French Conversation (INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED - B2)
Details
LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED - B2 — 11am PT / 2pm ET
📠 Is the future really in tech? 🧑💻✨- In the 1980s, France distributed a free microcomputer to its citizens, the Minitel. Its purpose was to connect, inform and shop online. With the rise of the Internet a few years later, Minitel disappeared, but not without leaving a legacy. Ask a French person what they think of Minitel and they’ll likely start with a smile and share some interesting personal stories.
Check out the TV show “3615 Monique” created by the makers of “Call My Agent” for a humorous glimpse into life with a Minitel back then. For a more serious take, read this article from The Guardian on European tech sovereignty and the challenges of combating Silicon Valley’s monopolies.
#### Preparation:
- watch this week's episode about the Minitel: https://youtu.be/BHomzyq3gh8 (Subtitles are available in French and English by clicking on the CC button on the YouTube control bar).
- prepare one or two questions
- (optional) watch “3615 Monique”: https://telequebec.tv/regarder/3615-monique/1/1
- (optional) read this recent Guardian article about Minitel: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/27/france-minitel-1980s-europe-silicon-valley-shackles
[ 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!
Rafaël