Origins

The Victoria branch of the Alliance Francaise was founded in 1907. With humble beginnings, its activities included a few lectures and meetings held twice a month at the fine arts gallery on Moss St. But it remained active all throughout the years and expanded into giving French classes in the 1960s.

A centennial association

The AFV, having celebrated its 100th year in 2007, has been able to regenerate itself despite the troubled times. Having as its first goal the growth of the French language in Victoria, we organize high quality cultural activities, in addition to well-appreciated conferences in French. With volunteers devoted to our goal, and with the support of other local organisations admiring its success, we continue our mission to promote French language and culture in Victoria.

AFV Today

Today, the Alliance Française de Victoria is the largest language school for French in with an average of 6,000 students per year.

With our team of qualified native French-speaking teachers, we offer a large range of courses, including specialised classes, private tuition, workshops, immersion days, outings to museums and restaurants and more!

Teachers use cutting-edge technology with interactive whiteboards (IWB) in all of our classrooms to enhance language-learning through dynamic multimedia integration.

The Alliance Française de Victoria is the only accredited examination centre to conduct all the diplomas issued by the French Ministry of Education such as DELF and DALF exams, along with the TCF, TCFQ, TEF and TEFAQ.

Enjoying the patronage and support of the French Consulate General in the , as the only French cultural centre in , organises major cultural events each year, such as the French Film Festival in November and participates with numerous programs into Le French May, event that was co-created by in 1993. A varied program of events  is regularly presented in our Jordan Centre, and conferences and film screenings punctuate the cultural calendar all year round.

Our multimedia library includes more than 11,000  French books, CDs and DVDs as well as a dedicated section for students with documents to enhance their French language learning. Access is free and open to our members & students; lending is open to current students and members of our association.

Our Mission

The Alliance Française de Victoria encourages and promotes active, open connections between people in 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 Victoria 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 Victoria will ensure continued relevance in the changing world and will grow in terms of students, members and variety of activities.