Alliance Chapter
Charter of Af Brisbane
The Alliance Française de Brisbane is an Australian not- for- profit association, part of an international network of Alliances with similar missions. Alliances are French cultural centres that teach French and promote French culture all over the world.
Please ensure you read the charter before you enrol so you have a better understanding of what to expect from us and what is required from you to make your journey with us the most pleasant and successful one. If your child is studying with us, please make sure you read the kids' brochure Apprendre le français.
Our Commitment to you:
To provide our students with a supportive and safe environment to learn the French language and to expand their knowledge of the French culture |
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Our teaching philosophy
It is our aim to provide quality French courses based on “the communicative approach to teaching”. Our primary goal is to give learners enough confidence to cope with real life situations. Therefore the focus is on activities that maximise opportunities to use French in a conversational way. This is achieved through meaningful exercises, such as creative role-plays, simulations, surveys, projects, discussions and task based activities. The emphasis is on speaking and listening, although reading and writing are also important parts of the courses. Naturally, grammar, is not neglected, but the focus remains on getting the message across. Since the primary objective is the rapid development of speech and comprehension skills, class sizes are limited to a maximum of 14 students. We also cater for specific needs and offer private tutoring as well as workshops to enhance and develop specific language skills (such as pronunciation, conversation, grammar and many more). Finally, we run intensive courses for beginner and intermediate levels for students who wish to progress more quickly.
A communicative approach is also enhanced for chidren. A fun environment is provided for them to learn in action. Their class number varies between 8 and 14 depending on their age. |
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Cultural and social activities
The Alliance organises various cultural and social activities and events for all ages throughout the year. There are film screenings, talks, workshops, the ciné-club, the book club, exhibitions, competitions, and so on – but always with a distinctly French flavour. The dynamic cultural life of the Alliance is a must for all students and members of all levels and ages. They are of great benefit to the learners. Among our most famous and regular events are the Alliance Française French Film Festival, the Fête de la Musique, the Bastille Day events and the Beaujolais Nouveau evening. |
Standard French and teaching staff
We teach standard French language and our teachers are either qualified FLE professionals (FLE stands for Francais Langue Etrangere or French as a Foreign Language) or have an equivalent diploma or experience. Standard French enables students to be understood in any French speaking country. As a general rule our teachers are native speakers of French but we also employ non native French speakers who are highly qualified French teachers, have an excellent knowledge of the French culture, and are perfectly fluent. We hire teachers from various French speaking countries or from what is known as the Francophone world. Currently we have staff from Belgium, Canada, France, New Caledonia and Switzerland. |
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Levels of French
Alliance Française holds four 10 week terms per year with holiday classes and themed workshops held between the terms. General French Courses are divided into levels that follow the recommendations of the scale of levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and learners have the opportunity to test their progress by taking the official ‘French as foreign language diplomas’ (DELF and DALF). These diplomas can be undertaken once a year. Students aged 12 and over can sit for the DELF Junior.
Students who register with us undertake a reading and speaking placement test, enabling us to place them in the class that best matches their current level. Students who have no previous knowledge of French do not need to take the placement test and can register into our first level – Breakthrough 1. We provide up to 5 different levels in each of our three categories: Beginner or “Breakthrough”, Intermediate or “Waystage” and Advanced or “Threshold”; that is, 15 levels in total. Slight differences of levels within the same class are still unavoidable but do not impede the learning process. In fact, it can be an asset as teachers will enable students to learn from their peers as well. Children are placed according to age and level. |
Student Material
Our adult tuition is based on the language course Connexions (books 1,2, and 3) which offers to students, numerous speaking opportunities along with a comprehensive approach to grammar and vocabulary. It follows the standards of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CFCR). The exercise book with its audio-CD provides students with listening exercises to practice and strengthen their skills. A correction booklet is provided, which enables students to correct their own work. This allows the teacher to spend more time teaching and clearing up any remaining doubts. Transcriptions of the CD are also in the exercise book but these should only be used as a last resort. Listening exercises are for listening not for reading. We recommend that you listen at least 3 to 5 times before reading the scripts. You are not meant to understand everything but only enough to answer the questions correctly.
Children aged 3 to 5 are required to buy storybooks. This is a way for them to see words take shape into stories and take French home. 6 to 12 year-olds use the textbook Alex et Zoé (1 or 2). |
Premises
Our 8 classrooms are equipped with white boards, TV, CD and DVD players. They cater for a maximum of 8 to 14 students. Our reception hall is where students meet during break times (10 min) and can watch French television or browse in our resource centre. One of our classrooms has been specially designed for younger learners aged from 3 to 12. |
Resource Centre
The resource centre provides students, members and teachers with French films (DVD and videos) as well as a vast range of French novels, French children’s books and magazines. Members can borrow books and videos for one month and DVDs for one week. Onsite consultation is open to all Brisbane Francophiles. Le Bouquet Français, the French cable TV can be watched there too. |
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Students’ feedback
Every term we invite students to evaluate their course and their tutors’ teaching skills. We provide teachers with regular in-house training and encourage them to exchange teaching resources and tips. We always welcome constructive criticism from students by phone, by email, or in person. |
Health and safety
In case of an emergency such as a fire or an earthquake students must follow their teachers’ instructions and exit via the fire exits, following the exit signs. If an evacuation of the premises has occurred, students and staff should meet at the Davies Park sign on Montague Road for a roll call. A first aid kit is kept on premises by the water fountain in the hallway.
Collecting and delivery of young students: Parents must be escort students into the building and make sure that someone comes into the building to collect them. They also have to ensure to be prompt in collecting them. In case parents are late, they have to instruct their child (as we do here) that they must wait in the gallery for collection. It is not acceptable for students to be waiting on Montague Rd for collection. |
Membership
It is compulsory for all our students to hold a membership. Term or yearly ones are available. Membership entitles students to borrow from our resource centre, to attend Alliance activities and to obtain special discounts. We also welcome many members who are not studying French with us and wish to take part in the exciting cultural and social life of the Alliance. |
| Your Commitment to us:
Enrolment in our courses implies that:
1/ you accept our Terms and conditions;
2/ you abide by our Code of Conduct;
3/ you are aware of the Learning process involved in learning a language at Alliance. |
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Membership entitles you to discounts for all Alliance Française Brisbane events as well as access to our resource library.
- More About Membership
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