This informal conversation group is intended for native French speakers from France and the Francophone world. It provides the opportunity to practice spoken English (at whatever level), and share knowledge, experiences and attitudes on a variety of subjects.

Each get-together is held at the group leader’s home in northwest Washington DC and includes discussion of a topic chosen by the group in advance (except for the introductory meeting).

Goals :

• to discuss a topic (light-hearted or serious) selected by the group
• to share useful cultural information
• to allow each person to speak
• to learn idiomatic expressions in American English
• to practice speaking English in a home setting

Schedule :

• First Thursday of each month (we will meet November 30 and the following week, December 7, and then resume monthly in January)
• 2.00 - 3.30 pm

There is space for 10-12 people to attend. Ideally, members will attend regularly to develop momentum in refining spoken English.

Note : a different version of this group was previously led by Sarah Livingston ; former members are welcome.

About Vera : Vera Mark has spent years studying, conducting research and living in France, especially in the southwest.
The early part of her career saw her studying Romance linguistics and French as a Second Language (FLE).
She completed the CREDIF degree at the University of Bordeaux.
After earning her doctorate in linguistic anthropology at UT-Austin, she returned to French Studies when hired by Penn State University, where she helped to create a curriculum at undergraduate and graduate levels for students interested in interdisciplinary studies, including, but transcending the classical literary text.
She moved to DC in late 2021 to be closer to her son and his family and to benefit from the wonderful cultural resources of the city.

• Resources :
  https://elizabethbachman.com/i-cant-understand-you-with-rebecca-linquist/
  Rebecca Linquist videos :
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYw5y3-ttC8 (All About the Breath)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8WOsGgNG3o (Work the Tongue like a Spear)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_oolLcZV9E (Speak Clearly & Confidently)

https://preply.com/en/blog/speak-american-english/
To speak a foreign language with a specific accent, such as American English, you need to immerse yourself in it as much as possible. Listen to as much American media as possible and practice what you hear. Many of the world’s biggest TV shows and films feature American accents, so finding opportunities will be easy.