To create 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 a following in South Sound; yet it could not maintain a monthly calendar and continue due to time constraints for the organizer
To 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 are not consistently available and language training is not the main thread of their curricula
To partner 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 participating interns
To create a francophone presence in downtown Olympia
Holding weekly sessions at downtown bookstores provides a central location, with ease of access to bus transit, where OLY Parle can make connections with the community and other language-oriented groups (book reading clubs, book signing events, poetry readings, art openings, etc…)
To test and discover which educational models work
Rather than social gatherings in a restaurant or bar with loud ambient sounds that act as a barrier to communication, or formal classes at academic institutions that require an admissions process, OLY Parle’s program model offers the guidance of formal lessons with the casual atmosphere of a conversation group. OLY Parle can use this balance of structure and flexibility to explore learning techniques that work for busy adult learners at any proficiency level.
Objectives among Participants
Members of OLY Parle have various language objectives:
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
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”