Our Teaching Methods

Since 1915, The Alliance Française du Manitoba has been sharing its passion for the French language. A pioneer in the teaching of French for foreigners, the Alliance Française du Manitoba launched the targeted system of teaching towards specific foreign languages groups and learning styles of particular audiences.

Our team of instructors

Our experienced teachers have special credentials for teaching French as a second language. Their professionalism and dedication are essential to our success and to yours. They will guide you along a well-defined learning pathway, monitoring your progress both inside the classroom and through homework. A person’s relationship with a language is intensely personal and individual. Each request you make is treated separately: an analysis of your needs takes into account your objectives and desired pace, the assessment of your level and the abilities aspired for. An instructor will welcome you personally to create a customized offer adapted to your needs.
A complimentary level assessment test is available for those registering in our courses who are not complete beginners.

Teaching resources

We use the most up-to-date teaching resources: a communicative approach based on the immersion techniques of communication, authentic materials and multi-media tools. Our textbooks are developed by French linguistic experts. Their themes are intended to develop in students an interest in French society and the French-speaking world and to permit the development of knowledge essential to all successful communication.

Apart from specialized courses and tailored programs, our teaching approach is based on student’s active participation with an emphasis on oral interaction.

Atmosphere

Our ideal class size is from 5 to 11 students (maximum 14). We offer comfortable classrooms, kitchen facilities and friendly atmosphere.

Workshops

DELF A1 / DELF A2 / DELF B1 / DELF B2 preparation workshop
Each workshop is designed to help you pass the DELF certification by providing you with information on the different sections of the test and by preparing you for each part of it (writing, reading, listening and speaking). Our highly-trained and experienced teachers are themselves examiners and correctors, so they have the expertise you will need. For more information about the test, see our page Certification.

“Interaction Orale”  
This specialized course, which only requires a very basic knowledge of French, is designed to reinforce your speaking and listening skills through targeted conversational activities. It is initially aimed to improve the knowledge acquired in a general French course but can be taken separately.

“Pronunciation” This workshop aims at improving your spoken French. Without entering into too much technicality, you will focus on “liaisons” between words, rhythm, tonic accentuation, intonation, oral/written relations and pronouncing specific sounds in French.

“Sing French” Practice your French singing in a relaxed atmosphere. This workshop will help you discover the greatest French singers while improving your vocabulary and, most of all, your pronunciation. From Edith Piaf to Céline Dion, from Jean-Jacques Goldman to Garou, the French and Canadian chanson will reveal it’s secrets to you. Did you know?  When people sing in French, it is often impossible to hear their accent, as it disappears when singing. So here’s the perfect solution to improve your pronunciation!

“Headlines”
In this workshop, you will cover headlines regarding various fields such as politics, economy, environment, society, culture, sport, etc. These headlines will be treated through Franco-Canadian, French and Francophone media, from extracts of the written press, television, radio and Internet. You will discuss and debate the topics that have caught your attention.

“French for Breakfast”
Good Morning! Bonjour! French for Breakfast is a fun way to start your day, where you can discuss current events in a friendly environment over breakfast! This course is exclusively oral.

“Brush up your Grammar” Does French grammar give you a headache? This detailed grammar course will bring a smile to your face, thanks to clear explanations and plenty of exercises. It is initially aimed to improve the knowledge acquired in a general French course but can be taken separately. Various levels are offered.

“Travel French” Having trouble understanding a menu in a restaurant or asking your way when you travel to a French-speaking region? This workshop will give you the phrases you need to get by in a francophone environment when traveling. You will learn how to communicate in a simple but effective way!

“Destination France” Afraid of a making a faux-pas? This course will enable you to make the most of your trip to France and enjoy its culture by learning about French daily culture and French people’s customs. This class can be delivered in English.

Progression of study based on the Common European Framework for languages

Master the fundamentals of French through a new method! This method embraces the progressive curriculum recently established by the European Council and further adapted to many languages worldwide. The Alliance Française du Manitoba is the first institution in Winnipeg to incorporate into its syllabus the language requirements and levels recommended by this contemporary academic and international approach. Courses focus on conversational French with active student participation. Our general French program is composed of different stages, suitable for absolute beginners to advanced speakers.

Level A1

  • You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type.
  • You can interact in a simple way provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Certifications: TEF and/or DELF A1

Level A2

  • You can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance.
  • You can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

Certifications: TEF and/or DELF A2

Level B1

  • You can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school or leisure.
  • You can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest.

Certifications: TEF and/or DELF B1

Level B2

  • You can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in your field of expertise. Interaction with native speakers is quite possible without strain for either party.

Certifications: TEF and/or DELF B2

Level C1

  • You can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognize implicit meaning.
  • You can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions.
  • You can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text.

Certifications: TEF and/or DELF C1

Level C2

  • You can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read.
  • You can summarize information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation.

Certifications: TEF and/or DELF C2.