Policies
Membership
All students are required to be members of the Alliance Française de Baltimore to enroll in classes. Tuition costs do not include membership.
Placement Tests
A placement test is required for all prospective students who have any background with French including, but not limited to:
Previous instruction at an institution other than an Alliance Française
Previous instruction at any other Alliance Français
The placement test is a form divided into 3 parts with series of exercises of incremental difficulties, to be completed and sent back to us by email. Within a couple of days, you will get a result indicating the recommended course to take.
Please, take the Placement Test if you have not done it yet !
Books
Books are required for most classes. We do not mail books but distribute them on the first day of the session. Tuition costs do not include textbooks or workbooks. Cost of books will be added to the cost of class registration. Books are typically used a complete level, so are used for multiple courses (e.g., A1-1, A1-2 and A1-3). If you already have the books, please notify the Alliance, so you are not billed for these. For books that were not billed at registration, they will have to be purchased by check (no cash) the first day of class.
Payment
Payment must be fully payed at time of registration, only by paypal or by check. No cash will be accepted. The payment will include the membership, and the tuition costs.
Books are non refundable. There will be an additional 20$ fee for each bounced check.
Missed Classes
Students may contact their teachers via email to obtain missed work. Class fees will not be pro-rated.
Age Requirement
Adults classes are for age 18 and up. No exceptions will be made.
Cancellations
The Alliance Française reserves the right to cancel a class if enrollment does not meet the minimum enrollment requirement (5 students).
Private classes over skype can be rescheduled if cancellation is announced to the instructor 24h prior to the initial appointment. Otherwise, the one hour lesson will be charged.
Withdrawal Policy from Group Classes
Cancellation must be notified in writing 3 business days prior to the first class: Student will be refunded full tuition, minus $50 fee. Refunds will be processed within 10 days according to the following policy and processed to the credit card used for payment or issued in the form of a check if payment was made by check.Withdrawals or refunds cannot be made by telephone.
No refunds will be given less than 3 days prior to the first class or after the first class. Please note that absence from class does not constitute notice of withdrawal.
Tuition cannot be transferred to another person, to private lessons, or to a future session. Exams, books, and memberships are non-refundable.
Inclement Weather
Group class cancellations due to inclement weather will be announced by email and make-up sessions will be organized and notified by email to students.
Private Classes over Skype
A membership is required to take private classes over skype. Tuition costs do not include membership. A minimum purchase of five hours is required. Private course tuition payments expire 3 months from date of purchase.
Taking a one-to-one class at a distance through skype supposes that you feel comfortable using the necessary basic IT equipment and that you are fully aware of and accept the potential but often momentary slow-downs or interruptions that may occur during an online session.
Private classes over skype are not refundable. If cancelled 24h prior to the initial appointment each class can be rescheduled in agreement with the instructor.