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.

Watch out ! New location since the 29.10.2016 : We come back to the Café des Savoises. rue des Savoises, 11. Geneva.
We have settled an agreement with the manager, he will always save us a room, next to the restaurant (or close by) in order that we can maintain our activity. Please do not forget to get a drink, courtesy has a deep effect on our activity. :-)

About the location, be aware, it is a small street, locate it with Google map :
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zrEEtuCeqq7U.kdH_tD79Yh-4

Public transportation :
www.tpg.ch
Main stop in the area : Cirque

We meet each Saturday at 16h20 in order to start at 16H30. Our meetings last up to 19H00, but some people start to leave around 18H30, and others stay longer, have a snack, start a debate (we are fond of phisophical, anthropological and psychological issues .

RSVP IS MANDATORY
Our activity is free but CHF 1.- is charged for members who do not RSVP and who are not member of our group :
 http://www.glocals.com/groups/geneva-french-english-language-exchange-group.htm

So thank you for joining ou group because we pass some information related to our activity and it is good that you know them. Thank you also for enrolling when you come, it helps us to better welcome you, and to organize our small groups.

ORGANISATION
THE TRANSITIONAL TABLES
> There is a bigger table, the TRANSITION one 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
> Yes, it works better if you are of about the same level in language, and share about the same style of learning : i.e. beginners of French/English go together, and so for levels B and C. Then structured style with structured style.

> Then move to a smaller table of 2 or 3 people, maximum 4 when you are a STRUCTURED group.
> INFORMAL groups, just keep it informal, 3 to 6/7 people is okay. Just keep mobile, and reinitiate a smaller group if it goes too INFORMAL for you.

DEFINITIONS
INFORMAL GROUP: 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 GROUP: 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 can also bring your own material (an exercise, an article, a book, a question, …). You are willing to suggest something, or to help others reaching their goal. Of course, you just switch to an informal and open conversation when you feel like it. 

- You can also start in an INFORMAL group, and initiate a STRUCTURED group, or join one who has less than 3 members. (No more than 4 people in a STRUCTURED group).

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 help you in finding 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

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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. 
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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 :-)

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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

We are Rolling Stones, we move on :-)