About us
Let's speak French
How does it work?
1. Watch free weekly 4-minute videos on this YouTube channel
2. Join the conversations
3. Need more? Check out what's new on http://www.frenchconversationgroup.com
Who is it for?
French Conversation Group meets weekly on Zoom. It's meant for non native speakers (beginners, intermediate, advanced) to practice their French and have fun. You're more than welcome to join!
About
I have been teaching French and organizing weekly conversations since 2010 in New York, Los Angeles and London. I am a native French-speaker fascinated by the culture and history of France and the francophone world. Eager to share opinion, ideas and knowledge with the francophile world online.
For private lessons, click here.
A bientôt!
Rafaël
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- Prices start at $11 on http://www.frenchconversationgroup.com
- The unique Zoom link will be available to the participants on the event page on the day of the event
- Get ready with the free Zoom app - www.zoom.us (free basic plan)
- There is a no refund or cancellation policy
Upcoming events
237
- $12.60
French Conversation (INTERMEDIATE - B1)
·OnlineOnlineLEVEL: INTERMEDIATE - B1 — 7am PT / 10am ET
🧀 Say cheese! 🍽️🍐 - We’ve talked about wine and we’ve talked about cows; now let’s turn to cheese—that delicious hard or soft dairy product enjoyed between the main course and dessert. Recently, the government temporarily relaxed production regulations for Comté, Beaufort, Reblochon, Cantal, and Fourme d’Ambert cheeses due to a severe summer drought. These five cheeses carry a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP)—a European label that guarantees their origin and production method. What impact might this have on the market? Does an exception to the AOP standards change your opinion of a product?
#### Proverb of the week:
"Entre la poire et le fromage"**: entre deux évènements, dans un moment plus détendu.
= during downtime🤡 Funny fact — it is said that Talleyrand, the renowned diplomat of the French Revolution, would take advantage of this downtime moment of the meal to gather important info that his staff overheard from his guests. He would then strike during the cheese course with offers they couldn't refuse. 🤵🏻♂️
#### Preparation:
- watch this week's episode about cheese: https://youtu.be/dpEcXcDDpas (Subtitles are available in French and English by clicking on the CC button on the YouTube control bar).
- buy your favorite cheese and describe how it tastes in the most poetic way
- prepare one or two questions
- (optional) read this article about the effects of the drought on cheese production in France: https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/08/26/secheresse-le-gouvernement-assouplit-temporairement-les-regles-aop-pour-l-abondance-le-beaufort-et-le-comte_6757282_3244.html
- (optional) watch related episodes: le vin, la baguette
[ If sold out on Meetup, you may find more spots available for the same session at https://www.frenchconversationgroup.com ]
I have plenty of questions for you and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts. You're also encouraged to ask your own questions to the other participants.
☝️ The session is divided as such:
- Let’s introduce ourselves (10 minutes)
- Misc. & les news (10 minutes)
- Get to the meat of the discussion (30 minutes)
- French film/music/book suggestions and voilà (10 minutes)
The unique Zoom link will be available to the participants on this page on the day of the event.
Don't forget to download and install the free Zoom app (www.zoom.us > basic free plan)
À bientôt!
Rafaël1 attendee - $12.60
French Conversation (INTERMEDIATE - B1)
·OnlineOnlineLEVEL: INTERMEDIATE - B1 — 10am PT / 1pm ET
🧀 Say cheese! 🍽️🍐 - We’ve talked about wine and we’ve talked about cows; now let’s turn to cheese—that delicious hard or soft dairy product enjoyed between the main course and dessert. Recently, the government temporarily relaxed production regulations for Comté, Beaufort, Reblochon, Cantal, and Fourme d’Ambert cheeses due to a severe summer drought. These five cheeses carry a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP)—a European label that guarantees their origin and production method. What impact might this have on the market? Does an exception to the AOP standards change your opinion of a product?
#### Proverb of the week:
"Entre la poire et le fromage"**: entre deux évènements, dans un moment plus détendu.
= during downtime🤡 Funny fact — it is said that Talleyrand, the renowned diplomat of the French Revolution, would take advantage of this downtime moment of the meal to gather important info that his staff overheard from his guests. He would then strike during the cheese course with offers they couldn't refuse. 🤵🏻♂️
#### Preparation:
- watch this week's episode about cheese: https://youtu.be/dpEcXcDDpas (Subtitles are available in French and English by clicking on the CC button on the YouTube control bar).
- buy your favorite cheese and describe how it tastes in the most poetic way
- prepare one or two questions
- (optional) read this article about the effects of the drought on cheese production in France: https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/08/26/secheresse-le-gouvernement-assouplit-temporairement-les-regles-aop-pour-l-abondance-le-beaufort-et-le-comte_6757282_3244.html
- (optional) watch related episodes: le vin, la baguette
[ If sold out on Meetup, you may find more spots available for the same session on https://www.frenchconversationgroup.com ]
I have plenty of questions for you and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts. You're also encouraged to ask your own questions to the other participants.
☝️ The session is divided as such:
- Let’s introduce ourselves (10 minutes)
- Misc. & les news (10 minutes)
- Get to the meat of the discussion (30 minutes)
- French film/music/book suggestions and voilà (10 minutes)
The unique Zoom link will be available to the participants on this page, on the day of the event.
Don't forget to download and install the free Zoom app (www.zoom.us > basic free plan)
A bientôt!
Rafaël2 attendees - $12.60
French Conversation (ADVANCED - C1)
·OnlineOnlineLEVEL: ADVANCED - C1 — 11am PT / 2pm ET
🧀 Say cheese! 🍽️🍐 - We’ve talked about wine and we’ve talked about cows; now let’s turn to cheese—that delicious hard or soft dairy product enjoyed between the main course and dessert. Recently, the government temporarily relaxed production regulations for Comté, Beaufort, Reblochon, Cantal, and Fourme d’Ambert cheeses due to a severe summer drought. These five cheeses carry a Protected Designation of Origin (AOP)—a European label that guarantees their origin and production method. What impact might this have on the market? Does an exception to the AOP standards change your opinion of a product?
#### Proverb of the week:
"Entre la poire et le fromage"**: entre deux évènements, dans un moment plus détendu.
= during downtime🤡 Funny fact — it is said that Talleyrand, the renowned diplomat of the French Revolution, would take advantage of this downtime moment of the meal to gather important info that his staff overheard from his guests. He would then strike during the cheese course with offers they couldn't refuse. 🤵🏻♂️
#### Preparation:
- watch this week's episode about cheese: https://youtu.be/dpEcXcDDpas (Subtitles are available in French and English by clicking on the CC button on the YouTube control bar).
- buy your favorite cheese and describe how it tastes in the most poetic way
- prepare one or two questions
- (optional) read this article about the effects of the drought on cheese production in France: https://www.lemonde.fr/planete/article/2026/08/26/secheresse-le-gouvernement-assouplit-temporairement-les-regles-aop-pour-l-abondance-le-beaufort-et-le-comte_6757282_3244.html
- (optional) watch related episodes: le vin, la baguette
[ If sold out on Meetup, you may find more spots available for the same session on https://www.frenchconversationgroup.com ]
I have plenty of questions for you and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts. You're also encouraged to ask your own questions to the other participants.
☝️ The session is divided as such:
- Let’s introduce ourselves (10 minutes)
- Misc. & les news (10 minutes)
- Get to the meat of the discussion (30 minutes)
- French film/music/book suggestions and voilà (10 minutes)
The unique Zoom link will be available to the participants on this page, on the day of the event.
Don't forget to download and install the free Zoom app (www.zoom.us > basic free plan)
À bientôt!
Rafaël3 attendees - $12.60
French Conversation (INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED - B2)
·OnlineOnlineLEVEL: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED - B2 — 11am PT / 2pm ET
📖 Topic will be shown here on the week of the event
#### Preparation:
- watch a 4-minute video that will be provided here on the week of the event
- prepare one or two questions
[ If sold out on Meetup, you may find more spots available for the same session at https://www.frenchconversationgroup.com ]
I have plenty of questions for you and I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts. You're also encouraged to ask your own questions to the other participants.
☝️ The session is divided as such:
- Let’s introduce ourselves (10 minutes)
- Misc. & les news (10 minutes)
- Get to the meat of the discussion (30 minutes)
- French film/music/book suggestions and voilà (10 minutes)
The unique Zoom link will be available to the participants on this page on the day of the event.
Don't forget to download and install the free Zoom app (www.zoom.us > basic free plan)
À bientôt!
Rafaël1 attendee
Past events
1573
