Updated July 29, 2021
IMPORTANT UPDATES:
Please read paragraph 14 for our online course policies.
Please read paragraph 15 for our on-site policies and waivers as of Fall 2021.
The Alliance Française de Seattle (AFSeattle) is a dynamic educational and cultural 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to
promote the French language and francophone cultures through unique programs in the state of Washington. As part of an international network
of more than 800 Alliances around the world, we respect high performance standards in French language teaching and thrive to favor cultural
diversity by highlighting the value of multicultural understanding.
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with AFSeattle’s educational program policies and procedures before registering online, in
person, or by phone.
New students and students returning after more than 3 (three) quarters are required to take a free placement test in order to be recommended the appropriate class. We also recommend an assessment of your oral level. Please contact school@afseattle.org to make a quick phone appointment!
If you are completely new to French, you can go ahead and register at the A1.1 level.
AFSeattle membership is not required to take group classes; however, a nonrefundable $40 registration fee will be applied to each registration for non-members.
Please note that AFSeattle membership is required to register for private classes.
Unless otherwise specified, textbooks are not included in the price of the course and can be purchased on our website, through an external vendor.
Please note the registration deadline for all group classes is 48 business hours before the beginning of the course. Past this deadline, a $25 late registration fee will apply. Please view the updated registration deadline during COVID-19 under #14.
Registration and payment are due prior to the start of class.
Registration after the start of a class may be accepted upon seat availability and the instructor’s approval and will be subject to a $25
late registration fee. No prorated tuition possible.
Payments are due in full upon registration.
AFSeattle does not prorate tuition. However, we offer 10-week or 5-week sessions. Our online platform Apolearn also allows students to keep up with course content and homework when they miss a class.
Online and phone registration: to register online or by phone, payments must be completed by credit card at the time of registration. Phone registration unavailable in 2021.
In-person registration: to register in person, payments must be completed by credit card, check, or cash. In-person registration unavailable in 2021.
Private class registration: payment must be completed at least one week prior to the first scheduled session. See under 10.
Private Courses.
To withdraw from a class, please send a written request by email at info@afseattle.org from Monday 8AM to Thursday 1PM to process your withdrawal on time. Requests sent after 1PM on Thursdays will be processed the following Monday and class sessions will be considered as attended throughout the weekend. Class cancellations are not processed by phone.
Withdrawing before the first class: Class tuition can be refunded in full minus a $40.00 cancellation fee. To avoid a cancellation fee, you must unenroll at least 2 (two) weeks before the start of class.
Withdrawing after either:
Class tuition can be refunded minus a $40.00 cancellation fee and planned sessions.
Withdrawing after either:
No refunds or credits will be issued, unless in case of exceptional circumstances (illness, medical emergency, etc.), for which necessary documentation must be provided.
Withdrawing from a workshop: No refunds for workshops. If you withdraw from a workshop with at least 48-business-hour advance notice, a credit can be issued to your student account, minus a $10 processing fee. If you withdraw from a workshop with less than 48-business-hour notice, no credit can be issued.
Upon your withdrawal from a group class (except workshops), you may choose one of the following options:
Credits are transferable within members of the same family membership.
No refunds for private classes, but you can reschedule with more than 24-hour notice. See under 10. Private Classes.
Payments made in cash or check will be reimbursed by check. Payments made online within less than 3 (three) months will be reimbursed on the original credit card. Payments made online more than 3 (three) months prior, or payments made by phone, will be reimbursed by check.
Exception: Summer Camps have unique policies.
All sales and registrations for exams are final.
Memberships are not refundable. AFSeattle welcomes members from all other Alliances Françaises. All our membership privileges will apply.
Students may request a transfer from one group class to another group class before the third session.
Any difference in price will be charged or a refund given.
Students cannot be transferred from group classes to private tuition.
If a student has registered for a class at the wrong level, AFSeattle reserves the right to transfer the student to a different class with
an appropriate level. The student will be notified beforehand.
A minimum of 4 (four) enrollments is necessary to open and confirm a class.
If a class has reached 3 (three) enrollments and if all of them agree, AFSeattle may decide to open the course at the same price, but with reduced class hours, and if it is appropriate for the teaching method.
AFSeattle reserves the right to cancel courses, adjust the curriculum, or change teachers at any time during the session. Courses are typically canceled due to insufficient enrollment, unavailability of a teacher, or inability to schedule appropriate instructional space.
If you are registered in a class that is canceled, you will be notified by email and given the option to transfer to another course or to be
fully refunded. No credit will be offered, only an immediate refund.
AFSeattle members will receive a 10% discount for any additional group classes or workshops taken in the same quarter. This discount does not apply to private classes or General French classes.
Member Pre-Sale discounts are not applicable outside the dates of the sale. As of Winter 2021, pre-sale discounts are available for AFSeattle members only and limited to 1 (one) per student.
Courses that are created and added to the catalog after the early registration (pre-sale) period are not eligible for the pre-sale discount.
AFSeattle discounts are not cumulative.
Students are required to inform their instructor of any foreseen absence via the Apolearn e-learning platform. The instructor will plan the class accordingly, inform the student about the missed class content, and provide them with homework assignment.
Missed classes are non-refundable.
In case of student absences that result in a class of 3 students or less, AFSeattle reserves the right to shorten the session duration to accommodate teaching a smaller group:
If AFSeattle must cancel a class due to teacher absence, a make-up class will be scheduled by the instructor during the 11th week
of the semester, which is reserved for that purpose. If AFSeattle must cancel an on-site class due to weather or other environmental
factors, the session will take place online at the scheduled time. No alternative make-up classes will be offered for students who are not
able to attend.
Students can register for drop-in classes exclusively for our communication and world news classes at any time during a session at the following rates: $50.00 per 2-hour class; $37.50 per 1.5-hour class. Places are limited, so you have to confirm your drop-in and complete the payment at least 48 hours before the class.
Drop-in classes unavailable in 2021.
AFSeattle membership is required to sign up for private instruction.
Starting in January 2021, a minimum of 5 (five) hours are required to create a new private class. Only packages of 5 (five), 10 (ten), or 15 (fifteen) hours can be purchased. Customized extra hours cannot be added to a package.
Payment must be paid at least 1 (one) week prior to the first scheduled lesson.
Please note that once a fixed private schedule is set with an instructor and a tuition package has started, limited rescheduling will be accepted:
No-shows and cancellation with less than 24-hour notice: the session will be charged in full.
Packages of private tuition must be used within two quarters.
A schedule change can be considered by both student and instructor when entering a new quarter. There are no refunds for private classes.
No-shows and cancellation with less than 24-hour notice: the session will be charged in full.
If a student does not arrive for class within 15 minutes of the start time, they will be considered a no-show. The instructor will leave after 15 minutes and the student will be charged for the session.
Private course package renewals: if you wish to renew your private course package, the request must be submitted at
least 1 week before your last class session in order to continue your course without interruption.
AFSeattle does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, disability, gender, sexuality, and national or ethnic origin in the
administration of its admissions, educational, or employment policies and programs.
AFSeattle reserves the right to dismiss any student whose behavior is inappropriate or disruptive to the learning environment and to other
students. If AFSeattle receives such a complaint from a teacher and/or fellow students about a student, a meeting will be called with that
student to notify them of the complaint and to request a change if and when warranted. If after that warning, the student continues to be
disruptive, the student will be dismissed, and, when appropriate, AFSeattle will issue a prorated refund for any classes not yet taken.
Use of cell phones is not permitted during classes.
Eating and drinking are permitted, but please be mindful of your classmates.
Lost belongings, if found, will be at the AFSeattle office until the end of the quarter, after which they will be donated.
Except for certified service animals, pets are not allowed in classrooms at any time.
Private and group classes are held in a professional setting. Out of respect for our instructors and clients, please note that students are
not allowed to attend an adult class with their child.
Please note the following updates on our policies, valid during the COVID-19 outbreak for all online courses: no late fees will be applied.
Private courses will offer more flexibility for rescheduling. Please note that unless emergencies related to a medical situation a 24-hour
notice must be given to your instructor to reschedule. With less than 24h notice, the session will be charged.
15. COVID-19 CRISIS: POLICIES
FOR PARTIAL ON-SITE REOPENING
15a. COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION
While participating in in-person events, classes, and/or other face-to-face activities held or sponsored by AFSeattle (the "Activity"), consistent with CDC guidelines, participants are encouraged to practice hand hygiene, "social distancing," and wear face coverings to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, AFSeattle has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, AFSeattle cannot guarantee that its students, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19.
Considering the ongoing spread of COVID-19, individuals who fall within any of the categories below should not engage in any AFSeattle in-person Activity. By attending an AFSeattle in-person Activity, you certify that you do not fall into any of the following categories:
15b. DUTY TO SELF-MONITOR
Students, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (symptoms typically include
fever, cough, and shortness of breath; check the CDC full list of symptoms here)
and contact AFSeattle at info@afseattle.org if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 within fourteen
(14) days after attending a class, an activity, or after volunteering at AFSeattle.
15c. LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
I acknowledge that I derive personal satisfaction and a benefit by virtue of my participation and/or voluntarism with AFSeattle, and I
willingly engage in an AFSeattle in-person Activity.
15d. RELEASE AND WAIVER
I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE AGAINST AFSEATTLE AND
ITS AFFILIATED PARTNERS AND SPONSORS, INCLUDING IN EACH CASE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS,
VOLUNTEERS, AND AGENTS (THE "RELEASED PARTIES"), EITHER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES OR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND ON THE PART OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEATH, BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, ECONOMIC LOSS OR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, WHICH I, MY HEIRS,
ASSIGNEES, NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON MY BEHALF, WHICH
ARISE OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE FROM MY PARTICIPATION WITH THE ACTIVITY.
15e. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS
I acknowledge and understand the following:
15f. MEDICAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RELEASE
I acknowledge the health risks associated with the Activity, including but not limited to transient dizziness, lightheaded, fainting, nausea, muscle cramping, musculoskeletal injury, joint pains, sprains and strains, heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. I agree that if I experience any of these or any other symptoms during the Activity, I will discontinue my participation immediately and seek appropriate medical attention. I DO HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIM WHATSOEVER THAT ARISES OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY FIRST AID, TREATMENT, OR SERVICE RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY.
As a participant, volunteer, or class attendee, you recognize that your participation, involvement and/or attendance at any AFSeattle Activity is voluntary and may result in personal injury (including death) and/or property damage. By attending, observing, or participating in the Activity, you acknowledge and assume all risks and dangers associated with your participation and/or attendance at the Activity, BY ATTENDING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY, YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A FULL RELEASE OF LIABILITY TO THE RELEASED PARTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Updated July 29, 2021