Language School & Cultural Event Policies
On this page:
Event Registration Policy
Group Classes & Intensive Registration Policy | Withdrawal Policy
Closing Dates | Snow Days
Private Classes Registration Policy
TEF Registration Policy
Registration Policy
- All students are required to be members of the Alliance Française. If your membership is to expire during a session of class for which you register, we will ask you to renew your membership at the time of registration. Tuition costs do not include the membership fee or books.
- Please note that in the event that two courses are chosen by the same student and during the same session, a 40% discount will apply to the lesser priced course and the early registration discount of $25 will only apply to one course.
- No discounts of any type apply to the following classes: Bebe, Pitchouns, Yoga, Intensive and all mini-sessions, even if our computer system gives it to you: the adjustment will be made manually.
- Classes will only be opened with a minimum of five students.
- All classes, except where otherwise indicated, are for adults only (age 18 and up).
- Students registering late will be charged an administrative fee of $10 if registering during the first week of the session and of $15 during the second week. In the case of late registration, the price for the entire session is due.
- Classes are not pro-rated.
- Classes run the whole length of the session (8 weeks) unless otherwise indicated.
- Make-ups for missed classes are not permitted.
- Payment: Payment including membership and books (if any) must be made in full before the 1st class, by credit card (VISA/MC), check, or cash. Please note that bounced checks result in an aditional fee of $25.
Withdrawal Policy
Group Classes
All cancellations must be received in writing in the form of an email or letter (postmark establishing the date of the request). Please state the course code, the number of classes attended and the reason for the cancellation. Refunds will be processed within 3 weeks by check according to the following policy:
- Cancellation notified in writing before the end of the first week of the session (Before Friday, 5 pm): Students will be refunded the cost of the course minus $25 per class attended or not, the membership fee and a $30 administrative fee.
- Cancellation notified in writing during the second week of the session (Before the 2nd Friday, 5 pm): Students will be refunded half the cost of the course minus $25 per class attended or not, the membership fee and a $30 administrative fee.
- Cancellation notified in writing after the second week (after the second Friday of the session, 5 pm): No refunds will be given.
Intensive Classes
- Cancellation notified in writing before the first day of the course: Students will be refunded the cost of the course minus the membership fee and a $30 administrative fee.
- Cancellation notified in writing during the first week of classes: Students will be refunded half the cost of the course minus $25 per class attended, the membership fee and a $30 administrative fee.
- Cancellation notified in writing after the last day of the first week: No refunds will be given.
Because of our nonprofit status, our commitment to keeping tuition costs down, and our responsibility to our teachers, fees cannot be refunded or transferred to another session, to another person, or to private lessons.
Credits towards another session will be dealt with according to the timeframe of the refund policy hereabove mentioned.
Books are not returnable nor refundable, except if they were not picked up.
The Alliance Française reserves the right to cancel a class if enrollment is insufficient ; in this case, the NEW student may indicate his or her choice as to he or she wants the newly acquired membership refunded.
Closing Dates
The Alliance Française is closed for the following holidays:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Thanksgiving
The Alliance Française is also closed during 15 days for Winter Break (Christmas and New Year Holidays) and Summer Break (August - September). For these dates, please click on "Session Catalog" or "Cultural Events". Dates will be available 2 - 3 weeks before the break.
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, please call 202 234 7911 by 9 am for morning and early afternoon classes, and by 4 pm for evening classes. A special announcement will be recorded if the Alliance is closed and the classes postponed. The same announcement will be posted on our website.
Bethesda and Falls Church students should check with their teacher.
Private & corporate classes students should check with their teacher.
Private Classes Policy
Payment must be made in full at the time of registration.
Private courses tuition is not refundable.
If you need to cancel a lesson, please contact the teacher directly 24 hours in advance or you will be charged for a one-hour lesson.
In the event of snow, students should check with the tutor for potential cancellation.
Event Registration Policy
Due to our non-profit status, we cannot confirm access to events without prior reservation, nor can we hold reservations without prepayment. No internet reservations will be accepted on the day of the event. No refunds will be given for cancellations made less than 48 hours before events. A fee of $2 will be added to the price of admission if paid at the door. For all seated events: if we are sold out for a seated event, all unoccupied seats will be available to interested persons at 6:30 PM.