Hi guys, 

The idea of the French/English Language Exchange is for French and English speakers to help each other in learning and practicing the language of the other.

VAPIANO is the place where we meet each Saturday at 16h20 in order to start at 16H30. Our mettings last up to 19H00, although some people leave around 18.30, but some others stay even longer.

Address : VAPIANO, place Saint Gervais, 3. Geneve
http://chfr.vapiano.com/fr/restaurants/details/restaurant-details/-a50e3d4500/

Please, as a courtesy, have a drink or something at the self/brasserie... as it is not easy to be accepted as a group for a whole afternoon. Thank you. 

Our activity is related to a group :
Group: http://www.glocals.com/groups/geneva-french-english-language-exchange-group.htm
Thank you for joining in the group because we pass some information related to our activity. Thank you also for enrolling when you come, it helps us to better welcome you, and to book the Vapiano 's mezzanine.


ORGANISATION
THE TRANSITIONAL TABLES
> There are the big tables (1 or 2 of them) where participants meet each other, and start to speak English and French. 
> Then, according to your level and style of learning, just start to create your own group of 3 or 4 people that matches about your level/style
> Then move to a smaller table with your labels of level/style,
> If you keep cool and you like the open ambiance of the transitional table, you can stay here. There is no problem. ;-)

See here a plan of tables according to the two styles of learning :
https://docs.google.com/document/d/13XMjyBqJwOCIMeveB0-DgXDXzJMetgzJPZfIWgghfgM/edit?usp=sharing

HOW TO CREATE YOUR GROUP ?
> You check with your partners if your respective level and style of learning is broadly speaking equivalent.
> You invite each other according to your style of learning (INFORMAL, STRUCTURED,)
> It works better if you are of about the same level in language, i.e. beginners of French/English go together, ans so for levels B and C.
> When possible, let’s have at least one English, and one French mother tongue in each group.
> Small groups of 3 people work better, 4 is okay.

LEVEL AND STYLES OF GROUP, DEFINITION
1) Since a group is generally more than two people,. There are 3 levels, and 2 styles of learning, which makes 6 types of group :

A = beginner. B = intermediate. C = advanced.
STYLE : INFORMAL or STRUCTURED

The 6 types of groups : 

Level A INFORMAL OPEN 
Level A STRUCTURED CONVERSATION / EXERCISES 

Level B INFORMAL OPEN 
Level B STRUCTURED CONVERSATION / EXERCISES

Level C INFORMAL OPEN
Level C STRUCTURED CONVERSATION / EXERCISES

INFORMAL : it means you are willing to practice your language target as it comes with the bunch of people you are with. It is cool, friendly, socializing.

STRUCTURED CONVERSATION / EXERCISES : You are willing to pay attention and correct nearly each expression of your conversation. You may want to share a specific time focusing on some skills (like pronunciation, reading...) you like to focus on improving something. You can also bring some materials (an exercise, an article, a book, a question, …). Of course, you just switch to an informal and open conversation when you feel like it. 
- You can also start with a STRUCTURED STYLE, and then move to an
INFORMAL group when tired of focusing :-)

Thank you for sending me a message or to write down below in « Talk/comments » if you want to be part of a STRUCTURED CONVERSATION group. I will try to find for you participants that share the same style or goal than you do. As for me, if possible, I always choose to share in a kind of STRUCTURED group, and I strongly invite you try a STRUCTURED group once. :-)

REGARDING GROUP COMPOSITION
> If possible, let’s have at least one English and one French mother tongue in each group.
Allophone people (other languages mother tongue), you just choose a group with one French and one English in it. Remember to share time speaking both languages FRENCH and ENGLISH

NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN EACH GROUP
I suggest 3 people (maximum 4) if you want to exchange in a STRUCTURED GROUP
In an OPEN and INFORMAL group, it goes from 4 to 6 people (as a rule keep mobile, move to another group, or recreate a small group if yours has gone far more too informal :-)
_________________________
MIND THESE TIPS :

1) Switch English to French every hour (or make another agreement)
2) Be fair in sharing your time of speaking and listening. 
3) Tell your partner what you need, ask him/her to help you, and reversely, ask him/her how you can help him/her 
4) Alternate a demanding practice with some cool/fun conversation.
5) Last but not least, I insist : find the best way to correct each other, do not worsen your bad habits while you practice, do not get used to bad habits of language. Just do everything that is possible to move forward... For instance, write down mistakes you notice while your partner is talking, and tell them to him/her afterwards. Ask for being corrected. 
_________________
IF YOU COME LATE

Do try to come on time and if ever you come late, here are some suggestions :
- Join the OPEN TRANSITIONAL TABLE
- Wait a bit for a late comer to arrive, and start a new group. 
- Or follow the label INFORMAL and A, B or C on the tables that matches the level of your language target.
- Join friends you already know, and ask them if you can join in, 
- If you are a French or English mother tongue, try to initiate a new group, even a pair with another French or English guy... 
- You can join a STRUCTURED group when they are only 2 people in their group.
- Usually, leave groups of 3/4 people in STRUCTURED STYLE on their own so they can practice as they have planned to do so :-)

___________________
ABOUT YOUR LEVEL OF LANGUAGE

you can check it here :
http://apps.klubschule.ch/etest/sprachtest.aspx?language=fr

Perhaps better, for the anglophones, is the site of DELF/DALF:

http://www.delfdalf.ch/index.php?id=320


PLEASE, SIGN UP IF YOU PLAN TO COME :-)

We are Rolling Stones :-) let's move on.