FIND THE RIGHT FRENCH COURSE FOR YOUR LEVEL AND INTEREST

Spring Term March 30 - June 6, 2026

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The Alliance offers group classes well as private instruction. Select from a variety of options to enhance your French language skills, including 10-week specialty and French culture courses, core classes, 4-week mini courses, or unique 2-hour workshops. Learn French online or immerse yourself with in-person classes. Group classes are available in the mornings, afternoons, evenings, and  occasionally on Saturdays. Private class schedules are arranged directly with each student.  

Since 2020, the Alliance Française de Portland has maintained its pricing—a testament to our commitment to accessibility. This year, nearly all operational costs have increased significantly, and to keep up while sustaining our programs, a pricing update has become necessary. Beginning January 1st, we will be implementing a cost-of-living adjustment to our general pricing, including memberships and class fees. This update ensures we can continue providing high-quality classes, cultural events, and community experiences that make your membership so valuable.


Enroll now in our Spring Term classes, offered online or in person. Use code EARLYBIRD for 10% off or SENIOR for 15% off!

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Explore current class highlights  by using the arrows to navigate forward.

 Registration open for Spring Term:

march 30 - june 6, 2026


Enroll now for Spring Term! Kick-start, core, specialty, and cultural classes are available online or in person. Discover French language, literature, and culture in a fun, engaging, and supportive environment for learners of all levels.

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 Join our kick-start intensive program 

March 16-20, 2026


Get a head start on the next level, have an in-depth review and practice! The Kick-start French Program is a 4-day intensive brush-up class (2.5 hours per day) offered for A1, A2 and B1 level students. Each class will focus on grammar, vocabulary and conversation skills.

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 Mini Classes


February 16 - March 14, 2026

Missed the winter term enrollment?  Sign up for our Mini Classes. Minis are a great way to keep practicing French without a long-term commitment, with 90-minute weekly sessions over four weeks.

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French Class Types for Every Level

Core Skills

Learning French grammar, pronunciation and speaking skills

Core classes move students through well-defined coursework toward fluency. They are organized in five levels, with regular or accelerated pacing available for lower-level courses. 

  • Beginner - A1 level classes, 101 through 106
  • Lower Intermediate - A2 level classes, 201 through 206 
  • Intermediate - B1 level classes, 301 through 306
  • Lower Advanced - B2 level classes, 401 through 406
  • Advanced – C1 level classes, 501 through 506

Learn all about level progression and classes for adults.

Beginning students new to the Alliance: please read information about true beginners classes on this page.


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Specialty And Cultural Classes 

Discussion-based classes in arts, history, language mastery, etc.

 Cultural classes are discussion-based classes exposing students to different aspects of French arts, history or current events. 

Specialty classes offer students the opportunity to improve their French while concentrating on specific skills like grammar, phonetics, or conversation.


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Mini Classes 

Pressé? Opt for our mini sessions

Mini Classes
Our curriculum includes a diverse range of new Mini Classes each quarter. Minis are the perfect opportunity to keep studying French without a long commitment with 90-minute weekly sessions for four weeks.

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Intensive Program 

Maximum Progress in Just 4 Days

Kick-start French
You can also accelerate your language skills with an intensive class: a four-day brush-up class (2.5 hours per day) right before the current term classes begin. 

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Seasonal Workshops 

End the Year with New French Adventures

Try Something New Week
During the long winter break, the Alliance offers French learning experiences that go with the holiday spirit. Treat yourself to something exclusive and entertaining, or try something you haven't had a chance to do this year, before it's over.

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Registration

 You have four ways to filter classes to suit your interests

  1. Unsure of your level? Click here to take a free placement test.
  2. Select by Level to view all classes in that level.
  3. Or select Type of class to see all Core, Specialty & Cultural Classes or Mini Classes.
  4. Or select Pace to find Accelerated or Normal-paced classes.
  5. Select Location to see whether classes are online or in-person.

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Click on the gray box with the day and time to register.

 Teacher information

To see the teacher of a class, hold your cursor over the circled exclamation point in the class date/time box.

Beginning students

Students new to the Alliance: please read information about true beginners classes on this page.

 All students

For in-person students, do not choose shipping—the books will be handed to you on the first day of class.
Please do not select the shipping option unless you are enrolled in an online class.  Books are not automatically shipped.

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Type
Pace

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

A.0 - Pre-Beginner

Kick-Start French True Beginners: French Made Easy

Short Programs
This lively and engaging French class uses the Comprehensible Input approach to language acquisition to help beginning French students soak up the language like a sponge, as they become more comfortable understanding commonly used French vocabulary in the context of daily conversations and stories. Perfect for students who would like to kick-start their immersion learning before beginning their first class, as well as those already studying at the A1 level who would like extra support with their comprehension skills alongside their core courses, this class will use strategies derived from second language acquisition research to make French accessible to all learners. The focus will be first and foremost on picking up essential vocabulary through oral comprehension activities with lots of visual aids, and then putting the learning into practice through guided interaction involving writing, reading, and speaking. Be prepared to put away the textbooks and grammar worksheets for this course, and come ready to move, laugh, use your imagination, and build your confidence in a supportive community of learners. (This class will not require any homework, but ample resources will be provided for those who wish to continue the learning at home.) No prerequisites: Great for pure beginners.
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. 
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. 
Pace: Regular

103-104 Accelerated

Core Classes
This is a beginner French class designed for highly motivated language learners. It combines Beginner 103 and Beginner 104 into one term, selectively exposing students to the necessary content
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 throughoutthe 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

106

Core Classes
Our 106 Core Class is for beginners having completed 105 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

Kick-Start French - Beginning - A1

Short Programs

Kick start your French into action! In this intensive four-day workshop, students will develop essential conversational and communicative skills for surviving in a Francophone environment. This course is designed for beginners who wish to solidify their understanding of the language, including basic grammar and vocabulary. Students should have the ability to understand and express themselves at a rudimentary level. Prerequisites: 103 or equivalent.

A1/A2

In Depth: French Grammar for Conversation A1/A2

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Strengthen your A1/A2 French through dynamic, dialogue-based learning. Using the Grammaire en Dialogues A1/A2 book as our foundation, we’ll work with authentic recorded conversations and targeted activities to sharpen your listening, writing, and speaking skills—all centered around essential grammar points. Each dialogue presents grammar in real-life context, helping you understand spoken French at a natural pace and participate more confidently in conversation. Whether you’re returning for review or joining for the first time, this course offers a structured and engaging way to reinforce and deepen your mastery of A1/A2 French.
Pace: Regular
A2 - Lower Intermediate

201-202 Accelerated

Core Classes
This is a fast-paced class offering an opportunity to advance into lower intermediate level twice as fast as a regular class. The class combines lower intermediate 201 and 202 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into 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

203-204

Core Classes
This is a fast-paced class offering an opportunity to advance into lower intermediate level twice as fast as a regular class. The class combines lower intermediate 203 and 204 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into 205.
Pace: Accelerated

205-206 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. The class combines lower intermediate 205 and 206 into one term, by selectively exposing students to the necessary content to continue with confidence into 301.
Pace: Accelerated

205

Core Classes
205 class is the fifth 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. Défi 2 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 months (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 months 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

Kick-Start French - Lower Intermediate - A2

Short Programs

Give your French a much-needed boost! In this intensive four-day workshop, students will expand their linguistic repertoire and develop their ability to express themselves with more ease on a variety of familiar topics. This course is designed for learners at A2 level wishing to review and to bring their language skills to the next level. Prerequisites: 205 or equivalent.

Understanding Spoken French with TV5 Monde

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Dive into the French language through TV5 Monde! Discuss fresh ideas, sharpen your listening skills, and engage with authentic, real-world French. Expand your vocabulary, strengthen key grammar, and explore current events, culture, and everyday life across the francophone world. Gain confidence and fluency as you experience spoken French in action.
Pace: Regular
A2/B1

Speak with Confidence: French Conversation Mastery A2/B1

Specialty & Cultural Classes
In this lively conversation class for levels A2–B1, we’ll start by reviewing key grammar and vocabulary before moving into engaging speaking practice. With personalized guidance in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, your instructor will help you feel comfortable and confident expressing yourself in French. Whether you’re preparing for a trip, practicing for a presentation, or simply wanting to strengthen your conversational fluency, this class will help you speak with greater ease and assurance.
Pace: Regular
B1 - Intermediate

301

Core Classes
The 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.
Défi 3 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 months (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 months 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

302

Core Classes
The 302 class is the second 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. Défi 3 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 months (You will not have access to Workbook after 12 months 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

303

Core Classes
The 303 class is the third step for students wishing to master the B1 level.
Pace: Regular

305

Core Classes
The 305 class is the fifth 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

306

Core Classes
The 306 class is the final 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

DELF B1 Preparation

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Part 1. This class will interest you if: 1. You are planning on passing DELF B1 exam and need to prepare for it. 2. You’ve completed B1 level and wish to consolidate the newly acquired skills, all the while evaluating your strengths and weaknesses before jumping to next level. The class has a double goal: preparing you to DELF exam structure and work on all of the aspects one needs to master in order to validate a level to successfully start the next one. A partial simulation of the DELF exam (except oral production part) in the end of the 10-week series will allow students to have a comprehensive evaluation of their skills. 
Pace: Regular

Essential Everyday French Intermediate

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Chapters 32-36. 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 course is designed with flexibility in mind—each chapter focuses on a distinct topic, so lessons can be taken in any order without requiring prior participation. Open to students who have successfully completed French 205. If you haven’t completed French 205, verify your level on our website under, “Find Your Level”
Pace: Regular

Essential Everyday French Intermediate In-person

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Chapters 32-36. 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 course is designed with flexibility in mind—each chapter focuses on a distinct topic, so lessons can be taken in any order without requiring prior participation. Open to students who have successfully completed French 205. If you haven’t completed French 205, verify your level on our website under, “Find Your Level”
Pace: Regular

Kick-Start French - Intermediate - B1

Short Programs

Immerse yourself in the beauty of the French language in our intensive review class, spanning four days with 2.5-hour sessions each day. Our experienced instructors will guide you through a comprehensive curriculum covering grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills, all within small class sizes to ensure personalized attention. You'll participate in interactive learning, gain cultural insights, and develop practical language skills. This review class for B1 French level will effectively prepare you for the challenges ahead in your learning journey. Prerequisites: 305 or equivalent.

Speak with Confidence: French Conversation Mastery B1

Specialty & Cultural Classes
In this conversation class, we'll begin by refreshing essential grammar and vocabulary before diving into speaking practice. Our experienced teacher will offer tailored support in grammar, vocabulary, and phonetics to help you feel at ease and enthusiastic about speaking. Whether you're getting ready for a presentation, planning a trip, or simply looking to enhance your conversational skills, this class is designed to help you reach your goals with confidence and ease.
Pace: Regular
B1/B2

French Cinema: Le heist français

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Explore the French heist film, where crime becomes a space for social and moral reflection. Unlike Hollywood heist movies, which focus on spectacle and technical ingenuity, French heists emphasize realism, character psychology, and understated direction. Drawing on film noir and the crime thriller, these films show failure, betrayal, and melancholy as much as the success of the heist itself. Watch selected films, identify key elements of this psychologically rich genre, discuss various themes in class, and give individual presentations on the films viewed.

Note: Students are responsible for obtaining or renting full films if they wish to watch them in entirety; class will feature selected excerpts. Class materials will be shared in Google Classroom. A subscription to the Criterion Channel is a requirement for this course as is a subscription to Kanopy which is free with a library card. Prerequisites: 303 or equivalent.
Pace: Accelerated

French Ripped From The Headlines Intermediate

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Want to speak with a rich vocabulary and use idioms and common expressions spontaneously? Learn expressions and idioms from the podcast and participate in the spontaneous lively discussions with the group. This class is based on RFI’s “Le journal en Français Facile”! RFI-FF is a publicly supported nonprofit organisation that’s existed for 23 years and offers a wide range of subjects in its news broadcasts. Visit their website to see the examples of the themes to be covered in class. This class is open to B1 and B2 level students.
Pace: Regular

Littérature - lecture guidée

Specialty & Cultural Classes

Meet your fellow literature buffs, read and discuss your reading under expert guidance from Marie-Pierre Wolfe. Marie-Pierre will send you the weekly questionnaire to promote in-depth understanding of each book segment.

STUDENTS MUST PURCHASE THE BOOK ON THEIR OWN. Title: Un aller simple, published by Éditions Albin Michel in 1994. 190 pages. Winner of the Prix Goncourt. Author: Didier Van Cauwelaert

Synopsis: A young orphaned man, raised by a Romani family, is accused of stealing a ring by a jeweler, and the French police decide to send him back to his country—namely Morocco, which is listed as his country of origin on his false identity papers. The young man is accompanied by an idealistic humanitarian officer. An unexpected friendship develops between the small-time delinquent, alone in the world, and the young idealistic civil servant as they search for the native village in the Atlas Mountains from which the young man’s family is believed to have originated.

RETURNING STUDENTS ONLY. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THIS CLASS AS A NEW STUDENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE FIRST.



Pace: Regular

Littérature de la Francophonie

Specialty & Cultural Classes

In this course, we will explore five texts from the theme Voyageur/Voyageuse and five from Enfances/École, using Littérature Progressive de la Francophonie (B1–B2, 2020), which is the new class book as of January 2026. These readings introduce a variety of voices from across the Francophone world, offering insights into identity, migration, resilience, and the role of women in society.



Pace: Regular
B2 - Upper Intermediate

402

Core Classes
The 402 class is the second 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: Regular

403

Core Classes
The 403 class is the third 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: Regular

405

Core Classes
The 405 class is the fifth 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: Regular

406

Core Classes
The 406 class is the last 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: Regular

DELF B2 Preparation

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Part 1. This class will interest you if: 1. You are planning on passing DELF B2 exam and need to prepare for it. 2. You’ve completed B2 level and wish to consolidate the newly acquired skills, all the while evaluating your strengths and weaknesses before jumping to next level. The class has a double goal: preparing you to DELF exam structure and work on all of the aspects one needs to master in order to validate a level to successfully start the next one. A partial simulation of the DELF exam (except oral production part) in the end of the 10-week series will allow students to have a comprehensive evaluation of their skills. 
Pace: Regular
B2/C1

Discovering French Culture: A Journey Through Civilization

Specialty & Cultural Classes

This advanced French course offers a comprehensive overview of French civilization, combining historical, political, social, and cultural knowledge. The curriculum focuses on understanding the French system and exploring cultural achievements in literature, visual arts, performing arts, and music. This term covers the second half of Chapter 7 of the “Repères” section of Civilisation Progressive du Français (B2–C1 level, 2021), as well as a selection of topics chosen from the various thematic sections of Chapters 8 through 15. See the table of contents, pages 5–7. This non-sequential class can be joined at any time, allowing you to study chapters in any order.




Pace: Regular

Essential Everyday French Advanced

Specialty & Cultural Classes
Chapters 17-23. This class aims to teach you how to communicate like a native French person. Add useful expressions, proverbs and even a little slang to your existing French skills! Interaction and exchanges between students are facilitated by the instructor following weekly thematic topics that include essential vocabulary and grammar. This course is designed with flexibility in mind—each chapter focuses on a distinct topic, so lessons can be taken in any order without requiring prior participation. This class is open to students who have successfully completed CECR B1 level. If you haven’t completed B1, verify your level on our website under, “Find Your Level”.
Pace: Regular

Order This Course

$237.00 USD

Code: 26P Kick-Start French A1-pm
Kick start your French into action! In this intensive four-day workshop, students will develop essential conversational and communicative skills for surviving in a Francophone environment. This course is designed for beginners who wish to solidify their understanding of the language, including basic grammar and vocabulary. Students should have the ability to understand and express themselves at a rudimentary level.
Prerequisites: 103 or equivalent.

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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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