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Alliance française

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The Alliance française (AF) is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to promote French language and culture outside France. Its primary concern is teaching French as a second language. It is headquartered in the French capital city of Paris.

The Alliance was created in Paris on July 21, 1883 by a group of eminent men, including the scientist Louis Pasteur, the diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, the writers Jules Verne and Ernest Renan, and the publisher Armand Colin.

It finances most of its activities from the fees it receives from its courses and from rental of its installations. The French government also provides a subsidy covering approximately five percent of its budget (nearly €665,000 in 2003).

More than 440,000 students learn French at one of the centres run by the Alliance, whose network of schools includes:

  • a centre in Paris,
  • locations throughout France for foreign students and
  • 1071 locations in 133 different countries.

The organisations outside Paris are local, independently-run franchises. Each has a committee and a president. The Alliance française brand is owned by the Paris centre. In many countries, the Alliance française of Paris is represented by a Délégué général.

Certificates and diplomas

The Alliance Francaise also offers certification in French, with its own series of certificates and diplomas.

Individual locations also may offer testing sessions for diplomas and exams from other organizations (i.e. DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF).

Recognition

In 2005, along with the Società Dante Alighieri, the British Council, the Goethe-Institut, the Instituto Cervantes and the Instituto Camões, the Alliance française was awarded the Prince of Asturias Award for outstanding achievements in communications and the humanities.

See also


Franchises