Promote French
PROMOTE FRENCH
AATF members can take advantage of opportunities to promote French, recognize achievement, and create excitement around the study of French. They are open to AATF members either exclusively or at a reduced cost.
Jeunes Amis du Français
The Jeunes Amis du Français (JAF) functions similarly to the SHF. Any middle or elementary school teacher can request a JAF Charter for a one-time fee. Because of the diversity of middle school and elementary school programs, a school must select the Cultural or Academic option. Each chapter must induct students at least once per year in order to remain active.
Convention
Each year, the AATF holds a convention which periodically takes place in a French-speaking location. Organized around a theme, this celebration of all things French and Francophone allows members to present their own work and to attend sessions and workshops devoted to all aspects of culture, literature, pedagogy, cinema, and linguistics.
National French Contest
The National French Contest (Grand Concours) is an annual competition for students of French in grades 1-12. Students take an online test and compete for prizes against students with a similar educational background. All students are eligible, but students of AATF members participate at a reduced rate.
Scholarships
The AATF collaborates with a variety of agencies and companies to offer its members scholarships for summer professional development programs in French-speaking countries. In recent years, winners have gone to France, Belgium, Québec, and Martinique.
Awards and Grants
The AATF offers awards for teachers and students and grants to teachers and chapters. Teachers can apply for Exemplary Program status or for other awards that recognize excellence in teaching and program development. AATF members can nominate their students for Outstanding Senior or Excellence in French Awards. In addition, every year we offer $5000 in Small Grants for projects to promote French.
National French Week
National French Week is a week-long celebration of all things French which takes place every November in schools, communities, and AATF chapters across the U.S. We ask members and interested Francophones and Francophiles to take French out of the classroom and show what students know and can do with French.
Leadership
The Future Leaders Fellowship Program was instituted to create a pool of qualified young leaders at the chapter level who learn about the association and commit to strengthening their local chapter. Many leaders have gone on to fill other roles at the national level.
Contests
The AATF sponsors numerous contests in addition to the National French Contest and the honor society competitions. K-8 students can participate in the FLES* Poster Contest. Other contests are arranged during National French Week. Numerous AATF Chapters organize speaking, poetry, and culture contests.
Société Honoraire de Français
The establishment of a chapter of the Société Honoraire de Français (high school) or the Jeunes Amis du Français (middle/elementary school) provides an opportunity to recognize student excellence. Each group organizes an annual Creative Writing Contest, and SHF inductees can compete for Travel Awards.