Who are we?
Alliance Française Silicon Valley (AF Silicon Valley) is a non-profit organization and the official center for 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, a library, 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.
Virginie Zenero
Librarian and Instructor
As a French native, she has been living in the Bay Area since 2009. She 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 qualified instructors are committed to high-quality teaching in a
comfortable, effective learning environment, and offer a wide range of courses — from specialized classes and private tuition to workshops,
immersion days, and outings to museums or restaurants. Join us and discover a comprehensive, enjoyable approach to learning French!
Arnaud
Instructor
A French native, he graduated from the University of Paris I Sorbonne in Economics and Applied Foreign Languages (1989) and earned a
master's degree in French from San Jose State University (2013). He has taught French as a foreign language since 1996 and brings over 20
years of experience as a linguist for major software companies in the SF Bay Area. He currently also teaches at San Jose State University.
Karima
Instructor
Karima studied Langues Étrangères Appliquées aux Affaires at Université Paris 3 - Sorbonne Nouvelle
(1987 to 1993).
Marie-Hélène
Instructor
Marie-Hélène is a French native with a BA in English from the University of Bordeaux. She taught French for four years at Ensham High
School and Westminster College in London, before moving to California with her husband. She has taught French as a second language since
1994 at the Alliance Française of Silicon Valley, as well as in public and private after-school programs, and since 2020 she has been
teaching the Alliance's classes online. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, gardening and painting.
Élodie
Instructor
A French native, she has been living in the US since January 2019. Before joining the School for Independent Learners, she taught French for
nine years in Germany at the university, high school, and middle school levels, and has also worked in French with people with disabilities
and teenagers with psychiatric challenges. Curious and ambitious, she loves discovering new cultures, and in her free time enjoys cooking,
reading, music, and movies.
Loubna
Instructor
Loubna has a Master of Arts and more than 30 years of experience teaching French.
Sylvie
Instructor
Sylvie is a native of Voiron, in the French Alps. She earned a Master's degree in French as a 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.
Houcine
Instructor
Houcine is a French instructor and mentor who teaches mainly middle/high school students and adults, taking great satisfaction in
engaging students in the learning process and helping them achieve their goals. Born in Morocco and raised in Paris, he was passionate
about languages, math and economics — a passion that deepened his knowledge of economics in college and earned him admission to the
Sorbonne University in Paris for his graduate work. A native French and Arabic speaker with a deep understanding of both cultures and
traditions, he enjoys playing chess and loves travelling.
Kimberly
Instructor
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 support the core activities of the Alliance Française and for the
promotion of French language and culture.
Upi Struzak
President
Patrick Consorti
Treasurer
Charles Bernstein
Hélène Laroche Davis
Ciné-Club
Carole Le Gall
Jane Murdoch
Thierry Schang
Jean-Baptiste Su
Join our Team
Join a passionate community dedicated to sharing the French language and culture. If you are a native French speaker with teaching
experience, we would love to hear from you — Alliance Française Silicon Valley is always looking for qualified French teachers. Please send
your resume and cover letter to us. Please 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? Join us as a volunteer!
As a nonprofit, AF Silicon Valley depends on a talented and dedicated team of volunteers who support everything from classes and library to
cultural events and celebrations. Whether you're a French learner, a fluent speaker, or simply a Francophile at heart, we'd love to hear
from you — email us to discover how you can get involved. With flexible schedules and opportunities at both our Los Gatos and Palo Alto
locations, there's a place for everyone.
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.
