AFK Student Diaries: Alishba
This institution is very special for me. I am not only learning the French language there but I also began as an artist from this platform. My very first solo art exhibition was held right there too, in the Alliance Française art gallery in 2018.
“Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things.”
DELF JUNIOR
Inclusion, for every child is the theme of World Children's day 2022. Inclusive education is the right of every child with unique abilities. It values diversity and the unique contributions each student brings to the classroom.
In a truly inclusive setting, every child feels safe and has a sense of belonging. Students and their parents participate in setting learning goals and take part in decisions that affect them. Alliance Française de Karachi is the true example of Inclusive Education where I am studying learning French language from 2015 till to date.
Today I appeared my first ever International exam DELF at AFK. I am thankful to the faculty, staff & management of AFK for providing me such a supportive, kind & inclusive environment.
AFK did all that was reasonable to accommodate me as a student with special needs such as Separate room allocated, adapted time for each part of the exam and accompanying teacher to help understand the questions. It can be an example for other educational institutions.
Together we can make a difference, a little care and love can bring a huge change.
Syeda Alishba Amin-ud-Din Artist, activist, Social Entrepreneur & Francophone, member Global Advocacy team Down Syndrome International.
It’s true. A new language is a window through which we can see another world. I have always been passionate about learning French because I love to learn new things. I joined Alliance Française de Karachi in 2015 and now I am a student of level B1-A. Everyone told me it’s a difficult language but I accepted the challenge with the help, support, and love of my teachers at the Alliance, and now I am enjoying French.
These days, during the COVID-19 lockdown, I really miss my very own Alliance. I miss my beloved teachers Ms. Munifa Ayub and Ms. Fanny. Can’t wait to see them soon. Also, the chicken cheese sandwich from Café Jardin!
This institution is very special for me. I am not only learning the French language there but I also began as an artist from this platform. My very first solo art exhibition was held right there too, in the Alliance Française art gallery in 2018.
As an artist, I feel the French language as a language of art, culture, and literature. I love French literature, music, movies, and cooking shows.
I am thankful to everyone at the Alliance who have always championed me and mentored me and who provide such a beautiful, encouraging, inclusive and supportive environment for me.
I believe that no disability can stop you if you have the determination to challenge your potential and that is why—against all odds—I draw, busting the myth that females, especially those with “special” needs have no space in society. I am Syeda Alishba Amin-ud-Din, an artist from Pakistan with Down Syndrome which has never been able to curb my flight or keep me down.
—Alishba
3rd Karachi Biennale October 31 to November 13, 2022
Be informed of the dates and program for this year’s Biennale : https://karachibiennale.org.pk/programming/
Madame Sousatzka at AFK : Film screening 22/10/22
All Pakistan Music Conference, Karachi & Alliance Francaise, Karachi Present : Madame Sousatzka
Saturday, 22 October, 2022, at 8:30pm sharp, At the Alliance Francaise (French Centre), Karachi
No cards/ No tickets required, For details contact 0321 2381236
Director: John Schlesinger
Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Navin Chowdhry & Shabana Azmi
Year of release: 1988
Language: English
Running time: 122 mins
Summary:
In London, eccentric piano instructor Madame Sousatzka takes on a new prize protégé, Manek , a teenage Bengali immigrant who displays incredible talent. Manek forms a close bond with his teacher, but soon discovers that she expects her pupils to become disciplined in all areas of life, and not just behind the piano. As he struggles to meet the challenges, Manek must also deal with his mother who vies with his teacher for his attentions.
Website: http://bit.ly/APMCKarachi-Website
YouTube: http://bit.ly/APMCKarachi-YouTube
Facebook: http://bit.ly/APMCKarachi-Facebook
Sunday Garden Pop-Up
AFK is pleased to host the Sunday Garden Pop-Up on the 13th November 2022 at 4 PM
What it is about : Arts & Crafts | Home Decor | Accessories | Clothing | Food | Dessert | Drum Circle | Art Corner | Photo Spots and more!
Entry: Rs. 600/-
Tickets available online on https://ticketwala.pk/event/sunday-garden-pop-up and at the gate
- No stags allowed
- Children under 10 enter for free
Part of all ticket sales will be donated to flood relief.
Concours de la francophonie
At the occasion of the Francophonie celebrations, the embassies of France & Belgium and the High-Commission of Canada in Pakistan are organizing the Francophonie contest 2022.
The contest is open for all people aged 18-29 who are based in Pakistan and learning French.
This year’s theme is « l’étonnement » and each participant is invited to send their submission on this theme (song, sketch, recitation, etc) in French and in the form of a video.
Submissions must be individual and participants will get the chance to win many prices : French courses in one of the Alliances Françaises of Pakistan for the three best submissions, but also comics and books in French for others.
The submission deadline is 15/04/2022. More details as well as submission instructions are available here.
We're reopening in January 2022!
The Alliance française de Karachi is set to reopen in January 2022 for French classes, workshops, events, and more.
It’s been a long pause but we’re pleased to announce that starting January 2022, our campus will be reopening for French classes, workshops, events, and more!
Our beginner-level French classes, including A1a weekday and weekend classes, will be held on campus. All other French courses will continue in an online format but we hope to transition them to our campus over the coming months, too. Registrations for classes are now open on our online store.
Our reception is open from Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 6:30 PM for anyone who prefers to register for classes in person. We’ll be closed in the last week of December for the winter holidays.
Our members will be pleased to know that our library, café, and gardens will also be opening starting January.
Our final decision on reopening in January ultimately remains tied to government guidelines on the prevailing health situation but, for now, we’re crossing our fingers and looking forward to welcoming you all back to the Alliance!
Until then, have a great holiday season. We’ll see you very soon. À bientôt.
Team AFK
AFK Student Diaries
The AFK student community is made up of college students, filmmakers, teachers, artists, writers and...the list goes on. We asked some of them to share their language learning experiences, how they got started with French, what they do when it gets tough, and what they're reading, watching and listening to these days.
The AFK student community is made up of college students, filmmakers, teachers, artists, writers and...the list goes on. We asked some of them to share their language learning experiences, how they got started with French, what they do when it gets tough, and what they're reading, watching and listening to these days.
Click each photo to see what they have to say:
PS: Et vous ? Are you a French student at the Alliance, too? We’d love to hear from you. Share your experience with us.
Call for Applications: Speak Up Karachi
Learn about Speak Up Karachi, a fully-funded citizen journalism training program hosted at CEJ-IBA, and apply before 9 November 2020.
Together with Goethe-Institut Pakistan, we are excited to announce a call for applications for Speak Up Karachi, a fully-funded citizen journalism training program hosted at the Centre for Excellence in Journalism at the Institute of Business Administration. The project, which will have 15 participants from Karachi, intends to provide citizens and their communities with a voice to highlight local climate issues and their possible solutions with the aid of technology and via various media platforms.
As local communities are being severely impacted by the climate crisis, empowering them to highlight and bring forth issues that also form a part of the larger cause of protecting our environment is pivotal to taking actions and measures that serve as a solution and sustainability of the life of such communities.
Who should apply?
University students, young journalists, freelance print, broadcast, or digital journalists, and anyone working on urban issues or climate crisis in Karachi. The program is open for Karachi-based participants only. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years. Women and minority candidates are encouraged to apply.
The program comprises three modules:
- an online content writing module
- a Mobile Journalism (MoJo) module
- all the participants will be required to prepare, develop and publish stories while performing the necessary fieldwork under the guidance of their mentor
At the end of the mentorship period, two of the best works submitted for any medium will be awarded cash prizes. Participants will also be given training completion certificates at the end of the program.
All costs of the workshop will be fully sponsored by a grant from the Franco-German Cultural Fund. Participants will also be provided with MoJo kits, along with a food and travel allowance for the fieldwork required for their story research.
Trainers, guest speakers, and mentors for the program:
- Zofeen T Ebrahim
- Zia ur Rehman
- Ayaz Ahmed Khan
- Kamal Siddiqi
- Mahim Maher
Important dates:
-Deadline to apply: Nov 9
-Shortlisted candidates contacted via email and phone call: Nov 16
-Online Content Writing module: Nov 23 - Nov 28
-Mobile Journalism (MoJo): Dec 2 - 5
-Mentorship period: Dec 8 - Jan 31
-Deadline to submit published stories for award: Feb 5
-Winners announced: Feb 19
For details and queries:
Zareen Khan
Communication Officer, CEJ-IBA
Tel: 38104701 (ext.1703), 03342220605
Email: zareenkhan@iba.edu.pk
Important updates about reopening
The Alliance will remain closed until further notice. French classes will continue online for the moment. Learn more.
reopening postponed
Please note that our reopening is postponed until further notice. We’ll have more information soon.
Update posted on 26 October 2020
WE’RE REOPENING IN NOVEMBER!
Hello and bonjour. We are happy to announce that we are (finally!) reopening starting Monday, 2 November 2020. Our library, bookstore, café and reception will be ready to welcome members and visitors then. French classes will continue online until further notice.
We remind you that masks are mandatory on the premises at all times and must cover your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit. There will be a cap of 20 people in the library to prevent overcrowding and spaces will be assigned on a first come, first served basis. We ask for your cooperation in practicing proper social distancing so we can keep each other safe.
Our timings will be Monday to Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5 PM.
Looking forward to welcoming you again at the Alliance in November! À très bientôt.
Update posted on 22 October 2020
Important updates relating to Covid-19 closure
Faced with the health risk due to the advance of the novel coronavirus pandemic, we are under obligation to interrupt our cultural activities and workshops from Tuesday, March 17, 2020 until further notice.
Based on the escalating public health situation in the city, we have decided that the Alliance Française de Karachi, including our reception, will remain closed until further notice.
However, our staff will continue to be available by email or by phone between 10 AM and 6 PM everyday except Sunday. Get in touch.
Our French classes have moved to an online format for both new and current students.
In addition, we are proud to have launched an online store to allow our students to register and pay for their French courses online. Registrations are now open for our next session. Learn more about our classes and browse our online store to register.
Translation services continue to be available. Browse and purchase translation services here.
Some examinations scheduled for June 2020 have been cancelled or postponed. The DELF Junior and Tous Publics exams scheduled for June are canceled; applicants can register for the next sessions coming up in November 2020. The DELF Prim exam is postponed and new dates will be announced shortly.
We hope you understand that the current situation and the risk of the spread of the pandemic compel us to make this decision to remain closed.
Update posted on 16 March 2020
This page is frequently updated as new information becomes available. Please check back often to stay informed.