Home - Learn French - Youth & Teens - Ages 9-12: Tortues & Pingouins

Youth Programs

Ages 9–12

Level Up in French

Les Tortues and Les Pingouins help youth ages 9–12 build strong French skills through conversation, projects, games, and interactive activities.

Through an immersive and interactive approach, students develop practical communication skills while discovering French and Francophone culture. Our youth program for ages 9–12 offers two complementary pathways:

  • Les Tortues, our beginner program
  • Les Pingouins, our intermediate program.

Each youth class starts in September and takes place over three (3) terms: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Classes are held either online or on-site at our Wallingford location, in the heart of Seattle. If you would like to join a class during the school year, please contact info@afseattle.org.

Like all Alliances Françaises, AFSeattle offers French as a foreign language program (FLE) — our youth students are non-francophones and do not speak French at home.

Best for: Children ages 9–12, from complete beginners (Les Tortues) to intermediate learners (Les Pingouins).

Class Details

Ages:  9–12 years old
Beginner: 3-year program Les Tortues
Intermediate:  3-year program Les Pingouins
Format: Small-group French classes, online or on-site in Wallingford 
Approach: Immersive and creative, with lessons put into practice through fun exercises and interactive games
Instructors: Highly qualified teachers holding degrees in teaching French as a foreign language
Registration: Each class starts in September and runs over three terms (Fall, Winter, and Spring); mid-year registration can be accepted after a placement by our Admissions Director.

A French Program That Grows With Them

Each program offers a progressive three-level pathway over three school years, allowing youth to build their French skills step by step.

Les Tortues

Les Tortues

The Beginner Program

For complete beginners ages 9–12: everyday French through games, stories, projects, and classroom interaction.

  • 1
    Tortues 1 Year 1 · Beginner

    First steps in French: greetings, introducing yourself and your family, and everyday words.

  • 2
    Tortues 2 Year 2 · Elementary

    Simple sentences and short conversations about daily life, hobbies, and feelings.

  • 3
    Tortues 3 Year 3 · Advanced Beginner

    Longer exchanges, short stories and projects — a bridge into Les Pingouins or our Teens Program.

Les Pingouins

Les Pingouins

The Intermediate Program

For youth with previous French experience: building confidence, independence, and spoken interaction.

  • 1
    Pingouins 1 Year 1 · Intermediate

    Richer vocabulary, past and future events, and small-group conversations in French.

  • 2
    Pingouins 2 Year 2 · Upper Intermediate

    Expressing opinions, understanding authentic stories and media, and writing short texts.

  • 3
    Pingouins 3 Year 3 · Advanced Intermediate

    Extended conversations and cultural presentations, preparing students for our Teens programs (13–17).

Where Should My Child Start?

New to French?

Youth ages 9–12 with little or no previous French experience should begin with Tortues 1. No placement assessment is necessary for complete beginners. Please mention that your child is a complete beginner in your sale comment at registration.

Already Knows Some French?

New students and learners returning after more than three (3) quarters must complete our placement test before enrolling. It's free and helps us recommend the right class.

Take the Placement Test Take the Placement Test

Enroll in our next Youth Courses

Enrollment for Winter 2027 opens on November 12, 2026.

Filter By:
Day/Time
Select an age group to view available courses. If no courses are available, registration for the current session has closed. Head to our School Calendar to view upcoming sessions!

Frequently Asked Questions