Language Center FAQs

Manhattan Campus

• Should my 3-year-old join the à petits pas 2/3 or the à petits pas 3/5?

  The à petits pas 2/3 is not a drop-off class, so one parent or guardian must attend with the child. The à petits pas 3/5 is a drop-off class, so the child must be toilet-trained and accustomed to separation.

   

• What can I do if my toddler has to miss an à petits pas class?

  Unfortunately, we do not offer make-up classes for the à petits pas program. Please also note that your toddler cannot attend a different à petits pas class at the same level on a different day.

   

• My spouse is French, but my toddler doesn’t speak any French yet. Which class should I choose?

  If a parent or caregiver is a native French-speaker, you could choose the à petits pas class for native-French speakers even if they have no experience in French.

   

• What can I do if I have to miss a class?

  Students who have to miss a class may not make up a class by attending a class at the same level on a different day; however, there are a few make-up options:

  • If the class is in-person and you are still available at the time of the class, you can request a Zoom link at least 24 hours in advance to attend remotely. 
  • If you would like to make the class up on your own, you can request the notes, homework, and potential Zoom recording from the professor (you would need to request a Zoom recording in advance).
  • If you would like to make the class up with the professor, you can schedule a private make-up lesson. Students may purchase up to four hours of one-on-one makeup classes with a L’Alliance teacher per session. These classes are offered at a reduced rate as compared to our regular private class rate: $60 for 1 student / $100 for 2 students / $120 for 3 students. Scheduled and finalized makeup classes cannot be rescheduled or refunded.

   

• How do I know which of the two beginner classes I should choose: Introduction to French or Beginner A1 Level 1?

  The Introduction to French class is a basic primer that goes over the differences between English and French and is taught in a mixture of English and French. The Beginner A1 level 1 class is an immersive introduction to the language and is taught in French (mostly). There is no experience required for either class but if you are nervous about the immersive aspect of A1 level 1, or have never studied any language before, we recommend starting with the Introduction to French class.

• How do I know which age group my child should join?

  Our children’s classes are divided by the child’s grade in school, so grades K-1 are Benjamins (EBJ), grades 2-5 are Minimes (EMN), grades 6-8 are Cadets (ECD), and grades 9-12 are Juniors (EJR).

   

• What can I do if my child has to miss a class?

  We offer make-up classes at a reduced rate of $60/hr for levels EMN, ECD, and EJR. We recommend a 1-hour make-up class for a missed 90-minute class. If you know the dates when your child will be absent before the start of the session, please contact us at montclair@lallianceny.org before you enroll your child. We do not offer make-up classes for the EBJ program. For all programs, it isn’t possible to attend class on a different day to make up for a missed class. For levels EMN, ECD, and EJR, you can also request a Zoom link at least 24 hours in advance to attend remotely. 

   

• How do I know which level to enroll my child?

  If your child is new to French or moving from EBJ to EMN, you should enroll into EMN.101. If your child has taken French classes before please have your child take a placement test for their age group and email it back to us. You may also call us at 973-783-0507 to schedule an in-person evaluation.

Online Classes

• When will I receive the Zoom link for my class?

  You will receive an email directly from your teacher shortly before your class begins with the Zoom link and other important details for your class. 

• Where can I buy the books for my class?

  Books can be purchased at the Manhattan or Montclair campus of L’Alliance New York.  To have your books shipped to your home, you must order them through our distributor.

• Do you offer online classes for Toddlers?

  No, Toddler classes are only offered in-person at this time.

• How do I know which age group my child should join?

  Our children’s classes are divided by the child’s grade in school, so grades K-1 are Benjamins (EBJ), grades 2-5 are Minimes (EMN), grades 6-8 are Cadets (ECD), and grades 9-12 are Juniors (EJR).

   

• What if I have to miss a class? Is it possible to make it up on a different day?

  Students who have to miss a class may not make up a class by attending a class at the same level on a different day; however, there are a few make-up options:

  • You can schedule a private make-up lesson. Students may purchase up to four hours of one-on-one makeup classes with a L’Alliance New York teacher per session. These classes are offered at a reduced rate as compared to our regular private class rate: $60 for 1 student / $100 for 2 students / $120 for 3 students. Scheduled and finalized makeup classes cannot be rescheduled or refunded.
  • If the class is in-person and you are still available at the time of the class but cannot physically attend, you can request a Zoom link at least 24 hours in advance to attend remotely. 
  • If you would like to make the class up on your own, you can request the notes, homework, and potential Zoom recording from the professor (you would need to request a Zoom recording at least 24-hours in advance).

• How do I know which of the two beginner classes I should choose: Introduction to French or Beginner A1 Level 1?

  The Introduction to French class is a basic primer that goes over the differences between English and French and is taught in a mixture of English and French. The Beginner A1 level 1 class is an immersive introduction to the language and is taught in French (mostly). There is no experience required for either class but if you are nervous about the immersive aspect of A1 level 1, or have never studied any language before, we recommend starting with the Introduction to French class.