French Classes
Welcome to 2026
This year, as in 2025 there will be 4 TERMS. Terms 1 and 4 will be 10 weeks
and Terms 2 and 9 weeks
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Absolute Beginners
These classes are only offered for Term 1 and Term 3 (and are dependent upon a minimum of 5 applicants)
This class is scheduled for Tuesdays 7.00pm to 8.30pm.
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The Absolute Beginner classes (Beg1) have a slightly different format with weeks 1-5 being a "Taster Course" and then if that suits you, you choose to continue for the other 5 weeks.
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This class will run as a 10 week term (or 2 X 5 weeks) i.e $100 first 5 weeks and if you wish to continue $100 for the second 5 lessons
Payments Online
BANK DETAILS
Alliance Française Illawarra
BSB 082-916 Acc No 515040351
REF for Payments
Term number (1,2,3,4), Initials of Teacher, your name
Geoff Galagher GG
Betty Hassen BH
Catherine Thornberry CT
E.G T1BH<Emmanuel Macron>
T2GG<Maurice Chevalier>
CLASSES AVAILABLE 2026
Term 1​
TUESDAYS
5.30 - 7pm G Galagher
Beg 1
5.30 - 7pm B Hassen
Int 4/5
​7pm - 8.30 G Galagher
Int 1
7pm - 8.30 B Hassen
Beg 3
WEDNESDAYS
5.30 to 7pm B Hassen
Int 3/4
6pm to 7.30 G Galagher
Adv​​
​​​​​​​​​​​Staff Contacts
Geoff Galagher
0458 224 912
Betty Hassen
0412 451 010
​Catherine Thornberry
0434 551 447
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ENROLMENT
For NEW STUDENTS ONLY to the AFI, there is no need to enrol or pay before joining a class. Contact by email, SMS or call to let us know which level you prefer. You can try various classes beforehand to ascertain where you feel most comfortable, and you can change classes throughout the Term.
COURSE COORDINATOR
Betty Hassen
TEL 4228 6214
MOB 0412 451 010 bhassen@optusnet.com.au
afillawarra@optusnet.com.au
Which level of Beginner are you?
On average, starting from scratch, 8 Terms at AFI (2 years) should get you past Beginners level, especially if you do some extra learning yourself, online, Duo Lingo etc.
(YEAR 1) Term 1 and 2 would be Beg 1
Term 3 and 4 would be Beg 2
(YEAR 2) Term 1 and 2 would be Beg 3
Term 3 and 4 would be Beg 4
Then the class becomes Intermediate 1
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You may not be able to hold a long narrative conversation but you should be able to answer or ask basic things in everyday French and use basic sentences using present, past and future usage.
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What defines Intermediate Level?
At Intermediate level, basic grammar elements and vocabulary from Beginners are revised and extended with more practice and repetition of spoken French.
Basic Pronunciation and simple sentence corrections should be minimal.
Most students will remain at Intermediate level for many years, but you would certainly be at a level where you can hold your own in everyday situations in France.
CALENDER
2026
TERM 1
Tue 27 Jan to Wed 1 Apr
TERM 2
Tue 21 Apr to Wed 17 Jun
TERM 3
Tue 28 Jul to Wed 23 Sep
TERM 4
Tue 13 Oct to Wed 16 Dec