As the crisp days of fall settle in, we’re excited to share all the wonderful events, activities, and highlights from the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando. From delicious cultural explorations in our Friday French Chat series to lively picnics, DELF exams, and student exchanges, November is full of opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate French language and culture.

Dive into this month’s newsletter to discover upcoming events, stories from our community, and ways to join in the fun — whether in person or online. There’s something for everyone, so let’s continue exploring, sharing, and enjoying French culture together!

Friday French Chat – Season 1: La Francophonie through Food

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for our second Friday French Chat – Season 1: La Francophonie through Food! We are especially grateful to Luciana Gousse, who led this edition dedicated to Haiti.

During the evening, we explored Haiti through the city of Jacmel, known for its colorful carnival, papier-mâché art, and vibrant cultural spirit. Participants had the chance to taste traditional Haitian dishes, including soupe joumou, griyo, riz djondjon, akra malanga, banann peze, pikliz, and other local drinks.

We can’t wait to welcome you to our November edition, featuring:
“Le Maroc : à la croisée des chemins entre l’Afrique, l’Orient et l’Occident” on November 7, 2025.

Join us for another evening of culture, food, and conversation!

Our Adult Beginner French Class is Full! Join the Waiting List

Our new Adult Beginner French class started on Wednesday, October 29, and we’re thrilled to share that the class is already full.

It’s wonderful to see so many new students eager to begin their French journey.

Due to the high demand, we’re already working on opening a new session soon — stay tuned for updates on www.aforlando.org.

If you’d like to be added to the waiting list, please contact our School Director, Delphine.
Register / Info: schooldirector@aforlando.org

DELF Exams: October Highlights & Upcoming DELF Junior in December 2025

For the first time, we are proud to have hosted DELF exams at the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando. We had 11 participants, and they will receive their results on November 10, 2025.

Our next exams will be DELF JUNIOR, taking place on December 1–4, 2025. The DELF JUNIOR exam has the same structure as the standard DELF but is tailored for adolescents aged 12–18, with topics suited to their interests. The diploma is identical to the standard DELF diploma.

There are four diplomas for adolescents:

• DELF JUNIOR A1 – December 1, 2025
• DELF JUNIOR A2 – December 2, 2025
• DELF JUNIOR B1 – December 3, 2025
• DELF JUNIOR B2 – December 4, 2025

Take your DELF/DALF exam right here in Orlando at the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando, now an official DELF Testing Center.

Location: AFGO (registration via AF Miami)
Register here: DELF/DALF Registration

Why take the DELF/DALF?

• Internationally recognized worldwide
• Boosts academic, professional, and immigration opportunities
• Certifies listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills

Contact: schooldirector@aforlando.org

NOVEMBER 07 – Friday French Chat

We’re excited to welcome you back for the third edition of our new conversation class series: Season 1 – La Francophonie through Food.

Friday French Chat – “Le Maroc : à la croisée des chemins entre l’Afrique, l’Orient et l’Occident”

• Date: Friday, November 07
• Time: 6:00 – 7:30 PM (1h30)
• Location: Alliance Française of Greater Orlando
• Price: $40 per session | AFGO Members: $35 (includes 1h30 of French conversation and food discovery)

This November, join Kenza for “Le Maroc : à la croisée des chemins entre l’Afrique, l’Orient et l’Occident” — an evening inspired by the rich cultural and culinary heritage of Morocco, where flavors, languages, and traditions intertwine between Africa, the Arab world, and Europe.

Season 1: La Francophonie through Food

Each month, a different AFGO teacher will guide participants through the rich tapestry of French-speaking cultures, with a special focus this season on food and culinary traditions.

This is a perfect opportunity to:

• Practice and improve your spoken French
• Deepen your understanding of Francophone culture
• Connect with fellow Francophiles in a warm and welcoming setting
• Discover and taste authentic regional specialties

Whether you attended the first session or are joining us for the first time, each edition offers a unique cultural and culinary experience.

Reserve your spot today by filling out the registration form here:

Register Now

We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting new series of French conversation and culture.

NOVEMBER 09 – Picnic & Pétanque

NOVEMBER 21 – Cultural Talk

NOVEMBER 22 – Movie Night / Ciné-Club

NOVEMBER 29 & 30 – FusionFest Orlando

Saturday, Nov 29: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday, Nov 30: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Seneff Arts Plaza, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL
AFGO Booth: Cultural Displays

Looking for more ways to connect with French culture beyond Orlando? Enjoy these free online events open to Alliance Française members nationwide.

Finally French: Mark Greenside’s Adventures in Brittany

November 12, 2025
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (ET)
Online Event
Free for Alliance Française members | $10 for non-members

French Cinémathèque: L’histoire de Souleymane

November 17, 2025
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm (ET)
Online Event
Free for Alliance Française members | $10 for non-members

Words as Keys – Stories from a French Life

November 19, 2025
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm (ET)
Online Event
Free for Alliance Française members | $10 for non-members

Assemblée Générale de l’Alliance Française de Greater Orlando

This year’s Annual Meeting was a special one, marking the handover to a new president. Our outgoing president, Sylvain Perret, was present to conclude the transition mission he had undertaken two years ago, following Bernard Loddé’s remarkable 22-year presidency. It was essential to support the transition to a new team, assist in its establishment, and contribute to the modernization of our Alliance Française, which has been active and thriving in Orlando for over 40 years.

We are delighted to welcome our new president, Arnaud Langer. Field CTO at Centific and a long-time member of the AFGO Board of Directors, Arnaud brings over 15 years of international experience in information technology. He has led innovative projects across Europe and the United States, combining artificial intelligence and advanced IT solutions to make technology more efficient, secure, and accessible in our daily lives.

We also saw a few changes within the Board:

• Two long-time pillars are stepping down after many years of commitment — Jean-Marc Denis and Danuta Deeb. A huge thank-you to both for their dedication and constant support! Fortunately, they remain close to us and the AFGO community.
• Welcome to our new Board members:
  • Guillaume Caixeiro, taking on the role of Treasurer
  • Coralie Claeysen-Gleyzon, already actively involved for some time, now officially joining the Board

Our warm thanks also go to our continuing members who keep this wonderful adventure alive: Bernard Loddé, Honorary President; Marie Oury, Vice President; Nicolas Bigosinski; Sophie Coello; and Franck Chouquet.

Thank you all for your commitment to promoting French language and culture in Orlando!
Vive l’Alliance Française of Greater Orlando!

Fall Family Pique-nique

Our Fall Family Pique-nique was a wonderful afternoon for the AFGO community! Thank you to everyone who came, brought amazing food, and shared it with us. The event enjoyed beautiful weather and was a great success, with participants enjoying good food, pétanque, and friendly conversation in a lovely outdoor setting.

We’re looking forward to our next family picnic, a special holiday edition in December. We will send more details soon!

Federation of Alliances Françaises USA Annual Convention Miami

This year, the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA chose Miami to host its annual convention, in partnership with Alliance Française Miami Metro. The event brought together directors, presidents, and teams from Alliances Françaises across the United States for several days of collaboration, inspiration, and exchange.

The convention opened with a réception d’ouverture at the Résidence de France, offering a wonderful opportunity to connect, share ideas, and celebrate our shared commitment to promoting French language and culture in the U.S.

Our School Director, Delphine, proudly represented the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando by leading a workshop titled “Engaging Young Minds: Summer Programs & Language Courses for Children”, alongside colleagues from AF Greater Phoenix and AF Chicago.
The session explored creative ways to design language programs that inspire young learners — from curriculum design to marketing strategies and parent engagement.

Our team returned home full of new ideas and energy!
Thank you to the Federation of Alliances Françaises USA and AF Miami Metro for organizing such an enriching and inspiring event.

Happy Halloween from Our Students and Team!

Our students and team shared a fun moment in class this Halloween. Here are some photos capturing their creativity and festive spirit as they wish you a Happy Halloween!

Exchange Program with Strasbourg Amitiés USA

The Strasbourg Amitiés USA Association, in partnership with East Ridge High School (Clermont), organized a visit for a group of 24 French high school students from October 18 to 31, 2025, offering them a unique linguistic and cultural experience in the U.S.

The students were welcomed by American host families and enjoyed a day at East Ridge High School, a visit to Kennedy Space Center, a tour of UCF, an Orlando Magic basketball game, a fun day at Universal Studios, and a trip to Cocoa Beach to try surfing.

Now back home, the students even stopped by our Fall Family Pique-nique to say hi, continuing to strengthen the connections made during their stay. This exciting program allowed them to immerse themselves in American culture and language, creating lasting memories and friendships.

We would also love to highlight the work and dedication of Madame Gerline Smith of East Ridge High School, one of the organizers of the Strasbourg Amitiés USA exchange and a beloved member of our community. Madame Smith was named the Florida French Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) last year, an honor announced at the Florida Foreign Language Association (FFLA) Conference.

Her passion for the French language and her tireless efforts to provide her students with opportunities to use French beyond the classroom truly reflect her commitment to excellence in education and cultural exchange.

Meet Our October New Members!

We are thrilled to welcome the newest members to the AFGO family! Your passion for French language and culture makes our community even more vibrant, and we are delighted to have you join us.

• Mark Carpanini – Lakeland, FL
• Jennifer Codding – Casselberry, FL
• Jorge Bustillos – Rockledge, FL
• Guillaume Caixeiro – Orlando, FL
• Gerline Joseph Smith – Orlando, FL

Thank you for joining us and bringing your energy, curiosity, and enthusiasm to the Alliance Française of Greater Orlando. We can’t wait to see you at our upcoming events, classes, and cultural activities, and to share many memorable French experiences together!

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