Alliance Française de Silicon Valley

Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AFSCV), is a non-profit organization from Silicon Valley, part of the franchise Alliance Française, which promotes the knowledge and appreciation of French and francophone cultures, encouraging the interaction among French, Francophone, and American people in the Bay Area through programs in education and the arts.

They have two centers, located in Los Gatos and Palo Alto, 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.

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 (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 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.