Updated October 31, 2023
The Alliance Française de Seattle (AFSeattle) is a dynamic educational and cultural 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to
promote the French language and francophone cultures through unique programs in the state of Washington. As part of an international network
of more than 800 Alliances around the world, we respect high performance standards in French language teaching and thrive to favor cultural
diversity by highlighting the value of multicultural understanding.
Please take the time to familiarize yourself with AFSeattle’s educational program policies and procedures before registering online, in
person, or by phone.
New students and students returning after more than three (3) quarters are required to take a free online placement test in order to be recommended to the appropriate class. We also recommend an assessment of your oral level. Please contact school@afseattle.org to make a quick phone appointment!
If you are completely new to French, you can go ahead and register at the A1.1 level.
If you think you are a complete beginner, but know a few words of French, please take the
placement test
for a precise evaluation: our beginner level is divided into three (3) sublevels.
AFSeattle membership is not required to take group classes; however, a $40 registration fee will be applied to each registration for non-members.
Please note that AFSeattle membership is required to register for private classes.
Unless otherwise specified, textbooks are not included in the price of the course and can be purchased on our website, through an external vendor.
Registration and payment are due prior to the start of class.
Payments are due in full upon registration.
AFSeattle does not prorate tuition. However, we offer 10-week or 5-week sessions, as well as short format courses like workshops and intensive weeks. Our Student Portal also allows students to keep up with course content and homework when they miss a class.
Online and phone registration: to register online or by phone, payments must be completed by credit card at the time of registration. Registration by phone is only available for current students and during our in-person office hours.
In-person registration: to register in person, payments must be completed by credit card, check, or cash. In-person registration is only available for current students and during our in-person office hours.
Private class registration: payment must be completed at least one week prior to the first scheduled session. See under 9.
Private Courses.
To withdraw from a class, please send a written request by email at info@afseattle.org during our virtual office hours (Mon – Thu 9am – 4pm, Fri 9am – 1pm) to process your withdrawal on time. Requests sent after 1PM on Fridays will be processed the following Monday and class sessions will be considered as attended throughout the weekend. Withdrawals are not processed by phone. Please see below our withdrawing policies for each type of course.
Credits are valid for one (1) year and transferable within members of the same family membership.
No refunds for private classes, but you can reschedule with more than 24 hours notice. See under 9. Private Classes.
Payments made in cash or check will be reimbursed by check. Payments made online within less than three (3) months will be reimbursed on the original credit card. Payments made online more than three (3) months prior, or payments made by phone, will be reimbursed by check.
Exception: Summer Camps have unique policies.
All sales and registrations for exams are final.
Memberships are not refundable. AFSeattle welcomes members from all other Alliances Françaises. All our membership privileges will apply.
Please submit a written proof of your current AF membership to info@afseattle.org (including dates
of validity), and we will create an AFSeattle membership for you. If your main residence is in Washington State, your membership should be
with AFSeattle.
4a. General French and Youth courses (10 weeks)
If you withdraw more than two (2) weeks before the start of a course, class tuition is refunded or credited in full.
If you withdraw less than two (2) weeks before the start of a course, class tuition can be refunded or credited in full minus a $40.00 cancellation fee.
If you withdraw after one (1) or two (2) class sessions, class tuition can be refunded or credited minus a $40.00 cancellation fee and classes that have taken place, regardless of attendance status.
If you withdraw after three (3) class sessions or more, no refunds or credits will be issued, unless in case of exceptional circumstances
(illness, medical emergency, etc.), for which necessary documentation must be provided.
4b. Specialized French courses (5 weeks)
If you withdraw more than two (2) weeks before the start of a course, class tuition is refunded or credited in full.
If you withdraw less than two (2) weeks before the start of a course, class tuition can be refunded or credited in full minus a $40.00 cancellation fee.
If you withdraw after one (1) class session, class tuition can be refunded or credited minus a $40.00 cancellation fee and the class that has taken place, regardless of attendance status.
If you withdraw after two (2) class sessions or more, no refunds or credits will be issued, unless in case of exceptional circumstances
(illness, medical emergency, etc.), for which necessary documentation must be provided.
4c. Intensive Reviews (1 week)
If you withdraw more than two (2) weeks before the start of a course, class tuition is refunded or credited in full.
If you withdraw less than two (2) weeks before the start of a course, class tuition can be refunded or credited in full minus a $40.00 cancellation fee.
If you withdraw after one (1) class session, class tuition can be refunded or credited minus a $40.00 cancellation fee and the class that has taken place, regardless of attendance status.
If you withdraw after two (2) class sessions or more, no refunds or credits will be issued, unless in case of exceptional circumstances
(illness, medical emergency, etc.), for which necessary documentation must be provided.
4d. Workshops (1 day)
If you withdraw from a workshop with two (2) business days advance notice or more, a credit can be issued to your student account, minus a $10 processing fee. No refunds are provided for workshops.
If you withdraw from a workshop with less than two (2) business days’ notice, no credit or refund can be issued.
In certain instances, students may request a transfer from one group class to another group class.
Students may request a transfer within the same quarter and the same course type (i.e., from a 10-week course to another 10-week course, or from a 5-week course to another 5-week course) before the third session. Transfer requests will not be accepted, unless under exceptional circumstances, for classes fewer than 5 weeks in duration.
Any difference in price will be charged or refunded.
Students cannot be transferred from group classes to private tuition.
If a student has registered for a class at the wrong level, AFSeattle reserves the right to transfer the student to a different class with
an appropriate level. The student will be notified beforehand.
A minimum of four (4) enrollments is necessary to open and confirm a class.
If a class has reached three (3) enrollments, and if it is appropriate for the teaching method, AFSeattle may decide to open the course at the same price, but with reduced class hours.
AFSeattle reserves the right to cancel courses, adjust the curriculum, or change teachers at any time during the session. Courses are typically cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, unavailability of a teacher, or inability to schedule appropriate instructional space.
If you are registered in a class that is canceled, you will be notified by email and given the option to transfer to another course, to
receive a credit, or to be fully refunded.
Member Pre-Sale discounts are valid during the first 7 days of enrollment for each quarter, for current AFSeattle members only. These discounts are not applicable outside the dates of the sale. The discounts are applied automatically at checkout based on eligibility criteria.
Outside of the Pre-Sale dates, AFSeattle members will also receive a 10% discount for any additional group classes or workshops held in the same quarter. This discount does not apply to private classes or General French classes.
Courses that are announced or published after the early registration (pre-sale) period are not eligible for pre-sale discounts.
AFSeattle discounts are not cumulative.
Students are required to inform their instructor of any foreseen absence via the Student Portal. The instructor will plan the class accordingly, inform the student about the missed class content, and provide them with homework assignments.
In case of absence, students may not attend a different group/section of their course.
Missed classes are non-refundable.
In case of student absences that result in a class of 3 students or less, AFSeattle reserves the right to shorten the session duration to accommodate teaching a smaller group:
If AFSeattle must cancel a class:
No refund or additional class will be offered for students who are not able to attend the online or make-up sessions.
AFSeattle membership is required to sign up for private instruction.
A minimum of 5 (five) hours are required to create a new private class. Only packages of 5 (five), 10 (ten), or 15 (fifteen) hours can be purchased. Customized extra hours cannot be added to a package.
Payment must be paid at least 1 (one) week prior to the first scheduled lesson.
Please note that once a private schedule is set with an instructor and a tuition package has started, limited rescheduling will be accepted:
No-shows and cancellation with less than 24-hour notice: the session will be charged in full.
Packages of private tuition must be used within two quarters.
Private course package renewals: if you wish to renew your private course package, the request must be submitted at
least 1 week before your last class session
in order to continue your course without interruption.
AFSeattle does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, disability, gender, sexuality, and national or ethnic origin in the
administration of its admissions, educational, or employment policies and programs.
AFSeattle reserves the right to dismiss any student whose behavior is inappropriate or disruptive to the learning environment and to other
students. If AFSeattle receives such a complaint from a teacher and/or fellow students about a student, a meeting will be called with that
student to notify them of the complaint and to request a change if and when warranted. If after that warning, the student continues to be
disruptive, the student will be dismissed, and, when appropriate, AFSeattle will issue a prorated refund for any classes not yet taken.
Use of cell phones is not permitted during classes.
Eating and drinking are permitted, but please be mindful of your classmates.
Lost belongings, if found, will be at the AFSeattle office until the end of the quarter, after which they will be donated.
Except for certified service animals, pets are not allowed in classrooms at any time.
Private and group classes are held in a professional setting. Out of respect for our instructors and clients, please note that students are
not allowed to attend an adult class with their child.
13a. COVID-19 SAFETY INFORMATION
While participating in in-person events, classes, and/or other face-to-face activities held or sponsored by AFSeattle (the "Activity"), consistent with CDC guidelines, participants are encouraged to practice hand hygiene and wear face coverings if they wish to, in order to reduce the risks of exposure to COVID-19. Because COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is spread mainly from person-to-person contact, AFSeattle has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, AFSeattle cannot guarantee that its students, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance will not become infected with COVID-19.
Considering the ongoing spread of COVID-19, individuals who fall within any of the categories below should not engage in any AFSeattle in-person Activity. By attending an AFSeattle in-person Activity, you certify that you do not fall into any of the following categories:
13b. DUTY TO SELF-MONITOR
Students, volunteers, partners, or others in attendance agree to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (symptoms typically include fever, cough, and shortness of breath; check the CDC full list of symptoms here) and contact AFSeattle at info@afseattle.org if they experience symptoms of COVID-19 within five (5) days after attending a class, an activity, or after volunteering at AFSeattle.
13c. LIABILITY WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
I acknowledge that I derive personal satisfaction and benefit by virtue of my participation and/or voluntarism with AFSeattle, and I willingly engage in an AFSeattle in-person Activity.
13d. RELEASE AND WAIVER
I HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DEMANDS OF WHATEVER KIND OR NATURE AGAINST AFSEATTLE AND ITS AFFILIATED PARTNERS AND SPONSORS, INCLUDING IN EACH CASE, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THEIR DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, VOLUNTEERS, AND AGENTS (THE "RELEASED PARTIES"), EITHER IN LAW OR IN EQUITY, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES OR LOSSES CAUSED BY THE NEGLIGENCE, FAULT OR CONDUCT OF ANY KIND ON THE PART OF THE RELEASED PARTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DEATH, BODILY INJURY, ILLNESS, ECONOMIC LOSS OR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, WHICH I, MY HEIRS, ASSIGNEES, NEXT OF KIN AND/OR LEGALLY APPOINTED OR DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES, MAY HAVE OR WHICH MAY HEREINAFTER ACCRUE ON MY BEHALF, WHICH ARISE OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE FROM MY PARTICIPATION WITH THE ACTIVITY.
13e. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS
I acknowledge and understand the following:
13f. MEDICAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND RELEASE
I acknowledge the health risks associated with the Activity, including but not limited to transient dizziness, lightheaded, fainting, nausea, muscle cramping, musculoskeletal injury, joint pains, sprains and strains, heart attack, stroke, or sudden death. I agree that if I experience any of these or any other symptoms during the Activity, I will discontinue my participation immediately and seek appropriate medical attention. I DO HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE THE RELEASED PARTIES FROM ANY CLAIM WHATSOEVER THAT ARISES OR MAY HEREAFTER ARISE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY FIRST AID, TREATMENT, OR SERVICE RENDERED IN CONNECTION WITH MY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITY.
As a participant, volunteer, or class attendee, you recognize that your participation, involvement and/or attendance at any AFSeattle Activity is voluntary and may result in personal injury (including death) and/or property damage. By attending, observing, or participating in the Activity, you acknowledge and assume all risks and dangers associated with your participation and/or attendance at the Activity, BY ATTENDING AND/OR PARTICIPATING IN THE ACTIVITY, YOU ARE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN A FULL RELEASE OF LIABILITY TO THE RELEASED PARTIES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Updated October 31, 2023
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