Français Pour Rire   by Bill Barker

Français pour Rire (French for Fun) has been a very active group since its inception six years ago.

The group, 16 strong, meets once a month in the Chelsea Room at Knightsbridge Village.  Every 4th Monday, the French tricolour flies there.  From 9.30 to 10.00 an advanced group led by Fay and Janet is busy in a corner while I set up the room.  (Janet lived in France for 10 years.)  At 10 a.m. the meeting proper begins, and we study new, useful expressions.

Finally a member speaks on French life or culture.  Learning a language without reference to its culture is a dead exercise.  Language and culture go hand in hand.  We reserve 10 minutes at the end of each meeting for a member to present a talk or reading on an aspect of French life or culture that appeals to him or her.  These have included Paul Gauguin, Monet, French Morocco, French cuisine, the Lascaux caves, Christmas in France, a trip on the Canal du Midi, a holiday in Provence, la Marseillaise, Versailles, Simone de Beauvoir, French settlement in Akaroa, cuisses de grenouilles (frogs’ legs) etc.

We have our own library with a selection of books and magazines.

As the group’s name suggests, we aim to have fun while learning.  If you’re interested in joining us, or if you’re just curious, phone our convenor, Barbara Thatcher (478 4328), or me, Bill Barker, tutor (478 5095), for more details

All photos below from our Christmas déjeuner (lunch) that we had at the Au Bon Coin Café et Pâtisserie at Beachhaven.

Next, three dessins humoristiques (cartoons and comic strips) are passed around, covering a wide range of French humour.

Culture générale (general knowledge) follows. The last question given to the group was: Dans quel quartier est située l’Université de Paris?  (Answer: L’Université de Paris est située dans le Quartier Latin.)

Next we’ll check homework.  Recently this has included crosswords, translating a speech by General De Gaulle, comprehension questions on prose passages and poems, and language exercises.  Yes, we do use a text book:  Berlitz’s “Essential French”.  This includes written work, though the main thrust is oral-aural.

Later, I’ll maybe read sections from a variety of books and fire questions in French.  Recently we joined Adam and Eve in “Histoires de la Création” (young persons’ version).  We learnt that, at dusk, God would enter the Garden of Eden to talk to Adam, the most advanced of his creatures, and the one God cherished the most.  Eve was not mentioned in this paragraph.  Perhaps, as number two, she stayed at home and did the housework while the men discussed serious matters.

About once in three months, we are addressed by Heidi, our guest tutor, who is a practising teacher with a wealth of knowledge.  She is Swiss, and speaks 9 languages.

At our July meeting we celebrate Bastille Day and everyone brings food with a French or European flavour.  A highlight of our year occurs in December when we gather at Au Bon Café, and Chris, our host from Alsace, and his team produce fine French fare.

All photos from our Christmas déjeuner (lunch) that we had at the Au Bon Coin Café et Pâtisserie at Beachhaven.