FAQs

We provide lessons from beginners (level A1) to intermediate level (B2). 

Each level consists of 4 sub levels:

– A1.1 (complete beginner) and A1.2 (beginner). You then reach level A1.

– Then you have level A2.1 and A2.2. Then you reach level A2 (beginner-intermediate level)

– Then you have level B1.1 and B1.2. You then have completed the B1 level (intermediate level)

– Then you have level B2.1 and B2.2. You then have completed the B2 level (intermediate-advanced level)

If you want to learn French, you will start at level A1.1. 

All A levels take place every week, 2 hours twice per week, for 4 months. 

Our curricula start every five months. Please contact us at +597 8775722 to know when the next lesson starts, as it sometimes depends on the level. 

Each A curriculum lasts 4 months. We usually give lessons 2 hours, twice per week for 4 months, with one extra month to prepare for the DELF exams.

The lessons are usually in person at our offices at number 16 or 14 Letitia Vriesdelaan in Paramaribo. However, sometimes, when we have enough demand, we also organize lessons online. If you are an private or public organization, please see next point.

If you are a private or public organization, we can also deliver the lessons at your premises and can also customize the number of lessons per week or month, depending on your requirements. We can also deliver hybrid lessons (a mix between face-to-face and online lessons). So, yes it is definitely possible. Best is to contact Virginie Lemay, the Director of the Alliance française at directrice@afsuriname.org and explain your needs. She will contact you shortly after to discuss this further and understand your exact needs.

For individuals coming to our premises: 

For the beginners’ level (A1.1, A1.2, A2.1 and A2.2), the price is 125 euro for 5 months.

For the intermediates’ level (B1.1, B1.2, B2.1 and B2.2), the price is 140 euro for X months.

For companies, it all depends on the number of people, frequency, location, etc. Please contact directrice@afsuriname.org to find out more.

Yes, you can. We will apply the exchange rate of the day you make the payment.

You can either pay cash at our office or online. 

This is not our preferred option as people may not be as motivated to follow the lessons. However, in some exceptional circumstances, we allow payment in 2 or maximum 3 installments.

Well, it all depends on you. What our teachers do is provide you with the basics of French, understanding the grammar, improving your listening and writing skills, etc. If you only follow the lessons during the week and do nothing else afterwards, it will take you quite long.  

However, if next to the lessons, you also watch some videos or films in French, use Duolingo every day for a few minutes, read some easy articles or books, or even try to practice as soon as you get a chance, you will learn and improve quicker. So it all depends on your motivation and discipline. It’s like learning how to play the piano or riding a bike: the more you practice, the better you’ll become.

No, not all of our teachers speak Dutch. However, they all speak English, and some also speak Sranan Tongo. You can always indicate your preference when you register. However, we cannot promise you that you’ll get a Dutch-speaking teacher as it all depends on your and our teachers’ availability. Not all Dutch speaking teachers are available at the time you may be.

First, please understand that when we cancel a class, it’s because we have no other choice. It is mostly because we do not have enough students to guarantee a class where we can ensure some interactions, activities with different students, etc.

In that case, we usually offer several options:

• You can join a class at a higher level (for instance, you paid for A1.2 but your class has been canceled. You can join the A2.1 class – if available – and if you feel you can follow it).
• You can re-do a class if you still feel insecure. There is absolutely no shame in re-doing a class. Some of our existing students did it and we really see a difference when they do go to the next level.
• You can wait for 5 months and join the next class. Here again, even though we will do our utmost to organize the class, we again cannot guarantee it 100% if we do not have enough demand. We’ll keep your money so that you won’t have to pay next time.
• If you are in a hurry, you can take private lessons. Most of our teachers give private lessons. It will of course cost you more but you may win time as the teacher will only have to focus on you and your needs, and will follow your rhythm (in a class, the teacher always has to adapt as some students learn faster than others). 
• You can ask for your money back. We’ll give it back to you in cash if you paid cash, or will re-transfer it online to your bank account. 

When you register, you can indicate your preferences. However, because of all the different classes we give and the few teachers we have, it is sometimes not possible to have the same teacher. However, bear in mind that it is actually good to have another teacher: that way, you’ll get to hear another way of speaking (other speed, other expressions, other ways of expressing and explaining).  

We usually do not provide a certificate at the end of the curriculum. The reason is that this certificate has no value, except from confirming that you have attended the lessons, NOT that you have actually achieved a certain level. 

However, we run official examinations twice a year (see next point)

Yes, you can take an exam to get an official certificate attesting of your level. Since January 2025, we are officially a certification center. The Alliance Française Suriname is the only place in Suriname where you can get an official certificate. The exam you can take is called DELF (diploma in French language studies). If you take the exam and are successful, you’ll get a certificate that is valid everywhere in the world, valid for the rest of your life and validated by the French Ministry of Education. You can find more information on this website: https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/hub/diplomes-tests 

4 of our teachers are qualified to give A-level exams and 2 are qualified to give B-level exams.

Please note that these exams only take place twice a year, as we have to follow the same schedule as other Alliances Françaises.

If you are interested in taking an official exam, please speak to your teacher or contact us (at directrice@afsuriname.org) and mention for which level. We will provide you with the information as soon as possible.

There are several benefits of becoming a member of the Alliance Française Suriname:

– You will be one of the first to be informed about any events we organize.

– If seats are limited, you, as a member, get priority.

– You can borrow books from our library for free. 

– You will get 4 free drinks (alcohol or not), that you can have at any of our events in the coming year

– You will also get a little welcome present

– If you ever travel, you can also go and visit other Alliances Françaises in the world and attend their events

– You of course will be part of a unique community

And many more to come ! We are continuously working on increasing the benefits.

You can either register when you are visiting us or fill in the following form: http://tinyurl.com/AFSMembershipApplication    You can choose the membership you want (it’s possible to register as an individual, a couple or as a family). As soon as payment is done (it can be done via bank transfer or cash, in euro, srd or US dollars – we’re always taking the exchange rate of the day of the payment). You’ll then get your membership card and your little welcome present.