Alliance Francaise de Melbourne, AFM Alliance Francaise de Melbourne (AFM) WHO ARE WE? Founded in 1890, the Alliance Française de Melbourne (AFM) is an Australian not-for-profit association dedicated to the promotion of the French language and culture. It is the largest language school for French in Victoria with more than 3,500 students per year. With our team of qualified native French-speaking teachers, we offer a large range of courses, including specialised courses, private tuition, workshops, immersion days, outings to museums or restaurants and more! Teachers use cutting-edge technology with interactive whiteboards (IWB) in many of our classrooms to enhance language-learning through dynamic multimedia integration. The AFM is the only accredited examination centre to conduct all the diplomas issued by the French Ministry of Education as DELF and DALF exams, along with the TCF, TCFQ, TEF and TEFAQ. Named in honour of the Alliance Française de Melbourne’s founder, the well-known Berthe Mouchette Competition created in 1894 is open to students of French from Grade 3 to Year 12 and attracts thousands of candidates each year who bring French poetry to life through recitals. Enjoying the patronage and support of the French Embassy in Canberra the AFM, as the only French cultural centre in Victoria, organises major cultural events each year, such as the French Film Festival in March and the French Christmas Market in December. A varied program of exhibitions from local or international artists is regularly presented in our art gallery in St Kilda, and concerts, conferences and film screenings punctuate the cultural calendar all year round. Our multimedia library includes thousands of French books, CDs and DVDs as well as a dedicated section for students with documents to enhance their French language learning. Admission is free and open to the general public and lending is open to current students and members of our association. MISSION & VISION STATEMENTS OUR MISSION The Alliance Française de Melbourne encourages and promotes active, open connections between people in Victoria and French language and culture. It provides the means by which people can learn the French language and become engaged in the many different aspects of French culture including art, books, poetry, film, history, gastronomy, contemporary affairs, thoughts and ideas. It provides the opportunity for friends of French language and culture to come together in an apolitical, non-religious and welcoming environment. OUR VISION The Alliance Française de Melbourne will be seen by people in Victoria as the premier institution for all things related to French language and culture. It will achieve this vision through: Reaching a broad base of people throughout Victoria, including beginner students of all ages and expatriate French nationals. It will continue to understand their interests and needs and then meet them through a wide range of affordable activities and services, accessible in a variety of locations Providing the highest quality of French language education from qualified, native French-speaking teachers Offering a high standard of teaching facilities and advanced teaching methods using current technologies and multi-media tools. Working in collaboration with other French organisations and with other cultural institutions as appropriate Providing a working environment, which attracts the highest quality management, teachers and staff who are intimately connected with French language and culture. The Alliance Française de Melbourne will ensure continued relevance in the changing world and will grow in terms of students, members and variety of activities.