IMPORTANT: Please read paragraph 14 for our online course policies during the COVID-19 crisis.
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 Puget Sound area. As part of an international network of
832 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 with prior experience in French language learning and students returning after more than three (3) quarters are required to take a free 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 $40 registration fee will be applied to each registration for non-members.
Please note that AFSeattle membership is required to register for private classes or take part in AFSeattle’s Choir.
Unless otherwise specified, textbooks are not included in the price of the course and can be purchased on our website, at our office, or through any external vendor. Textbooks are reserved for our enrolled students.
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. For example: for a class starting on Monday at 11.15am, late registration will start on the previous Thursday at 11.15am.
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, as well as drop-in classes. 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.
In-person registration: to register in person, payments must be completed by credit card, check, or cash.
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. Class cancellations will not be processed by phone. Please note:
Withdrawing before the first class: Class tuition can be refunded in full minus a $40.00 cancellation fee. As of Fall 2020: to avoid a cancellation fee, you must unenroll at least 1 week (7 days) before the start of class.
Withdrawing before the third class: Class tuition can be refunded minus a $40.00 cancellation fee and classes attended.
Withdrawing after the third class: 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 phone to the credit card of your choice.
Exception: Summer Camps have unique policies. Please see under https://afseattle.org/summer-camps/
All sales and registrations for exams are final.
Memberships are not refundable. AFSeattle welcome 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 seemed appropriate for the teaching method.
AFSeattle reserves the right to cancel courses, adjust 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 telephone or 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, workshops, or drop-in classes taken in the same quarter. This discount does not apply to private classes.
Early Bird discounts are not applicable outside the dates of the sale. As of Winter 2021, early bird discounts are available in limited quantity and for AFSeattle members only.
Courses that are created and added to the catalog after the early registration (pre-sale) period are not eligible for the early bird discount.
AFSeattle discounts are not cumulative.
Students should inform their instructor of any foreseen absence. The instructor will plan the class accordingly, inform the student about the missed class content, and provide them with homework assignment.
Students are able to follow the missed classes and to receive and complete homework assignments through the online platform Apolearn.
Missed classes are non-refundable.
In the event that AFSeattle must cancel a class due to teacher absence, a make-up class will be scheduled by the instructor with the class
during the 11th week of the semester, which is reserved for that purpose. In the event that AFSeattle must cancel an on-site class due to
weather, 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.
The 10%-member discount is applicable to drop-in classes (valid if the student is already enrolled in the same quarter).
Drop-ins are not available for online classes.
AFSeattle membership is required to sign up for private instruction.
Starting in January 2021, a minimum number of 5 (five) hours is 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 been paid and confirmed, limited rescheduling will be accepted:
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.
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 on the basis of 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 him or her 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 (cf. Art. 4), AFSeattle will issue a prorated refund for any classes
not yet taken.
Adult courses are reserved for students 18 years old and older.
Use of cell phones is not permitted in the classroom.
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, or at the Good Shepherd Center concierge.
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 for spring, summer, and fall 2020 registrations. This policy will continue in winter 2021.
No cancellation fees will be applied for spring and summer 2020 registration. Cancellation fees will be applied again starting in fall 2020 in case of unenrollment less than 7 days before the start of the class.
Private courses will offer more flexibility for re-scheduling. 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.
Updated January 4, 2021