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.

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.

AFK Student Diaries: Zubeda

“While my primary reason for resuming classes at Alliance after a decade-long gap was to fulfill my career requirements, the classes and the professors’ method of teaching ignited a passion (dramatic, but true!) for the French language that I hope stays with me in the long run. ”

Hello! My name is Zubeda and I am a student at the Alliance Française de Karachi, currently enrolled in the B2/C1 session.

I actually started studying French a long time back, when I was 16 years old, but quit learning the language after 1-2 years for reasons I don’t remember any longer (excuses, I know!). When I started a new job in late 2018, one of the requirements for my role was to be proficient in French. Since I already knew the basics of the language, I joined Alliance and was placed with the B1 group.

While my primary reason for resuming classes at Alliance after a decade-long gap was to fulfill my career requirements, the classes and the professors’ method of teaching ignited a passion (dramatic, but true!) for the French language that I hope stays with me in the long run. Despite my busy work schedule, I actively follow the French news to improve my vocabulary and pronunciation, and look forward to my classes every week.

“I am really grateful to have met my classmates, all of whom are really good friends now. We motivate each other, correct each others’ mistakes, and try to speak in French even when the Professor isn’t around.”

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I have also realized that I study better in a classroom setting and I am really grateful to have met my classmates, all of whom are really good friends now. We motivate each other, correct each others’ mistakes, and try to speak in French even when the Professor isn’t around. This camaraderie has helped me improve my French a lot and my classmate, Talha, and I now meet virtually for an hour every day to revise our French and encourage each other to improve our conversational skills.

—Zubeda

AFK Student Diaries: Farwa

“All the professors have their own unique way of teaching, making their lessons fun and interactive. They are extremely helpful and encouraging. I always look forward to their classes especially now because these classes are my source of connection with the outside world while we are stuck at home.”

Learning French at the Alliance Française de Karachi has been an enriching experience. I am not only learning the language but also the rich culture behind the language and the experiences shared by the wonderful professors and students.

AFK and I go back to 2012. It was then that I discovered the cultural centre and got interested in learning the French language. It was an honor to study from Monsieur Henri Souffay back then. It's one of my most memorable experiences to date. 

Over time I got busy with my studies and work and lost touch with the language. I enrolled all over again in September 2019 and started from the beginning. I was a little nervous about whether the classes will be as much fun as they were back then and I was instantly at ease because they absolutely are! 

Here’s Farwa’s desk at home, where she learns French and makes art

All the professors have their own unique way of teaching, making their lessons fun and interactive. They are extremely helpful and encouraging. I always look forward to their classes, especially now because these classes are my source of connection with the outside world while we are stuck at home.

Learning French brings me one step closer to my dream of living abroad. It gives me a sense of confidence and enhances my knowledge of the world around me.

If you have ever thought about learning a new language, now is the time. Sign up with AFK for an amazing learning experience that you'll always cherish and remember!

—Farwa

AFK Student Diaries: Bilal

“My journey at Alliance Française de Karachi has been phenomenal. I am going to start my A2C session next week and so far I can easily comprehend and speak French. ”

My name is Bilal Mustikhan and I’m a Social Development and Policy graduate from Habib University. I started learning French during my last year at college because I’ve always been fond of learning new skills. What better than learning a new language? 

French is known as the language of diplomacy and is spoken by a majority around the world. In fact, being able to speak English and French can open up multiple doors in the international job market. I had travelled to France earlier and decided that I would become a fluent French speaker the next time I went to Paris. 

My journey at Alliance Française de Karachi has been phenomenal. I am going to start my A2C session next week and so far I can easily comprehend and speak French.

Listening to French songs and podcasts has never felt better! I’m currently listening to a podcast called Coffee Break French and my playlist has Stromae, Joe Dassin, Aya Nakaruma and more.

The teachers at Alliance Française have been very supportive and accommodating. They build an environment in the classroom that influences everyone to learn. No one gets left behind as the professors provide individual attention to each student.

The best part is that you can take classes during the weekends!

AFK Student Diaries: Maryam

“French has given me a new way of looking at the world. ”

I’ll be honest with you, the reason I initially started learning French isn't very glamorous. My mom heard of a place that gave French classes and I thought it would be a fun skill to impress people with, so I thought I’d give it a go. As I started diving deeper into the language, I started to really see it enrich my life in more ways than one. 

French has given me a new way of looking at the world. The more I learn the language, the more I can connect with and appreciate the work of French movies, literature and even YouTubers and rap music.

During the lockdown I decided to challenge myself and reread the Harry Potter séries in French. I’ve also been exploring the works of the famous French author and poet Charles Baudelaire.

And if you love traveling like I do, you’ll probably know that sense of unfamiliarity you feel when almost everything you come across is written in a language you can’t understand.

Even little things such as being able to read signs or asking someone for directions can make places as culturally diverse as Paris and Marrakech feel familiar and homelike.

“Take the plunge.”

If you’re considering joining the Alliance Française and trying the language out I’d recommend you take the plunge. I think one thing that most people find intimidating is that you may be the only one learning the language amongst your peers, but don’t worry, that’s the case for a lot of people here. You’ll make friends here.

I often have to take gaps between French courses owing to university and have to join entirely new groups and it’s always easy to adjust.

The teachers are welcoming and are always willing to help make things easier for you (and, if there’s time after classes, we might all gather around and play a game in French!)

Trying something new may seem daunting but you never know what you may gain from it if you don’t.

—Maryam

AFK Student Diaries: Kisa

“I enrolled in classes at the Alliance Française de Karachi just to see how it goes but during my first class, I had a “coup de foudre” (instant crush) on the French language! ”

“Learn a foreign language” has always been one of the items on my bucket list. However, at first, I thought that it’s an unreachable goal. I enrolled in classes at the Alliance Française de Karachi just to see how it goes but during my first class, I had a “coup de foudre” (instant crush) on the French language! 

The classes are such a delight to attend. I absolutely love the teachers: they are so competent, supportive, patient, and non-judgmental.

One of them, Ahlam, soon became a favorite because of how invested she was in my learning. Once, when I was feeling frustrated at not being able to understand a conversation between native speakers, she told me, “If you don’t understand it today, don't worry you will understand it tomorrow”. That gave me so much hope!

I also really enjoyed the learning games our professors organized for us which I think is a super effective teaching method.

“Learning French has helped me forge connections with francophones all over the world and discover the beautiful French culture, cinema and literature.”

Learning French has helped me forge connections with francophones all over the world and discover the beautiful French culture, cinema and literature.

I'm currently watching a French series on Netflix called Call My Agent. I'm also reading a book titled Un si petit oiseau written by Marie Pavlenko. And I've also started listening to a podcast called La vérité eclate toujours by Coffee Break French. 

It has been a bittersweet journey with its fair share of setbacks, self-doubt, learning and discovery but it made me believe that I can do anything in the world if I just put my heart in it. So merci beaucoup à l’AFK for one of the most intellectually enriching experiences of my life!

—Kisa