Mini classes are a perfect opportunity to keep studying French without a long commitment. Each class targets a specific
area or theme. Mini classes are offered in a series of 4 or 3 weeks, 1h30 hours per session, starting the week of June 19. Three sessions
are offered this summer:
Session 1: June 19 - July 15 (4 weeks),
Session 2: July 17 - August 11 (4 weeks),
Session 3: August 14 - September 1 (3 weeks).
Registration for Summer Mini Classes is now open.
Below you'll find the details about each series. Scroll all the way down for registration. REGISTRATION CLOSES 24H BEFORE CLASS
BEGINS.
Contact the office for last minute registration info@afportland.org.
Scroll down to register.
SESSION 1: June 19 - July 15 (4 weeks)
No classes on July 4. Tuesday mini-classes are 3-week long with pro-rated price.
C'est une maison bleue
For A1 level
Welcome to the wonderful world of homes! Let's explore what makes your home sweet home. Share your favorite features, how you make
yourself feel comfortable, and your ultimate dream home. We'll also delve into some unique and unusual places we'd love to call
home. Get ready to be thrilled and inspired by the wonders of home sweet home, through captivating images, melodious songs, and fascinating
mini-documentaries, as we embark on this exciting journey of talking about our nests.
Fri 10-11:30am
June 23 - July 14
Prerequisites: 101/102
Ouaf ouaf, miaou: Reading comprehension with Albert & Folio
For A1 level
“Les aventures d’Albert & Folio” is an illustrated book series aimed at beginning French learners that recounts the escapades of a cat
and dog living in Paris. Through an engaging audio narration, visual aids, and repeated essential vocabulary, beginning students with some
experience will rapidly gain understanding of sentence structure and high-frequency words and expressions in French, particularly around the
themes of animals, families, sensations and emotions. In each class, we will read and listen along with one or two of these short books, go
over key vocabulary and check for comprehension, and engage in discussions and creative activities at students’ level.
Mon 10-11:30am
June 19 - July 14
Prerequisites: 102
Voyage-Voyage
For A1 through A2 levels
Join us on an exhilarating journey as we explore the magnificent 7 wonders of the world and the incredible countries that house them.
Through exciting questionnaires, authentic documents, captivating photos and videos, and travel diaries, we will learn to speak about these
enchanting monuments and natural wonders with great enthusiasm. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
Wednesdays 10-11:30a
June 21 - July 12
Prerequisites: 103
Mastering Pronouns
For A2 through B1 levels
This four week workshop will review the use of object pronouns in French.
Week 1: Les COD et COI. Students will review use and placement of direct and indirect object pronouns in several
tenses, and will have opportunities to practice these structures through conversation with classmates. Week 2: Y et en. Students will review the use and placement of adverbial pronouns y and en in several tenses, and will have
opportunities to practice these structures through conversation with classmates. Week 3: Tous les pronoms. Students will review choosing between COD, COI, y, and en in simple and complex verb structures. Week
4:
Les pronoms relatifs. Students will review using relative pronouns qui, que, où, and dont.
IN-PERSON CLASS
Wednesdays 10-11:30a
June 21 - July 12
Prerequisites: 203
La grammaire en chansons
For A2 through B1 levels
In this series, you will have the opportunity to brush up your French grammar skills in the company of contemporary and 20th-century singers
and songwriters. Review the past tenses with Édith Piaf and Charles Aznavour, explore the conditional forms with Joe Dassin and Angèle, and
learn the subjunctive mode with Carla Bruni and Céline Dion.
Tuesdays 10-11:30a
June 20 - July 11
Prerequisites: 201
This class is 3 weeks-long due to the July 4th holiday.
Regards croisés sur la France et les français
For A2 through B1 levels
In this series, you are invited to discover and discuss various stereotypes, clichés, and jokes about the ways France and the French are
perceived in other cultures. What do the Japanese or the Norwegians have to say about the quintessentially “French” lifestyle? What
stereotypical representations of Metropolitan France are common in Quebec? The participants will be encouraged to share their own
experiences and knowledge that either confirm or disprove such stereotypes, and to remember to take everything with a grain of salt!
Fridays 10-11:30am
June 23 - July 14
Prerequisites: 201
Baguette grenouille tour Eiffel
For A2 through B1 levels
We're going to have a blast poking fun at the stereotypes associated with the French! From the national pastime of complaining to the
frequent strikes, we'll delve into why these clichés exist. And what about the infamous baguette under the arm? We'll uncover the
truth. Plus, we'll explore why France is both loved and hated by foreigners. And, get this - ever wonder why some tourists are
completely shocked by the difference between the France they imagined from movies and the real thing? We'll answer that too! Get ready
for an adventure as we uncover the truth behind these common French stereotypes.
Wednesdays 1-2:30pm
June 21 - July 12
Prerequisites: 201
Douce France
For B1 through B2 levels
Get ready to explore the wonders of French society! With Ina's treasure trove of archival videos, you can dive into the lives of the
youth, children, and daily routines of the French people throughout history. These videos are full of insightful interviews and testimonials
that will make you laugh, reminisce, and be curious about the ever-evolving French culture. The best part? By watching these videos,
you'll gain a deeper understanding of France today and what makes this country tick. So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting
journey through time with Ina's archival videos!
Tuesdays 1-2:30pm
June 20 - July 11
Prerequisites: 206
This class is 3 weeks-long due to the July 4th holiday.
Histoires de migrations
For B1 through B2 levels
France is an amazing patchwork of cultures that you simply cannot miss out on! Have you ever wondered why we eat couscous or why we sprinkle
Arabic words in our everyday conversations? Well, you're in for a treat! Let's explore France's rich migratory history and
dive into the stories of the brave migrants and their first and second-generation offspring. Through music and entertaining documentaries,
we can uncover the diverse and exciting flavors of the world that have contributed to France's unique culture today. Get ready to be
amazed!
Tuesdays 6-7:30pm
June 20 - July 11
Prerequisites: 206
This class is 3 weeks-long due to the July 4th holiday.
Les régions de France
For B2 level
In this culture-focused class, students will learn and review content related to the geography and traditions of France’s metropolitan and
overseas regions through videos, articles, maps and discussions. As a class, we will dive more deeply into the culture and clichés
associated with southwest France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) and the north of France (Hauts-de-France). Students will also have the chance to watch
the beloved French movie “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis” (all about the clichés of the North) at home and discuss it in class, and research and
present briefly on another region that they are curious about and/or have traveled to.
Wednesdays 6-7:30pm
June 21 - July 12
Prerequisites: 306
La vie en rose
For B2 through C1 levels
Are you ready to experience the language of love like never before? Imagine whispering sweet nothings in French to the love of your life!
And what if you could witness firsthand how French people express their love and friendship? Get ready to explore this beautiful language
through songs, articles, videos, and movies. Let your heart skip a beat as you immerse yourself in the world of love and romance. Don't
miss out on this exciting opportunity to celebrate the French language and all its amour!
Thursdays 1-2:30pm
June 22 - July 13
Prerequisites: CECR B1
Ouaf ouaf, miaou: Reading comprehension with Albert & Folio
Minis
“Les aventures d’Albert & Folio” is an illustrated book series aimed at beginning French learners that recounts the escapades of a cat
and dog living in Paris. Through an engaging audio narration, visual aids, and repeated essential vocabulary, beginning students with some
experience will rapidly gain understanding of sentence structure and high-frequency words and expressions in French, particularly around the
themes of animals, families, sensations and emotions. In each class, we will read and listen along with one or two of these short books, go
over key vocabulary and check for comprehension, and engage in discussions and creative activities at students’ level.
Prerequisites: 102
Pace: Regular
Join us on an exhilarating journey as we explore the magnificent 7 wonders of the world and the incredible countries that house them.
Through exciting questionnaires, authentic documents, captivating photos and videos, and travel diaries, we will learn to speak about these
enchanting monuments and natural wonders with great enthusiasm. Get ready for an adventure of a lifetime!
Pace: Regular
We're going to have a blast poking fun at the stereotypes associated with the French! From the national pastime of complaining to the
frequent strikes, we'll delve into why these clichés exist. And what about the infamous baguette under the arm? We'll uncover the truth.
Plus, we'll explore why France is both loved and hated by foreigners. And, get this - ever wonder why some tourists are completely shocked
by the difference between the France they imagined from movies and the real thing? We'll answer that too! Get ready for an adventure as we
uncover the truth behind these common French stereotypes.
Pace: Regular
You don’t have to be 100% proficient to read and understand “serious” literature in French! With this selection of short literary excerpts,
you will explore the themes of freedom, difference, memory, and language. This will allow you to strengthen your speaking and reading
skills, as well as deepen your knowledge of the history of francophone literature. Week 1: André Gide - Les nourritures terrestres (1897);
Week 2: Assia Djebar - L’Amour, la fantasia (1985); Week 3: Patrick Modiano - Dora Bruder (1997); Week 4: Nancy Huston - Nord perdu (1999).
Pace: Regular
In this series, you will have the opportunity to brush up your French grammar skills in the company of contemporary and 20th-century singers
and songwriters. Review the past tenses with Édith Piaf and Charles Aznavour, explore the conditional forms with Joe Dassin and Angèle, and
learn the subjunctive mode with Carla Bruni and Céline Dion.
Pace: Regular
This four week workshop will review the use of object pronouns in French: Week 1: Les COD et COI. Students will review use and placement of
direct and indirect object pronouns in several tenses, and will have opportunities to practice these structures through conversation with
classmates.Week 2: Y et en. Students will review the use and placement of adverbial pronouns y and en in several tenses, and will have
opportunities to practice these structures through conversation with classmates.Week 3: Tous les pronoms. Students will review choosing
between COD, COI, y, and en in simple and complex verb structures.Week 4: Les pronoms relatifs. Students will review using relative pronouns
qui, que, où, and dont.
Pace: Regular
Regards croisés sur la France et les français A2/B1
Minis
In this series, you are invited to discover and discuss various stereotypes, clichés, and jokes about the ways France and the French are
perceived in other cultures. What do the Japanese or the Norwegians have to say about the quintessentially “French” lifestyle? What
stereotypical representations of Metropolitan France are common in Quebec? The participants will be encouraged to share their own
experiences and knowledge that either confirm or disprove such stereotypes, and to remember to take everything with a grain of salt!
Pace: Regular
Get ready to explore the wonders of French society! With Ina's treasure trove of archival videos, you can dive into the lives of the youth,
children, and daily routines of the French people throughout history. These videos are full of insightful interviews and testimonials that
will make you laugh, reminisce, and be curious about the ever-evolving French culture. The best part? By watching these videos, you'll gain a
deeper understanding of France today and what makes this country tick. So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting journey through time with
Ina's archival videos!
Pace: Regular
You don’t have to be 100% proficient to read and understand “serious” literature in French! With this selection of short literary excerpts,
you will explore the themes of responsibility, remembrance, childhood, and love. This will allow you to strengthen your speaking and reading
skills, as well as deepen your knowledge of the history of francophone literature. Week 1: André Breton - Nadja (1928); Week 2: Jean-Paul
Sartre - Les Mouches (1943), Huis clos (1944); Week 3: Nathalie Sarraute - Enfance (1982); Week 4: Marguerite Duras - L’Amant (1984).
Pace: Regular
France is an amazing patchwork of cultures that you simply cannot miss out on! Have you ever wondered why we eat couscous or why we sprinkle
Arabic words in our everyday conversations? Well, you're in for a treat! Let's explore France's rich migratory history and dive into the
stories of the brave migrants and their first and second-generation offspring. Through music and entertaining documentaries, we can uncover
the diverse and exciting flavors of the world that have contributed to France's unique culture today. Get ready to be amazed!
Pace: Regular
Improve your grammar, expand your vocabulary, and learn new literary concepts by reading and discussing a selection of acclaimed poetic
texts in French. The poetry featured in this series–from the children’s song Alouette, gentille alouette to the surrealist poems of Robert
Desnos–will allow you to encounter different genres, forms, and styles of poetic expression.
Pace: Regular
As Victor Hugo writes in Les Misérables, « Errer est humain, flâner est parisien. » In this workshop, you are invited to become a flâneur or
a flâneuse, exploring Paris through literary texts that feature the iconic places and landmarks of La Ville Lumière. This series is a great
opportunity to deepen your knowledge of France’s capital, expand your vocabulary, and practice speaking French. Week 1: Île de la Cité and
the Seine; Week 2: Montmartre and the North; Week 3: Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis and the East; Week 4: The Latin Quarter and the Left Ban.
Pace: Regular
In this culture-focused class, students will learn and review content related to the geography and traditions of France’s metropolitan and
overseas regions through videos, articles, maps and discussions. As a class, we will dive more deeply into the culture and clichés
associated with southwest France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) and the north of France (Hauts-de-France). Students will also have the chance to watch
the beloved French movie “Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis” (all about the clichés of the North) at home and discuss it in class, and research and
present briefly on another region that they are curious about and/or have traveled to.
Prerequisites: 306
Pace: Regular
Are you ready to experience the language of love like never before? Imagine whispering sweet nothings in French to the love of your life!
And what if you could witness firsthand how French people express their love and friendship? Get ready to explore this beautiful language
through songs, articles, videos, and movies. Let your heart skip a beat as you immerse yourself in the world of love and romance. Don't miss
out on this exciting opportunity to celebrate the French language and all its amour!
Pace: Regular
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.
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.