Conversation Workshops
Photo: Mayenne
Everyone* is very welcome to these informal meetings.
- Normally there are about 15 people sitting round 3 or 4 tables.
- For one hour everybody talks in English and you help the French members; then after a pause for a soft drink and a chat, back for the second hour in French when they help you.
- There is a topic to start the discussions, but conversations often deviate widely from the theme!
- As these are not lessons, you do need to have a basic knowledge of French to feel comfortable, but the setting is so informal that you need not feel shy about opening your mouth!
When & Where
- in Mayenne on Monday evenings and Monday afternoons.
EVENINGS – Meetings are held from 8.00pm to 10.00pm every other week at Lycée Don Bosco
AFTERNOONS – Meetings are held from 2pm to 4pm every other week at Ancienne Mairie
If you are interested, please contact Colette Berron rberron@wanadoo.fr
Mayenne programme (with topics):
2023
| Evenings | Afternoons | ||
| September | 11 [holidays], 25 [global warming] | 18 [holidays] | |
| October | 9 [brexit] | 2 [global warming], 16 [brexit] | |
| November | 6 [favourite town], 20 [parliament/laws] | 13 [favourite town], 27 [parliament/laws] | |
| December | 4 [christmas] | 11 [christmas] |
2024
| Evenings | Afternoons | ||
| January | 8 [board games], 22 [energies] | 15 [board games], 29 [energies] | |
| February | 5 [healthcare], 19 [Olympic games] | 12 [healthcare] | |
| March | 18 [recycling] | 11 [Olympic games], 25 [recycling] | |
| April | 2 [charities], 15 [the car] | 8 [charities] | |
| May | 13 [immigration] | 6 [the car], 27 [immigration] | |
| June | 3 [presentation of celebrity], 17 [holidays/tourism] | 10 [presentation of celebrity], 24 [holidays/tourism] |
Important – COVID-19 Health & Safety Regulations
Very clear health & safety rules were imposed by Don Bosco’s Headteacher, M. Angin.
- Compliance with health & safety instructions set out by Lycee Don Bosco.
- Before and after every meeting, disinfection of tables & chairs by the persons in charge of the workshop with disinfecting wipes supplied by EuroMayenne.
- Social distancing currently advised (1m around each person).
- Wearing a mask currently advised.
- Hand washing with hydro alcoholic gel (supplied by EuroMayenne and held by one of the persons in charge of the workshop) is currently advised on entering the room.
The agreement signed with Lycée Don Bosco authorises the presence of a maximum of 20 persons in their classrooms.
Lycee Don Bosco, 18 Boulevard Anatole France, 53102 Mayenne.
Park in the road/on the pavement nearby. Enter the gate in the middle of the main building, turn left then right after the steps then right into the playground and it is the FIRST classroom on your RIGHT.
If the gate is closed or you are late, please ring Colette Berron on 06 42 87 27 44 or Lynn Chesters on 06.48.56.41.15 who will be able to let you in.
Ancienne Mairie, Place Louis de Hercé, 53102 Mayenne.
- in Laval on Wednesdays.
Laval programme:
2023
| September | 13 | 27 |
| October | 8 | |
| November | 8 | 11 |
| December | 6 | 20 |
2024
| January | 10 | 24 | |
| February | 7 | 21 | |
| March | 13 | 27 | |
| April | 10 | ||
| May | 15 | 29 | |
| June | 12 | 26 |
Important – COVID-19 Health & Safety Regulations
- Compliance with health & safety instructions set for MQ des Fourches by Laval Mairie.
- Social distancing currently advised (1m around each person).
- Wearing a mask currently advised.
- Hand washing with hydro-alcoholic gel (supplied by EuroMayenne and kept by the person in charge of the workshop) currently advised when entering the room.
- After every meeting, disinfection of tables, chairs & toilets with a disinfectant spray (supplied by MQ des Fourches) and a paper towel (supplied by EuroMayenne).
Maison de Quartier des Fourches, 1 Place Pasteur, 53000 Laval.
Parking is usually not a problem; it is in a residential area of apartment blocks.
- in Lassay-les-Châteaux on Fridays
Everyone is very welcome to these informal meetings.
Normally there are about 25 people sitting round 3 or 4 tables.
For one hour everybody talks in English and you help the French members ; then after a pause for a soft drink and a chat, back for the second hour in French when they help you.
We meet every Friday from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm in a room situated Place des Sœurs Bénédictines (close to the car park near the church), in Lassay-les-Chateaux.
PLEASE NOTE: the meeting day can change according to room availability. An email will be sent to give you all details at the beginning of each month. You may check these dates on the EuroMayenne website.
IMPORTANT: As these are not lessons, you do need to have a basic knowledge of French to feel comfortable, but the setting is so informal that you need not feel shy to speak out!
CONTACT: Paul-Henri PROUST – 06 85 89 87 49 – jphprou@wanadoo.fr
Lassay programme
2024
| April | 12, 19, 26* |
| May | 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 |
* Venue: PARC ALBERT CHEVRIER, 2 rue de Couterne, Lassay-les-Chateaux (click here to see location)
To go to that place drive by the Intermarché down towards the city center.
Don’t be afraid to drive through “works ahead” signposts for 10/15 meters, then turn left hand side to the parking.
Concerning people living in Lassay who intend to come walking, just walk upwards rue de Couterne up to the little door in front of the building. You can even park rue Jean Mermoz and carry on walking.
Meetings are not held during the school holidays or on Bank Holidays, so none in July and August.
See the monthly calendar in the Information section for the next session.
Cost
Free, apart from an honesty box (leave anything up to €1) to cover the cost of drinks and biscuits.
What to bring
Paper and pencil if you think you might want to record any nuggets you have picked up, and maybe a dictionary if you all get stuck on a word!
Contacts and for further information:
| In Mayenne | Colette BERRON Lynn CHESTERS | 02.43.02.56.75 02.43.02.57.71 | rberron@wanadoo.fr contact@euromayenne.org |
| In Laval | Armelle JAMELOT | 02.43.53.86.70 | ajamelot@orange.fr |
| In Lassay | Paul-Henri PROUST | 06.85.89.87.49 | jphprou@wanadoo.fr |
* Non-members will be invited to join EuroMayenne if they would like to continue coming after their first free session.
