1. How is “Alliance Française” pronounced?
2. what is the Alliance Francaise?
3.Why choose Alliance Francaise to learn French?
4. If Alliance Française is nonprofit, why do you charge for services?
5. Why should I learn French?
6. where is French spoken?
7. Is French difficult to learn?
8. How long will it take for me to become fluent?
9. How much do your classes cost?
10. Are your classes officially credited?
11. I have had French before. How do you know which level is good for me?
12. What is the difference between group classes and private tutoring?
13. Are the classes only for adults?
14. How do I get to your location?

1. Ah-lee-ahnce Frahn-sez

2. What is Alliance Française?

It is a world-wide nonprofit network devoted to promoting French language and cultures.
Its World Headquarter is based in Paris, France (www.alliancefr.org). [back to top]

Are all Alliance Française chapters in the United States the same?
All AF’s serve the same purpose of promoting French language and culture in their community. They also possess bylaws that are approved by the Alliance Française de Paris allowing these chapters to carry the AF name and logo. Each AF in the world must offer the following services: French language classes, social and cultural events and activities, and up-to-date resources about France and francophone countries. The quantity and frequency of programs vary by chapter due to size. Any AF member moving to the Denver area will be granted AFD member price for classes and events, and access to our resource center (deposit applies) until current renewal date upon presentation of their current AF membership card. To know more about the American network of the Alliance Française, please visit the website of the General Delegation : www.alliance-us.org

3. Why choose the Alliance Française?

• The Alliance Française is the premier provider of French language and culture in Atlanta since 1912
• It is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization which means it focuses on fulfilling its mission, not in making commercial profit
• AF is not just a service provider. It is a membership-based organization so anyone can join and help it grow. All levels of involvement are welcome: member, student, volunteer, donor, committee member, board member, etc.
• It is more than just a simple school. It provides the complete experience by offering a wide variety of cultural and social events including lectures, concerts, art exhibits, films and dinners.
• French language courses are offered year-round and emphasize conversational French.
• All AF teachers are experienced and professionally trained
• The Alliance Française has no political or religious affiliation and welcomes students, members, and volunteers of any age, sex, creed, race, color, sexual orientation, and national or ethnic origin.
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4. If Alliance Française is nonprofit, why do you charge for services?

Our status of 501(c)3 gives us exemption from federal taxes and qualifies us as a nonprofit organization. Our activities and services are offered for the purpose of serving the community and fulfilling our mission. However, it is necessary to charge for most services in order to cover overhead costs which keep us in operation. In order to continue to grow and improve our service to the community, we depend on grants, donations, student enrollment and membership dues. [back to top]

5. Why learn French?

Many non-native French speakers simply like French for the way it sounds, for the culture, food and everything else that goes with it, for the good time they spent studying, working or traveling in French speaking countries, or for the random or life-long romance that still brings tears in their eyes... In addition, learning a second language has been proven to boost brain power. It develops the area of the brain which processes information in the same way exercise builds muscles. You may even have your own reason, but actually, you don’t really need one, you can do it just for fun! [back to top]

6. Where is French spoken?

* 113 million Francophones - Speak French (as a native or adopted language) fluently and use it on a regular basis.
* 61 million "occasional" Francophones - Live in a francophone country but do not speak French regularly, due to limited knowledge.
* 100-110 million students of all ages - Do not live in a francophone country, but have learned/are learning French in order to communicate with Francophones.
* French is the second most commonly-taught second language in the world (after English).
* French and English are the only languages spoken as a native language on 5 continents.
* French is the official language of France and its overseas territories (French Guyana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, French southern and Antarctic lands, Sant Pierre et Miquelon, and Mayotte) as well as Algeria, Bénin, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Congo (Republic of), Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Luxembourg, Mali, Monaco, Niger, Sénégal, Togo, the Canadian province of Québec, and the Swiss districts of Vaud, Neuchâtel, Genève, and Jura.
French is a co-official language in Belgium, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti (the two official languages are French and French Creole), Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Switzerland, and Vanuatu.
* French is one of the official working languages in dozens of international organizations, including: Amnesty International, European Union (EU), Interpol, International Olympic Committee, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Red Cross and Red Crescent, United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), World Trade Organization (WTO)

7. Is French difficult to learn?
All languages are different and have their own challenges and therefore it does not really make sense to compare them.
Consider the following:

* French sounds are difficult to understand and to pronounce. But one could say the same about Chinese.
* French grammar is difficult. But one could say the same about the subjunctive in German or in Spanish.
* French is difficult because you do not always pronounce what you write. Consider the English words wait and weight …

Most general statements about foreign languages are pre-conceived ideas. If you want to study a language but don’t have a specific goal right now, just follow your heart! The difficulty of the language is not the issue; everything is a question of personal motivation!

8. How long will it take for me to become fluent?

Learning a foreign language is a long process. Achieving fluency requires a various amount of time depending on a number of factors such as the motivation, the time you can spend on your French outside your classes, your natural ability for foreign languages etc...
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9. How much do your classes cost?

The tuition for the weekday classes (2 classes a week) is $320 (for 27.5 hours of instruction, that is barely more than $11 /hour!) and for Saturday morning classes the tuition is $340. For first-time students, there will be additional charges such as the cost of the books. We also offer once a week classes for which the tuition is $165. (For new beginners the first-time registration total is $430 weekdays, $450 Saturdays, inclusive of the tuition, the 2 books and fees.) The tuitions are non-refundable after the registration period has ended.
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10.Are your classes officially credited?

No. You will not get any credit from Alliance Française d'Atlanta toward any degree. There is no exam to move from one level to the next. Students who attend their classes regularly generally move up. You can repeat a class should you feel that you are not at the right level.
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10.I have had French before. How do you know which level is good for me?

In that case, we ask that you take our online written placement test and that you come to our offices for an oral evaluation which consists of a 10-15 minute conversation. We then have an idea of your level according to our set of classes. The placement test is free of charge. You do not need an appointment during the official registration periods. Outside the registration periods, please contact us.
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11. What is the difference between group classes and private tutoring?

Group classes have a specific group dynamics and programs whereas private tutoring is tailored-made to suit the student's needs (intensive programs / special days or hours). Group classes cost less than private tutoring. Choosing one over the other depends on your personal goals and objectives as well as your personality.
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12 .Are the classes only for adults?

Yes. Most of our classes cater to professional adults. We occasionally have younger teenagers in our classes.
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13. How do I get to your location?

We are located in Midtown Atlanta, at Midtown Plaza One, 1360 Peachtree Street, 2 buildings up from the High Museum of Art, on the same side of the street. We are in suite 850. There is parking underneath our building. Click here for an access map. You can also come by MARTA; we are one block from the Arts Center station.
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