FLAM, an acronym for “Français LAngue Maternelle” (French as a first language), is the marquee for 20 US-based not-for-profit groups dedicated to providing affordable French-language and culture classes, as well as activities, to French-speaking children.
Originaly developed by France’s Ministère des Affaires étrangères, with strong support from several representatives and senators in France, FLAM not-for-profit groups offer programs and activities for French or francophone children every Saturday or after school. FLAMs also organize summer camps and cultural activities throughout the year.
FLAMs are open to children from pre-k to highschool age who are otherwise enrolled in local schools where the language of instruction is not French. Increasingly, FLAMs are also preparing students for French and international diplomas, thus promoting post-secondary studies in a francophone environment.
FLAMs may be eligible for financial support from the AEFE, France’s national Agency for French Education Abroad. To be eligible for its FLAM program, US-based FLAMs must be designated as non-profits (501 C-3). FLAMs are solely responsible for organizing and scheduling their own classes and activities, and are in charge of steering and financing projects for which they are requesting AEFE financial aid.
Since 2017 Fédération FLAM USA has supported US-based FLAMs by creating synergy, sharing the innovative ideas and passion of FLAM teams, and fostering the professional development and motivation of FLAM teachers and coordinators throughout the country. This mutual support among US-based FLAMs has allowed many of them to overcome the challenges of the online learning transition made necessary by the ongoing pandemic.
To learn more, visit: http://flamusa.org/ and http://www.associations-flam.fr/
20 FLAMs are curently members of the FLAM USA Federation. http://flamusa.org/
Some of the associations’ websites are listed below.
Atlanta
Ecole du Samedi
frenchschoolatlanta.org
Austin
EFA
efaustin.org
Boston
EFGB
efgboston.org
Chicago
FLAM Greater Chicago
http://www.flamgc.com/
Cincinnati
Flam of Greater Cincinnati
https://www.ecolefrancaisedecincinnati.com/
Houston
EFGH
efghouston.org
Los Angeles
EFLA FLAM
https://frencheducationsocal.com/
Miami
APEM
petitsecoliersmiami.com
New York
EFNY
efny.net
Oceanside
FLAM San Diego
www.flamsandiego.com
Orlando
Samedis Français
https://www.facebook.com/SamedisFrancais/
Philadelphia-Princeton
PhilaFLAM
philaflam.com
Pittsburgh
Ecole du Samedi
https://lecoledusamedi.org/
Raleigh
L’ecole
lecoleraleigh.org
Sacramento
EFSAC
efsac.com
San Francisco
EFBA
efba.us
Seattle
EFGS
efgseattle.org
Made in France
madeinfrance-usa.org
Washington
My French Class
fr.myfrenchclasses.org
