French Classes For Adults


The Alliance Française offers French classes year-round in four 10-week seasons  – Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Each season is broken into two 5-week modules. Classes are offered for the full spectrum of  the CECR learning levels:  A1, A2, B1, B2, C1. The CECR levels represent standardized measures of linguistic capability that are recognized world-wide. CECR stands for Cadre européen commun de référence.
Find your level here.

New this summer: Mini Classes

Mini classes  are a perfect opportunity to keep studying French without a long commitment. Each class targets a specific area or theme. Check out summer schedule on Current Term page.

Mini classes are offered in a series of 4-weeks, 1h30 hours per session:

Series 1: June 13 - July 9
Series 2: July 11 - August 6
Series 3: August 8 - September 3

Year-Round Classes: Core

Duration:  Each class takes one season of 10 weeks,  with 20 hours class-time. You may choose to register for 5 weeks at a time.

Pace: Choose from Regular Pace and complete one CECR level in 18 months, or select the Accelerated Pace to complete one level in 9 months.

Core class progression

  • A0 - Introduction to French prepares students for immersion in the 101 class. No textbook needed. 5-week class.
  • A1 - Beginner core classes bring the student to level A1, moving sequentially from 101 to 106 and must be taken in sequence.  Available as Regular or Accelerated classes. Requires the Édito A1 textbook for the normal or the accelerated pace and the Grammaire Progressive text additionally for the regular pace.
  • A2 - Lower Intermediate core classes take the student to A2 level, from 201 through 206 and must be taken in sequence. Requires the Édito A2 textbook. Available as Regular or Accelerated classes.
  • A2 to B1 Bridge: This  5-week transition class facilitates the move from the A2 to B1 levels with an in-depth review of communication and grammatical skills achieved in A2.  No textbook needed.  5-week class.
  • B1 - Intermediate core classes move from 301 to 312. Requires the Édito B1 textbook. Units in the text are stand-alone, and classes do not need to be taken sequentially.
  • B2 - Lower advanced core classes move from 401 to 406. Requires the Édito B2 textbook. Units in the text are stand-alone, and classes do not need to be taken sequentially.
  • C1 -  Advanced core classes  take the student to C1 level, with 501 through 506. Requires the Défi 5 textbook. 

Year-Round Classes: Specialty

Specialty classes focus one specific skill, such as grammar. Starting at the beginner level, they continue through C1. Classes  meet weekly for 2 hours. Materials may be provided by the teacher or a textbook may be used. Offerings include such classes as Essential Everyday French, Grammar, Business French, and French for Travelers. Consult the current season's class list in the course selector at the bottom of the page.

Year-Round Classes: Cultural

Cultural Classes start at the A1/A2 beginner level and continue through C1 and offer an opportunity to engage with French culture, including literature, history, and the arts. Cultural classes are taught two hours a week for either 10 or 5 weeks. Most classes are taught by teacher specializing in the particular cultural area. Consult the current season's class list in the course selector at the bottom of the page.


Annual Short Programs

• Kick-start: An intensive series of in-depth review and practice sessions over four days, with 2.5 hours of class each day. The material is provided by the teacher and covers topics from the prior core classes, often presented with a seasonal theme.
Offered for A1, A2, and B1 level students. 

• Try Something New Week (TSNW):  An exclusive week  of workshops in December, these two hour classes cover an extensive and inventive range of predominently cultural subjects. Workshops are offered for A1 through C1 level students.

 

Testimonials

Honestly, I can’t think of anything that could make AF de Portland better!  Please continue your on-line classes as I live in San Diego, and all AF locations are NOT created equal.  AF de Portland is a shining star 🌟 !!

Longtime student
attending a variety of classes.


My teacher is as close to perfect as I can imagine.  She's professional, extremely helpful, tries to help us by talking about ways to study, and she provides  additional information so that we can review and practice during the week between classes.

Student from Edito A1

I feel like I’ve learned so much in just one quarter. That’s because my teacher is SO good. She makes it fun while also challenging!

Student in a Cultural &
Specialty Class



View adult classes for the current term  in the Course Selector below. Select by Level to view all classes in that level. Select Type of class  to see all Core or Specialty & Cultural Classes. Select by Pace to find Accelerated or Normal classes. 
Click on the gray box with the day and time to register.

This website was published January 17, 2022. All students will need to login with a new password before registering. 

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Unsure of your level?  Click here to take a free placement test.

A.0 - Pre-Beginner

Introduction to French

Core Classes
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 of the language that will allow you to continue with confidence into Beginning French 101.
Pace: Regular
A1 - Beginner

101-102 Accelerated

Core Classes
This beginning Core Class combines Beginner 101 and Beginner 102 into one term and is for highly motivated students and/or those who have taken French in the past or had some exposure and need to revisit the basics.
Pace: Accelerated

101

Core Classes
This beginning Core Classes covers chapters 0-2 of Edito A1. Basic communication is introduced as well as essential grammar and phonetics. Appropriate for beginning students with no or minimal French.
Pace: Regular

103-104 Accelerated

Core Classes
This dynamic Core Classes class combines beginning 103 and 104 into one term by exposing students to content necessary to continue with confidence into Beginner 105. There will be no class on June 21, and so the final class will be held August 23.
Pace: Accelerated

103

Core Classes
This continuing Core Course covers chapters 5-6 of Edito A1. Students learn to speak about daily activities; describe an object; ask about sizes and prices; arrange an outing; make reservations by phone. Grammar includes the passé composé and the verbs pouvoir and vouloir and more.
Pace: Regular

104

Core Classes
Chapters 7-8. Communication: Explaining a problem; discussing lodging, living conditions; expressing hesitation, preference, surprise; writing an email, postcard. Grammar: COD pronouns; pronoun « y »; comparison; -IR verbs; passé composé with être.
Pace: Regular

105-106 Accelerated

Core Classes
This Continuing Core class for highly motivated language learners combines Beginning 105 and 106 into one term. Students are exposed to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Intermediate 201.
Pace: Accelerated

105

Core Classes
This continuing Core Course covers chapters 9-10 of Edito A1. Students learn to express wishes, desires, emotions, make a complaint. Grammar introduced includes reflexive verbs and relative pronouns, as well as conditions using si.
Pace: Regular

106

Core Classes
Chapters 11-12. Communication: Expressing choices, dissatisfaction, (dis)-agreement, one’s interests; encouraging & reassuring. Grammar: Comparisons; COD & COI pronouns ; “y”; review of tenses.
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

Beginning 102

Core Classes
This contintuing Core Course covers chapters 3-4 of Edito A1. Students learn to communicate likes and dislikes and meet basic situations such as ordering in a restaurant or discussing the weather. New verbs are introduced as well as new tenses.


Pace: Regular

Essential Everyday French For True Beginners A1

Specialty & Cultural Classes
This class is for true beginnings and focuses on basic communication. No prerequisites needed. If you have already studied French, you may look into Essential Everyday French BEGINNERS A1/A2 class.
Pace: Regular

Kick-Start French - Beginner - A1

Annual Short Programs

Review and grow your basic reading, listening, and speaking skills in this intensive 4-day course.
Over the course of four 2.5-hour class sessions, students will review present and futur proche verb tenses and conjugations, negations, how to ask questions, adjectives and agreement, interrogative and declarative intonation, basic liaison, and the pronunciation of the French /R/.

Prerequisites: 103 or equivalent.

Learning with Dictée

Summer Minis
Improve your listening comprehension skills, spelling, and vocabulary while solidifying your understanding of grammatical points taught in the Édito A1 method in the same way as the French: through a series of dictation activities and short discussions about some of the most troublesome areas of spelling, agreement, and conjugation. Prerequisites: Edito 103 or equivalent
Pace: Regular

Mastering Verbs

Summer Minis

This four week class will review different verbs and tenses every week through drills and conversation while incorporating and revisiting vocabulary typically learned in the A1 series. Prerequisites: Edito 104 or equiv. This is a repeat of Series 1 in June.


Pace: Regular

Sounding French - Led In English

Summer Minis
In this workshop, primarily in English, you will have an opportunity to understand in depth the most common challenges that face English speakers regarding French phonetics.
Pace: Regular

Sounding French

Summer Minis
Improve your speech, comprehension and pronunciation as you examine the link between spoken and written French, intonation, rhythm, vowels, liaison, and mute final letters. Prerequisites: Edito 103 or equivalent
Pace: Regular
A1/A2

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

Essential Everyday French A1/A2

Specialty & Cultural Classes
This class is all about basic communication: conveying an idea, responding and reacting during a conversation, and understanding spoken French.
Pace: Regular

French for Travelers A1/A2

Specialty & Cultural Classes
French for Travelers is a rigorous course designed for advanced beginners who wish to deepen their understanding of grammar, expand their vocabulary and learn useful expressions for everyday life while traveling. Prerequisites: 104 or equiv.
Pace: Regular
A2 - Lower Intermediate

201-202 Accelerated

Core Classes
This class is designed for highly motivated language learners. The class combines Lower Intermediate 201 and 202 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Lower Intermediate 203.
Pace: Accelerated

201

Core Classes
201 class is the first step for students wishing to master the A2 level. Our A2 level Core Class is for students progressing from A1 level and wishing to master the A2 level.
Pace: Regular

202

Core Classes
This Core Course covers chapters 3-4 of Edito A2. Grammar studied includes relative pronouns; comparison of adjectives, adverbs; possessive adjectives; le futur simple; conditions with “si”. The student also works toward communication and phonetic goals.
Pace: Regular

203-204 Accelerated

Core Classes
This is a fast-paced classed offering an opportunity to advance into lower intermediate level twice as fast as a regular class, combining lower intermediate 203 and 204 into one term. This is the last term to study with the Edito A2 book.
Pace: Accelerated

203

Core Classes
This Core Course covers chapters 5-6 of Edito A2. Grammar covers the subjunctive mood; pronoun « en »; « ne…que »; adverbs with « ment ». The student also works toward communication and phonetic goals.
Pace: Regular

204

Core Classes
This Core Course covers chapters 7-8 of Edito A2. 
Pace: Regular

205-206 Accelerated

Core Classes
This class is designed for highly motivated language learners. The class combines Lower Intermediate 205 and 206 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into Intermediate 301.
Pace: Accelerated

206

Core Classes
This Core Course covers chapters 11-12 of Edito A2. Communications include writing a formal letter; speaking about one’s education, training, projects; understanding job offers, CV’s, instructions; expressing concern; reacting to disapproval. The student encounters new grammar and phonetic challenges.
Pace: Regular

Kick-Start French - Lower Intermediate - A2

Annual Short Programs
Improve your comfort with lower-intermediate level grammar and vocabulary in this 4-day intensive spring course.  
Review past and future tenses, giving commands and making suggestions, comparative and superlative structures, pronouns (relative, direct, indirect, and interrogative), and making your intonation sound more natural.

Prerequisites: 205  or equivalent.

Mastering Verbs

Summer Minis

This four week workshop will review the formation and use of different verb tenses each week through drills and conversation in addition to incorporating and recycling vocabulary typically learned in the A2 series. This is a repeat of Series 1 in June.


Pace: Regular
A2/B1

A2 to B1 Bridge

Core Classes
Cross the bridge from A2 to B1 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 A2 sequence.
Pace: Regular

Learning with Dictée

Summer Minis
In this 4-week workshop, you will improve your listening comprehension skills, spelling, and vocabulary while solidifying your understanding of intermediate grammatical points in the same way as the French: through a series of dictation activities and short discussions about some of the most troublesome areas of spelling, agreement, and conjugation. Prerequisites: Edito 203 or equivalent
Pace: Regular

Sounding French

Summer Minis
Through a variety of word games, dictations, and tongue twisters, you will improve not only your pronunciation and accent, but you will also improve your listening comprehension and grammar. Prerequisites: Edito 203 or equivalent



Pace: Regular
B1 - Intermediate

301

Core Classes
301 class is the first step for students wishing to master the B1 level. Our B1 level Core Class is for students progressing from A2 level and wishing to master the B1 level.
Pace: Regular

302

Core Classes
Edito is for students wishing to master the B1 level. A variety of societal and cultural themes are presented using authentic documents, including arts & culture, the media, travel, history, the environment, the working world, and more. Edito classes cover different thematic units and can be taken in any sequence. This class will cover chapter 2.
Pace: Regular

303

Core Classes
303 class is the third step for students wishing to master the B1 level. Our B1 level Core Classes are for students progressing from A2 level and wishing to master the B1 level.
Pace: Regular

DELF B1

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Consolidate skills acquired at B1 level, while evaluating your strengths and weaknesses before jumping to next level.
Pace: Regular

Essential Everyday French Intermediate

Specialty & Cultural Classes
This class aims to bring your conversational French to the next level. Learn how native speakers communicate on a day-to-day basis. Interaction and exchanges between students are facilitated by the instructor following weekly thematic topics that include essential vocabulary and grammar. This class is open to students who have successfully completed Edito 205. Chapters 10-17.
Pace: Regular

Essential Vocabulary

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Enhance and enrich your French vocabulary through dialogues from authentic situations and everyday contexts..
Pace: Regular

Kick-Start French - Lower Intermediate - B1

Annual Short Programs
Improve your comfort with intermediate level grammar and vocabulary in this 4-day intensive course. Students will review indicative and subjunctive modes, practice making sentences with double object pronouns, compound pronouns, passives and reported speech, as well as work on intonation and pronunciation of troublesome vowels.

Prerequisites: CECR B1

Mastering Verbs

Summer Minis

This four week workshop will review different verb tenses and moods through drills and conversation while incorporating and recycling vocabulary typically learned in the B1 series. Prerequisites: CECR B1. This is a repeat of Series 1 in June.


Pace: Regular
B1/B2

Defining Moments in Art B1/B2

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Each week, examine several artworks to learn about the events, personalities and works that have had the greatest impact in their time. The morning and evening session cover the same material.
Pace: Regular

DELF B2

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Consolidate skills acquired at B2 level, while evaluating your strengths and weaknesses before jumping to next level.
Pace: Regular

Grammar in Context

Summer Minis
Learn or review essential grammatical concepts for the B1/B2 level through authentic songs, readings, video clips, and games in this engaging mini-class. Prerequistes: CECR B1
Pace: Regular

Littérature - David Foenkinos

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Antoine Duris est professeur aux Beaux-Arts de Lyon. Du jour au lendemain, il decide de tout quitter pour devenir gardien de salle au musee d'Orsay. Personne ne comprend cette surprenante reconversion de la part d'un spécialiste de Modigliani. Qu'a-t-il vecu pour fuir ainsi ? Mathilde, la directrice (DRH) du musée, est décidée à percer son secret.

Pace: Regular

Littérature Française B1/B2

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Discover French literary works and authors with a well-structured textbook. Throughout the year, you will discover literary works from the Middle Ages to contemporary French literature.
Pace: Regular

Women in 17th-century French literature and society: Les salonnières et la préciosité

Summer Minis
Discover how women shaped the language and culture of early modern France through this unique peek into 17th-century French literature and society. Prerequistes: CECR B1
Pace: Regular
B2 - Lower Advanced

401

Core Classes
401 class is the first step for students wishing to master the B2 level. Our B2 level Core Class is for students progressing from B1 level and wishing to master the B2 level.
Pace: Accelerated

402

Core Classes
402 class is the second step for students wishing to master the B2 level. Our B2 level Core Classes are for students progressing from B1 level and wishing to master the B2 level.
Pace: Accelerated
B2/C1

Conversation and Grammar

Summer Minis
Improve your grammar through engaging conversations and fun activities.
Pace: Regular

Essential Everyday French B2/C1

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Add useful expressions, proverbs and even a little slang to your existing French skills! This class aims to teach you how to communicate like a native French person and is open to students who have successfully completed the Edito B1 level and moved into the B2 level. Wednesday morning class studies chapters 30-36, Wednesday evening chapters 1-8.
Pace: Regular

Régions de France

Summer Minis
Emmanuel vous fera voyager dans différentes régions de France à la découverte de leurs plus beaux monuments et de leur histoire. Prerequisites: CECR B2



Pace: Regular

Sounding French

Summer Minis
This 4-week workshop will concentrate on areas of pronunciation that are typically troublesome for advanced learners of French studying at the B2 and C1 levels.
Pace: Regular
C1 - Advanced

502

Core Classes
502 class is the second step for students wishing to master the C1 level. Our C1 level Core Classes are for students progressing from the B2 level and wishing to master the C1 level.
Pace: Regular
 

CONTACT US

PARKING

Street parking on SW 20th St. facing the Kamm House is limited. Free parking is available in Lot B 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 virtual
during the COVID pandemic.
Quickest contact is  info@afportland.org.
Leave a voicemail at  503.223.8388. 

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