mlt31

Hello,

Anybody in the Toulouse area looking to improve their French conversational skills?

A group of us are meeting on Wednesday 13th March at the Killarney Bar, in order to exchange in French/English and have a drink. It's an 20:30 start.

Let me know if you're planning on joining us!

Cheers

cjm

If you can, put Toulouse in the title, that might better grab local attention.

Tweedpipe

Actually it's not a bad incentive to get out and learn the language.
I guess the venue has been chosen because an 'English' Pub probably has more appeal to most Brits abroad. Cependant......
Given that the object of the meeting is primarily to converse and practice ones French, if it were me I would have suggested a real French bistro, one that is steeped in history, and oozes French atmosphere.
Au Pere Louis, an institution - the oldest continually running bar in Toulouse dating from the 1880's imho would be the perfect venue, and one that would surely be a memorable experience for many B.E visitors. Just a thought....

dmu

Have to agree that a French venue would be better, unless the French contingency prefers an "English Pub". Just as a matter of interest, are there some French people in the group already? Otherwise who do the English-speakers speak French to?
I ask the question, as our nearest town has strong ties with its twin town in Germany and I sometimes go to German conversation sessions in a café, and we (French and English) speak German to one another . But the purpose is to feel comfortable conversing, even if we make mistakes with no one to correct our faulty grammar...

cjm

Eckin Flip dmu youse a linguist.

dmu

Qué?

mlt31

Well, it's actually an Irish Pub, chosen because it's in a good location, not too busy in the week and seemed an nice place to have the conversation night. I started the evening because I needed to brush up on my French, given that I spend most of my days speaking in English due to work and having an English speaking partner. It's becoming embarrassing after 6 years living here!
I also found that I always meet french people who want to practice their English with me, so thought this could kill two birds with one stone. So, we're a mixed group all looking to practice English or French. We normally speak in French for about an hour, English another hour and the rest of the night as we wish. It seems a lot more fun and sociable to do it over a drink.
I wanted to post it on here as I've had so much interest from French people, but it's been harder to get more English speakers interested.

mlt31

Good idea, but I don't know how to edit the original post

cjm

Do some research. Does the pub have any French customers? Is there a French-English group locally? Any French friends that might help promote it? Put together a poster Eng/Francais to go into local supermarkets. (Ask and I may be able to put this together for you; pm me)
Not sure what electronic outlets there are in your part, but these are the routes.
What about the pub running competition? Irish/French
relationships; guess on line ... sorry late now ...

mlt31

When I first started the event I thought it would be harder to get the French people to come, but it's been the other way around! Anyway, I have promoted it on various language exchange sites and we do have a small group of English speakers who come, but it's only the fourth event so I guess it will grow in time. There's usually about 20 of us, so it's a nice number.

cjm

Well done, it looks like you've covered the avenues. Have a bl**dy great evening.

mlt31

Thank you! I'll try and speak some french too...I hope I'm not the only one who's been here too long to have any excuses!

MillieF

I think this is a great idea,very best of luck. I used to live near the Anglophone library in Angers and they used to arrange all sorts of French/English pizza nights, board game evenings and coffee mornings. 'A safe place' to make a big linguistic gaffe and gain confidence is a godsend.

mlt31

Thank you MillieF...it was a good night! I'll have to find out if there are any Anglophone libraries in Toulouse, what great ideas for different social events to learn the lingo and meet new people!

mistry girl

Sounds like it's a great group - pity it is not further north! I think mixed groups are a great way to practice language skills. Hope it continues well for you :-)