Course Catalog

Adult Classes

Our core language program is based upon the Common European Framework (CEF) for languages, an internationally recognized standard for learning languages. The integrated program has been carefully designed for you to successfully acquire comprehensive communication skills in French, while also learning about French and Francophone cultures. Our program spans from the very beginner to the fully proficient who wants to polish their skills.

Beginner Courses

Beginner 101
This introductory class is for students who have no prior knowledge of French. You will learn basic language skills to introduce yourself and others, to ask and answer common questions, and to write a brief note. Guided grammar study of regular present tense verbs and common irregular verbs être (to be) and avoir (to have), as well as negation and interrogation will allow you to enjoy simple interactions in French.

Beginner 102, 103
You will continue building a solid foundation in the French language with situational exercises to share your interests and activities. You will learn common colloquial idioms, how to present and respond to invitations, and how to give instructions. You will continue your study of present tense irregular verbs, and learn how to express time using verb tenses of present (présent) and past (passé composé). You will be able to talk about yourself and your favorite activities and celebrations, and you'll write your opinion on a simple subject.

Beginner 104, 105
As you progress in your learning, you will read and talk in more detail about your experiences and activities. You'll study the verb tenses for recent past, continuous present and simple future, and the grammatical structures to describe places and people and communicate news. You will learn basic telephone skills, how to understand a menu, and how to write a vacation letter. You're ready to travel in France!

Beginner 106
This class is a bridge to the Intermediate level, providing you an opportunity to reinforce the skills you have learned in previous classes. Reading and conversation will focus on presenting more detailed descriptions, expressing appreciation, explaining situations, and giving advice and recommendations. Study of prepositions, pronouns, articles, and the imperfect (imparfait) verb tense will help you perfect and broaden your communication. At this point in your learning, you'll possess the vocabulary and grammar to relate memories, compare past situations to current circumstances, and write a formal letter.

Beginner Intensive 110
If you wish to progress quickly, this accelerated course combines the curriculums of Beginner 101 and 102, allowing you to complete 2 classes within one session.

Beginner Intensive 111
Your accelerated learning continues with curriculums from Beginner 103 and 104 classes.

Beginner Intensive 113
Curriculums from Beginner 105 and 106 are combined in this accelerated session course.

Beginner 120 - French for Travel
This course is a must if you are traveling to France with no prior knowledge of French, or if you are in need of a quick review. You will be introduced to the richly diverse country of France and its customs, regions and language, so your trip will be more enjoyable and successful. Emphasis is placed on verbal communication using basic survival vocabulary. Subjects include greetings, counting, directions, reservations, transportation, restaurant and shopping skills.

Intermediate Courses

Intermediate 201
As you enter intermediate level coursework, you will continue to refine and expand your language abilities with confidence. You'll learn how to characterize people and places, and talk about your relationships with friends and family. You'll review present and past tenses (passé composé and imparfait), and study indirect speech and time indicators (il y a, dans, pendant) to help you in more advanced situations such as booking hotels and restaurants, and making other travel arrangements. Your writing ability will be at the level of composing a short news article.

Intermediate 202
During this class, you will explore a variety of French media, including newspapers, magazines, television, and film. You'll develop the ability to understand and discuss your reactions to opinions presented in newspaper articles and movie reviews. You'll learn informal and formal styles of expression, and practice business communications and formalities. You'll study grammatical structures which will help you in more complex situations such as expressing a complicated necessity or giving comprehensive advice.

Intermediate 203
During this class, you'll deepen your understanding of French culture. You'll discuss different artistic genres and groups, and provide your opinions on past and contemporary styles. You'll learn the verb tenses and structures to express your wishes and hopes for the future (souhaiter que + subjunctive; espérer que + indicative), how to communicate cause and consequence, and how to narrate in the past tense. As you progress to full fluency, you'll be able to talk about an exceptional event and prepare a written analysis on a subject of your choice.

Intermediate 204
As you advance, you will become accomplished in fully expressing your opinions and feelings, debating a controversial topic, and making recommendations. You'll study expressions of time (à partir de, dès, dès que, depuis, depuis que, jusqu'à ce que) and contrast (par contre, alors que, d'un côté, de l'autre côté), as well as the use of the subjunctive to convey a judgement. You'll learn how to talk about probabilty and hypothesis.

Intermediate 205 and 206
These two classes continue to expand your language abilities and your exploration of French life and culture through discussions and readings about politics, art, science, literature and business. You will be able to negotiate, write reports, and discuss events of the day with ease and confidence. Grammatical study in the Intermediate 205 course includes indirect speech, sequence of tenses, and comparatives. In the Intermediate 206 course, you'll continue to study similarity and contrast, as well as the uses of the conditional and subjunctive to express wish, will, obligation and feelings.

Intermediate Intensive 210
Begin your accelerated learning by covering Intermediate 201 and 202 curriculums in one session.

Intermediate Intensive 211
You will quickly progress through the curriculums of Intermediate 203 and 204 classes within one session.

Intermediate Intensive 212
This intensive course covers Intermediate 205 and 206 classes, to complete the intermediate level and give you the competencies to pursue advanced courses with confidence and ease.

Intermediate 215 - Grammar and Composition
Strengthen and refine and your skills by concentrating on the structural elements of grammar and composition through reading, writing and conversation. You will extend your language abilities by applying grammar concepts in context while also increasing your vocabulary and learning about French society.

Intermediate 220 - Conversation
Learn to easily converse in French while gaining self confidence in this fun, interactive class. You will broaden your vocabulary, improve your listening comprehension, and advance your pronunciation while learning about French life.

Intermediate 222 - Joie de Vivre
This course is specially designed for adventurous seniors (62+) seeking a fun, exciting and educational way to learn French for travel, leisure and friendship. Taught in a relaxed yet challenging atmosphere, this class will certainly open new vistas for you to explore.

Intermediate 224 - Business French
Being knowledgeable about customs and language can give you the successful edge in your business endeavors. This course covers general information on etiquette, introductions, common business practices, and guidelines for writing effective business letters, proposals, and typical communications. You will also converse about the latest developments in France and the world using news articles or television programs. Customized classes can be arranged to accommodate special business requirements.

Les cours de niveaux avancés (Advanced Courses)
Avec les cours de niveaux avancés, vous continuerez à mettre en pratique et raffiner vos compétences tout en étudiant les différents aspects de la vie en France et du monde francophone. Vous explorerez et discuterez en profondeur des sujets spécialisés.

Advanced 301
Ce cours couvrira l'étude du subjonctif et conditionnel, le style direct et indirect ainsi que la concordance des temps, la forme passive et pronominale.

Advanced 302
Ce cours avancé comprendra l'étude approfondie du participe passé et du participe présent, ainsi que des prépositions, des articles (en particulier le partitif), des pronoms relatifs, personnels, des adjectifs et des adverbes.

Advanced 320 - Conversation
Le cours de conversation avancée aura pour base des articles de l'actualité ou des sujets spécialisés (Art, Sociologie, Tourisme - par exemple) selon l'intérêt de la classe qui seront discutés, présentés et débattus.

Advanced 323 - Le français avec TV5
Le cours utilisera des émissions ou extraits de la télévision d'expression française pour permettre aux étudiants de développer leur compréhension, se familiariser avec différents accents du monde francophone, découvrir la diversité de la langue et des cultures. Les étudiants enrichiront leur vocabulaire et leur expression orale en particulier.

Advanced 325 - Littérature
Le cours offrira aux étudiants la possibilité de découvrir ou redécouvrir les chefs-d'ouvre de littérature française et francophone classique ou moderne. Les textes seront discutés tout autant du point de vue historique que littéraire.

Advanced 326 - Atelier: Histoire et Littérature

Private Instruction

Private French language instruction is available for students of all ages and proficiency levels, per the guidelines below. Please contact our Director of Education to schedule your private lessons.

• Private lessons are generally scheduled at the Alliance Française de Seattle. On-site instruction at your home, office or other location is available with an additional fee.
• We ask our students to enroll in a minimum of 10 hours of private instruction.
• Private lessons may be taken one-on-one or in groups of two or three. The fee will vary accordingly.
• We offer flexible daytime and evening schedules.
• Intensive and immersion programs are available for all levels.

Children's Classes

Your children will learn and use the French language with confidence, and enhance their academic skills while exploring francophone cultures throughout the world; opening a realm of possibilities for them. We offer a variety of classes for all ages and proficiencies so whether your child is just starting or already fluent in French, we have a course that will stimulate and expand their mind. Our teachers are native speakers or have equivalent proficiency so your children's pronunciations will be similar to a native speaker.

You and Your Toddler
Actively explore with your toddler French culture and language through play, art, games and music which stimulate learning and curiosity. Because this is a shared experience, parents are encouraged to continue the learning experience at home with activities from the class. Our teachers are specially trained to teach young children. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Les Enfants Ages 4-5
Children are introduced to the French language through fun and stimulating stories, songs, projects and educational games as they learn the basic vocabulary and expressions in an interactive manner.

Les Petits Amis Ages 5-6
Children continue to expand their basic language capabilities through a variety of engaging activities. The emphasis is on oral communication, with the introduction of reading and writing skills.

Les Amis Ages 7-9
Oral skills are still the primary focus, expanding their vocabulary and acquiring a deeper understanding of structure necessary to speak and write with ease and proficiency. The class also explores different aspects of French life and French geography.

French for Bilingual Children Ages 7- 12
Children with oral proficiency in French will continue to expand their speaking abilities while developing writing and reading skills as they learn about contemporary France and its history. These classes are generally for children with a high oral proficiency in the French language.

Les ADOS Ages 13 and up
Teenagers explore contemporary France through different media while expanding and refining their language abilities. Classes are highly interactive, providing students with the competence and confidence to communicate with ease in the French language. This class is especially useful for students preparing to study abroad.

Private Instruction 10 or more hours
Classes are fully customized to your child's needs, learning style and aspirations. Our instructors provide a full range of language education from comprehensive instruction to school tutoring.

Children's Day Camps

Develop your children’s skills while broadening their experiences through a summer of fun, discovery and creativity.  Our camps engage children through various age appropriate, entertaining activities focused on themes of plants, animals and sea life; as they learn basic French language and culture through art, stories, music, games and nature walks. We welcome children who are fluent in English and or French.