Learning French

Alliance Française Concours National de Français

The Alliance Française National Concours is organized every spring by the Délégation Générale de l'Alliance Française in Washington for non-native speakers of French who are currently studying the language.

CONCOURS NATIONAL DE FRANÇAIS 2007
February 12-18, 2007: Examination Week

For more information contact:
Pascal SAURA, Coordinateur pédagogique
Délégation Générale de l'Alliance Française de Paris aux USA
4101 Reservoir Road, NW
Washington, DC 20007
Tel: 202 944-6431
Email : dgp@alliance-us.org
National prizes include round-trip tickets to Paris on Air France, scholarships to study at the Alliance Française de Paris, as well as subscriptions to French newspapers and magazines, French books, dictionaries and CDs.

Description
    There are five categories:
    A Undergraduate College students with 3 to 4 years of college level French;
    B Undergraduate College students with 1 to 2 years of college level French;
    C High School students with 3 or more years of French;
    D High School students with less than 3 years of French;
    E Alliance Française students currently enrolled in an Alliance Française class (advanced levels).

    Students are given two hours to write on a given essay topic. Contestants in Categories B, C and D may consult a dictionary. The rules are sent to participating AFs who supervise the administration of the test in their area and select local winners. AF Chapters who are members of the Federation can apply to the Prize Book Fund for assistance in buying book prizes to award at their local ceremony. The essays of the first-place winners are sent to Washington which selects the national winners.

    Contest rules and essay topics from prior years may be consulted at the Members Only site.

Benefits
    The benefits of the Concours National are awesome: round-trip tickets to France, scholarships, gift certificates and more.
    And in addition, the Concours National:
    • Increases the visibility of your Alliance to French teachers and students in your area.
    • Encourages you to get to know and establish a relationship with French teachers in your area.
    • Encourages cooperation among universities, high schools and your Alliance.
    • Gives students an opportunity to use and show off their French their skills outside of the classroom.
    • Exposes students to French and francophone culture.
    • Is cheap - $5 per participant - and therefore accessible to everyone.
    • Shows that you are part of a national organization that includes Alliances throughout the U.S. as well as an array of French companies.
Organization
    The organization of the Concours begins at the local chapter level and includes getting out publicity, planning the logistics, finding prizes, and congratulating the winners. The Concours also helps AFs develop connections with community high school and college teachers.

    Anne Hérisson-Leplae (AF de Milwaukee) has prepared a set of guidelines to help AFs integrate the Concours into their Alliance activities. Her flyer, How to organize a successful Concours National at your Alliance Française, is available in the Education section of Members Only.

Past National Winners