Several factors led to deciding to create OLY Parle. Those factors include:
A local focus point offering regular, year round practice of the French language
There had been such groups historically, although they were informal. The French Circle team had had a following in South Sound; yet it could not maintain a monthly calendar and continue due to time constraints for the organizer
Offer activities that complement existing resources instead of supplanting them
Both the South Sound Seniors & the City of Olympia Parks and Recreation Department offer periodic French classes; however such class-based programs do not appeal to younger adults and language training is not the main thread of their curricula
Partnering with the Evergreen State College internship department
This very positive link has proven essential not only in offering a small stipend to interns choosing this activity, but also in generating ideas and formulating new ways of scoping the program with input from the participating interns
Creating a presence in downtown Olympia
Holding weekly sessions at downtown bookstores has many pluses: a central location, the ease of access to bus transit and spreading the word about the program among store customers. This approach also works in tandem with grounded resources from other language-oriented groups (book reading clubs, book signing events, poetry readings, art openings etc…)
Test and discover which educational models work
The Tacoma French Club holds “meet up” gatherings each month and usually in a restaurant or bar with loud ambient sounds. Such an approach would not cater to young college interns. The sound setting would preclude recording and act as a barrier to communication among all attendees. Another resource at the South Puget Sound Community College is the beginning French classes (2 levels); in such a case, novice students are just beginning to explore French. OLY Parle refers persons at the real beginner level to such a program.
As those factors show, starting OLY Parle has been a timely move. It offers a middle ground between periodic community resources and the stable academic setting at places like the Evergreen State College. Parameters chosen for OLY Parle are a minimum of weekly sessions, held all year. The group composition varies by time of year and can lead to a different set of activities. There is neither a shared text book, nor common assignments, nor a set calendar for testing aptitude. The opportunity to have different material for each participant is key to varied content, non competitive approach and letting participants exert their initiative on how to present highlights of their weekly endeavors
Objectives among Participants
Members of OLY Parle have various language objectives. Combining their main goals gives the following key aspects:
Expand Vocabulary
Build on previously learned vocabulary
Learn new vocabulary through group conversations
Improve Speech
Practice conversational French
Gain exposure to native speakers
Cultivate listening & comprehension skills
Join Francophone Community
Meet new people
Opportunities to connect with francophones
Find other local individuals with similar interests
Become More International
Make connections for opportunities outside of the US
Expand awareness and skills to participate in global community
Why Join?
OLY Parle members come from a wide range of experiences, and have joined for many reasons.
“I joined Oly Parle to get to know others in the community who spoke French. I wanted to expand my network and meet others in my community, who had common interests and skills”“
“I like the periodic exposure to French language and culture-mainly for enrichment, awareness about other values and perspectives on international events; I prefer that approach to becoming an excellent speaker or grammar whiz groomed for French immersion trips abroad”
“I joined Oly Parle because I was worried I was starting to forget all the French I had learned in high school. Oly Parle provided me an avenue to keep in regular practice with French”
“This program seemed like a new and different approach to learning French. I have always been interested in studying foreign languages, and OLY Parle offers a unique setting for practicing French in a non-traditional way”
Special Projects
Leading to the end of the first year, special assignments are encouraged during periods of slower school activities or part-time students
These can involve more than one participant. Each project has a scope, budget, schedule and deliverables.
| Name | Project | Duration | Purpose | Product |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self Study French Language e-Kits Review |
Alternative e-Language Learning focus on French speech |
4 weeks | Identify, research & compare existing tools-especially how they support listening and speaking |
White paper on scopes of current self language study kits |
| Self Study French Language e-Kits Review |
Compare Self-Study Kits |
< 2 weeks | Compare & Contrast existing French-self learning tools |
Summary of Advantages & Disadvantages |
| Cross Cultural Review of Media content and messages |
Research Media Perspectives – French versus North American and focus on speci c events, venues or topics |
4-6 weeks | Compare current topics/events between US & Francophone countries (print, postings, photos, editorials, cartoons, etc.) |
Present results in matrix format for the entire group. Share with other French programs |
| E-search on current topics, raised by group |
Research Recent Material (Self/Other) |
1 week | Expand insight into a recent topic, which deserves more in depth coverage |
Present findings during group sessions |
| OLY Parle Internet site content preparation |
Website Creation | 2 to 3 months | Create a new website |
Launched Internet Site |
| Technical support | Audio Recording & editing |
Vary | Manage recordings & voice data |
Audio recording |
| Visual material Enhancement |
Assess the current visual tools and look for new ones |
Vary with target market |
Relay bi-lingual message for OLY Parle to near term markets |
New Visual Tools |