Informal French conversation in a relaxed, convivial atmosphere...

Do you live in, or near, Washington D.C.?

Do you long to go, or return, to Paris, but just can’t get away right now?

Are you planning a trip to French-speaking Africa, or Polynesia?

Are you simply an unabashed Francophile who loves any chance to speak that beautiful language?

Whether you are nearly fluent, or are just starting out in your study of the French language, Parler D.C. (Parler d'ici) is an opportunity to meet with other Francophiles (or anyone who wants to speak French) to talk about life, art, politics, books, film, the weather—or whatever strikes our collective fancy—while brushing up on your French language speaking and comprehension skills.

There is no required level of language proficiency. Participants, who are encouraged to bring along pocket dictionaries and phrase books, will learn by listening to and practicing with others, immersing themselves in the joy of conversation.

Facilitator Janet Hulstrand, who speaks French fluently, guides the discussions, provides vocabulary as needed, and corrects only the most egregious errors as the conversation rolls along. Occasionally native French speakers are invited to join the group as guests, to lend their grammatical expertise and cultural perspective to our discussions.

Native French speakers who would like to practice English are also invited to join Parler D.C. as participants. (To accommodate francophones, part of the group conversation will be conducted in English, and/or mini-groups will be arranged to accommodate everyone’s linguistic agendas.)

Parler D.C. meets at La Madeleine bakery/café in Bethesda (7607 Old Georgetown Road, one block from the Bethesda metro stop) most Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m.

Attendance at the first session is free. Subsequent sessions can be paid for on a single-session drop-in basis for $15/session; “Parler Beaucoup” season passes can also be purchased ($100 for 10 sessions, good for three months). Reduced rates are available for students and/or two or more members of the same family.

Questions? Want to RSVP? Contact Janet Hulstrand at janet.hulstrand@gmail.com, or 202 744 7338. 

PLEASE NOTE: Parler DC is in summer recess...reservations can be made now for the fall session, beginning in September...