Our Commitment to Quality

In 2006, we implemented the AF FRAMES project, which stands for Alliance Française FRench-AMerican Educational Standards. It is adapted from the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF), a practical tool setting clear standards to be obtained at successive stages of learning languages. The CEF has been implemented in many European countries and at a number of American universities. AF FRAMES seeks to adapt its philosophy and components to the American context and specificities. What does it mean for your Alliance Française? In participating in the AF FRAMES project, the Alliance Française de Chicago clearly states its commitment to pedagogical excellence.

What does it mean to you as a student of the Alliance Française?
• It provides the Alliance Française team with an even better understanding of your needs;
• AF Frames provides you with clear learning objectives, as described in the CEF’s global scale
• AF Frames guarantees a standardized evaluation;
• It offers you official documentation and, thus, greater “portability” of your achievements.

Overall, you get the guarantee that you have enrolled in an institution which dedicates a great deal of its resources and time to upgrading and ensuring the quality of its teaching.

French language classes with Rond-Point

Rond-Point is a highly interactive method that requires additional oral activities in class. This method offers new concepts, new ways of learning and, of course, new opportunities for immersion in the French and Francophone world.
Students know in advance the programming of each class, as all teachers’ activities are indicated in the student textbook. One book covers all seven levels. The book and its companion CD are available for purchase in our office.
In addition, at the end of each session, students receive a final evaluation to rate their communicative skills: oral and written expression, comprehension, and use of lexical and stylistic structures. Then students receive a personal and accurate evaluation from their instructor. In this way, each student knows the progress he/she has made and exactly which course to take next. The length of each class is 1h45 + 5 mns Q&A for the once-a-week and twice-a-week courses and 2h30 for the 3 times a week courses.

We offer a friendly and stimulating environment to help you gain confidence in using French. We place an emphasis on communication, both oral and written, which is achieved through active student participation.

All language classes are conducted in French and are designed to develop comprehension, pronunciation, intonation, vocabulary, grammar, written expression and conversational ability.
After completing three successive levels in a row, we strongly recommend that you take a brush-up class in order to consolidate your grammatical knowledge through oral expression.

At the Alliance Française de Chicago, you not only learn French, you learn how to do things in French through practical use of the language.

Placement tests

If this is your first class at the Alliance Française, you should request a FREE placement test by an instructor during registration week. In addition, a teacher will assess your level during the first class of the session to ensure that you are in the proper level.