Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AFSCV), is a

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

from

Silicon Valley Silicon Valley is a region in Northern California that is a global center for high technology and innovation. Located in the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area, it corresponds roughly to the geographical area of the Santa Clara Valley ...

, part of the franchise

Alliance Française (; "French Alliance", stylised as ''af'') is an international organization that aims to promote the French language and francophone culture around the world. Created in Paris on 21 July 1883 under the name ''Alliance française pour la propa ...

, which promotes the knowledge and appreciation of

French French may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France ** French people, a nation and ethnic group ** French cuisine, cooking traditions and practices Arts and media * The French (band), ...

and francophone cultures, encouraging the interaction among French, Francophone, and American people in the

Bay Area The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a region of California surrounding and including San Francisco Bay, and anchored by the cities of Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose. The Association of Bay Area Governments ...

through programs in education and the arts. They have two centers, located in

Los Gatos Los Gatos (; ; ) is an incorporated town in Santa Clara County, California, United States. The population is 33,529 according to the 2020 census. It is located in the San Francisco Bay Area just southwest of San Jose in the foothills of t ...

and

Palo Alto Palo Alto ( ; Spanish language, Spanish for ) is a charter city in northwestern Santa Clara County, California, United States, in the San Francisco Bay Area, named after a Sequoia sempervirens, coastal redwood tree known as El Palo Alto. Th ...

, California, bringing their services to the Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. Their main office, foyer, and library are located at the Los Gatos center.

History

Alliance Française Silicon Valley was created in 1970 in Saratoga by Mrs. Noble Tucker, under the name “Alliance Française of Saratoga.” It later became the “Alliance Française of Santa Clara Valley.” In 2013, it changed its name again to “Alliance Française Silicon Valley” to be easier to find.

Activities and Services

Language Classes

AFSCV offers French lessons, grouping students by age, and bolsters its academic program with festive activities all year round. The institution evaluates the oral and writing skills by the

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment, abbreviated in English as CEFR, CEF, or CEFRL, is a guideline used to describe achievements of learners of foreign languages across Europe and, increasingl ...

(CEFR).

Cultural Events

The French alliance promotes the integration of French culture through exhibitions, Ciné-Club film screenings, appreciation of Francophone music, exhibition of works of art, performing arts, book club, special events according to ephemeris, free language practice through French Express, among others. In February 2019, the AFSCV and the French Consulate in

San Francisco San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is a commercial, Financial District, San Francisco, financial, and Culture of San Francisco, cultural center of Northern California. With a population of 827,526 residents as of ...

presented an exhibition called "Pulsions," highlighting the work of eight French artists. Past events have included a history of red soled shoes from Louis XIV to Christian Louboutin, a workshop on French Polynesia, Bastille Day, and others.

Approaches towards the COVID-19 pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Alliance Française chapters moved their French classes and events online. Online events and workshops included a series on hygiene put on by a historian at the Louvre; a discussion of the Netflix series Emily in Paris; art workshops around portraits, Pop Art and contemporary art and many others. The 44 online events offered in 2020 were seen by participants all over the U.S. and Europe, including France, Holland, the Netherlands, Belgium and the U.K.

References

External links

* https://www.afscv.org {{DEFAULTSORT:Alliance Francaise de México Alliance Française Franchises Cultural centers in the United States French-language education Cultural promotion organizations