FAQ // classes

You should enrol in any A1 Beginner 1  class.

Yes we do! We offer classes on Teams for different levels including beginners. As student of Alliance Française de Perth, you will join our online community of teachers and students for practising your writing and grammar skills outside of the classroom. Courses will be provided using a combination of video conferencing and other e-learning.

No it is not. We will provide the help you need and guide you through the process.

It really depends on each individual and you may remember more (or less) than you think. Self-assessing your language skills in a foreign language can be tricky ; this is why we highly recommend that you call us on (08) 9386 7921 or take an online free placement test to have your French assessed. If you feel more comfortable going back to the beginner level, you are welcome to do so.

• Standard Courses: run for one full Term or Midterm. They cover all levels from A1 to C1 (fluency) and teach general French. They cover the four core areas of language acquisition: speaking, listening, reading and writing. The emphasis is on speaking and listening during class time ; reading and writing whilst used in class are mostly for homework.

• Regular Workshops: run for one Term or Midterm. They cover some/most levels and teach specilised French, such as DELF preparation, pronunciation, speaking for advanced levels, grammar for intermediate and so on.

• Holiday Workshops: run in-between terms and are short courses. We explore specific skills such as pronunciation, grammar, conversation, but also the popular or less famous aspects of French culture from cooking to literature or pop culture.

We would recommend to aim at reaching a B1 Intermediate level (independent user of the language level). Usually, to become an independent user of the language takes about 200 - 250 hours of tuition.

If you start at the beginning and learn in a classroom situation it will take at least 400 hours of learning. If you already have some French or will be going to France for a while it can be much faster. Exposure is key when it comes to language learning.

Any class will help you to achieve this, however you can refer to our MidTerms or Holiday workshop programs, as we offer classes that specifically focus on skills such as speaking and pronunciation.

It depends on the type of course you enrol in:

All standard courses require a language set: consisting of a textbook and exercise book.

When you purchase a course on the website the textbook will be automatically added to your cart. If you already have the books, you can remove them from your cart.  If you are in doubt, please contact the reception team (reception@afperth.com.au) or our Education Manager (education@afperth.com.au).

Pen and Paper are necessary, as well as a positive attitude! : ) 
Regular courses may also require course material purchased upon enrolment (textbooks and activity books).

We issue certificates of level completion upon request. Please be sure to ask us if you would like to have one.

• A good language learner is willing to experience and take risks. Please leave perfectionism at the door and allow yourself to make mistakes, because you will learn from them and from active listening.

• Set realistic expectations. It takes time and effort to become proficient in French and expect periods when you do not seem to be making much progress. Identify your needs before you get started and set yourself achievable goals.

• Be provocative, independent and organised. You will not speak French fluently just by sitting in a classroom. The work you put in and the opportunities for extra exposure to the language that you create or encounter will greatly assist your progression and satisfaction as a learner. 

• Study frequently and for shorter periods of time. It is more efficient to break study time into smaller chunks than study infrequently for extended periods of time. Try to do a few homework exercises every night rather than all of them the night before your class. In addition, make the most of the mentally "idle" moments during the day when you can fit in some study. For instance; you can review the alphabet whilst having a shower; count your steps whilst going for a walk; name as many objects as you can in French at the office or just out and about, write shopping lists or to do lists systematically in French.
  
  
• Finally, accept that you will reach a plateau from time to time and feel that you are no longer progressing. This is a normal part of the learning process and happens when you are actually on the verge of stepping up to a higher level. So this is good news! 

AF Members benefit of discounts on all AF events as well as a 10% discount when they enrol by the early bird deadline. You also get a discount with all our partners and can borrow from our extensive library as well as join the online media centre: Culturethèque. You can also be an active member by voting at our Annual General Meeting and even be elected as a board member if you wish. 

They are 18 months-3 yo: any Quokkas class
They are 3-4 yo: any Swans class.
They are 5-7 yo: any Children 1 class.
They are 8-10 yo: any Children 2 class.
They are 11-15 yo: any Les Juniors class.

The best way to place your child in the right class is to contact our Education Manager at pedago@afperth.com.au. Teens can also take the online placement test. An appointment for your child can be arranged to be assessed at the Alliance Française.

We do offer classes for 5 to 7 yo and 8 to 11 yo French-speaking children.

Français LAngue Maternelle (FLAM): l'Alliance Française de Perth propose des cours adaptés pour les enfants et ados francophones, de familles binationales ou de parents francophones, qui parlent français à la maison.
Les classes se déroulent exclusivement en français.

• Les petites FLAMs : 4-6 years old
• FLAM 1: 7-8 years old
• FLAM 2: 9-12 years old

On average there are 6 children per class which ensures they can take turn to play, speak and receive feedback.

Yes! Your child is more than welcome to join in for a trial class if there is a spot available. You will have to pay for 1 trial before the class. You will then pay the remaining for that class if you decide to enrol your child.

It depends on the type of course you enrol in.
A language set (textbook, exercise book and CD) is required for the CHILDREN 1, 2, 3 & 4. It is automatically added to your shopping cart. If you already have the books, you can remove them from your cart.

No, You do not need a membership to join a course. The students are allowed to borrow items for free from the library while they are studying with us. If you intend to study more than one term and wish to have discounts with our partners then You should definitely purchase the membership! Please check our membership page for prices, discounts, advantages and exclusive offers for members.

What is better than immersion to learn a language? Our teachers speak as much French as possible in the classroom. However, they will use some English to make sure children understand instructions and do not feel lost or left behind.

Parents of Quokkas (18 months-3y ears old) stay in the class.
Other parents are always welcome to try a class with their child to get to know the teacher and their teaching style, and to ensure their child is confident in that environment. Nevertheless, we ask the parents to leave the classroom after 15 minutes. Let the magic of immersive language learning happen: the children will learn to speak differently and will grow to become more independent.

Conversation and practical French is the focus. Our curriculum is designed to enable dynamic and fun learning in a structured way.

• Quokkas and Swans classes include a wide range of fun activities such as story time, singing, dancing, playing games, watching short films, doing craft and more. We want to ensure the children have fun whilst learning and absorb French in action through all their senses.

• CHILDREN 1, 2, 3 & 4 follow a set progression as defined by the book they are using in the class.

• Français LAngue Maternelle (FLAM): These classes are tailored to the children's age group and their current level of French proficiency. They will learn to read and write in French, expand their vocabulary on specific themes, and learn grammar and conjugation rules.

• Classes for Juniors complements the school curriculum. New and unique activities and resources are employed so that teens can put into practice what they have learnt at school. The classes are designed to help students work around their difficulties and extend their knowledge.

• The ATAR classes are designed for Y11 and Y12 students to enhance their grammar and extend their vocabulary to achieve the best results at school and prepare for the ATAR examination.

Any class will assist your child to achieve this. Please refer to our holiday and regular workshop program as we offer specialised classes that focus on specific skills such as speaking, pronunciation and grammar.

It generally takes at least 400 hours of learning to become an independent speaker. This is a long journey which can be accelerated through increased exposure to French games, movies, magazines, audio CDs and other authentic content. Engaging with anything in French is a step in the right direction.

At the Alliance, all our classes are serious and fun. Our students benefit from smaller groups (14 students max per class), making it easier to practice and giving everyone the opportunity to speak. All our teachers are native speakers and fully qualified. We use the latest teaching methods and technologies, including interactive whiteboards and iPads.

We offer term courses, holiday courses and special one-off workshops.
Our term courses are 10 weeks long and classes are held once a week, usually in the morning or in the evening. Although we recommend to follow the whole duration of a course, it is possible to join a course during the term (except for complete beginners and other special courses).
Our holiday courses happen during the break in between each term. Classes are usually held every day for a week or two.

Most of our classes are held in Nedlands. Our main office (reception, library and most adult classes) is located on 75 Broadway.

We also run French courses for teens in Bull Creek at All Saints' College.

We offer a wide range of courses to match different levels and needs.

• Our General courses are ideal for people who wish to learn and improve their skills on the long term. Classes offer a complete program that includes oral and written comprehension, speaking and grammar exercises.

• For those who wish to focus on their speaking skills, we run conversation workshops from elementary to advanced levels.
• To practice and improve your French in a different way, try our different workshops, from history to cooking. We have themed workshops to match all interests ! And we are open to new suggestions!

Our general courses are based on textbooks that are available for sale at the Alliance when you take a collective class with us. We also have a wide range of learning tools in our library, available to borrow for free for our students.