Adult classes are organized by levels and cover all 4 language acquisition skills: listening & reading comprehension, speaking and writing expression.
To maximize student participation, class sizes are limited from 4 to 8 students. All classes are taught by qualified francophone teachers.
To see the various class levels from Beginners to Intermediate levels, click on the “Class Levels & Descriptors” button below. In addition, we also offer “thematic classes” with a focus on Culture, Literature, French for travelers, Creative Writing, …
Regular Adult classes, as well as conversation-based classes are running on a 10-week cycle. Thematic Adult classes are typically running on a 5-week cycle. There are four 10-week sessions per year. Each class is 90 minutes long, once a week. Some of our Thematic Classes are also offered as 5 week Mini-Sessions. These classes are 60 minutes long.
Our next cycle starts on January 27, 2025. For more information on classes schedule, early bird and regular rates, and Open-House days, click on the “Schedule” button below.
Rates are the same for all 10-week Adult classes, regardless of the level or theme you choose. In addition, conversation-based classes and mini-series have their own rates:
If you are new to French, and want to see if our classes are right for you, register for a free class on the Beginners page.
To register for an upcoming adult class:
You can also fill in the form found under “Mail-in Form”, and with your check made out to the Alliance Française de Cincinnati, you can mail them to our office:
Alliance Française de Cincinnati - Suite 203
7565 Kenwood Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45236
Note: You can only register for an upcoming session through our website. To join an existing session, please, contact us directly at afschool@afcincinnati.com or at (513) 293-2948.
If you are not sure what level to select, take the free placement test online.
Note: Students of Alliance Française de Cincinnati have the option to become members at a discounted rate of only $25/year.
Cancellation policy
Alliance Française de Cincinnati will do its best to accommodate individual situations, and offer a make-up group adult class at the end of a 10-week session, in case the student missed a class. During the pandemic, classes might be in person or online, based on the teacher's decision. A change from in-person to online or from online to in-person is not a valid reason for a refund.
If a student cancels one month or more before the start of a session, a full refund will be issued, minus the processing fees.
If a student cancels less than one month before the start of a session, a 50% refund will be issued, minus the processing fees.
If a student cancels after the beginning of a session, the fee is not refundable.
For any additional question, give us a call or send us a message via our contact page.
Our classes and their levels are based on the following criteria:
Both the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) recommend between 480 and 720 class hours to acquire a functioning level of proficiency in French equivalent to the CECRL B2 or C1 levels.
We are using Totem 1, 2 & 3 textbooks as our teaching method. This method bases its content and its pacing on the “Cadre Européen Commun de Référence pour les Langues” (CECRL) / the Common European Framework of Reference to teach Languages (CEFRL) to prepare our students to the DELF (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française) A1, A2 and B1 levels. This method recommends 90 class hours to cover Totem 1 (Beginner A1 level); 120 class hours to cover Totem 2 (Advanced Beginner A2 level) and 150 class hours to cover Totem 3 (Intermediate B1 level).
Thus, at Alliance Française de Cincinnati, we offer to go from Beginners A1 level to Intermediate B1 level in 360 class hours.
In the picture below, you can see the number of hours recommended to move from one level to the next.
Beginner classes are designed for students with minimal or no prior exposure to French.
Beginner classes are designed for students with minimal or no prior exposure to French.
In this section, you can also register for a free class, or engage in a conversation class.
Choose this level if you are able to ask and answer questions in French such as where you live, what you do, people you know, and things you own.
Choose this level if you are able to ask and answer questions in French such as where you live, what you do, people you know, and things you own.
Choose this level if you can describe, in basic terms, aspects of everyday life.
Choose this level if you can communicate on simple matters, such as your background, your work, your family, etc.
You can describe, in basic terms, aspects of everyday life.
In addition to regular classes, you'll find class on French Culture and Music, and Communication and Grammar.
Choose this level if you can write a simple text in French and deal with most situations when travelling in a French-speaking country.
Choose this level if you can write a simple text in French, deal with most situations when travelling in a French-speaking country, and are able to understand the general meaning of a conversation. You can discuss on matters you are familiar with, and express your views.
In addition to regular classes, you'll find class on French podcasts, and Conversation classes.
Choose this level if you can understand the main concepts in a text and can interact rather effortlessly with native speakers.
Choose level C1 if you can understand the main concepts in a text. For instance, a newspaper article. You can interact rather effortlessly with native speakers. You are able to write short texts in French on a wide range of subjects, and express your point of view.
Choose level C2 if you can effectively use the language for social, academic and professional purposes, and can understand the meaning of a long text. For instance, a chapter in a book. You can write well-structured and grammatically- sound content on complex subjects.
Thematic classes are the perfect way to practice French and learn more about French culture in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Alliance Française de Cincinnati now offers really cool thematic classes. Affordable, shorter, these classes are the perfect way to practice French and learn more about French culture in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Class in this section: "French for Travelers", "First Steps in French", and "Take a Big Leap in French."