, and current events.
• Read and understand authentic Haitian Creole texts.
• Write short narratives, descriptions, and personal reflections.
• Strengthen listening comprehension through conversations and cultural materials.
• Participate confidently in extended conversations on everyday topics.
• Deepen your understanding of Haitian history, culture, and traditions.