Classes at AFA can be the highlight of your week as you grow in your language skills.
Audrey Chang
“I've been a regular student at Alliance Francaise since March 2020. The virtual classroom and regular lessons have been such a comfort in this strange & lonely time where many are stuck at home without much interaction with others.
It has been a joy to virtually meet with my classmates and fantastic teacher, Elisabeth. I can honestly say that it is one of the highlights of my week. Best of all, after starting with no knowledge whatsoever of the French language, I'm happy to say that I've progressed to being able to read, write, and speak at a beginner-level (simple conversations, but enough to be able to travel on without relying on google translate).
As you progress through the programs and lessons, they will do a good job of matching/keeping you with people at your skill-level so it's never uncomfortable - it feels like a very safe learning environment. “
Veronica R.
“Alliance Francaise of Austin (AFA) has been a valuable, enjoyable part of my retirement life and life during the pandemic. In the classroom or on Zoom, AFA provides a comprehensive, convenient language-cultural education matched by its excellent staff.
My conversation sessions have been an important complement to my regular classes. With each course level and my fantastic teachers, I have become more adept and confident in French. I highly recommend AFA membership and studies to both young and older. All it takes is an interest in France.”
Pronunciation deserves its own focused study & students love the variety.
Nicole Doggett
"Pronunciation class is a blast! Each week we practice speaking French aloud which has helped me gain confidence when reading and speaking. Elisabeth's in-the-moment corrections are helpful and she uses a variety of methods like videos, music, poetry which keep us all laughing."
Donna Bailey
“Elisabeth's pronunciation class is enjoyable and helpful in so many ways. First of all, my pronunciation has greatly improved and I have gained more confidence in speaking the French language. She has us practice the different sounds and the different combinations of sounds. She has us watch the positioning of her mouth and explains where our tongue should be to correctly pronounce these sounds. This is extremely helpful.She has us read dialogues so we can learn the correct intonations and rhythms which helps us sound conversational rather than stilted.
Elisabeth also makes sure we know the meanings of the words. Therefore, our vocabulary improves as well as our pronunciation.
I highly recommend this class. It is helpful and fun as well as promoting confidence when speaking the French language.”
Sanford Wyatt
“I have taken several sessions of the conversation class and would highly recommend it to all be the newest students and perhaps the very fluent. Otherwise, all levels. It would probably be a good idea to teke the class once a year as a touch-up, Proper pronunciation of French is integral to the beauty of the language and deserves its own focused study.”
Conversation & Grammar Class for C1 a perfect combination!
Barbara Hines
“I highly recommend the Advanced Conversation and Grammar Course (C1). Isabelle is an excellent instructor. The conversation topics are always interesting, and you can learn about and imporve many advanced grammar points.”
David Kim
“It’s been more than ten years since I started my studies at Alliance Francaise in NYC. A course with a mix of conversation and grammar is the only one that works for me. The course and the instructor are impeccable. I strongly advise you to take advantage of this course!”
Phillip Schmandt
“I really enjoy this class! Each week a conversation on a new topic and a new article/video, which helps build vocabulary. Then a short but focused grammar session which even those who hate grammar can enjoy and benefit from.”
Angela Marie Kent
“This class provides me with both technical knowledge and a lot of fun. During the course, we engage in passionate discussion of many subjects both historical and modern in an atmosphere that serves to better our confidence. Additionally, we address various grammatical subjects which help us to better express ourselves both when speaking and writing. I would recommend it to any student who is passionate abou the French language!”
Making good on a New Year’s Resolution of taking a French Art Class at AFA…….
Medea Hatten
“I joined AFA in January 2019. I made my New Year’s Resolution to go back to French classes. I lived, worked and studied in Paris for 2 years, then when I went back to my country, I worked for a French company for five years. What I learned about French culture, country, food, language was very alive in me during all this time. Subsequently, I took another job where English was the predominant language, and thus I forgot a lot of my French. When I decided to re-take my French language, I looked into L’Alliance Française because this is an international foundation, with almost half a million of students throughout 136 countries in the world!
I decided to go with the French Art Class, and I loved it since the first time. Not only did I get “my” French back, but I am now going deep into different topics that we discuss during class, such as music, painting, architecture, drawing, sculpture, and of course as we study these topics we have to understand politics, philosophy and other areas that are intrinsic to the world of Art.
We have a native French teacher, the discussions are very enriching, and we all have opportunities to participate in different ways. Reading in French is one of the most satisfying aspect of this class; it is never the same when I read a translated piece. All these reasons make my experience really gratifying and fulfilling.”
AFA classes can enhance your perspective when you travel.
Cassandra Moore
“This past June, I went to Québec with my family. At first I was a little shy and I stuck to English,but after a message of encouragement from my Alliance teacher, I started every greeting with “Hello, bonjour” (or vice versa) and asked my questions in French.
At the train station in Ottawa, I spoke to the clerk bilingually. She commented that my pronunciation was good, and later I spoke to our Uber driver in Quebec City bilingually as well.
My proudest moment was when we went to a restaurant called Chez Victor, and I spoke French to the hostess and asked for our table in French. When it was time for menus she gave my husband and son English menus and said my French was good enough to get the French menu.
The following morning I ordered coffee to go at a cafe. One barista spoke a little English. Anyway placing an order in Starbucks or any coffee shop was a small challenge, with the different measuring systems, but I felt I’ve progressed little by little during the trip.
My husband said that he thought I was doing pretty well communicating with folks and asked my son why he wasn’t speaking French beyond “merci,” although he has had French class 2-3 times per week (1.5 hrs each) at his school from August to May!
Overall I had a great time and enjoyed having this opportunity to speak French every day.”
(Please note: Cassandra had just finished Level 103 when she went on her trip.)
The Traditions in France class is overflowing with a wealth of cultural information.
Paul Coltrin
“More than a class, this is an expertly guided virtual tour of France, an interactive documentary where we have the luxury of pausing to ask the narrator questions. Each session is overflowing with a wealth of cultural information (and all the French vocabulary to go with it). France is much more than just Paris, and Blandine's class is the perfect gateway to all you've been missing out on. My highest recommendation for this class.”