# FRENCH 16 - Reading, Understanding and Translating Written French for Research Semester: Spring | Year offered: 2026 | Link: [Course Website](https://locator.tlt.harvard.edu/course/colgsas-111933/2025/spring/13180) French 16 offers an introduction to reading and translating academic French texts for students who require a basic knowledge of French for research purposes. The course presents vocabulary and the principal structures of French grammar in a systematic and coherent order. The course begins with simple texts and advertisements, then moves to academic texts with more complex structures, and ends with the translation and analysis of literary works and philosophical texts. Students discuss the complexities of translation, consider what makes a "good translation," and experiment thoughtfully with AI tools. Course assignments are discipline-specific to accommodate students’ research needs. --- ## Course Head [### Nicole Mills ](/people/nicole-mills) Joint Director of Language Programs Coordinator of the French Language Program Language Advisor for the Office of International Education Adjunct Lecturer on Education in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Co-founder & Advisor of the Certificate in Teaching Language & Culture Academic Degrees: Ph.D. in French and Educational Studies, Emory University; M.A. in French literature, Emory University Research Interests: Psychology of language learning and teaching, virtual environments in language learning, curriculum development, &... ![A professional portrait of a smiling woman.](/sites/g/files/omnuum8296/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-05/Nicole_Mills_102_web2.jpg?h=0d0e4564&itok=83yfIIcH) See also:- [ Language ](/class-categories/language) - [ French language ](/keywords/french-language) - [ French ](/language/french) - [ Nicole Mills ](/language-instructor/nicole-mills) - [ Spring 2026 ](/class/term/spring-2026)