I LOVE the Alliance Française!!
Last summer I was looking for yet another hobby to occupy my time with and after considering choirs, getting an allotment and drawing class I settled on learning French! I had done French up to Higher in school and some classes at university, but it had been a good few years since I'd done any proper studying. When I contacted the Alliance they were actually having an open week (something they do before first term year year) but unfortunately I wasn't able to attend within the times. They scheduled me to have an after work meeting with one of their advisers who would give me a quick (painless) speaking test to gauge my ability and then who would discuss with me the options available.
After my test the advisor recommended that I start at Beginners 2 and talked me through the pricing plan. Courses sectioned into blocks of classes held over 8 weeks (called Terms), and you have the option to pay for either one, two or four terms at a time.
By June I will have attended an entire "year" of classes (four terms) at the Alliance and will have graduated from Beginners 2 through to Beginners 3+. After the summer I'll have the chance to move up to intermediate classes. :) There is a real focus on speaking in the classes, which can sound intimidating but really helps you learn. You work through many different activities using your textbooks, the internet, listening cds and fun games!
My teacher Gaelle, is fantastic! She has a great enthusiasm for teaching and always immaculately plans her classes. She is very patient with her pupils and encourages questions. All the other staff I've encountered at the Alliance have been equally as great.
They have a great library full of resources you can borrow, and run a full compliment of culture events each month (including movies, book clubs, art shows, scientific talks and of course, wine tastings -but be careful some events are restricted to students in intermediate classes or above). They also run children's after school classes, university and high school revision classes, summer schools and conversational classes. Recently they began running online classes you can complete at home, using Skype to communicate to your personal tutor.
I would really recommend the alliance to anyone who is interested in learning French, no matter at what level you're at. What ever night your first block of classes falls on (mines was Thursday nights) will be the night all your classes will be on as you progress through the programme! I've made some great friends at class since you move through the levels together and this creates a real sense of camaraderie.
Bonne chance!! read more