Let's Speak French
Group Leader: Barbara Ramsey
Group Meetings: Wednesday mornings fortnightly
There are 10 “students” in the class and we continue to meet fortnightly on Wednesday mornings, with an occasional change to the schedule to accommodate the availability of the majority of the busy members of the group. We chat, do crosswords, quiz questions (on the geography of France, produce etc), read stories, practise listening skills e.g. announcements in airports, social arrangements etc. ... in French, of course! I explain any Grammar queries from the group, derivations of words etc, if needed, but otherwise it is not a formal class aiming for public exams! Three of the group plus spouses were able to take up my invitation to spend a few days at our house in South West France last September, where we had glorious weather and the group went out and about on their own at times ... hopefully managing to use their French speaking to the locals! I hope to be able to invite them again, though perhaps not this year, which is already very full of deadlines for me.
At the last meeting before Christmas, we sang French songs and Carols over a glass of “vin chaud” accompanied by pâté, foie gras and French cheese. One of the group accompanied us on the piano and another on the guitar. I was very grateful for their talents!
In July for the past 2 Summers we have had a French-themed lunch in our garden - quiches, salad, foie gras, pâté, baguette, French cheeses, pâtisserie and wines.
The next time we meet we should know a little more about the aftermath of “le brexit” to be a topic for our conversation!