Your Overijse French classes from Home!
Hi, I'm Chris. The owner of OuiCommunicate French classes for adults.
With over 30 years' living in Overijse, it's fair to say I know it quite well.
My insider's knowledge goes back to the 1980s, when I slowly started to discover every little backstreet and shortcut in this sizeable "commune" of Belgium.
Today, I use this unique local understanding to teach French, with a particular emphasis on helping English speakers living in Overijse and beyond.
First things first: Dutch or French?
As an expat in Belgium, you might already be aware of the two national languages. You might also know that it is Dutch/Flemish that is the ruling language of Overijse. However, where it might seem strange is that Brussels is a stone throw away down the E411 motorway and all of a sudden it’s…French!
This leaves you with a choice that the Belgians themselves face: the perceived “usefulness” of the language you will dedicate time and money to learn.
Indeed, the francophones from Belgium often see more value in learning English than Dutch. Not only for the number for the travel opportunities or the number of countries that use dutch VS English, but also for the perceived possibility of ever being “included” in the Dutch/Flemish culture.
The sticking point of Dutch /Flemish has always been the fact that it is more than a language. It is a cultural belonging that most francophone Belgians find quite watertight. In other words, learning Dutch at conversational level will facilitate exchanges but won’t guarantee inclusion in the Flemish community.
A further issue is that Flemish is strongly slang-based and suffers from a very noticeable shift in pronunciation from one village to the next. The Flemish from Overijse is not exactly the same as in Antwerp or Bruges. And the Flemish heard on the news is not the one spoken in local exchanges.
As a Belgian/Brit who did his formal schooling in Belgium, I was well placed to see that the Nederlands that is taught is not the same as the Vlaams I heard around me for several years in the local Watermolen gym. (when it was still a gym)
It took me considerable efforts to decypher this new language and finally understand that “Hoe laat is het?” (What time is it?) is actually pronounced “Oe laad est?”
Still in my local Overijse gym, a man accused of cheating on his reps by his friend exclaimed “Maa nee ‘keb nie getricht!!” (No I didn’t cheat) Whereas the proper way of saying it is “Ik heb niet gesmokkeld”
In other words, they speak a dialect which even has its own informal spelling and is used in texting or social media exchanges. So unless a person finds themselves an “insider’s course to real Flemish”, chances are they will show up speaking “official” Dutch and not be much more advanced in their Belgian inclusion.
This state of affairs usually leaves expats with the more realistic perspective of learning French – a language that is much more unified and normative. (French does not have different pronunciations, apart from Quebec)
It might not be the most diplomatically friendly language in Overijse but it is one that goes far beyond the local necessities…
Overijse: the hotspot for expats
With Brussels right down the Brusselsesteenweg main road, it is understandable why so many expats settle in Overijse. For many, it is a short-term home while working for Nato or Shape.
As a teenager, I befriended several young expats from the USA and Germany who attended St Johns in Waterloo, the ISB in Boitsfort or the German School in Wezembeek. My mum (a British lady) regularly connected with Americans or Brits for games of tennis at the Panorama club.
Seeing the evolution of Overijse across several decades, I would say that the language situation has undoubtedly gotten easier for expats and less isolating. Twenty years ago, speaking anything but Flemish would have been understood as a direct provocation but things have noticeably mellowed out.
From fearing to get beaten up for speaking French in public (late 80s/90s) to being given the cold shoulder, to the present-day situation where shops will use French and Flemish , Overijse is unrecognizable since my days as a child.
Nowadays you can order at Mc Donalds in three languages. You can shop at Delhaize in French and you can enjoy each and every shop that Overijse has to offer. Be it Kreffel, the Kringwinkel, the numerous chemists and restaurants.
Expats, you don’t know how good you have it!
This change in language tension simplifies the question of French VS Dutch like never before. Whereas 20 years ago, learning French might have been a bit pointless in Overijse it isn’t so now.
Learning French will not only be helpful in shops in Overijse but will certainly find use in Brussels where Dutch/Flemish is used only rarely.
You will also be investing in a language that can carry you far and wide, much further than just Belgium.
As the official language in 29 countries across five continents, including Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, and many countries in Africa the questions answers itself. Yes, French is relevant and yes it is a good investment for anyone’s career.
Become our next "success story"!
The lady in this video is originally from NY and wished for us to help prepare her move to France.
Today, she is fluent and happily lives in France where she meets new people and uses French daily.
The “secret” to her success is nothing more than what we offer you: the same learning material and the same approach.
But don’t take our word for it: read the review she wrote for our Google Business page!
Your very own French experts from Overijse
Although the linguistic tension in Overijse has progressed beyond anything imaginable, there are bridges that still aren’t crossed: Official French classes organized and funded by the commune of Overijse. We remain in Flemish territory and Flemish will remain the priority.
The service I propose to you is a one-of-a-kind, worldwide exclusivity: French classes that combine a deep cultural knowledge of Overijse, Belgium, the English language & culture, the expat community, and American and British culture.
My online school OuiCommunicate is based in the state of Connecticut and specializes in French classes for adults who have English as a first language.
Not only does my unique teaching approach makes it easier for you, I can also act as your cultural guide and concierge while navigating the Belgian landscape.
You will find understanding, kindness and competitive French classes as well as a full online platform with over 30 hours of video and 900 + pages of exercises.
- I am the son of of a British expat and experienced firsthand the challenges of living in Belgium and Overijse as a speaker of English.
- I have over 30 years’ experience in and surrounding Overijse with both my parents still living there for nearly 50 years.
- I have understanding of the Flemish language, frame of mind and culture as well as the francophone side of Belgium.
- I have lived in the UK, the USA and Belgium. I am one of you and I am of of them (Belgium)
- I still regularly visit Overijse to see my parents, my last visit dating from 2025.
- I can explain to you why Overijse is overrun with weeds and why it wasn’t always so, which are the farms, greenhouses and fields that have since disappeared and even how life used to be pre-Euro currency. (Picking up sweets at the Druivenfeest parade was a highlight of the year!)
Let's Get It Done: Your Path to French in a Year.
Each Annual Plan includes full teacher support in addition to the classes
How do my online French classes work?
It’s quite easy: I have two main learning plans. Plan 1 for absolute beginners and Plan 2 for those who can already converse in French somewhat.
I also have the “Start Me Off” for learners who wish for closer monitoring with the presence of the teacher for the first 10 hours or beyond.
Because I have students on different timezones, I offer the possibility of studying French round the clock, by means of pre-recorded classes and downloadable worksheets.
To save on time and costs, students have complete flexibility of booking and only show up for class when they have done some background work.
Classes in Plan 1 are only 20 mins and serve rather as an assessment of your skills and your understanding of various points of French.
The purpose of my French classes is to enable you to become an independent user of French, and an independent learner.We will learn the mechanics that truly hold French together.
Course Description
Our annual plans combine Chris's proven year-long course material with the personalized coaching you need to master 90% of what truly matters in French.
Start Me Off in French ! – 420$ / 10 hours.
- 10 hours of close tutoring by video call with your bilingual French tutor.
- Covers the foundational aspects of French such as pronunciation, the present tense, greetings, asking questions, negative sentences, and more.
- Bilingual explanations from the point of view of a native speaker of English for a clearer understanding of French.
- Easy transition towards our Plan 1 for Beginners
Plan 1 – Beginners – 349$/year.
- Full Access to Chris’s Year-Long Course: Over 30 hours of video instruction & 900+ pages of PDF worksheets guiding you step-by-step through French.
- 20 x 20-minute Personalized Coaching Sessions with Chris: Book these flexible 1-on-1 sessions when you’re ready to apply what you’ve learned and get direct feedback.
- Unlimited Human Support: Chris is available anytime for questions between sessions.
- Your Path to 90% Fluency: Master the essentials and build a strong foundation in just one year.
Plan 2 – Advanced – 325$/year.
For Intermediate Learners Ready to Refine & Speak More Naturally
- Full Access to Chris’s Year-Long Course: Includes all 30 hours of video instruction & 900+ pages of PDF worksheets (same as Plan 1).
- 6 Hours of Personalized Coaching & Conversation with Chris: Focus on advanced conversation, specific challenges, or targeted fluency practice. Use these hours as you wish.
- Unlimited Human Support: Get your questions answered directly from Chris.
- Consolidate & Excel: Take your existing French skills to the next level of natural, confident communication.
Plan 3 – Just our videos – 50$/year.
Access Chris’s Full Video Course – No Coaching Required.
- Access Chris’s Full Video Course – No Coaching Required
Full Access: Use all 30 hours of our condensed video instruction as your main source or as a powerful complement to other learning methods.
- Ideal for: Self-starters, those using other apps/textbooks, or learners seeking extra structured explanations.
Plan 4 – ESL English classes – 325$/year.
Expert English Coaching Tailored for French Speakers
- 6 Hours of Personalized Coaching: Direct instruction designed specifically to address common difficulties for French native speakers learning English.
- Full Resource Access: Includes video resources and PDF worksheets.
- Your Bilingual Advantage: Learn from a native speaker of both English and French who understands your linguistic background.
Everything you need to learn French is all on his website. He assigns tasks to learn and is available anytime for questions before you schedule a meet up. You learn on your own time and only schedule an appointment when you feel like you’ve mastered the lesson plan. So far, I’m just beginning, but Chris has been nothing but encouraging. I have learned more French in the past couple of months than I have learned from a whole year on Duolingo.
(Jason, student – Dayton OHIO)
Book a free Tour!
Interested but not yet sure? You can book a Tour with no preparation through the booking calendar.
Wish to know more? Phone Chris now or send a Whatsapp message to +1 860-339-6480.
No French skills needed!
A word about Overijse...
This page would not be complete without a word about what brought us here in the first place: Overijse, stronghold of the grape!
Over the years, I have seen some changes while other things stayed the same. The Delhaize is still the one that I used to shop at with my mum, the car wash is still there also…the petrol station opposite seems to have fallen into disrepair!
There used to be actual greenhouses in which grapes grew! And a lot more fields and farms too. The Brusselse Steenweg (main road) used to be a 3-lane road infamous for head-on collisions.
Do you know, I still remember the grand opening of the shiny new Mc Donalds? The parking lot has now turned into a jungle or close enough! The Dits “traiteur” is now only sparsely open but used to churn out the cheese and charcuterie like you wouldn’t believe!
They redid the whole town center some years ago. Before that, there wasn’t the ponds and instead there was a bus stop and a sawmill. In the Watermolen, there used to be a gym. Ah, good times!
Overijse was always a commune that housed many expats and especially in the “Marnix” area. My friends at the time went to St Johns in Waterloo or the BSB in Tervuren, the ISB in Boitsfort…Their parents often worked for Nato or Shape.
Of course, the Beefeater restaurant (what is now the Cru) was a big hit with the expat community. The closest thing to a British carvery this side of the Channel!
My favourite thing to do in is still to pick blackberries at my “secret spots” in August. I also like to cycle “the back way” to Hoeilaart and take a stroll round the chateau in the park. I lock up my bike and go for a jog opposite the once super posh restaurant Romeyer near Groenendaal.
As much as it’s changed I do believe I still know every little street and back alley. On a more practical note, I’ll be more than glad to explain more useful things such as how to read a De Lijn bus schedule (!), recycling, Gemeente matters and all the rest.
I hope to meet you soon! Chris.
