Learn French at L’Alliance; Yoga, too

THE NEXT session of French language classes at Alliance Francaise de Cebu will open on Monday 7 January at its premises in La Maison Rose, 371 Gorordo Avenue. The schedules have been designed to satisfy all possible students, at affordable prices.

On Saturdays it is from 9 a.m. to 12 noon (24 hours); on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (32 hours); and on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 2 to 4 p.m. (48 hours).

A faster program is a daily class Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (50 hours). The crash course is from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and 2 to 5 p.m., until you complete the program of 90 hours.

A special course has been

designed for youngsters on Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. That is an hour and a half of fun filled classes. For more info call tel 232-1311 or visit the website at www.alliancefr.ph.

The French language center also offers a virtual class. The innovative program combines an online course with a real French teacher and

unlimited access to e-learning platform. The course may be reimbursed by the Government of Quebec, Canada.

We have to explain that.

Alliance Francaise de Cebu

recently signed an agreement with the Bureau of Immigration office of Quebec located in Hong Kong. Since April 2012 it is mandatory for all

Filipinos wanting to immigrate to Quebec to learn French.

Before, knowledge of French was a plus, but now it is a requirement. Alliance Francaise is the only official center to learn French in the Philippines, accredited by the Canadian Embassy.

In the coming year, Quebec can absorb up to 10,000 Filipinos to fill its needs for professional immigrants. The agreement was signed by Alliance Francaise de Cebu director Louis Thevenin and the Canadian Consul General’s office in Hong Kong.

Louis Thevenin says, “With this agreement, one who takes French

language classes starting November 21, 2012 in Alliance Francaise de Cebu and is holding a Quebec selection

certificate will be reimbursed up to Canadian $1500.”

The exams to qualify for Quebec immigration can be taken in Cebu for those who have the A2 Level French diploma. You can take the exam for DELF, the diploma of the French government recognized in Canada; as well as the TEFAQ, the diploma for Quebec.

Louis Thevenin reminds all that

Alliance Francaise de Cebu is the only accredited center for this in the Visayas. After only 150 hours of learning French students can attain the A2 diploma.

The next DELF session will be on March 13-15. Registration starts in February 1. Those who want to take the TEFAQ exam can schedule a session any time.

Starting January 12, 2013 Alliance Francaise de Cebu will offer a course in Yoga by New York French yoga instructor Pascale Wettstein who has recently settled in Cebu.

The comprehensive workshop

includes meditation, relaxation, and exercise. Sessions conclude with healthy vegetarian food served by La Maison Rose. That means asparagus soup, shrimp mango mojito, spaghetti al pesto, green steak, tofu, and desserts like cherry tomato tatin and green-tea pomelo cream.

The Yoga classes are designed for people from all walks of life. Separate classes for adults and children are available.

Through stories and games, children will learn yoga positions and breathing techniques which will help them

increase flexibility, balance and concentration. The creative and non-competitive approach Pascale offers also helps them gain self confidence.

You don’t have to be a gymnast and neither do you have to be in top shape or be a vegetarian. Individuals with different physical and health conditions are also more than welcome to experience the dynamic and holistic effects.

Yoga aims for the union of the body and the mind through the mastery of breathing and different postures. Physical benefits include fitness, improved coordination and endurance, better sleep, strengthened immune system, decrease of pains and many more.

Psychological benefits include clarity of mind, stronger focus and concentration, peace of mind, and overall

decrease of negativity. It is because of this holistic approach that many develop a sincere passion for yoga.

Pascale Wettstein has practiced yoga for the past 20 years. She was certified by the prestigious Om Yoga Center in New York, where she taught for many years.

Discovering this discipline through her career in dance, she has benefited from its many advantages in her own personal journey of health problems and the stress of her New Yorker life style.

Teaching the dynamic “Vinyasa

Yoga,” she is a master at providing a program for everyone from children, pregnant women and the elderly, to dancers, athletes and physically ill individuals.

The Yoga classes will be on Saturdays from 12:15 to 1:25 p.m. for adults; and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. for children fours years of age and above. If you enroll before January 10 you get a 10 percent

discount as a promo offer.

It’s P220 per class, or P2000 for 10 classes. The healthy package deal is at P790 for one yoga class and a 3-course vegetarian meal. People signing up for a 10-yoga-class package get 10 percent discount on their Saturday vegetarian lunch.

Call now tels. 232-1311, or 268-5411.