Founded in 1883, Alliance Française’s success is due to the loyalty of a public with deep roots in the French language and the diversity of francophone cultures.
Who are we?
The 9 Alliances Françaises of Canada are language schools, certified examination centers and cultural centers.
The Alliances françaises in Canada are local chapters of the worldwide network of Alliances françaises which was founded in 1883 in Paris to promote the French language and culture around the world.
Its 834 branches, including 9 centres in Canada, are meeting places for people who share a common appreciation of la francophonie.
Exchange-Focused Canadian Associations
The Alliances Françaises are Canadian non-profit, apolitical and non-religious associations.
The boards of directors are led by influential Canadians: CEOs, University teachers, prominent cultural and artistic figures.
They provide long-term vision and develop new partnerships.
This multidimensional social, educational and cultural network is the strength and inspiration of the AFs.
The Alliances Françaises maintain strong ties with cultural and educational local institutions, which contribute to regional culture. They implement quality cooperation with cultural and educational services, city halls, operators and local cultural institutions.
On the national scale, they work closely with the Cultural Service of the French Embassy, to schedule educational, linguistic, artistic and cultural programming.
They are also official exam centres for internationally recognized tests and diplomas. The 9 Alliances françaises are located in Victoria, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Moncton and Halifax, covering most of Canada. They participate actively in the cultural life of Canada and act as a dynamic platform for bilateral exchanges in the fields of education, arts and culture.
Educational Excellence
As teaching centres for French as a Second Language, the Alliances Françaises’ excellent educational resources provide customized instructions, regardless of diverse needs and requirements. They also provide on the job training for civil servants as well as corporate training.
Educational resources and high quality tools and teaching methods are updated in accordance with national and world wide harmonization.
The Alliances Françaises are exam centres for the French Ministry of National Education and Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry diplomas. With these accreditations, they offer worldwide-recognized quality evaluation.
The Alliance Française has 3 missions:
Offer French courses, in France and worldwide, to all audiences
The network of the more than 830 Alliances Françaises is present in 132 countries, with more than 500,000 students, all courses combined.
Increase awareness of French culture and French-speaking cultures, in all dimensions
Alliances Françaises in Canada offer a venue for Canadian and French speaking artists to promote Francophone cultures. We organize exhibitions, events with authors, documentarists and artists. This provides local audiences the opportunity to experience French speaking cultures from across the world.
Foster cultural diversity by highlighting all cultures
Diversity is one of the AF’s most important goals. They are distinguished by their promotion of multilingualism and their focus on encouraging stimulating exchanges between English-speaking and French-speaking cultures, opening the way for many local English-speaking artists.
Histoiry
A great idea born in 1883
For more than a century, an ever-increasing number of students of all origins have attended the Alliance Française. This longevity and vitality is due to the links forged with the citizens and sponsors of the host countries.
1883
“The national association for the propagation of the French language in the colonies and abroad” was born under the aegis of Paul Cambon and Pierre Foncin.
1884
Ferdinand de Lesseps, Louis Pasteur, Ernest Renan, Jules Verne, Armand Colin… were among the members of the board of directors of the Alliance Française de Paris. The first Alliance Française in Europe opens in Barcelona, ??then it is born in Senegal, Mauritius and Mexico City.
1886
The Alliance Française de Paris is recognized as a public utility.
1889
First Alliance in India, then in Australia, in Melbourne.
1902
First Alliance in Montreal and creation of a Federation of French Alliances in the United States.
1904
The Alliance Française has 150 committees in France and 450 abroad.
1917
First Alliance in the West Indies and the Dominican Republic.
1919
Opening of the French language practical school at 101 bd Raspail in Paris.
1940
The archives of the Alliance Française are taken to Berlin by the Nazis.
1943
General de Gaulle gives a speech in Algiers where he reaffirms the vocation of the Alliance.
1944
Reopening of the Alliance Française de Paris after the war.
1979
Record year with 32,000 students at the Paris school.
2002
The modernization of the Alliances is accelerating all over the world.
2007
The Alliance Française Foundation is created.
2015
The Alliance Française Foundation launched the “ALLIANCE 2020” plan intended to support the new ambitions of the network, its modernization, its professionalization and its development.
2021
834 Alliances Françaises in 132 countries on 5 continents. 500,000 French learners (all courses combined). 15,000 employees, including 9,000 teachers. 26,000 cultural events organized by Alliances Françaises around the world. 3.3 million spectators/visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alliance Française an organization linked to the French government?
The Alliances Françaises around the world are locally regulated associations. In Canada these French international agencies are Canadian non-profit.
This gives autonomy to Alliance Française and complete freedom of action. In their role of promoting the French language, Francophone culture and cultural diversity, they may receive support from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs who will send directors or co-finance projects of cultural or linguistic and educational cooperation. Unlike the French institutes or French cultural centers, the Alliances Françaises are independent of the French authorities.
Is Alliance Française a franchise?
No, the Alliances Françaises are independent associations: their boards decide on action plans and have full authority to implement them.
The name ” Alliance Française ” may however be seen as a brand, a symbol of quality, a guarantee of good governance and excellence in language training.
If you’re interested in creating an Alliance Française, please contact the Alliance Française closest to you or the Fondation des Alliances Françaises (Paris, France). They will communicate to you the conditions of creation and eligibility.
Can I start my training in one Alliance Française and continue in another?
No problem. Alliances Françaises have the same educational repository: the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Through the Alliance Française global network, this commonality will allow you to continue a training course started in another Alliance Française, without interruption.
How can I work in Canada?
Before any action with an employer, you should check with the Canadian Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada (http://www.cic.gc.ca/), the steps may be different depending on your country of origin. Note that if you want to work in Quebec, you should check with authorities in Quebec: Immigration and Cultural Communities, Quebec (http://www.micc.gouv.qc.ca)
I want to study in France, how can I do this?
Please consult the website of Campus France, which will inform you about all the steps to take and accompany you in this process: (site available in English, Spanish, French): http://www.campusfrance.org/
For language courses exclusively, most Alliances Françaises of France were awarded the label “French as a Foreign Language” of the International Center of Pedagogical Studies. This labeling makes it possible to obtain a student visa depending on your country of origin; the French consular authorities also ensure excellence in learning immersion.
I want to come and learn French in Canada, how can I do this?
If you want training in “French as a Foreign Language” through one of the Alliances Françaises in Canada, please communicate directly with the Alliance Française of your choice. Choices and formats may vary from one AF to another. The resulting eclecticism will help you find the package that best suits your needs.
I want to work / do an internship at the Alliance Française, how can I do this?
Please consult the website of the Alliance Française that you would like to apply to. The Fondation des Alliances Françaises also has a webpage where they list all job offers around the world.