Parler Parlor
French-English Conversation Group

Happy group making a toast at a Parler Parlor French and English conversation group
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French Conversation Group

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Foundational French Classes

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Co-founded in Paris in March 1998 by Adrian Leeds and Marie-Elisabeth Crochard Fitère.

Enjoy a Renaissance of Parler Parlor in Nice with Katie Friedland.

Parler Parlor is the easiest and fastest way of learning la langue Française

It makes a big difference if you can speak French, at least a little. More and more French people speak reasonably good English, but you can never really be a part of France without a certain level of the language. You can enroll in a language school, or take private lessons or even immersion courses to get up to speed, but until you actually let it roll off your tongue, all of that time and energy you spent will ultimately be wasted when it comes to speaking and understanding in everyday life.

Don't assume that three months in a good crash course in French will turn you into a fluent speaker. Unless you are 9 years old with a brain like a sponge, it will take years to learn this language well. And besides, who wants to spend all their time in France in a classroom suffering over the subjonctif? 

My advice is to relax, take courses or lessons at an easy pace, and let osmosis at Parler Parlor do the rest, while you enjoy every minute of your new life in France.

The Parler Parlor French-English Conversation Group was started by Adrian Leeds and Marie-Elisabeth Crochart Fitère in March of 1998 when Adrian was a newcomer to France and Marie-Elisabeth was the director of Berlitz on the Champs-Elysées. Adrian was looking for a venue for the group and Marie-Elisabeth was thrilled that she could provide it, as well as offer it to her students as a way of practicing what they were learning in class. The group  was incredibly successful and met for over 20 years several times a week, and in different locations around Paris  in language schools and cafés.

The system is simple, proven, and effective, yet it’s hard to find elsewhere–and we don’t know why, because it’s the one system of practicing that REALLY WORKS. On top of that, it’s fun and a fabulous way of making friends, both Anglophones and Francophones alike.

Here’s how it works:

Groups of approximately six people are formed by a coordinator balancing Anglophones with Francophones—as well as we can depending on who arrives that session.

Once the groups are formed, each group is on their own to decide to start in either French or English. For 45 minutes, they speak in one language, then switch to the other for the last 45 minutes.

Any topics can be discussed. Believe me, anything goes and does! It doesn’t matter what language you begin with and what you talk about. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t speak at all and only want to listen, because maybe that’s all you can do!

No teacher is correcting you, but everyone in the group is there for the same reason, so they help each other. If you were to be constantly corrected for faults, you’d never get French (or English) out of your mouth!

Meanwhile, you’re hearing the language spoken correctly by the native speakers and that makes it much easier to learn and absorb. And because everyone is there for the same reason, there’s no reason to feel embarrassed or intimidated, so it really helps you let loose with your tongue!

Here's how to get involved:

Your first session is FREE! You can’t resist that, can you? You have no excuse for not trying it at least once!

After that, you subscribe by purchasing 10 sessions at a discount. Your membership card will get checked off each time you come.

To reserve your spots or for questions, email Katie at [email protected].

Location: Right in the heart of Nice

Le Bistrot Poète

34 rue Tonduti de l'Éscarène, 06000 Nice

One block from the Durandy tram stop

When: Sessions are twice weekly*

Starting Thursday, September 12, 2024

  • Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  • Thursdays from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

*Special Note: On the Après-Midi (Nice) weeks (the 4th Thursday of every other month), we will meet on Tuesday afternoon that week rather than Thursday.

 Membership details:

A 10-session card: 100€ (Cash only, please. We cannot accept checks or credit cards.)

It’s easy to join the conversation group. The first time you come is FREE and you are welcome to come as often as you like!

Here are a few guidelines to a successful group:

  1. Please be on time. Arrive 5 minutes ahead! It is disruptive to the groups in session to be added or rearranged to accommodate you.
  2. The group should consist of 5 to 7 participants, as well-balanced  Anglophone/Francophone as possible.
  3. When you speak, try to speak slowly and clearly to be easily understood.
  4. Only one person should speak at a time. Please avoid speaking to someone in the group while someone else already “has the floor.”
  5. Invite everyone to participate and do not monopolize the conversation, especially in your native language. Everyone should have the chance to speak and practice speaking as much as they want in their second language.
  6. Start in any language you wish by consensus of the group. Change from one language to the other at half-time (45 minutes) or when it seems appropriate. Sometimes when a group is unbalanced by Anglophones vs. Francophones, you may want to compensate by spending more time in the language most group members want to practice speaking.
  7. Don’t be scared or intimidated by your level of French or English. You have to start SOMEWHERE and remember, everyone is there for the same reason. You’re not alone!

Special Note: Anyone attending Parler Parlor must order at least one drink to support our host café as they are offering this space for us for free. Your presence indicates your willingness to participate.

QUESTIONS OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email Katie at [email protected].

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Parler Parlor + Parler Power

Katie in a red beretTo meet the needs of the many Anglophone Expats in our Nice community who are eager to learn everyday French in an engaging manner, we are expanding the offering of Parler Parlor to include a new program called Parler Power, led by our own ALG search consultant Katie Friedland! Katie is a naturalized American-French citizen and a certified French teacher from the State of Massachusetts.

We will continue to meet in-person for Parler Parlor on Tuesday mornings from 10:00 to 11:30, but Katie will lead the thematic Parler Power sessions, based on common everyday subjects. Themes will include: transport, purchasing, making plans, customer service calls, shopping, medical visits, furniture/home decoration and more. The pedagogy will be guided by Comprehensible Input or CI, language input that learners can comprehend even when they don't understand all the words and structures in text or speech.

In addition to the in-person Tuesday session, Katie will lead Parler Power in a Google Meet on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings from 9:30-10:15 to review and practice, using “realia” or real-life material, pulled from French websites. She will always also include number and spelling review in these sessions.

The original structure of Parler Parlor, with both native French and English speakers, participating in the classic language exchange, will continue on Thursday afternoons, from 2:30 to 4:00.

The Parler Parlor Cards will remain valid for all sessions, both Parler Parlor and Parler Power. (More info in the Parler Parlor section above.)

Location of Parler Power:

Tuesdays and Thursdays at Le Bistrot Poète

34 rue Tonduti de l'Éscarène, 06000 Nice

One block from the Durandy tram stop

Here's how to get involved with Parler Power:

To be added to the RSVP mailing list for Parler Parlor or if you have any questions please email Katie at [email protected].