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We have 3 French groups; this more advanced French Conversation group and the French For Fun group meet on alternate Mondays at Mapperley Golf Club.

The French 3 beginners group meets on alternate Wednesdays at St. George's Centre.

The French Conversation group is focussed on improving fluency and members are of varying levels of competence. We talk about anything and everything.

We look at videos on InnerFrench and also listen to the Podcasts on the same site. This isn't a requirement, of course not, but improvement comes along with practice, and it's amazing just how much fluency-progress everyone has made.

We have a lively WhatsApp group, within which we share jokes and recommendations of French films to watch. This is a very lively, thriving, dynamic and friendly group and we welcome new people..so come and join us!

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For an overview of future meetings click the Calendar button and select French Conversation from the Group drop-down list.

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July 2025: Une ratatouille pas comme les autres

This was the title of a newsletter from Hugo who runs a website called InnerFrench which our group often uses. In this case he was using the analogy of making a decent ratatouille with learning a Language.

The French Conversation Group discusses all manner of topics, ideas, personal anecdotes, and we do this during an extended (now by popular demand) 2 hour slot. Everyone speaks French with a confidence, knowledge, humour and critical analysis which increases our neuro-plasticity - and provides  us all with a lot of laughs.

Recently we have discussed La guerre des boulangeries, so we can tell you which baguettes to buy and from where (a Tradition can only be sold by a baker who makes it on the premises by traditional methods). When we discussed Les Français travaillent-ils moins que les autres ? We were persuaded that, despite having longer holidays, and more Bank holidays, they are more productive than we are in the UK. Also, a political/social situation that we are experiencing in the UK; Les Roms en France : préjugés et exclusion. An insight into how France and the French view Roma.

Everyone in our group has progressed enough to discuss these topics in an atmosphere of camaraderie, intellectual support and fun…all in French for the most part. Hugo’s conclusion of his making a decent ratatouille analogy with learning and progressing in a language is; arrêtez de nous demander si votre Français améliore. Demandez-vous plutôt: est-ce je prends du plaisir l’utiliser?

Judging by the visits made by members of the group to all 8 points of the hexagon, from the Ardennes, to Strasbourg, Lyon to Marseille, les Pyrenées to  Bordeaux and then to Normandy and Brittany confidently using their French it’s useful as well as pleasurable. 

For my part I see that everyone’s French has ameliorated and judging by the laughter that accompanies every single réunion everyone gets pleasure in using their French language skills. Here we are translating the Ladybird satire on Brexit…which wasn’t as easy as child’s play!!!

Annabell

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December 2024

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November 2024

The day after Beaujolais release day, we held our seventh annual buffet, when 50 members, partners and friends enjoyed the most delightful seven course dinner, with quiz prizes, a generous raffle, and friends socialising together.  We’re planning for 2025 already!

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July 2023

The two French Groups enjoyed a Soirée Française at Mapperley Golf Club with a French Quiz, Raffle and the most magnificent French-themed gourmet evening. Enjoying Saumur, Beaujolais Nouveau..to name just two.

Learning does really involve laughter, support, convivialité  and sociability. Vive l' Université  du Troisième Âge!

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