Silicon Valley nonprofits teach Francophiles the language of love

With Bastille Day approaching on Wednesday, South Bay residents who want to learn the mother tongue of the French Republic can turn to Alliance Francaise Silicon Valley.

While the pandemic forced the Los Gatos-based nonprofit to say “Mais non” to its usual celebration of the day, the alliance is continuing its mission to promote all things French with online classes and programs. Created in 1970 in Saratoga by Mrs. Noble Tucker under the name “Alliance Française of Saratoga,” the organization now offers programs and classes in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties.

“We teach French, but our instructors are not limited to France, but also come from French-speaking countries. We have teachers from North Africa and Vietnam,” alliance board president Upi Struzak says. “France has influenced the

Middle East, India, Southeast Asia and Africa.”

Beyond classes, the alliance offers tailored programs like French for travelers or French culinary arts. Adults can take advantage of a free, drop-in French conversation program dubbed the French Express, and there are free story times for children.

Worldwide, French is the second most frequently taught foreign language. Barbara Snyder, a Willow Glen resident and avid traveler, says French language skills are useful outside of Europe. She has spoken French while visiting Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Borneo and Bali.

The Los Gatos nonprofit is linked to the Fondation des Alliances Francaises, which dates back to 1883, when “the national association for the propagation of the French language in the colonies and abroad” was created.

The like-minded Education Francaise Bay Area is a comparative newcomer, founded more than a decade ago to serve local students through programs such as after-school classes in Willow Glen. The organization offers two tracks—advanced French and French as a second language—for K-12 students.

“You need to focus on the motivation of the child. A language is a vehicle for that interest,” founder Gabrielle Durana says. “You can use a passion for sport or anything else to learn French.”

This fall, class offerings will include astronomy and oceanography, taught in French. Durana says France is known for scientific and medical research and has the world’s second largest aeronautics industry.

“You can approach a language not only through the humanities, but also through the sciences,” she adds.

Like Alliance Francaise Silicon Valley, Education Francaise Bay Area is currently offering online classes. For more information, visit efba.us or afscv. org.