Alliance Francaise

I signed up for french classes at Alliance Francaise and was wondering if anyone has taken classes with them before (any location).

If you have, please share your experience. I%26#39;m getting anxious and nervous but very excited and would love to hear more about them.

Thanks.

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Good on you. It will be fun! I%26#39;ve done a course with them in Canberra, Australia. They%26#39;re known for their high quality education but that should not be read as something to be intimidated by. Rather they%26#39;re committed to small class sizes, plenty of student opportunities to speak in class, native French speaking teachers, etc. They key is to be graded into the right level class at the beginning - which I believe they take responsibility for in any case.

I also deal a bit with the Sydney Alliance and I find the culture of the organisation to be similar - that is, enthusiastic, committed, a focus on quality, and lots of enthusiasm for broadening your experiences through social and cultural events.

I think you can have confidence in their product - I%26#39;m planning to do a week or two at the Paris Alliance when I go next year.

By the way, the book %26#39;How to be French%26#39; by Margaret Ambrose is basically the story of how she learnt to speak French at the Alliance before going to Paris and doing some journalism work there.

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My daughter studied french for a number of years and her school took the students into the AF office for %26quot;exams%26quot; and additional tuition.

Found them to be very professional and helpful.

Sandra

PS - once you start seriously learning French, you%26#39;ll never turn your eyes off Paris - even when they%26#39;re closed!

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I have taken classes in New Zealand and found them great. I agree the important thing is to get graded at the right level (mind you this isn%26#39;t a problem if you are a complete beginner).

The may also run lunch time conversation classes - which are helpful for practicing if you are already a confident but not fluent French speaker.

The bonus about the classes is being able to use the Library

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To brush up on my French, I took conversation classes at the Alliance Francaise of Milwaukee. It is a very well run organization and they offer many different classes. On Wednesdays, you can drop in for lunch and conversation. In addition, they offer social activities such as a Beaujolais Nouveau party in November.

Bonne chance!

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I took the basic beginners course in NYC a few years ago. Not a good experience...half the class dropped out after a few weeks...with no chance at a refund!

I think it depends a good deal on the instructor. Native speakers yes, but not necessarily teachers...just transplanted French speakers. Ours had no patience for the fact that we were mostly full time working people ..not full time students. The day we had a substitute...a young lady who usually taught conversation classes and spoke very little English...we were very happy! She seemed perplexed that our instructor was skipping through parts of the instruction book and having us attempt things well beyound our level.

After the first semester you generally sign up to continue with the same group/instructor. Ours was cancelled due to lack of interest.

I%26#39;d suggest trying to transfer to another class as soon as possible if you encounter similar problems.

I now can say I don%26#39;t speak French in French very well!

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We%26#39;ve had friends who%26#39;ve used the AF programs over the years at the NYC branch....with mixed results. Some have loved the programs and arer still active participants, while others (as perviously detailed) have dropped out after a short period. It%26#39;s difficult to generalize the reasons....but %26#39;..expectations..%26#39; is certainly chief among them.

Most AF branches have informal weekly get-togethers and before signing up for one of AF%26#39;s language programs, you should try to attend one of these meetings (modest fee for non-members) and speak to some of the students there to get some idea of what to expect from the programs...and if what%26#39;s on offer meets your needs and expectations.

Alliance Française de Chicago--

http://www.af-chicago.org/app/homepage.asp

Café Conversation du mercredi--Beginning to intermediate level French--

www.af-chicago.org/app/Calendar.asp…

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KDKSail,

Thank you for posting the link to the Chicago location.

I hadn%26#39;t heard of them before, but I may check it out since it is so close to school/work.

I also looked at their written placement test and surprised myself with how much I remembered!

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Willow675,

Yes it is a convenient location (AF Chicago). I stopped by to register for class and they were extremely helpful. Very friendly, accommodating and flexible. I asked if after the first class I think that the level I signed up for was too advanced, they will let me switch classes. Really nice to deal with.

They also have some interesting activities (cooking classes, movie nights, etc). I%26#39;m really looking forward to my experience there.

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You%26#39;ll have to let me know how your lessons go.

I can%26#39;t schedule a class now because I am in the midst of my senior year course load, so as much as I would prefer French to corporate tax, it just wouldn%26#39;t work!

Maybe I%26#39;ll drop in on one of the less formal events.

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