Course content & levels

Our courses are built around the needs of learners, according to the European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Four skills are covered in each level: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
This dynamic program covers a wide range of subjects, and favors a linguistic approach based on communication and play. Students are encouraged to act and interact in French, whatever their level. 

A1

Level A1 in French corresponds to a beginner's level, where the learner acquires the essential basics of the language. At this stage, the learner becomes familiar with simple words and short sentences, enabling him or her to communicate in very basic everyday situations.

In French, at A1 level, you'll learn to introduce yourself, and talk about yourself, your family and those around you. Basic notions such as greetings, numbers, colors and everyday objects are explored. Grammar at this level includes simple structures such as verbs in the present tense, definite and indefinite articles, and personal pronouns.

Oral and written comprehension and expression skills are gradually developed. We practice understanding simple announcements and short instructions, and writing small texts such as personal messages or simple notes.

Overall, level A1 is a crucial initial stage where the learner becomes familiar with the sound, basic vocabulary and first structures of the French language. It's an exciting stage, because it's where everything begins on the journey towards mastery of this beautiful language.

A2

Level A2 in French represents a stage after the beginner's level (A1) where learners begin to consolidate their basic knowledge and broaden their language skills. At this stage, we deepen the knowledge acquired at the previous level, while exploring new concepts to better interact in everyday situations.

At A2 level, we continue to develop vocabulary by exploring more varied themes such as leisure, travel, work and so on. Sentences become a little more complex, and we learn to express simple opinions on familiar topics. Grammar is enriched with the introduction of new verb tenses (such as passé composé), adverbs, prepositions and complementary pronouns.

As far as communication skills are concerned, the focus is on listening to simple dialogues, announcements and everyday conversations. In writing, we begin to draft more elaborate texts, such as personal e-mails or simple descriptions.

Overall, level A2 represents a phase in which learners strengthen their linguistic foundations and familiarize themselves with more complex concepts, while continuing to progress towards more fluent, autonomous communication in French.

B1

At level B1 in French, the intermediate stage is reached, where language learning becomes more advanced. At this stage, the learner begins to feel more at ease communicating in a variety of everyday and professional situations, even if this still requires some support.

At B1 level, vocabulary is considerably enriched, and more complex subjects such as society, culture, health, the media, etc. are covered. We learn to argue, express opinions and debate on familiar subjects. Grammar becomes more elaborate, with mastery of new verb tenses, subordinates and nuances of language.

As far as comprehension is concerned, progress is made in the ability to understand longer discussions, radio broadcasts or simple press articles. Oral and written expression becomes more precise and fluent, enabling you to write more detailed texts and take part in more complex conversations.

All in all, level B1 marks a significant advance in mastery of the French language. Learners feel more comfortable interacting in a wider range of situations, and begin to acquire a certain autonomy in their use of the language.

B2

At level B2 in French, learners reach an advanced stage where they are able to communicate much more fluently and precisely. At this level, the language is mastered to a degree that enables more sophisticated interaction in a variety of personal, professional and academic contexts.

At level B2, vocabulary is further enriched, covering more complex and specialized topics. Topics include politics, economics, literature and more. Grammar becomes more subtle, with advanced use of verb tenses, grammatical subtleties and a better understanding of the nuances of the language.

Oral and written comprehension at this level enables the learner to grasp longer, more complex content, such as speeches, TV programs or in-depth press articles. Oral and written expression is more refined, enabling the writing of structured texts, essays and active participation in complex debates and discussions.

Overall, level B2 represents advanced competence in French. Learners are able to communicate independently and fluently, understand a wide variety of texts and express themselves with ease in most situations. It's a level that opens the door to more advanced academic, professional and cultural opportunities in the French language.

C1

At level C1 in French, the learner reaches a level of advanced competence, very close to complete mastery of the language. At this stage, communication is highly sophisticated and precise, enabling nuanced and complex expression on a wide range of topics.

At C1 level, vocabulary is very extensive, covering a wide range of specialized topics. Complex subjects such as philosophy, science, international politics, etc. are explored. Mastery of grammar is advanced, with fluent and precise use of verb tenses, grammatical structures and a fine understanding of linguistic nuances.

Oral and written comprehension is highly developed, enabling you to grasp long, complex speeches, academic presentations, debates and in-depth literary texts. Oral and written expression comes almost naturally, enabling us to adapt to different language registers, write complex texts and argumentative essays, and participate actively in demanding academic or professional discussions.

In short, level C1 represents a high degree of proficiency in French. Learners at this level are able to express themselves with ease, precision and nuance in a wide variety of contexts, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the language and its associated culture. This level opens the door to advanced academic and professional opportunities in the French-speaking world.

C2

At level C2 in French, the learner achieves the highest degree of linguistic competence. This level represents an almost complete mastery of the language, enabling virtually native communication in all contexts, whether academic, professional or social.

At C2 level, vocabulary is extremely extensive and varied, covering highly specialized topics. Grammar is virtually perfect, with fluent and precise use of verb tenses, the most complex grammatical structures and a deep understanding of linguistic subtleties.

Oral and written comprehension is highly advanced, enabling understanding of highly complex speeches, academic lectures, specialized debates and dense literary texts. Oral and written expression is highly refined, enabling the learner to adapt to any language register, to produce elaborate texts and in-depth analyses, and to participate proactively in high-level discussions.

In short, level C2 represents near-native mastery of French. People who have reached this level are able to express themselves with an ease, precision and linguistic richness comparable to that of native speakers. It is the highest level of linguistic competence and opens the door to the most advanced opportunities in academic, professional and cultural fields in the French language.

Terms and conditions of sale

Admission requirements

Minimum age: to be admitted to the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole, students must be at least 18 years old (or, in exceptional cases and subject to acceptance by the teaching department, at least 16 years old with parental authorization).

Visa : the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole cannot be held responsible for any difficulties in obtaining a residence permit upon presentation of proof of enrolment in one of its courses. 

Registration formalities

Regardless of the registration method chosen, non-beginner learners must take a placement test online or at the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole head office, 2 rue Bernos, 59800 Lille, at the time of registration, so that the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole teaching team can offer them the course corresponding to their level. Once this test has been completed and the course selected, the registration process is as follows:

  1. The learner fills in the online registration form received by e-mail or at the reception desk of the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole.
  2. The learner acknowledges and accepts the General Terms and Conditions of Sale. 
  3. The learner receives an e-mail with his or her schedule and an invitation to his or her first lesson the week before the start of the course (for group lessons), or a connection link (for individual online lessons). 
  4. The learner must arrive on the first day of the course, either face-to-face or online, with the necessary equipment (notebook and pens).

Financial terms and conditions

Participation in courses at the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole requires payment in euros of the fees set out in the school's promotional material (brochures, leaflets, website). 

Group course sessions (day and evening):

  • Initial registration fee of €60 (€40 for jobseekers and students on presentation of proof of status). This fee must be paid on the day of registration. They are non-refundable. They include administrative costs, the level test and the teaching materials used during the first group lesson. If the learner progresses to a higher level, he/she will have to pay for the book of the higher level, but will not have to pay the registration fee again.
  • Training fees: a deposit based on the total cost of the course is required on the day of registration. The balance must be paid no later than 30 days after the registration date. 
  • Loyalty discount: a loyalty discount of 5% for a2nd course session, 7% for a3rd, 10% for a4th, 12% for a5th, and 15% from the 6th session onwards will only be applied to the purchase of a full course session. Loyalty discounts apply to courses financed by individual learners. They do not apply to courses financed by companies or institutions.

In the case of registration for less than one session, the training fees and registration fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. 

Watch out!

In order to comply with the requirements of the Prefecture of Lille for the issuance of a residence permit, students holding a long-stay visa to study in France must pay the full course fees at the time of final registration.

Terms of payment

The initial registration and training fees are payable in cash, by cheque payable in euros in a French bank, by credit card (Visa, Eurocard Master Card) or online (bank transfer).

Absences

At the start of the course, the learner undertakes to follow all the courses on offer.

Absences from group courses

At the latest on the first day of the session, the learner can inform the administration of the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole of the courses he/she plans to be absent from (travel, professional or administrative obligations...). The session price will be adjusted accordingly. 

Any absence for whatever reason during a session cannot be postponed or reimbursed, except in cases of force majeure : illness or serious accident resulting in immobility, death in the family, permanent departure, etc., and on presentation of proof. 

In the event of absence, the learner must notify the secretariat as soon as possible by e-mail (info@aflille.org), as well as his/her teacher.

Absences from private lessons

Only private lessons cancelled at least 48 hours in advance by e-mail to the head teacher(pedagogie@aflille.org) and the teacher can be rescheduled to a later date in agreement with the teacher, up to a limit of 3 reschedules over the total duration of the course. 

Lessons cancelled less than 48 hours in advance will be charged.

Cancellation

The learner has a right of withdrawal of 10 days without having to justify any reason. This withdrawal period runs from the date of enrolment (1st payment or by signing the course reservation contract), if the course begins on or after the 11th day. Enrolment implies unreserved acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions of Sale (available on the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole website or by written request). 

If the 10-day period expires on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday, it is extended to the next working day. Learners wishing to exercise their right of withdrawal should send an e-mail to pedagogie@aflille.org or a letter to Alliance Française de Lille Métropole, 2 rue Bernos, 59800 Lille. 

Group courses : 

Cancellation within 10 days 

In the event of cancellation within 10 days, the training fee will be reimbursed. However, the initial registration fee (€60) will be retained by AF Lille Métropole and cannot be reimbursed under any circumstances.

Cancellation after 10 days 

All cancellations must be notified by e-mail. Cancellation will be effective from the date of receipt of this message. In this case, the initial registration fee will be retained by the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole. All courses paid for and not taken will be reimbursed. 

The Alliance Française de Lille Métropole will deduct any bank charges from the amount to be reimbursed. 

Cancellation by Alliance Française de Lille Métropole

The Alliance française de Lille Métropole reserves the right to cancel a course at least 48 hours before the start date.

Offer in the event of insufficient manpower 

In the event of insufficient numbers, the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole may offer an equivalent course in a mini-group (4-5 people) for the same price, by adjusting the duration of the course. In the event of new registrations in the group during the session, the duration initially planned will be reinstated. 

The learner has the right to accept or refuse this proposal. In the event of refusal, all payments will be reimbursed, with the exception of the initial registration fee. 

Report

Before classes begin :

The learner has the right to postpone his/her course registration until December 31st of the current year, for a maximum period of 6 months. Only one postponement is authorized per calendar year, subject to receipt by the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole of a written request at least 15 working days before the initially scheduled course start date.

After school :

Once classes have begun, and in the event of absence from one or more classes, no postponements or refunds will be accepted for any reason whatsoever. However, in the event of force majeure preventing the learner from attending classes for more than 4 consecutive weeks, the learner may request a refund of tuition fees prorated to the number of classes not attended (excluding registration fees, which remain the property of the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole).
He/she may also request a postponement of the course until December 31st of the current year, up to a maximum of 6 months after the date on which the course was interrupted.

Insurance

Health, accident and civil liability insurance are compulsory and at the learner's expense. 

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance and/or training summary will be issued on request.

Exclusion

In the event of a breach by the student of the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole's internal rules, which can be consulted at reception, the Alliance Française reserves the right to interrupt the student's training, without reimbursement of the course fees.

Image

The Alliance Française de Lille Métropole may take photos of learners during courses, cultural outings or organized events and use them to illustrate its website, brochure or social networking pages. If the learner does not wish his/her image to be used, he/she must notify us at the bottom of the registration form.

Specific conditions for group courses

Pedagogy

  • Books and workbooks are included in the registration fee for the first group course. They will not be taken back or exchanged, with the exception of a change of course decided by the head teacher on the proposal of the teacher, which implies the purchase of a new book. If, at the end of a session, the learner is offered a higher-level group, justified by his/her progress, he/she must purchase a higher-level book. 
  • Number of participants: the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole offers group courses for groups of 6 to 12 people. In the event of new registrations during the session, the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole will split a group of up to 13 people. 
  • If only one learner is present at a group session, and the other learners have or have not given notice of their absence, the trainer will provide 50% of the originally scheduled lesson time . The learner will thus benefit from a one-to-one lesson at a very attractive rate, and the teacher will adapt to the learner's specific needs. 

Delay - Program change - Modifications - Sanitary conditions

No change of pace or timetable can be accepted once the initially chosen course has begun. Should a change of pace occur, the credit will not be reimbursed unless this change has been decided by the Alliance Française de Lille Métropole.

The Alliance Française de Lille Métropole reserves the right :

  • cancel a course with insufficient numbers (less than 6 students). In the event that an alternative course of equivalent level cannot be offered, the corresponding training fees will be refunded in full to the learner. If this cancellation affects all the courses chosen, the registration fees will also be refunded. 
  • to modify course schedules and timetables if necessary, subject to prior notice to the learner and/or customer. 
  • schedule online courses in place of face-to-face courses on the same days and at the same times, should the situation (health, transport strike, weather conditions, etc.) so require. In this case, the learner will be obliged to continue the course until the end of the session as agreed.

Claim

All complaints must be made in writing no later than 2 weeks after the end of the course. In the event of a dispute, the Lille court will be the sole competent authority.