Organization Mission
OLY Parle is a small non-profit, based in Olympia, Washington (capital of the state of Washington). OLY Parle strives to expand horizons for adults of all ages with an affinity for the French language. The focus is mainly to acquire basic skills and to develop ways for all of them to gain stronger verbal skills in a non-native tongue. The approach is exploratory with two-way interaction between facilitator and participants.
The changing curriculum is tailored to the skills’ mix of the participants. Such practice can open doors to professions using multi-lingual skills, sharpen appreciation of cultural and artistic expressions plus seize opportunities to expand perspectives beyond a North American-Anglo driven setting. The practice can help to regain use of the language and to put it into practice in other francophone settings.
Program Purpose
Our program is designed to immerse students in French conversation over a period of 6 months or more, gradually building verbal fluency. Activities are tailored to each participant’s level, with periodic group sessions that bring everyone together. As the program evolves, new members from the community are welcomed to join. The sessions are led by a native French speaker, ensuring an authentic learning experience. Participants are encouraged to practice speaking, no matter their skill level.
This program is not a traditional language class focused on writing or grammar. Instead, we emphasize real-world communication, with our primary outcomes being recorded practice materials and feedback notes. These resources, including audio samples, are made available on our website to help participants overcome barriers to fluency and improve their spoken French.
Objectives for OLY Parle
#1 Continue to offer a cost-effective program
Keep overhead costs to a minimum; lower costs of reading supplies by tapping into e-resources; and aim for an affordable, yet professional quality sound component (Ongoing)
#2 Maximize use of Internet portal (mid-2020 launch)
Keep postings up to date; develop and nurture new ties with South Sound and prospective new markets, then adjust practice tools as needed (2021)
#3 Seek recognition for participating students (fall 2021)
Initiate outreach to local educational bodies (Evergreen and others) to seek acceptance of a credit award program toward the participating interns. This approach could facilitate their earlier readiness for graduation (requested by one participant)
#4 Implement and diversify French language-based initiative
Attract new members or draw returning members via a cultural & entertainment component. Provide fee-based (transportation) trips to venues with European themes outside of the area (2022). Contemplate future opportunities to bring on board another foreign language (2025)
#5 Explore the eligibility for capital or operating revenues
The program expansion and/or emerging need for a permanent, stand alone facility (2025+) may warrant the influx of capital revenues and/or an increment to operating revenues. In light of COVID-19, the remote ZOOM meeting option might become an attractive mid-term approach. Such an operational shift would reduce the need for a standalone meeting space. New technology investments in more advanced ZOOM features, including on line support, could become a priority.
Credits
Audio track illustrations by Annie Herzig
Audio track recordings and sound editing by Mike Mercker
Website design and development by Pixelsmith Design
OLY Parle contributors: Cantala, Célène, Clément, Framboise. Gentiane, Nashesha and Valérie