In November 2023, I decided to start French beginner classes at Alliance Française, Lagos, Nigeria, specifically at their Ikeja Branch. This was shortly after I decided to move to France. Now, I know some folks manage just fine in France without speaking a word of French, but I’m not one to miss out on the little details happening around me. The thought of getting lost in tiny conversations wasn’t exactly appealing.

So, there I was on my first day of class, and let me tell you, I couldn’t even say “bonjour” or “ça va.” I just went straight to speaking English with the receptionist. I was politely asked to sit down since, in my typical fashion, I’d arrived way too early (I’m not about that late-coming life 🤭).

About an hour later, my classmates began trickling in, and to my surprise, most of them could do the greetings in French! I started to question if I’d made the right choice coming here. I mean, wasn’t this supposed to be a class for absolute beginners? Why were my classmates speaking French already?

But once the class started, I realized something that gave me a good laugh—they didn’t know French either! 😂🤣 They had probably just crammed a few lines for greetings.

Looking back, I have to say, that was a smart move. It taught me a valuable lesson: never walk into a room without some level of preparation. They may not have known much French, but to someone like me, who didn’t know a single word, they sure gave the impression that they did. Preparation breeds confidence!

We started our A1.1 classes with Madam Nike, and I’m always grateful she was my first introduction to French.

Here’s the thing: Alliance Française changes teachers every month. So, the teacher you have for A1.1 differs from A1.2, and again for A2.1, A2.2, and so on. As you progress, you experience various teachers and their unique teaching methods.

This setup quickly makes you realize the value of a teacher who can teach! When I reflect on the different teachers I encountered on my journey to B1, I’m especially grateful for Madam Nike, my A1.1 teacher, and Madam Owowo, my A2.2 teacher. Their teaching methodologies just worked better for me. Of course, not all students feel the same way—everyone had their preferred teachers.

Alliance Française pricing & Structure – French Beginner

Alliance Française offers a variety of classes—online, in-person, private lessons, home tutoring, and more. The pricing varies based on different factors and is subject to change, so I’d recommend visiting their website for the most up-to-date information or speaking directly with their receptionist at either Ikoyi or Ikeja branch.

Here’s what my fees were in Ikeja:

A1.1: N85,500

A1.2: N56,000

A2.1: N78,000

A2.2: N60,000

This pattern continued as I progressed to B1, with higher prices for classes that included textbooks. Payments were also made monthly.

Reaching My French Beginner Goals

When I joined Alliance Française Lagos, I aimed to pass the DELF B1 exam, which I achieved after completing the B1.3 modules.

I still face some challenges with listening, especially when native French speakers talk, and my speaking isn’t perfect either—my Yoruba accent sometimes sneaks through my French (Oduduwa free your girl 😄). But I believe this foundation will be a great starting point in France. I also have an intensive French course lined up upon my arrival.

If you’re debating whether it’s worth it, I’d say it is. However, make sure to connect with people who share similar goals. Some students are there for TEF or TCF, indicating a longer-term stay. Shout out to my little friend Sophie in class—she was just 16 but incredibly brilliant! We both reached our common goal of DELF B1.

Writing an entire blog about learning French without any French sentences might seem a bit odd, so I’ll leave you with our favourite quote from class:

Il n’est jamais trop tard. Petit à petit l’oiseau fait son nid 🪺

Au revoir until I have an update on my French language learning journey.