An exchange of French language: This French Life

Language Scene
IF there is one thing that will improve your language skills it is speaking to French people to help you absorb new vocabulary and learn how phrases are really spoken.

But that can be quite a challenge if you live outside France and only have text books to work through, or radio programmes to decipher, instead you are left wondering just how much progress you are making.

And it is that sharing of language between both Brits and French people that binds together easy-going exchanges run in London by Grace Kennedy.

"I really believe that the only way to learn a language is through conversation," Grace said. "In the past I had been involved in one-to-one exchanges which to be honest can be quite painful if you don't click.

"But it is also difficult to meet local people if your language is only at an intermediate level, you can't just go walking into a bar and start talking, so it was out of this that the idea of the Language Scene came about."

Grace Kennedy After working in the head office of McDonald's, and studying French and Spanish at Southampton University, Grace began to look for a way to bring together her love for languages and a desire to run her own business.

"McDonald's was fine, and I was running the exchanges in my spare time but felt I needed to give it my full-time attention, so I started researching options online for meet-ups and found a few but there was no real structure," said Grace.

"So I try and ensure that the group is evenly split between British people and those from France, with many of the Brits coming from a professional background who have thoughts of living abroad, whilst I also work with language schools to ensure there is a good range of people."

The regular meetings cost £10 to attend and take place in a quiet area of a bar in London with two English and two French speakers sat around a table for about 45 minutes, there are daily newspapers and handouts covering different topics of discussion for those 'awkward' moments, but the aim is to talk in just the one language.

And then once the first part is over, and after a short break, people are mixed up again and then the other language is spoken, which funnily creates a sense of camaraderie.

"People really help each other out as they know that in an hour it is their turn to speak in the other language, so they have to be nice to each other," said Grace. "This creates an easy, relaxed atmosphere and often people will meet up outside the meet-ups to keep practising."

And what language tips does Grace pass on to those who come along to the exchanges?

"Try and listen to as much conversation as possible, don't just read text books, so head to the BBC's French language pages on their website and use the audio and video they have.

"I also find reading French newspapers is useful and I download loads of podcasts off iTunes that will really improve your French, there are so many different ones and you can listen to them wherever you are."

Website: Language Scene