Policies

Who we are

Alliance Française de Malte-Méditerranée, Malta

Address: Alliance Française de Malte-Méditerranée, College Hamrun – Secondary School, San Gorg Preca, Triq Wenzu Mallia, Il-Ħamrun HMR 1241

Terms and conditions

These guidelines help ensure smooth communication and organization throughout your course. Please read the section relevant to your course type. By enrolling, you agree to these rules and conditions.

Article 1 – Scope, Legal Status and Applicable Law

The Alliance Française de Malte–Méditerranée (AFMM) is a non-profit organisation governed by Maltese law, whose mission is the promotion of the French language and francophone cultures through educational and cultural activities.

These Terms and Conditions of Sale (hereinafter “T&Cs”) apply to all services offered by the AFMM, including but not limited to:

group courses (adults, children, teenagers),
private tuition,
courses for companies or institutions,
official certifications and examinations,
e-learning services,
paid workshops and linguistic activities,
translation services.

Membership of the AFMM is governed exclusively by the Statutes of the association and is distinct from the purchase of any service. Purchasing a course or service does not automatically confer membership status.

These T&Cs are governed by Maltese law and applicable European Union law. In the event of a dispute, the courts of Malta shall have exclusive jurisdiction. In case of divergence between language versions, the English version shall prevail.

Article 2 – Admission Requirements and Client Information

2.1 Age Requirements

Adult group courses for adults are open to participants from the age of 18. Exception can be made for participants from the age of 16, subject to parental authorisation for minors.
Group courses for children and teenagers are open from the age of 3 to 18.
Private tuition follows the same age requirements as group courses.
Registration for official certifications is subject to the age conditions defined by the relevant certifying bodies.

2.2 Personal Data Required

Depending on the service purchased, the AFMM may collect the following data:

Events: first name, last name, email address.
Courses: first name, last name, email address, telephone number, postal address, gender.
Certifications: additional data as required by certifying bodies (such as nationality, mother tongue, place of birth).

2.3 Insurance and Responsibility

Participants are advised to hold appropriate personal insurance. The AFMM declines all responsibility in case of loss, theft or damage to personal belongings. The AFMM may not be held liable except in cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct.

2.4 Behaviour and Exclusion

Any inappropriate or disruptive behaviour may lead to immediate exclusion from courses or services, without refund, by decision of the AFMM management.

Article 3 – Registration, Contractual Commitment and Placement

Registrations may be made online, by email, on site or by telephone.

Registrations are personal and non-transferable, except in exceptional cases and with the explicit agreement of the AFMM.

The contractual relationship is formed upon written confirmation of registration by the AFMM.

A placement test is not mandatory but strongly recommended for all learners. It is free of charge and valid for six (6) months. The AFMM reserves the right to move a learner to another group if their level is deemed inappropriate, in the interest of both the learner and the group. Learners may request a change of level during the first two sessions only, subject to the teacher’s approval.

Registration is subject to availability. Payment does not automatically guarantee the opening of a course. The client is responsible for ensuring that their contact details are accurate.

Article 4 – Organisation of Group Courses

4.0 Evaluation and Progression to the Next Level

At the end of each group course, learners receive an evaluation of their progress.

Learners are expected to rely on this evaluation and on the teacher’s recommendation when enrolling in the next level.

If a learner chooses to enrol in a higher level despite an unfavourable recommendation from the teacher, they do so at their own risk, being aware that they may experience pedagogical difficulties. In such cases, the AFMM cannot be held responsible for any difficulties encountered.

4.1 Group Size

The maximum number of participants per group is twelve (12). The minimum number required to open a course is three (3).

If the minimum number is not reached, the AFMM may postpone the opening of the course for up to two (2) weeks. If the course is maintained thereafter, the total number of hours may be reduced while the price remains unchanged.

4.2 Schedule and Public Holidays

Schedules are fixed and may only be modified with the unanimous agreement of the group and the AFMM. No classes are held on Maltese public holidays.

4.3 Absences, Lateness and Rescheduling

For children’s group courses, a class may be rescheduled only as an exceptional measure, and only when at least 50% of parents request it, all parents expressly agree, and the request is made at least one week in advance for an important reason.

For adult group courses, a change of date may be considered only if the entire group will be absent and the request is made at least one week in advance; otherwise, the class runs as scheduled.

For face-to-face courses, learners who are less than 15 minutes late do not need to notify the teacher. If they expect to be later than 15 minutes, they must send a message with an estimated arrival time. If no learner is present and no message is received within the first 15 minutes, the teacher may cancel the class and consider it completed. Where only one learner is involved, the teacher will wait up to 30 minutes only if a message is received within the first 15 minutes; beyond that, the teacher may cancel and consider the class completed, unless the learner notified the teacher at least one day in advance and the teacher agrees to deliver a shortened lesson.

The same principles apply to online group courses.

4.4 Cancellation or Postponement by the AFMM

In case of teacher absence, the AFMM will attempt to provide a replacement. Failing that, a new date will be proposed. In cases of force majeure where no alternative date can be found, the affected session may be refunded.

Article 5 – Financial Conditions and Payment

5.1 Payment

All services must be paid in full before the start of the course.

Accepted payment methods include card payment, bank transfer, cash on site and online payment via Stripe. Transaction fees are borne by the client.

Invoices are issued automatically and may include the name of the payer and the participant.

In the event of non-payment after the start of a course, two reminders will be sent. If payment is not regularised, the AFMM reserves the right to suspend access to the service until full payment is received.

Educational and cultural activities are exempt from VAT. The sale of books is subject to VAT at 5%, and translation services at 18%.

5.2 Courses Financed by a Third Party (Companies / Institutions)

In the case of courses financed wholly or partially by a third party (company or institution), payment is due in advance, under the same conditions as individual registrations.

By exception, for public institutions only, payment after the service has been provided may be accepted. This exception must be formalised in advance through a written Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) or equivalent contractual document.

The acceptance of a quotation by a company or institution constitutes a firm and binding commitment to pay the corresponding invoice, regardless of the attendance or participation of the beneficiaries.

In the context of corporate courses, the company undertakes to provide the AFMM with all information necessary for the proper organisation and delivery of the course (number of participants, profiles, objectives, constraints, availability, etc.).

The AFMM undertakes to provide the company with attendance and participation rates, as well as regular feedback on learners’ progress, according to modalities agreed in advance.

Article 6 – Cancellation, Refunds and Credits

6.1 Right of withdrawal (EU consumers).
In accordance with EU Directive 2011/83/EU, clients benefit from a fourteen (14) day right of withdrawal. This right does not apply where the service has started at the client’s request before the end of the withdrawal period, nor does it apply to digital content or e-learning services once access has been granted.

6.2 Cancellation before the start of a course.
Any cancellation requested up to seven (7) days before the start date of a course entitles the client to a refund of the amount paid, minus a fixed administrative fee of thirty euros (€30).

6.3 Cancellation after the start of a course.
Once a course has started, no refund shall be granted.

By way of exception, a partial credit may be considered only in cases of force majeure, subject either to the presentation of a medical certificate attesting that the learner is unable to attend the course, or to a discretionary decision of the AFMM management. The AFMM is under no obligation to grant a refund or credit.

Where a credit is granted, an administrative fee of thirty euros (€30) applies. Sessions already delivered up to the date of the request remain payable. The credit applies exclusively to sessions not yet delivered.

6.4 Credit conditions.
Any credit issued under this article is non-refundable, nominative, and valid for six (6) months from the date of issue. A credit may be transferred to another person only with the explicit agreement of the AFMM management.

6.5 E-learning and digital content.
For e-learning services and digital content, access is provided after payment. By activating access, the client expressly waives their right of withdrawal. Once access has been granted, no refund, postponement or credit shall be issued, regardless of actual use or non-use of the service.

Article 7 – Private Tuition

Private lessons must be paid at least forty-eight (48) working hours before the first session.

Cancellations or rescheduling must be requested at least forty-eight (48) working hours in advance. Otherwise, the session is considered due, except upon presentation of a medical certificate. Force majeure is assessed on an exceptional basis. Weather conditions do not constitute force majeure unless officially declared by authorities.

In case of lateness, students must inform the teacher within the first fifteen (15) minutes. Teachers wait up to twenty (20) minutes, which is deducted from the lesson time. After 20 minutes teachers may leave and the hour will be considered as consumed.

Private lessons are valid from the date of the first session: six (6) months for packs of 1 or 10 hours, and twelve (12) months for packs of 20 hours.

Article 8 – Official Certifications

8.1 Scope and applicable rules.
The AFMM organises and administers official French language certifications and examinations (including but not limited to DELF, DALF, TCF), in strict accordance with the rules, procedures and requirements set by the relevant certifying bodies. Candidates undertake to comply fully with these rules.

8.2 Registration and payment.
Registration for an examination is strictly personal and non-transferable. Full payment is required at the time of registration. Registration deadlines are fixed and cannot be modified under any circumstances.

Candidates must provide all personal data required by the certifying body (such as nationality, mother tongue, place of birth or age). Incomplete or incorrect information may result in the candidate being unable to sit the examination, without entitlement to refund or compensation.

8.3 Cancellation before the registration deadline.
Any cancellation requested in writing before the official registration deadline entitles the candidate, at their choice, to either:

a full refund of the examination fee, or
a credit for a future service or examination.

8.4 Cancellation after the registration deadline and up to forty-eight (48) hours before the first test.
After the registration deadline and up to forty-eight (48) hours before the first test, the following rules apply:

In the event of illness duly justified by a medical certificate, a credit equivalent to seventy percent (70%) of the examination fee may be granted, with thirty percent (30%) retained as administrative costs.
In the event of duly justified force majeure, a refund equivalent to seventy percent (70%) of the examination fee may be granted, with thirty percent (30%) retained as administrative costs.
In cases of personal convenience, a credit equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the examination fee may be granted, with fifty percent (50%) retained.

Any credit issued under this article is non-refundable and valid for twelve (12) months from the date of issue.

8.5 Cancellation less than forty-eight (48) hours before the first test.
Less than forty-eight (48) hours before the first test:

in the event of illness duly justified by a medical certificate, a credit equivalent to fifty percent (50%) of the examination fee may be granted;
in all other cases, no refund, credit or postponement shall be granted.

8.6 Absence or lateness on the examination day.
Any absence or lateness on the day of the examination, whether for a collective or individual test, results in immediate exclusion from the examination. No refund, credit or rescheduling shall be granted, regardless of the reason invoked.

8.7 Results and certificates.
Examination results are final and communicated in accordance with the procedures of the relevant certifying bodies. Any request for correction, duplication or reissue of certificates or diplomas is subject to the rules, timelines and fees set by those bodies.

Article 9 – Additional Services

9.1 Translation Services

The AFMM offers translation services, including certified translations of documents.

The scope, deadlines, pricing and delivery conditions of translation services are defined on a case-by-case basis and confirmed through a quotation. Acceptance of the quotation constitutes a firm commitment to payment.

Article 10 – Final Provisions

The AFMM complies with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR). Personal data is processed in accordance with applicable European legislation.

Unless expressly opposed in writing to info@alliancefr.org.mt, the AFMM may use images or recordings taken during its activities for communication purposes.

All pedagogical materials are the property of the AFMM and may not be reproduced without authorisation.

The AFMM is bound by an obligation of means, not of results. Learners are expected to demonstrate appropriate behaviour, regular attendance and personal work throughout the course.

Progress depends in particular on the learner’s assiduity, active participation and personal investment outside class time. The AFMM cannot be held responsible for a lack of progress resulting from insufficient attendance or personal work.

Feedback tools such as satisfaction questionnaires are implemented to allow clients to share remarks and contribute to the continuous improvement of services.

These Terms and Conditions are governed by Maltese law. The courts of Malta have exclusive jurisdiction.

Last update: January 2026.
These Terms and Conditions apply in the version in force at the time of registration or purchase. The AFMM reserves the right to modify these Terms and Conditions at any time; however, any modification shall apply only to registrations or purchases made after such modification has entered into force.

To the top ↑