Adults

The Allliance Francaise learning technics should be taught in school. As a person who majored in French in college, I was never given such indepth training in all aspects of the French language. Please continue to keep up the good work.

— Faye Ingrid

I am very happy with the institute and the people over there. I also feel very comfortable with the language. It's a unique experience to be in the French Institute. That's all.

— Cecilia Gonzalez

I feel very fortunate to be enrolled at FIAF, and just as fortunate to have had some outstanding teachers.

— James O’Brien (Conversation & Grammar CG250)

It's a unique experience one can get from nowhere else. The centre is so established that walking into it is like entering a mini France. It's making the French cultural legacy alive all around the world.

— Judy Pang

Your intensive class in beginning French was the best French class I've taken. The teacher was very animated and ethusiastic. With such a rapid pace, the class was never boring, and three hours sped by. Although some beginning points of grammar still elude me, I'm sure with additional work and practice on my part, they will become clear. The class helped to tune my ear once again to all the beautiful nuances of the language. I'm sure the experience will make me less timid in the Nice market. I would like to pick up where I left off when I return in the Fall.

— Dona Gibbs (Fundamentals RP101, Intensive session)

I was very skeptical at first that the entire course was spoken in French without much English instruction (including the textbooks). I found this difficult at first (being a complete beginner), but I realized towards the end that the technique works. Also, like anything, you need to put in the extra time to study on your own as well (to get the most out of the class). Thank you for an enjoyable experience.

— P. Samtani

I was very impressed with how the teacher orchestrated our class. I found it challenging, even intense as it was an immersion class. The teacher kept the exchange and learning process lively and flexible, without being too easy on us. For me probably the most helpful aspect was the constant listening of French. There was very little English used during our classes. In the context of an immersion class, this can be exhausting for an adult with many other daily concerns and demands, though it also felt like the best way to absorb a language.

— Hans Accola

I wanted to express to you , how much I enjoyed the immersion class. It was a wonderful experience for me. It was done in a very professional, productive, yet relaxed atmosphere from which I greatly benefited on both personal and professional levels. The way the teacher utilized the materials, the level of grammar in conjunction with conversation was perfect. I understand from your visit to class today that this is a new program. I hope it will continue to grow and expand, and perhaps be offered at other times for those of us who work during the year - perhaps weekend intensives/immersion classes...or holidays. I am school teacher in NYC so therefore enjoy long holiday breaks in which an immersion class would be lovely.

— Lisa-Jane Shuman

Workshops

Cook in French: The teacher was outstanding, charming and informative, and the dishes she taught us to prepare were delicious & practical. I understand this was her first class at FIAF. She must learn to manage better in order to finish on time; nevertheless, she was wonderful, and I hope to take future classes with her.

— L. Mastriaco

à petits pas: French for Toddlers

"At à petits pas every moment is important, every minute is precious. You make it that way."

"David and I would like to thank you for caring for our daughter Gabrielle during the Fall with "a petits pas". Gabrielle's involvement with "a petits pas" impacted not only her language skills but also her ability to play and interact positively with other children. The songs she learned from "a petits pas" are now part of our daily routine, infusing her with not only the joy of doing the tasks but also with new skills and the longing to return to school to meet her new friends.

Frankly, nothing can replace the joy we shared when we saw Gabrielle clap with a glee in her eyes during "l'heure du biscuit". At a petits pas every moment is important, every minute is precious. You make it that way. Thank you. Your compassionate and knowledgeable care strenghtens the community that we are building around our precious daughter. We are grateful for your professionalism and even the benevolence in your disposition."

— David and Madeline Holder, Parents-in-training

Kids & Teens

"My daughter came home each day telling me she had fun... "

I would like to thank you for the excellent Teen Intensive Workshop which my daughter attended this past July. She enjoyed the class immensely. The teacher was fun and well prepared. The kids in the class were for the most part interested in participating and gave it their best shot. I really wasn't sure if it would be one of those things that you sign your child up for and then they complain about not wanting to go. This was not like that at all. My daughter came home each day telling me she had fun.

I'd also like to let you know how taking the class has helped her at school. She is taking AP French at Stuyvesant, which is taught completely in French. On the first day the teacher asked the students to talk about what they did over the summer. She told me she was able to converse with the teacher fairly comfortably for several minutes. She has never felt that way before. I have to believe that it was the workshop at FIAF that helped her turn the corner. I will be sure to let other parents know about the good experience my daughter had at FIAF this summer. And please pass on my compliments to the teacher. She really seems to have been superb.

— Christine (Brooklyn, NY)

Corporate Instructions

"My weekly French lessons are actually something I look forward to. There is none of the dread you associate with going to school. We just sit around and talk about everything from politics to food and after just three months, I can feel my conversation vastly improved.“

— Jocelyn Zuckerman, Articles Editor, Gourmet magazine.

The corporate lessons offered by FIAF were extremely convenient and affordable. FIAF had to be extremely flexible with our class structure based on our business schedule and they were extremely accommodating and willing to meet all of our needs and demands. I was extremely impressed with the service that they offered us. Given the opportunity we will not hesitate to enlist their services again.

— Amy Woodstock, the International Rescue Committee

"I love the personalized attention and the flexible schedule. It is wonderful to be in contact with someone at Alliance Francaise all the time to fit the lessons perfectly into my life. And my tutor is outstanding- she has worked with me to select just the right books, lessons and learning styles for me."

— Perkins Kelley, Marketing Manager L’Oréal