Policies

French Language & Cultural Center

The Alliance Française de Los Angeles (AFDELA) is a non-profit, non-political, locally operated organization. All classes and activities are open to everyone without discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, nationality and/or ethnic origin and other laws and statutes of California and/or federal laws.

AFDELA general policies are intended to protect the rights and safety of learners, members and staff members, and to preserve and protect the AFDELA facilities and property. Any person who violates one or more of the following rules may be subject to immediate removal from AFDELA property, lose their membership privileges, be banned from AFDELA programs, and/or face legal action.

Click below to view details about our policies.

I. PREMISES

A. GENERAL

Theft, vandalism, and mutilation of AFDELA property are criminal offenses and may be prosecuted. The AFDELA reserves the right to call 911 or ask its security guard to inspect all bags, briefcases, backpacks, and other such items when the staff has reason to believe an offense has occurred.

Smoking is prohibited on AFDELA property.

Engaging in any physically and/or verbally intimidating behavior or in unlawful activities is prohibited. Any person engaging in such behaviors will be immediately and permanently removed from any AFDELA program and property.

Soliciting or selling products or services is not permitted, except as part of an AFDELA-sponsored program.

All wheeled conveyances (bikes, strollers, scooters, etc.) must remain outside of the building and may not obstruct exits, ramps, stairs, and alleys.

Animals, except those used to aid persons with disabilities, are not permitted on AFDELA property, except as part of an AFDELA-sponsored program. Animals may not be left unattended on AFDELA property.

Please switch your cellphone to “Vibrate” in the library and in the classrooms.

Eating and drinking are tolerated in the classrooms but we ask that you leave the room as neat as you found it.

B. PRIVACY

No recording of the class is allowed without the express consent in writing of all the students attending the class and the formal approval of both the Academic Director and the Executive Director. The Alliance Française wants to ensure that the privacy of all students is respected and that all trade secrets are protected. Any breach of this policy by a student can entail immediate removal from the premises, cancellation of membership and / or prosecution.

C. LOST ITEMS

The AFDELA is not responsible for unattended personal items or for any lost items.

A Lost & Found box is located in the reception desk. Items left unclaimed for more than 90 days will be donated to charity.

II. ADULT CLASSES

A. PLACEMENT TESTS

Placement tests are required for all prospective students who have any background with French including, but not limited to:

Previous instruction at any institution;

Previous instruction with the Alliance Française de Los Angeles if it has been more than a year since the student’s last class.

B. MEMBERSHIP

All students encouraged to become members of the Alliance Française in Los Angeles, CA to enroll in classes. Tuition costs do not include membership and membership discounts are not reflected in posted pricing. Group Class enrollment allows for additional 10% discount for AFDELA members. Private Class enrollment discounts are 5%

C. BOOKS

Books are compulsory for many classes. Books are not mailed. They will be distributed on the first day of the session or can be picked up beforehand at the reception desk. Tuition costs do not include textbooks, workbooks, or books required for literature and grammar classes. All Textbook purchases are non-refundable.

D. PAYMENT

Payment must be made in full at time of registration, by credit card (VISA/MC/AMEX), check*, or cash. This includes payment for the membership. Books or materials can be bought on the first day of class.
*A $25 surcharge will be levied on all checks returned to AFDELA with insufficient funds.
Where a student’s employer pays course fees, a purchase order is required. If, three weeks after being invoiced, an employer has failed to pay the cost of a student’s tuition fees and course material, the student must pay for such costs within one week of notice from AFDELA.

E. DISCOUNT

Discounts can be accumulated for early registration or double registration (two or more intensive courses for the same student during consecutive sessions). Early registration deadlines will be posted for each Open House. Discount can only be taken at registration during Open House.

F. WAITING LIST

If a class is full, you can request to be placed on the waiting list. You will be contacted by email and by phone as soon as there is an opening in the original class due to a withdrawal, or when the number of students requires that an additional class be created.

G. MISSED CLASSES / MAKE UP CLASSES

Students should inform their teacher of any foreseen absence to allow the teacher a) to prepare for the class accordingly, b) to be informed about what they miss, and c) to receive homework assignments
Students may attend a different section of a course at the same level as their own to make up a class. Students can schedule a one-hour private make-up class with a teacher (to be purchased separately). Students should contact the Academic Coordinator to arrange for such a class.
Make up classes must be booked and paid in advance and are subject to availability of teachers and classrooms. Once the make-up class has been scheduled and confirmed, no changes and no refund possible.

All cancellations require one business day notice from the client as well as from the instructor.
Group Class fees will not be pro-rated.

H. AGE REQUIREMENT

Adult classes are for age 18 and up.*
*Please contact us if you are student under 18 matriculated in a community college or university.

I. CANCELLATIONS

The Alliance Française reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a class if enrollment does not meet the minimum enrollment standard. Notifications will be sent to those enrolled by email.

J. WITHDRAWALS, REFUNDS AND CREDITS

For all Group Classes (including Standard, Fast Track, Intensive, Workshops) All cancellations must be received in writing in the form of an email or letter (with a postmark establishing the date of the request). Please state the course name and the reason for the cancellation. Withdrawals or refunds cannot be made by telephone. Please note that the absence from class does not constitute notice of withdrawal.

Refunds will be processed within 10 days according to the following policies:

Withdrawals received prior to the start date of the course: Students will be refunded full tuition, minus a $50 processing fee. Refunds will be processed to the credit card used for payment or issued in the form of a check if payment was made by cash or check.

Withdrawals received less than 7 days after the start date of the course: Students will be refunded 50% of the tuition paid, minus a $50 processing fee.

Withdrawals received more than 7 days after the start date of the course: No refund will be issued.

Credits may be applicable on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Academic Director. Documentation will be required for any credit requests. Credits are given according to the following policies:

Credits cannot be issued if 1/3 or more of session-hours have been completed.

Credits are valid for a period not exceeding six months from the last attended class.

Credits will be processed based on the number of remaining hours in the course, once AFDELA receives written notice of the student’s intent to withdraw.

All classes up to and including the date of the credit request will be deducted from the remaining instructional hours. Credits will not be granted for missed classes.

An administration fee of $50 will automatically be deducted from the value of the credit note.

Students are not entitled to a credit for a course where a previous credit was used as full or partial payment of tuition fees.

Exams are non-refundable.

Books are non-refundable once they have been picked up by the student.

Membership is refundable only in the event of a course withdrawal, for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase if it has not been used, minus a $25 processing fee.

J. REPETITION OF THE COURSE

In case the student does not have the level to go to following course, AFDC reserves the right to request that the student repeat the course.

III. CHILDREN CLASSES

A. PLACEMENT TESTS

Placement tests are required for all prospective students who have any background with French including, but not limited to:

Previous instruction at any institution;

Previous instruction with the Alliance Française de Los Angeles if it has been more than a year since the student’s last class.

Placement tests for children’s classes should be scheduled with the Program Manager: admin@afdela.org

B. CLASSES

When their child is under the age of 5, we ask parents/legal guardians/nannies to attend the classes. This is for security reasons, but also because the adult in the child’s life is part of the learning process.

For ages 1 to 2 (Bébé et Moi classes) parents need to be with their child in the classroom.

For ages 2 to 4 (Transition) parents can stay out of the classroom if their child feels comfortable, but we ask you to stay in the building.

If your child does not feel comfortable and still needs your presence, please stay with them.
If you want your child to slowly get used to be by themselves, please discuss it with the teacher before class.

C. MEMBERSHIP

Tuition costs do not include membership. Membership gives you a discount for 1 year. AFDELA recommends that parents enrolling more than one child in classes take a Family Membership: the last and first names of the students and their age must be added to the membership so the teacher has the right information for roll call.
Parents enrolling only one child can elect to buy only an individual membership but still need to fill in their name and contact information as well as their child.

D. BOOKS

Books costs are not included in the price. All students must have the book needed for the class. They can buy it directly at the desk reception of the Alliance.

E. PAYMENT

Payment must be made in full at time of registration, by credit card (VISA/MC/AMEX), check*, or cash. Books or materials can be bought on the first day of class.
*A $25 surcharge will be levied on all checks returned to AFDELA with insufficient funds.

F. DISCOUNTS

Discounts can be accumulated for early registration or double registration (two or more courses for the same student during the same session or two or more family members taking courses during the same session). Early registration deadlines will be posted for each session. Discount will be taken at registration.

G. WAITING LIST

If a class is full, you can request your child to be placed on the waiting list. You will be contacted by email and by phone as soon as there is an opening in the original class due to a withdrawal, or if a new class is created.

H. MISSED CLASSES

We ask that parents inform their teacher if their child has to miss classes for any reason. Your Alliance Française teacher will send you the chapters covered and homework accordingly.
Students may attend a different section of a course at the same level as their own to make up a class, but they need to notify the Children’s Programs Manager in advance.
Class fees will not be pro-rated.

I. AGE REQUIREMENT

Children classes are for ages 1 to 18.
*Please contact us if you are student under 18 matriculated in a community college or university.

J. CANCELLATIONS

The Alliance Française reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a class if enrollment does not meet the minimum enrollment standard. Notifications will be sent to those enrolled by email.

K. WITHDRAWALS, REFUNDS AND CREDITS

For all Group Classes All cancellations must be received in writing in the form of an email or letter (with a postmark establishing the date of the request). Please state the course name and the reason for the cancellation. Withdrawals or refunds cannot be made by telephone.

Refunds and credits will be processed within 10 days according to the following policies:

Withdrawals received less than 7 days after the start date of the course: Students will be refunded 50% of the tuition paid, minus a $50 processing fee.

Withdrawals received more than 7 days after the start date of the course: No refund will be issued.

Credits may be applicable on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Academic Director. Documentation will be required for any credit requests. Credits are given according to the following policies:

Credits cannot be issued if 1/3 or more of session-hours have been completed.

Credits are valid for a period not exceeding six months from the last attended class.

Credits will be processed based on the number of remaining hours in the course, once AFDELA receives written notice of the student’s intent to withdraw.

All classes up to and including the date of the credit request will be deducted from the remaining instructional hours. Credits will not be granted for missed classes.

An administration fee of $50 will automatically be deducted from the value of the credit note.

Students are not entitled to a credit for a course where a previous credit was used as full or partial payment of tuition fees.

Exams are non-refundable.

Books are non-refundable once they have been picked up by the student.

Membership is refundable only in the event of a course withdrawal, for a period of 30 days from the date of purchase if it has not been used, minus a $25 processing fee.

L. REPETITION OF THE COURSE

In case the student does not have the level to go to following course, AFDELA reserves the right to request that the student repeat the course.

IV. PRIVATE CLASSES

A. TUITION

Tuition and other fees must be made in full at the time of registration. Minimum purchase of 5 lesson hours is required, except for make-up classes (see II, G)

Private course tuition is non-refundable.

Private classes generally expire 12 months after date of purchase, except in the cases of longtime overseas work missions, deployment and/or overseas-based government work. If a student must interrupt his studies, documentation will be required for any interruption of more than 3 months.

B. TEACHERS & CLASSROOMS

Student will be assigned a teacher based on requested schedule and course goals. The AFDELA reserves the right to change the teacher if necessary based on group class schedules.

Classrooms will be reserved by the teacher for each student. If no room is scheduled in advance, class may need to be rescheduled, even if the student has already arrived at the AFDELA. If the teacher has forgotten to reserve the classroom, it will not be charged against the student.

C. PRIVATE CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY

If you need to cancel a lesson, you must contact your teacher directly at least 24 hours in advance or you will be charged for a one-hour lesson.

Student should attend lessons regularly, as scheduled with the teacher and the administration. In the case of a break of more than 3 months between lessons, the student must inform the administration in advance. If the administration is not notified, the remaining hours on your account will expire after 12 months except in cases described under IV, A, 3.

D. CULTURE & EVENTS

The member discount is applicable for one ticket per member.

Guests must pay the non-member price.

Refunds will be issued when Alliance Française cancels an event, or upon a 24-hour request for refund with or without cause sent via email to admin@afdela.org, by an attendee. No other refunds will be given.

The cultural department highly recommends advanced registration (online, by phone, or in person), as events sell out quickly.

If tickets are available, the AFDELA can accept payment at the door by credit card, check, or cash (exact change only). The AFDELA cannot make change at the door. The AFDELA reserves the right to refuse entry to sold out events.