Do you ever dream of learning to speak French but find the language too intimidating? Fret no more as Alliance Française de Cebu promises a totally new approach that centers on real life communication. Gone are the painful experiences of tough oral and written exercises in classical approaches. Whether they are teaching children as young as 4 years old or adults, Alliance Française uses the same philosophy, which involves enjoying and learning. Also a French Consular office, the institute is the only French translation service center in Cebu that is acknowledged by embassies.
As an accredited center, Alliance Française de Cebu conducts the Test d’ Evaluation de Français (TEF) Test d’ Évaluation de Français Adapté au (TEFAQ) and Diplôme d’ Etude en Langue Française (DELF) exams in their premises. These exams are used to attest one’s proficiency in the French language. These tests are required for visa applications in some French-speaking countries.
Alliance Française de Cebu offers the following courses:
- Intensive Course
150 hours for 3 months and 3 weeks
Monday to Friday, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Extensive Course
24 hours for 2 months
Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
- Regular Course
32 hours for 2 months
Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
- Semi-Intensive Course
8 hours for 2 months
Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Kids’ Classes (4 to 7 years old)
12 hours for 2 months
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- French Tutorials (onsite or offsite)
Any time
- Conversation Class
12 hours for 2 months
Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Writing Workshop
12 hours for 2 months
Monday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- TEF/TEFAQ Classes
-TEF / TEFAQ Language Training
6 months training (4 months class + 2 months review)
-Prep Course for France
5 hours
- Cooking Class (French Cuisine)
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For teenagers and adults, they make use of Alter Ego Livre élève (Student Textbook) and Alter Ego Cahier d’activités (Exercise Book). For children 7 years and above, the Alex et Zoé Livre de l’élève and Alex et Zoé Cahier d’activités are used. Lastly, the Tatou le matou Livre de l’élève Tatou le matou 1 Cahier d’activités are used by younger kids. The books are structured on the recommendations of the Common European Framework of References.
Aside from learning the language of love, you also get to discover the rich culture of France since this French cultural institute aims to be a meeting point of Filipino and French cultures. Featuring Filipino and French artists, the institute organizes movie screenings, on-stage outdoor events, fashion shows, exhibits, and other fun-filled events. They are behind the yearly Fete de la Musique and French Film Festival.
The center has a new digital library that students can access via Ipad installed in one of their sofas. When you enroll at the institute, you get access to the rich French culture in just one tap. With their newspapers and magazines, you can be updated with what’s going on in France and know the latest trends. Be entertained with thousands of classic and contemporary novels and comic books. You may also take delight on French films and documentaries of different genres. The library also has a lot of interesting photos, music and youth works available to all students. This distinct French digital library also allows interaction among Filipino and French people.
Alliance Française de Cebu gives assistance with consular affairs. They are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. They offer orientation for arriving French nationals and they assure that all newcomers and expatriates are welcome to get in touch with them.
The Alliance Française was the earliest organization to teach French around the world. Its first board members include famous scientist Louis Pasteur and world-renowned writer Jules Verne. It is a local non-stock, non-profit organization associated with Fondation Alliance that was established in Paris, more than 120 years ago, in 1883. Soon after its foundation, its network expanded to other parts of the world. It currently the holds the world’s largest collection of associations that teach French. In fact, there are more than 1,000 Alliance Française centers worldwide now. It is closely working with the French Foreign Affairs Department, specifically with the French Embassy.
Before having an Alliance Francaise here in the Philippines, a group of French and Filipinos formed the les Amis de la France to provide a venue to learn the French language and culture, as well as develop interaction between the two cultures.
Alliance Francaise was established by Michel Lhuillier upon the request of the French Embassy. It was inaugurated in November 2007, by French Ambassador SEM Girard Chesnel. It is the only official European cultural office of Cebu and of the Visayas, and the official French cultural center. Lhuillier remains to be the main sponsor of the institute.
Don’t miss the great opportunity to learn the French language and culture here in Cebu. For more information, visit the Alliance Française de Cebu at 371 Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City 6000 (beside the Mormon Church). (updated 08/23/2012) You may contact them through landline (032) 232-1311, fax (032) 232-1311 or e-mail [email protected] You may also check out their Web site at http://www.alliancefr.ph.
