French Classes for Children and Youth

French Classes for Children and Youth includes Play-Based French with songs, games, movement, and hands-on activities, as well as Conversation-Focused French and Textbook-Based General French. The program also offers summer camps, Theater Adventures - Summer Camp, and Summer Workshops as part of its youth options.

• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: 10-week sessions, four-day brush-up sessions, four-week courses, and Summer Mini Classes in 2026 including Session 1 (June 29–July 24), Session 2 (July 27–August 21), Discover Swiss Culture Summer Camps (July 27–August 17), Mini: French For Travelers (July 28–August 18), Summer Mini: French Made Easy - Listen and Speak Naturally (June 29–July 13), and Summer Workshops (June 15–August 22)
• Price: Admission is $49 for the Alliance Wine Series, with a 15% discount automatically applied for Alliance members; members receive discounted tickets of $20 instead of $28 for Soirée Musicale

All classes in French Classes for Children and Youth are taught by C2-level proficient French speakers, and all Alliance Française teachers specialize in teaching French as a Foreign Language (FLE). Expert teachers are certified, experienced instructors focused on communication and cultural immersion. The youth program is coordinated by Marisa Ikert, Youth Program Coordinator & Instructor, alongside a broader leadership team that includes Executive Director Elene Zedginidze and Education Coordinator Edie Michelet.

The Alliance Française de Portland, which offers French Classes for Children and Youth, was established in 1937 and is part of an international non-profit organization founded in Paris in 1883 that now includes 829 Alliances in 135 countries. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a member of the Fédération des Alliances Françaises USA, a network supporting 100 chartered Alliances in the United States. The organization is independently recognized by Candid for transparency and accountability and is part of an international network promoting French language and culture.

The Alliance Française de Portland states that its mission is to bring the French language and Francophone cultures to life through classes, events, and community spaces that connect and inspire francophones, francophiles, and French speakers across Oregon. Community involvement includes partner events with La Fédération des Alliances Françaises USA such as French Cinémathèque: Conte d'été, local member deals through the Les Amis de l’Alliance program, and a Learn French in Montreal partnership offering 10% off tuition for current members with the code AF2026PORTLAND. Current members also have free access to the online library Culturethèque, which includes e-books, audiobooks, podcasts, French press titles, and learning resources for adult, teen, and child learners.

Testimonials from adult students at the Alliance Française de Portland describe experiences with in-person classes, immersion-style instruction where instructors speak almost only French from day one, and courses taught by teachers described as highly proficient and attentive to student understanding.

Last updated July 13, 2026.