Who are we?
Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AF Silicon Valley) is a non-profit organization and the official center of French Language and Culture in
Silicon Valley. Its mission is to promote and enhance the knowledge and appreciation of French and francophone cultures and language, and
to encourage interaction among French, Francophone, and American people through programs in education and the arts.
Since 1970, AF Silicon Valley has offered French language classes for all ages and levels as well as cultural events, libraries, two
book clubs and celebrations of French holidays. Our main office, foyer, and library are located in Los Gatos center; to better
accommodate peninsula locations, we also offer classes and events in Palo Alto.
Our Team
Florence Thomas
Executive Director
A French native, she spent her youth traveling and living in diverse cities around the world, including Djibouti and Cayenne. She moved to
the Bay Area in 1996 and joined the Alliance Française Silicon Valley in 2001, initially as a teacher. Since then, she has become an
integral part of the organization. When she's not working, you can find her baking, reading, or enjoying the great Californian
outdoors.
Mariam Rubalcava
Marketing & Development
A French native originally from Paris, Mariam Rubalcava leads the marketing and development activities of the Alliance Française Silicon
Valley. She first joined the Alliance in 2021 as Board Secretary and soon took on a larger role in expanding its visibility and community
outreach. She has also lived in England and Ireland, and worked for several years in project management in the technology sector, as well as
in press relations and marketing. Mariam contributes to Frenchly and Les Français Press, where she writes about French culture, travel,
and technology.
Virginie Zenero
Librarian and Teacher
As a French native, she has been living in the Bay Area since 2009. IShe began volunteering with the Alliance Française Silicon Valley
in October 2016, initially working in their library. Over the years, she became actively involved in various activities, including the
Ciné-Club, book sales, French Express, and children's programs. Being part of this organization brings her great joy and
fulfillment.
Our Teachers
Get to know the dedicated teachers behind your learning journey! Our team of professionals is committed to providing you with high-quality
education, ensuring you learn French in the most comfortable and effective way. With our qualified instructors, we offer a wide range of
courses, including specialized classes, private tuition, workshops, immersion days, and exciting outings to museums or restaurants. Join us
and experience a comprehensive and enjoyable approach to learning French!
Arnaud Bergerol
Teacher
Born and raised in France. In 1989, he graduated from the University of Paris I Sorbonne in Economics and Applied Foreign Languages. In
2013, he earned a master degree in French at San Jose State University. He has taught French as a foreign language since 1996 and has also
over 20 years of experience as a linguist for major software companies in the SF Bay Area. Currently, he teaches also at San Jose State
University.
Karima Bouaziz
Teacher
Karima studied Langues Étrangèress Appliquées aux Affaires at Université Paris 3 - Sorbonne Nouvelle (1987 to 1993).
Marie-Hélène Chandra
Teacher
Marie-Hélène is a French native. She received a BA in English from the University of Bordeaux. She then taught French for four years in
Ensham High School and at Westminster College in London, England, before moving to California with her husband. She has been teaching French
as a second language at the Alliance Française of Silicon Valley since 1994, as well as in public and private schools in after-school
programs. Since 2020 she has been teaching Alliance Française classes online. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling,
gardening and painting.
Élodie Dalsacco
Teacher
She is French and has been living in the US since January 2019. Before joining the School for Independent Learners, she taught French at the
university, high school, and middle school levels in Germany for nine years. She has also worked with people with disabilities and teenagers
with psychiatric issues in French. Curious and ambitious, she loves discovering new cultures around the world. In her free time, she enjoys
cooking, reading, listening to music, and watching movies at the theater.
Stephan DeGery
Teacher
Was born and raised in Bordeaux. He settled in California in 1987 and taught French, from 1993 to today, from very beginners to high levels
in Berlitz, Palo Alto (Teacher of the year, 1999), in Languages Studies Institute, Palo Alto (coordinator of the French Department), and
joined the Alliance Française Silicon Valley in 2004, and the Alliance Française of San Francisco in 2005. Stephan is part of the Menlo Park
team since January 2015. He is a certified DELF/DALF Examiner.
Loubna Hafid
Teacher
Loubna has a Master of Art and more than 30 years of teaching French
Sylvie Legon
Teacher
Sylvie is a native of Voiron, in the French Alps. She earned a Masters degree in French as Foreign Language in Grenoble. Since she arrived
in California 20 years ago, she has been teaching French to adults, teenagers and children. She has been an active participant with the
Alliance Française Silicon Valley for well over a decade.
Céline Signorini
Teacher
My husband and I moved to the Bay Area 9 years ago, and we've just become American citizens! I am passionate and like sharing. I am
outdoorsy and enjoy the warm feeling of having a good coffee with friends. We built a pond in our backyard, and we have adopted a nice
school of colorful fish. I was teaching French to foreign workers when I was in France and I naturally wanted to go on after arriving in
the United States. I have a PHD in linguistics and I love teaching my language, my native culture and everything France-related ;) The
Alliance Française offers an enjoyable work and learning environment with a dynamic, friendly and dedicated team. I hope we'll meet
in class soon!
Houcine Zarhouni
Teacher
Houcine is a French instructor/mentor. He teaches mainly middle/high school students, and adults. He found a great satisfaction in
his abilities to engage student in learning process and achieve their goals. Houcine was born In Morocco, and he grew up in
Paris-France. He was passionate about languages, math and economics. This passion for math helped him gain profound knowledge in the
field of economics during his college years and enable him to be admitted to the Sorbonne University Paris-France for this Graduate
work. Today, He is a French language and culture instructor. He is a native French/Arabic speaker with a deep cultural understanding of
French/Arabic culture and traditions. He enjoys playing chess and loves travelling.
Kimberly Zie
Teacher
Kimberly was born in France and grew up in New Caledonia. She came back to France for her BA and MA in English at Paris-Sorbonne
University. She has been living in the United States since 2017 and in the Bay Area since 2018. Passionate about language learning and
working with children, she joined the teaching team at the Alliance Française in 2022. She enjoys instilling curiosity about French language
and culture and a love of learning in her students through playful activities.
Board of Directors 2025
The Alliance Française Silicon Valley is registered as a nonprofit organization in California. It is administered by a Board of Directors.
These local francophiles come from varied backgrounds and actively work for the core activities of the Alliance Française and for the
promotion of French language and culture.
Upi Struzak
President
Patrick Consorti
Treasurer
Charles Bernstein
Thomas Célerier
Hélène Laroche Davis
Ciné-Club
Jane Murdoch
Michele Olston
Jean-Baptiste Su
Join our Team
Be part of a group dedicated to spreading the French language and culture. If you are a native French speaker and have some
experience in teaching, you could become a French teacher at Alliance Francaise Silicon Valley, either in Los Gatos or Palo Alto.
You can send your resume and a letter to the Executive Director of either center who
will contact you back. Do note that we do not sponsor teachers for visas. Please do not apply if you do not have authorization to work in
the US.
Not a teacher? You can become a volunteer!
AF Silicon Valley is a nonprofit organization which relies on a talented and dedicated team of volunteers helping in a wide range of
activities and events. If you are a French learner, speaker or Francophile, feel free to email us to learn about our opportunities. We are
very flexible in terms of schedule and location.
Come meet new people in a fun atmosphere while helping us promote French culture in the Bay Area! To find out more about our volunteer
opportunities, please email us at info@afscv.org.
