AFK Student Diaries: Talha
AFK will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve met so many amazing people there, made so many great friends, from my classmates to my teachers and even the staff.
“AFK will always hold a special place in my heart. I’ve met so many amazing people there, made so many great friends, from my classmates to my teachers and even the staff.”
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.
“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.”
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
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.
“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. Listening to French songs and podcasts has never felt better!
“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. The more I learn the language, the more I can connect with and appreciate the work of French movies, literature and music.
“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
Learning French has helped me forge connections with francophones all over the world and discover the beautiful French culture, cinema and literature.
“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
Fête de la Musique 2020
Join us in celebrating music from Pakistan with these special performances for the Pakistani edition of Fête de la Musique by Haniya Aslam, Durvesh, the Baluch Twins & more.
The first Fête de la Musique, World Music Day, was launched on 21 June 1982 in France and is now celebrated all around the world.
Join us in celebrating music from Pakistan with these special performances for the 2020 edition of Fête de la Musique organized in collaboration with the Alliance Française network of Pakistan.
Haniya Aslam
Haniya is a Pakistani-Canadian musician, composer, producer, and audio engineer. Dubbed a “songwriter extraodinaire”, Haniya’s childhood was filled with diverse musical influences. Her first band, Zeb and Haniya, went on to achieve international recognition with their debut album, Chup. As a composer and producer, Haniya brings together musical styles and genres effortlessly, “blending the sophistication of jazz and blues with eastern mystical Sufi and folk.” Here is Haniya Aslam performing Raaz by Zeb & Haniya.
Here is Haniya Aslam covering Northern Sky by Nick Drake.
Darvesh
Darvesh is a 10-Piece Qawwali Rock band that fuses sounds of east with progressive rock to create world music. A band that sings for love, peace and harmony. Their song Khuda Jaane is a journey of love that talks about finding hope by submitting to love and is dedicated to Fête de la Musique.
BALUCH TWINS
The very talented duo Adil and Asim Baluch popularly known as the Baluch Twins hail from the Lyari neighborhood of Karachi. They are both students of music and filmmaking and have already started making a name in the music scene of Karachi with their highly versatile singing technique. This is a song of love in their native Baluchi language.
Muzamil Hussain & Kashif Ali Dani
Nazar Abbas, Muzamil Hussain & Kashif Ali Dani
Peeya Rey by Nazar Abbas on flute, Muzamil Hussain on guitar and Kashif Ali Dani on tabla
Akmal Qadri, Nazar Abbas, Muzamil Hussain & Kashif Ali Dani
Ik Allah kanomaidardi with Akmal Qadri and Nazar Abbas on flute, Muzamil Hussain on guitar and Kashif Ali Dani on tabla
Arieb Azhar
AFK launches online store
We are thrilled to announce that our online store is now live! Log on to explore and find an online French class, course books, exams, membership and more.
We are thrilled to announce that our online store is now live! Log on to explore and:
Register for an online French class
Buy French course textbooks
Book a private French lesson
Review your French class grades
Register for an official French exam
Purchase translation services
View all your bookings in one place
First-time visitors can sign up for a new account. Our existing students and members are automatically registered even if they haven’t used our online store before. If you’re in that category, you will simply need to request a new password to continue.
If you haven’t studied French in a while and are not sure about your current level, we’re offering a free online placement test. Shoot us an email to schedule yours.
We’ll be adding more functionalities in the days to come such as workshops, event tickets, and custom merchandise. Until then, get exploring and let us know what you think!
Meet our French professors
Get to know our French professors beyond the classroom, from their favorite French food to their top tip for language learning.
Learning a foreign language is a gift that keeps on giving. But it is a gift that demands grit, imagination, and energy. Between unpredictable rules (cue French conjugaison tables) and tricky pronunciations (just try saying chirurgie a few times without cramping your jaw), the joy of adding a new language to your life can sometimes leave us feeling lost if we don’t have a guide.
That’s where good teachers come in. A teacher can inspire you to learn a new language—beyond the grammar and the vocabulary—and help you see more than your life experiences and worldview. Language learning necessarily includes learning to appreciate other cultures, opening us up to conversations and relationships in another language that we didn’t have access to before.
Here at the Alliance, we’re lucky to have a fantastic team of French professors made up of both seasoned and native French speakers from France, Pakistan, and beyond, who teach with both patience and passion. Each has their own style and story. Get to know them beyond the classroom, from their favorite French dish to their top tips for language learning.
[We’ll be updating this post with more videos. Stay tuned!]
LEROY JOHNS
Get to know our very own Leroy Johns, once a student of français at the Alliance and now our Director of Courses, resident foodie, and professor extraordinaire. Find out why our students love his French classes and what advice he has for language learners. Also, do you know that he can rap?
AHLAM SEHIL
Get to know the formidable Ahlam Sehil whose high-energy teaching keeps us on our toes in French class! In addition to teaching French, Ahlam is also our Coordinator for Courses and—wait for it—the former boxing champion and vice champion of France. Check out her boxing lessons here at the Alliance.
AKMAL ABBASI
Meet our resident polyglot and French professor, Akmal Abbasi.
FANNY RAIMOND
Meet Fanny, one of our newest professors.
Looking to join a French class? We welcome ages 7 & up and offer courses all year round. Head to our online store to browse our course catalog and register for a class.
6 great French language resources
From websites to videos to blogs to podcasts to games, check out 6 of our favorite French language resources.
Short of hopping over to your nearest Francophone town to chat up everyone around you en français, what can you do to keep your French skills sharp?
No matter which level you are at, there are many free online resources that you can use to practice French during a long commute, in between classes, or whenever you have some downtime. From websites to videos to blogs to podcasts to games, find which resource works for you and invest in your language skills—it pays off. Here are 6 of our favorites:
1. CULTURETHÈQUE
Culturethèque is an easy-to-use digital library with many resources to help French students according to their level (from A1 to C2). Plus, you can read French classics, find your favorite French magazines & newspapers, discover the latest literary sensations, listen to podcasts or concerts, watch live news programs or download fun science shows. Alliance Française de Karachi members have free access to Culturethèque.
2. TV5MONDE
TV5Monde offers a comprehensive website to learn the French language. Discover a wealth of interesting articles, tips, tests and activities for each level.
3. COFFEE BREAK FRENCH
Coffee Break French like going for a coffee with your friend who happens to speak French and is helping you learn in a relaxed, enjoyable way. Add to that a solid structure and carefully constructed pedagogy which ensures that you progress through the lessons and build on previously-learned language. Aimed at beginners, this podcast series has episodes of 15-20 minutes each.
4. DUOLINGO
Duolingo is a free, fun and science-based app to learn languages. In as little as 5 minutes a day, you can improve your French through short game-like activities, customized vocabulary revision, and the option to pick from various topics. You can even practice having interactive conversations in French thanks to their latest chat bots feature!
5. LAWLESS FRENCH
Lawless French is a free website is packed with resources for students of French at all levels. Find lessons and exercises by topic and by level and get language learning tips that work.
6. READLANG
Readlang is a reading-focused way to learn a language. The website offers interesting texts and videos with translation for every level. Plus, its browser extension allows reading or importing of almost any website and quick translation of words and phrases you see online. Try uploading or copy-pasting any digital text (even entire novels!) in your target language and read almost anything you can get your hands on.
So, which other websites, apps or channels do you use to brush up your French skills? Share your favorites in the comments below!