Alliance Française d'Austin offers group classes for adults and children, regular core classes from beginner to advanced (see levels below), plus online supplemental French language workshops and online and in-person French cultural events. AFA courses are all online via Zoom and use the ALTER EGO+ textbook series. Our pricing list is here.
All classes are taught by experienced native or native-competency French-speaking instructors. Alliance Française d’Austin offers small classes (4 to 8 students) that emphasize a conversational approach. Check out our current class offerings — there’s something for everyone, from beginners to advanced, nearly-fluent speakers. Take a look at our school calendar and see when the next session begins. If you are an absolute beginner, then sign up for A1 Beginner 100. Students with prior knowledge of French are invited to take a FREE online placement when registering for the first time with Alliance Française d’Austin. In helping us define which level is most appropriate for you, you will make the best of your learning experience with us. Please email us at admin@afaustin.org to schedule your free placement interview for the next session.
For group classes, registrations are accepted in the order they are received until the class is full (average size is 4-8). A minimum of four enrollments are required to hold a group class. If this quota is not met by the last day of registration prior to the session opening, and if a class only has 3 students, the instruction time may be reduced, depending on the length of the class. If a group class has 2 students or less, AFA may ask the students to join a different group at a similar level or offer a semi-private or private option.
When considering signing up for group classes, don’t forget about the value of an AFA membership. It includes tuition discounts, social activities, and cultural events. If you want to accelerate your journey to French fluency, you can sign up for a membership, a group class at your level, private lessons (many of our group students enhance their group courses with more tailored private lessons), and attend our online and in-person cultural events and Café Conversation groups.
Course Progression & Levels
With Alliance Française, students benefit from decades of experience and development of our teaching methods, our qualified teachers, and advanced research in second language acquisition. Alliance Française d’Austin’s program and evaluation systems are modeled on the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
+ A1 Beginner
Note that complete beginners start in Level A1 Beginner 100. Higher A1 levels begin to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Can introduce themself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where they live. Can interact in a simple way as long as the other person talks slowly and clearly.
+ A2 Early Intermediate
Understands some frequently used expressions and can answer questions such as basic personal and family information, hobbies, and employment. Can describe in simple terms aspects of their background, immediate environment, and matters in areas of immediate need.
+ B1 Intermediate
Can produce simple connected sentences on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, hopes and ambitions, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
+ B2 Advanced
Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without too much strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue.
+ C1 Proficient
Understands a wide range of longer texts. Can express themself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic, and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text.
+ C2 Proficient
Understands with ease most everything heard or read. Can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express themself spontaneously, fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.
Textbook Requirements
AFA uses the ALTER EGO+ textbook series, a language method produced by the Alliance Française de Paris. For our group classes, we use AlterEgo+ textbook and workbook. Each level (A1, A2, B1, B2) has a different textbook and workbook as the student progresses. It is very important that when purchasing your textbook and workbook for Levels A1, A2, B1, & B2, you make sure that you are getting the AlterEgo+ version (the “plus” is very important) so you have the correct version. For the C1 Level, there is no “plus” version at this time.
We have noted that there are more that one version of these books online. Please be sure to double-check. The CD-ROM is not necessary but in most cases comes with the textbook. You are welcome to purchase from your favorite retailer. It is important to order your text and workbook in time for your first class if possible. The links below will take you to Amazon if you would like to purchase there. Please note the 10 Digit ISBN numbers below for each level.
A1 - AlterEgo+ 1 (yellow covers) - Textbook 0211558107 ; Workbook 2011558115 (used for 100 through 109 Level Courses)
A2 - AlterEgo+ 2 (green covers) - Textbook 2011558121 ; Workbook 2011558131 (used for 201 through 209 Level Courses)
B1 - AlterEgo+ 3 (bright pink covers) - Textbook 201155814X ; Workbook 2011558158 (used for 301 through 309 Level Courses)
B2 - AlterEgo+ 4 (blue covers) - Textbook 2014015503 ; Workbook 2014015511 (used for 401 through 409 Level Courses)
C1 & C2 - AlterEgo 5 (purple covers) - Textbook 2011557976 ; Workbook 2011557984 (used for Advanced Level Courses)
HERE IS A PDF DOCUMENT FOR YOU TO PRINT ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO ORDER THE CORRECT TEXT AND WORKBOOKS.