I agree with Aloiselle, changing places and finding new destinations is not ideal because they are not all created equally, for ease of talking and for ease of parking. I would prefer a location with many small tables and one that is easy in which to move around. I would like to be able to change conversations often. A suggestion I have is that I rather like the format that I found in Paris and you can see at www.FranglishParis.com. It is a sort of speed dating for language learners (without the romance) in a bar..no food. The organizer accepts 20 francophones and 20 anglophones. Each 15 minute session has one Anglophone and one francophone at one small table. One spends 15 minutes with the same person, then there is a change of partners..7 minutes in one language 7 in the other. Over the course of the evening you meet 6 people. If you want to exchange business cards and meet again, you can do so, but the event is for talking English half the time and French the other half with each of the six people. I found it an excellent way to socialize and at the same time improve my French. I met people I would like to meet again and did so, in Paris. The level of English/French varied and it did not matter. The French were interested in my native English and I in their native French...a perfect exchange. And there were people of all ages, though most were in the work force.
Eileen
-----Original Message-----
From: [address removed] [mailto:[address removed]] On Behalf Of Admirer of all things Scottish
Sent: June[masked]:42 PM
To: [address removed]
Subject: [french-96] Des ides pour changer un peu ...- conflicting priorities
Hello all francophiles
Although I have not been participating, but still waiting for the right moment. I live in Manotick, so I have to plan many things in advance to participate.
However, this note is to help make a decision on the best venue to keep practicing french, while some of us wait for the right time to participate.
I know of a similar group, which, practices Spanish. All very busy people, including a prominent ex-politician. That group has been going on for about 15 years!
They meet every Monday in the Market in the same place (a pub in sussex). Their very obvious priority is to practice the language and not to be a venue for other interests such as getting to know Ottawa, or getting to know new pubs or restaurants. This last interest would be pn the way to stick to the main priority.
Also, for people like myself and or others, changing places often can mean more driving. So, if you guys are serious in the practice of french I would propose you choose a good place for the summer and another good place for the cold months. Hope this helps.
ALoiselle
--------------------------------------------
On Sun, 6/22/14, ramona <[address removed]> wrote:
Subject: Re: [french-96] Des idées pour changer un peu ...
To: [address removed]
Received: Sunday, June 22, 2014, 8:21 PM
Hello
Marguerite,
I know
I've been out of touch, and sadly, not able to keep up with Meetup. I lost my position at my school (shrinking
enrolment) so was caught up in job-hunting, trying to find a placement. Stressful. Although I haven't been going to the brunches, I intend to once I come back from my 18-day immersion program in Quebec City, which I am treating myself to since I need it, and because I increased my job status and now will make a bit more money. I'm leaving next Monday. Yippeee!
I
personally do not like the idea of tea at 2 on Saturday. I think Saturday is a really busy day for most working people, where everyone is trying to get their groceries and laundry and assorted tasks done after the work week. 2 o'clock is right in the middle of the day, which seems strange to me because it makes it hard to plan around. Earlier or later would be better. I have heard numerous people say that they would go to brunch if it were earlier, since when we have it at 12 it cuts into their day and other activities. Of course it's hard to do much about that on Sundays, given the restaurant situation. I also think meeting for tea sounds a little overly feminine and restrictive--here I'm imagining how some men would look at it. Plus, I think one event at L a P rep is enough--a bonus reason for going to Meetups is discovering new venues in the city, and we're not really succeeding by using La Prep again. I know there will be some who like the proposal, so I'm putting in my two cents to try to modify it. I personally think Saturday dinner might work occasionally, perhaps every second week.
Please don't get rid of the brunches for tea, since I won't be able to go!
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 17,
2014, at 5:21 PM, Marguerite Cohen <[address removed]>
wrote:
Pour changer un
peu, aimeriez-vous qu'au lieu de se réunir autour d'un repas le dimanche matin, on prenne le thé le samedi après-midi au centre ville, à 2 h., peut-être à La Prep (400 Cooper, sur Bank)? Une fois toutes les deux semaines ou chaque semaine? Les idées et les suggestions sont les bienvenues...
Merci pour votre participation.
Marguerite
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