2026 Fall Mini Classes:

October 19 - November 14, 2026

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 4-week series, with 1.5-hour sessions each week. 

For last-minute registration requests, please contact the office at info@afportland.org

Registration Now Open! Registration Now Open!

Classes For Beginning Levels

Beginning classes are designed for A1-level students and correspond to the 100 series. Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class descriptions.






A1

French for travelers 

Planning a trip to a French-speaking country? Master essential travel skills in four mini-lessons! Learn hotel check-ins, metro navigation, ticket purchases, food ordering, and more. Taught predominantly in French with English support as needed. Perfect for beginners with basic French knowledge.

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A1

French Grammar Workshop 

Review essential French verbs and tenses through structured practice and guided conversation. This workshop focuses on the present tense, from regular to commonly used irregular verbs, while reinforcing A1 vocabulary and building confidence in real-life communication. No prerequisites.

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A1

Intro to French Communication IN PERSON

Join us for Beginning French Conversation! Build confidence speaking French in a supportive, interactive environment while practicing everyday topics through guided conversations, activities, and role-playing.

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A1

Small Talk : An Introduction to French ONLINE

A fun, communication-focused introduction to French! Learn useful words and phrases through engaging activities and start speaking French right away. No grammar drills or in-depth explanations, just practical French you can use. No prerequisites.

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Classes For Beginner and Low Intermediate Levels

Blended beginner and low intermediate classes are designed for A1 and A2-level students. Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class description.

A1/A2

Pronunciation and spelling

 Speak and spell French with more confidence! Practice tricky French sounds, vowels, consonants, and silent letters through fun, practical exercises. Build your confidence in pronouncing and spelling everyday French more accurately.

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Classes For Low Intermediate Levels

Low intermediate classes are designed for A2-level students and correspond to the 200 series. Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class description.

A2

Communication practice 

Ready to start speaking more French? Join us for a fun, supportive conversation class designed for A2-level learners who want to build confidence and become more comfortable speaking French.

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A2

Grammar in Action

Put French grammar into practice! Instead of studying rules in isolation, you’ll use grammar to communicate, solve problems, and handle real-life situations in French. Through games, role-playing, and interactive activities, you’ll build practical speaking skills and more natural, spontaneous communication.

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A2

Phontetics in action 

Make your French pronunciation more natural and confident! Practice sounds, rhythm, intonation, and connected speech while communicating and completing real-life tasks in French. Through role-plays, speaking exercises, and interactive activities, you’ll put your pronunciation skills into practice right away.

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A2

The essentials of A2 Grammar


More info coming soon More info coming soon

Classes For Low Intermediate and Intermediate Levels

Blended low Intermediate and intermediate classes are designed for A2/B1-level students. Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class descriptions.

A2/B1


Get ready for france

 Learn practical French for booking and confirming hotels, transportation, tours, and activities—and pick up useful tips about French culture and everyday life along the way. Plan your trip with confidence and make the most of your time in France.


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Classes For Intermediate Levels

Intermediate classes are designed for B1-level students and correspond to the 300 series. Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class descriptions.







B1

Understanding French Sentence Structure

Want to make your French sentences clearer and more natural? In this B1-level course, we’ll explore how French sentences are built and how to use word order with confidence. Review the basics of declarative and interrogative sentences, look at simple and complex subjects, practice simple and compound verb tenses, and learn how to use direct and indirect objects. Through practical examples and interactive activities, you’ll strengthen your understanding of French sentence structure and communicate more accurately.

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Classes For Intermediate  and Upper Intermediate Levels

Blended Intermediate and upper intermediate classes are designed for B1 and B2-level students and correspond to the 300 and 400 series.  Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class descriptions.



B1/B2

Reported speech challenge


Ever wonder how to tell someone what another person said in French? Come practice discours indirect and make your French conversations more fluent and natural! Learn how to report statements, questions, and information from conversations, movies, podcasts, and more. Through fun, interactive activities, you’ll review tenses and grammatical changes while building confidence in everyday French.

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B1/B2

Cinema: ROBERT BRESSON : LE VISIONNAIRE MINIMALISTE

Explore three distinctive works: the thrilling and meditative Un Condamné à Mort s’est Échappé, Bresson’s final film L’Argent, and his poetic, haunting Au Hasard Balthazar, a powerful vision of human cruelty and folly through the eyes of a donkey. Participants should watch each film on their own before the discussion; all three are available on Amazon Prime with English subtitles for a nominal rental fee.

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B1/B2

discover swiss culture

Milk chocolate, mountain villages, banking secrecy, and a language all their own. Switzerland is full of surprises, and this course unlocks them all. Explore the history, traditions, cuisine, politics, and distinctive French of the Swiss Confederation through an engaging, culturally rich journey. Students may also choose to develop their oral skills through optional presentations.

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Classes for
Advanced Levels

Advanced classes are designed for C1-level students and correspond to the 500 series.  Find prerequisites, read full class description, and register by clicking "Read More" in the class descriptions.

C1+

Advanced French: Current Events and Media Analysis

What's making headlines in France today? This advanced course puts you at the heart of contemporary French society, using real newspapers, articles, reports, and television programs as your springboard for rich discussion and in-depth analysis. You'll sharpen the skills that matter most at this level, from understanding nuanced arguments and building sophisticated media vocabulary to expressing complex ideas with precision and debating confidently in French. More than a language class, this is a window into the conversations, controversies, and cultural currents shaping France right now, for learners who don't just want to speak French, but want to think in it.

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A1 - Beginner

French for Travelers

Minis
Planning a trip to a French-speaking country but concerned about navigating the language barrier? Join our four "French for Travelers" mini lessons and master essential skills like hotel check-ins, using the metro, purchasing tickets, ordering food, and taking the train. This course is designed for beginners with basic French knowledge and will be predominantly taught in French, with English as needed. Prerequisite is having completed level 101 or possessing an equivalent level online.
Pace: Regular

Grammar Workshop

Minis
This four-week workshop offers a dynamic review of essential French verbs and tenses through a combination of structured drills and guided conversation. Each week, students will reinforce and recycle key vocabulary commonly introduced in the A1 level, helping build both accuracy and confidence in real-life communication. The focus of this session is the present tense, beginning with regular verbs and progressing to commonly used irregular verbs, allowing learners to deepen their understanding while actively using the language in context. No prerequisites.
Pace: Regular

Intro to French Communication

Minis
Join us for a Beginning French Conversation class designed for learners eager to develop their speaking skills in a supportive environment. In this course, students will explore a selection of everyday themes tailored to the group's level. Topics may include introductions, family discussions, sports, leisure activities, daily routines, grocery shopping, weather preferences, seasonal clothing, and pets. Participants will engage in interactive activities, group discussions, and role-playing, allowing them to build confidence and fluency in everyday French conversation. Prerequisites: basic French, 102 level or equivalent
Pace: Regular

Small Talk: An Introduction to French

Minis
A fun, communication-focused introduction to French! Learn useful words and phrases through engaging activities designed to help you start speaking French right away—without focusing on grammar or in-depth explanations. No prerequisites.
Pace: Regular
A1/A2

Pronunciation and Spelling

Minis
Designed for beginners, this course focuses on improving French pronunciation and spelling. Students will work on mastering the sounds of French, paying attention to tricky consonants, vowels, and silent letters. Through interactive exercises, drills, and practical tips, learners will gain the confidence to pronounce words more accurately and spell them correctly in everyday French. Prerequisite is having completed level 103 or possessing an equivalent level.
Pace: Regular
A2 - Lower Intermediate

Communication Practice

Minis
Ready to start speaking more French? Join us for a fun, supportive conversation class designed for A2-level learners who want to build confidence and become more comfortable speaking French. Explore everyday topics such as family, sports, leisure activities, daily routines, shopping, weather, clothing, and pets. Through games, role-playing, group discussions, and other interactive activities, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to practice speaking, share your ideas, and connect with others, all while building your confidence in everyday French. Prerequisites: 106 or equivalent.
Pace: Regular

Grammar in Action

Minis
Put French grammar into practice! Rather than studying grammar rules in isolation, this course takes an action-based approach: you’ll use grammar to communicate, solve problems, make decisions, and complete real-life tasks in French. Through role-plays, games, and interactive activities, you’ll turn grammar into practical speaking skills and develop more natural, spontaneous communication. Prerequite 204 or equivalent.
Pace: Regular

Phonetics in Action

Minis
Make your French pronunciation more natural and confident through an action-based approach. Instead of simply studying individual sounds, you’ll practice pronunciation while communicating and completing real-life tasks in French. Through role-plays, interactive activities, and speaking exercises, you’ll work on sounds, rhythm, intonation, and connected speech—and put them into practice right away. Prerequite 204 or equivalent.
Pace: Regular
A2/B1

Get Ready for France

Minis

Get ready for your trip to France with confidence! Learn useful French for making and confirming hotel, transportation, tour, and activity reservations. We’ll also look at how to plan ahead and make the most of your time in France. Along the way, you’ll discover practical tips about French culture, customs, and everyday life to help your trip go smoothly. Taught in French for A2/B1 learners. Prerequisite 203 or equivalent.




Pace: Regular
B1 - Intermediate

Discover Swiss Culture

Minis
Welcome to our French class on Switzerland! When we mention milk chocolate, banking secrecy, Heidi, and neutrality, what country comes to mind? Switzerland, of course! In this course, you'll have the opportunity to discover the characteristics of this small country and its French-speaking region through its captivating history, rich traditions, delicious cuisine, distinctive French language, and unique politics. Get ready to uncover the best-kept secrets of the Swiss Confederation! Additionally, students will have the option, if they choose, to prepare oral presentations. Join us for a fascinating exploration of Switzerland through the French language. This class is open to students at level B1 and above, with the prerequisite of having completed level 301 or possessing an equivalent level.
Pace: Regular

Understanding French Sentence Structure

Minis
Want to make your French sentences clearer and more natural? In this B1-level course, we’ll explore how French sentences are built and how to use word order with confidence. Review the basics of declarative and interrogative sentences, look at simple and complex subjects, practice simple and compound verb tenses, and learn how to use direct and indirect objects. Through practical examples and interactive activities, you’ll strengthen your understanding of French sentence structure and communicate more accurately. Prerequisite 301 or equivalent.
Pace: Regular
B1/B2

Cinema: ROBERT BRESSON : LE VISIONNAIRE MINIMALISTE

Minis
Join us for three classes on Zoom, beginning Monday, October 26th at 12 noon, to discuss 3 French films featuring the French visionary Robert Bresson. Discover a film both thrilling and meditative, focusing on the fascinating theme of escape from prison {Un Condamné à Mort S’Est Échappé); Bresson’s final film, a harrowing yet humane observation of the indifferent, egotistical world (L’Argent); and perhaps Bresson’s most poetic, haunting, personal work – an unsettling vision of human cruelty, folly, and destructive behavior seen through the eyes of a donkey. You will be expected to see the three films on your own before each discussion. They are all available on Amazon Prime with English subtitles for a nominal rental fee.
 
Pace: Regular

Discover Swiss Culture

Minis
Welcome to our French class on Switzerland! When we mention milk chocolate, banking secrecy, Heidi, and neutrality, what country comes to mind? Switzerland, of course! In this course, you'll have the opportunity to discover the characteristics of this small country and its French-speaking region through its captivating history, rich traditions, delicious cuisine, distinctive French language, and unique politics. Get ready to uncover the best-kept secrets of the Swiss Confederation! Additionally, students will have the option, if they choose, to prepare oral presentations. Join us for a fascinating exploration of Switzerland through the French language. This class is open to students at level B1 and above, with the prerequisite of having completed level 301 or possessing an equivalent level.
Pace: Regular

Reported Speech Challenge

Minis

Do you want to improve your conversational skills? Reported speech is an essential tool in French for talking about what someone else has said, whether you’re sharing a past conversation, discussing a movie, or talking about a radio program or podcast. Learn how to report questions, statements, and information while using the correct tenses and grammatical changes.
Let’s review the rules and practice together so you can feel more confident using reported speech in conversation. Prerequisite 301 or equivalent.





Pace: Regular
B2 - Upper Intermediate

Discover Swiss Culture

Minis
Welcome to our French class on Switzerland! When we mention milk chocolate, banking secrecy, Heidi, and neutrality, what country comes to mind? Switzerland, of course! In this course, you'll have the opportunity to discover the characteristics of this small country and its French-speaking region through its captivating history, rich traditions, delicious cuisine, distinctive French language, and unique politics. Get ready to uncover the best-kept secrets of the Swiss Confederation! Additionally, students will have the option, if they choose, to prepare oral presentations. Join us for a fascinating exploration of Switzerland through the French language. This class is open to students at level B1 and above, with the prerequisite of having completed level 301 or possessing an equivalent level.
Pace: Regular
C1 - Advanced

Advanced French: Current Events and Media Analysis

Minis
This advanced French course is designed for students at the C1/C2 level who wish to deepen their understanding and analysis of French current events. Through interactive classes, participants will explore major events and debates in contemporary French society by analyzing newspapers, articles, reports, and television programs. The course aims to develop skills in oral and written comprehension and expression, enrich vocabulary specific to the media, and strengthen the ability to argue in French for complete immersion in the French language and culture.
Pace: Regular

Order This Course

$155.00 USD
Code: 26A Mini Grammar in Action A2



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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 Mon–Thu, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Fri, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., plus during evening and Saturday classes. Check our homepage for occasional closures.
Call us at 503.223.8388 during business hours or leave a message.
Email us at  info@afportland.org.

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