Learning French - Where To Begin?

For different learning profiles and personal schedules, the Alliance Française de Portland offers different ways to begin the adventure of learning French. Choose the path that corresponds to your goals and needs.  Scroll down to the bottom of this page to findout about beginner French classes (this list includes all of the classes at A0 and A1 levels). If you have questions, please write to info@afportland.org.

Things to know about beginner classes at our school:

Here are three different classes to start learning French

100

Have you been thinking of taking the leap into French but are apprehensive of the immersive learning style? Do you feel you might benefit from extra foundation work before diving into the full 100 series? If so, our Introduction to French course may be the perfect fit for you! This course is designed to help prepare you for French immersion through a gentle introduction to the method, supplemented with English. You’ll have the opportunity to learn useful classroom expressions in French in addition to some of the basics  that will allow you to continue with confidence into Beginning French 101.

101

Basic communication is introduced as well as essential grammar and phonetics. Appropriate for beginning students with minimal or no French.

Essential Everyday French-True Beginner

This class is for true beginnings and focuses on basic communication: conveying an idea, responding and reacting during a conversation, and understanding spoken French. Interaction and exchanges between students are facilitated by the instructor following weekly thematic topics that include essential vocabulary and grammar.

101-102

This is a beginning French class designed for highly motivated language learners and/or those who have taken French in the past or who had some exposure and need to cover the basics. The class combines True Beginner 101 and Beginner 102 into one term by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Beginner 103.


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A.0 - Pre-Beginner

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Annual Short Programs

Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the heart of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! It's been a century since the city of love last embraced this global celebration of sports, and now it's time to bring the magic back. Your tour guide, a true Parisian through and through, will be your virtual companion as we dive into all things Paris 2024. From the fascinating facts and awe-inspiring figures to France's dedicated preparations and the intricate event planning, you'll gain an exclusive insider's perspective. Whether you're lucky enough to be attending Paris 2024 in person or joining us online from anywhere in the world, this promises to be an unforgettable experience! Join us in English, from the comfort of your own screen.

ORDER THIS COURSE:
Online
Monday   9am ▸ 11am
18 Dec 2023

Study Skills

Annual Short Programs

This workshop is designed for those wishing to develop a specific skill-set to learn the language more efficiently. Here's what you should expect from this 2-hour long workshop:
- How to take USEFUL notes and maximize them for learning.
- Learn to cultivate a success-oriented attitude toward the immersion approach.
- Clarify what NOT to do.
- Work smarter, not harder: tap into your brain’s memorizing powers.
- Tips for training your ear and your tongue to perform the mental gymnastics needed to speak French well.
- Strategies to milk your materials for every last drop of purpose they hold.
- A Q & A opportunity for honing in on your top study challenges.
- An introduction to listening resources available free online.
Prerequisites: none

A1 - Beginner

101-102 Accelerated

Core Classes
This is a beginning French class designed for highly motivated language learners and/or those who have taken French in the past or had some exposure and need to cover the basics. The class combines True Beginner 101 and Beginner 102 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Beginner 103.
Pace: Accelerated

101

Core Classes
Our 101 Core Class is for true beginners wishing to master A1 level. If you studied French before, please look into 101-102 Accelerated class. Défi 1 book offers different thematic units. A variety of societal and cultural themes are presented throughout the book using authentic documents (articles, video and audio clips). Class materials consist from the Student Book and Workbook. Two options are offered: paper version of both, or Premium Bundle with paper Student Book and digital Workbook accessible through Espace Virtuel for 12 month (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 month unless you renew the subscription directly with the editor. More information about Espace Virtuel here: https://emdl.us/product-category/digital/espace-virtuel/). Premium books can not be exchanged or refunded.
Pace: Regular

102

Core Classes
Our 102 Core Class is for beginners having completed 101 class and wishing to master A1 level. Défi 1 book offers different thematic units. A variety of societal and cultural themes are presented throughout the book using authentic documents (articles, video and audio clips). Class materials consist from the Student Book and Workbook. Two options are offered: paper version of both, or Premium Bundle with paper Student Book and digital Workbook accessible through Espace Virtuel for 12 month (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 month unless you renew the subscription directly with the editor. More information about Espace Virtuel here: https://emdl.us/product-category/digital/espace-virtuel/). Premium books can not be exchanged or refunded.
Pace: Regular

103-104 Accelerated

Core Classes
This is a beginning French class designed for highly motivated language learners. It combines Beginner 103 and Beginner 104 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Beginner 105.
Pace: Accelerated

103

Core Classes
Our 103 Core Class is for beginners having completed 102 class and wishing to master A1 level. Défi 1 book offers different thematic units. A variety of societal and cultural themes are presented throughout the book using authentic documents (articles, video and audio clips). Class materials consist from the Student Book and Workbook. Two options are offered: paper version of both, or Premium Bundle with paper Student Book and digital Workbook accessible through Espace Virtuel for 12 month (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 month unless you renew the subscription directly with the editor. More information about Espace Virtuel here: https://emdl.us/product-category/digital/espace-virtuel/). Premium books can not be exchanged or refunded.
Pace: Regular

105-106 Accelerated

Core Classes
This is a beginning French class designed for highly motivated language learners. It combines Beginner 105 and Beginner 106 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Lower Intermediate 201.
Pace: Accelerated

105

Core Classes
Our 105 Core Class is for beginners having completed 104 class and wishing to master A1 level. Défi 1 book offers different thematic units. A variety of societal and cultural themes are presented throughout the book using authentic documents (articles, video and audio clips). Class materials consist from the Student Book and Workbook. Two options are offered: paper version of both, or Premium Bundle with paper Student Book and digital Workbook accessible through Espace Virtuel for 12 month (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 month unless you renew the subscription directly with the editor. More information about Espace Virtuel here: https://emdl.us/product-category/digital/espace-virtuel/). Premium books can not be exchanged or refunded.
Pace: Regular

A1 to A2 Bridge

Core Classes
Cross the bridge from A1 to A2 in this transition class where students will gain confidence in their spoken communication skills through review of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation learned in the Édito A1 sequence.
Pace: Regular

French Holiday Commercials

Annual Short Programs

Get in the holiday spirit and immerse yourself in comprehensible, beginner-friendly French with this workshop around the theme of holiday commercials. French commercials celebrating the holiday season will be used as a jumping-off point to tell stories, learn new vocabulary, and discuss holiday traditions and preferences. This is mainly a conversation-oriented workshop, with a lot of listening and some simple speaking, but we will also do some writing as a group. (This year’s class will feature new content from last year for those who would like to take the workshop again!)

Ideal for beginning/intermediate students (CECR A1/A2). Prerequisites: Completion of 101 or instructor approval.Monday 6-8pm

ORDER THIS COURSE:
Online
Monday   6pm ▸ 8pm
18 Dec 2023

Kick-Start French - Beginning - A1

Annual Short Programs

Beginning students (A1) Impress your friends and family at holiday gatherings this year by your polished French skills! Students in this intensive 4-day workshop will solidify basic grammar and vocabulary while learning about winter holiday traditions in the French speaking world, discuss winter sports and activities, and share their own holiday traditions with classmates. Grammar and vocabulary covered will include holiday related lexicon, family and friends, food, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, the futur proche, passé composé, possessive adjectives, adjective agreement, direct and indirect object pronouns, and partitive articles. 

Prerequisites: 103 or equivalent.

Sounding French A1

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Pronunciation is the key to successful communication in French and this 10-week class will concentrate on areas of pronunciation that are typically troublesome for beginning learners of French studying at the A1 level.
Pace: Regular

Study Skills

Annual Short Programs

This workshop is designed for those wishing to develop a specific skill-set to learn the language more efficiently. Here's what you should expect from this 2-hour long workshop:
- How to take USEFUL notes and maximize them for learning.
- Learn to cultivate a success-oriented attitude toward the immersion approach.
- Clarify what NOT to do.
- Work smarter, not harder: tap into your brain’s memorizing powers.
- Tips for training your ear and your tongue to perform the mental gymnastics needed to speak French well.
- Strategies to milk your materials for every last drop of purpose they hold.
- A Q & A opportunity for honing in on your top study challenges.
- An introduction to listening resources available free online.
Prerequisites: none


 

PARKING

Street parking on SW 20th St. facing the Kamm House is limited. Free parking is available in Lot A at SW 18th and SW Columbia. Please obtain a parking pass from the office. After 6 pm weekdays, students may park in the Willamette Dental lot at SW 20th and SW Jefferson as available.

OFFICE HOURS

The Alliance office is open 10am-3pm Monday through Friday.
Call us at 503.223.8388 during business hours or leave a message.
Email us at  info@afportland.org.

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