Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AF Silicon Valley) is a non-profit organization and the official center of French Language and Culture in
Silicon Valley. Its mission is to promote and enhance the knowledge and appreciation of French and francophone cultures and language, and
to encourage interaction among French, Francophone, and American people through programs in education and the arts.
Since 1970, AF Silicon Valley has offered French language classes for all ages and levels as well as cultural events, libraries, two book clubs and celebrations of French holidays. We have three centers, located in Los Gatos, Menlo Park, and Santa Cruz, to better serve Silicon Valley including the Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. Our main office, foyer, and library are located at the Los Gatos center.
Serving Silicon Valley since 1970.
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, our name changed to “Alliance Française Silicon Valley” so that we
could be found more easily. In 2020, we celebrated our 50th Anniversary and plan on providing you a professional and customized
service for many more years!
Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AF Silicon Valley) is a non-profit organization and the official center of French Language and Culture in Silicon Valley. Its mission is to promote and enhance the knowledge and appreciation of French and francophone cultures and language, and to encourage interaction among French, Francophone, and American people through programs in education and the arts.
The Alliance Française Silicon Valley will ensure continued relevance in the changing world and will grow in terms of students, members and variety of activities.
The Alliance Française Silicon Valley will be seen by people in as the premier institution for all things related to French language and culture.
It will achieve this vision through:
Our staff is here to help you get the best information possible related to your journey. Get to know them better:
French born, she travelled and lived through her youth in cities around the world such as Djibouti and Cayenne. She moved to the Bay Area in 1996 and joined Alliance Française Silicon Valley in 2001. When she is not working, she is most likely baking, reading or enjoying the great Californian outdoor.
French native, I’ve been in the Bay area since 2009. I started to work with the Alliance Française Silicon Valley, in October 2016 as a volunteer for their library. Since then, I am more involved in activities (Ciné-Club, book sales, French Express). I am happy to be part of this organization.
Get to know the teachers behind your formation. Our team of professionals is here to give you quality formation so you can learn French in the most comfortable and easy way. With our team of qualified, we offer a large range of courses, including specialised courses, private tuition, workshops, immersion days, outings to museums or restaurants and more!
Born and raised in France. In 1989, he graduated from the University of Paris I Sorbonne in Economics and Applied Foreign Languages. In 2013, he earned a master degree in French at San Jose State University. He has taught French as a foreign language since 1996 and has also over 20 years of experience as a linguist for major software companies in the SF Bay Area. Currently he teaches also at San Jose State University.
Karima studied Langues Etrangères Appliquées aux Affaires at Université Paris 3 - Sorbonne Nouvelle (1987 to 1993).
Marie-Hélène is a French native. She received a BA in English from the University of Bordeaux. She then taught French for four years in Ensham High School and at Westminster College in London, England, before moving to California with her husband. She has been teaching French as a second language at the Alliance Française of Silicon Valley since 1994, as well as in public and private schools in after-school programs. Since 2020 she has been teaching Alliance Française classes online. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, gardening and painting.
I’m French and have been living in the US since January 2019. Before coming to work at School for Independent Learners, I taught French at the University, High School, and Middle School in Germany for 9 years. I have also worked with people with disabilities and teenagers with psychiatric issues in French. I’m curious, ambitious, and love discovering new cultures around the world. I enjoy cooking, reading, listening to music, and watching movies at the theater.
Was born and raised in Bordeaux. He settled in California in 1987 and taught French, from 1993 to today, from very beginners to high levels in Berlitz, Palo Alto (Teacher of the year, 1999), in Languages Studies Institute, Palo Alto (coordinator of the French Department), and joined the Alliance Française Silicon Valley in 2004, and the Alliance Française of San Francisco in 2005. Stephan is part of the Menlo Park team since January 2015. He is a certified DELF/DALF Examiner.
Nathalie is a French native from Lyon. When in France, she was already working with children.She came in the Bay Area in 2010 and has been teaching French since then, most of the time to kids between 3 and 12.She joined the Alliance Française in 2018 and teaches French to children in classes or private lessons.
Loubna has a Master of Art and more than 30 years of teaching French.
Sylvie is a native of Voiron, in the French Alps. She earned a Masters degree in French as Foreign Language in Grenoble. Since she arrived in California 20 years ago, she has been teaching French to adults, teenagers and children. She has been an active participant with the Alliance Française Silicon Valley for well over a decade.
My husband and I moved to the Bay Area 9 years ago and we've just become American citizens! I am passionate and like sharing. I am outdoorsy and enjoy the warm feeling of having a good coffee with friends. We built a pond in our backyard and we have adopted a nice school of colorful fish. I was teaching French to foreign workers when I was in France and I naturally wanted to go on after arriving in the United States. I have a PHD in linguistics and I love teaching my language, my native culture and everything France-related ;) The Alliance Française offers an enjoyable work and learning environment with a dynamic, friendly and dedicated team. I hope we'll meet in class soon!
Houcine is a French instructor/mentor. He teaches mainly middle/high school students, and adults. He found a great satisfaction in
his abilities to engage student in learning process and achieve their goals. Houcine was born In Morocco, and he grew up in
Paris-France. He was passionate about languages, math and economics. This passion for math helped him gain profound knowledge in the
field of economics during his college years and enable him to be admitted to the Sorbonne University Paris-France for this Graduate
work. Today, He is a French language and culture instructor. He is a native French/Arabic speaker with a deep cultural understanding of
French/Arabic culture and traditions. He enjoys playing chess and loves travelling.
Kimberly was born in France and grew up in New Caledonia. She came back to France for her BA and MA in English at Paris-Sorbonne University. She has been living in the United States since 2017 and in the Bay Area since 2018. Passionate about language learning and working with children, she joined the teaching team at the Alliance Française in 2022. She enjoys instilling curiosity about French language and culture and a love of learning in her students through playful activities.
Photo courtesy of Cyntia Apps Photography
The Alliance Française Silicon Valley is registered as a nonprofit organization in California. It is administered by a Board of Directors.
These local francophiles come from varied backgrounds and actively work for the core activities of the Alliance Française and for the
promotion of French language and culture.
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Marketing & Development
Ciné-Club
Cultural Events
Michele Olston
Be part of a group dedicated to spreading the French language and culture. If you are a native French speaker and have some
experience in teaching, you could become a French teacher at Alliance Francaise Silicon Valley, either in Los Gatos or Palo Alto.
You can send your resume and a letter to the School Director of either center who will
contact you back. Do note that we do not sponsor teachers for visas. Please do not apply if you do not have authorization to work in the US.
AF Silicon Valley is a nonprofit organization which relies on a talented and dedicated team of volunteers helping in a wide range of activities and events. If you are a French learner, speaker or Francophile, feel free to email us to learn about our opportunities. We are very flexible in terms of schedule and location.
Come meet new people in a fun atmosphere while helping us promote French culture in the Bay Area! To find out more about our volunteer opportunities, please email us at info@afscv.org.
Office hours:
Tuesdays 10am-2pm
(closed on Nov-26th)
Thursdays 11am-1pm
(closed on Nov-28th)
Library:
Saturdays 10am-12pm
(closed on Nov-30th)
Alliance Française Silicon Valley
Los Gatos, CA 95032
