Introducing Vas-Y-Voir, a French Educational Series

Bonjour Tout Le Monde,


We would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to Vas-Y-Voir, a new French language development and growth series offered by The Kalamazoo French Language Meetup Group. The series is presented by Mr. Adamou Fode Made. Mr. Fode Made has studied French in his home country of Niger since the age of three. Currently, Mr. Fode Made is pursing his Doctorate of Philosophy degree and teaches mathematics at Western Michigan University. During the Vas-Y-Voir series, Mr. Fode Made will touch on aspects from every corner of the French world. This is a series that you don’t want to miss.

The series will focus on both French cultural education and French language development for the individual participant. Each session will begin with a short reading session. The reading session will focus on individual weaknesses in pronunciation and the illustration of new and interesting vocabulary. Material for the reading session will be provided to participants prior to the actual session, allowing participants the opportunity to review the material so that they are best prepared to glean the most from this portion of the session.

As we review the reading material, Mr. Fode Made will pay special attention to grammar, providing worksheets and information on verb conjugations employed in the material. Short grammatical sessions will be presented where focus is placed on the type of verb tense used (Present vs. Plus que Parfait OR Passé Composé vs. Imparfait). In addition, in order that all participants gain improvement in writing and benefit from the grammatical session, short homework assignments will be provided prior to the weekly meeting, thereby offering a chance for participants to practice the verb tense of focus for the week. The homework assignments will be corrected and returned.

IMr. Fode Made’s belief is that real linguistic progress is made as both the “French ear” and oral comprehension increase. To achieve real progress, Mr. Fode Made will employ a special listening skill session where participants will listen carefully to specially formulated oration and will then transcribe, interpret or illustrate the discourse.

And, to make the series complete, each session will be rounded out by putting away pens and paper and a free style conversation will be initiated through Contes (personal short stories) where each participant will take a few minutes to talk about a particular personal aspect, the environment, a current political issue or whatever is most interesting at the time. And, while it is free-style conversation, Mr. Fode Made will be readily on hand to correct and assist with proper tense, pronunciation and vocabulary, making sure that each participant
improves their formal French level.

By this point, I’m sure you’re wondering how you can get involved. Well, here are a few of the nuts and bolts of the series.

The Vas-Y-Voir series will run every Thursday from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm (*with the exception of the 3rd Thursday of the month), providing, at minimum, four and one-half hours of group instruction each month.

The cost for the Vas-Y-Voir series is $8.00 per session. Participants are not required to attend every session, but are encouraged to do so. If you consider that the cost for a private lesson at approximately $20+ an hour, then certainly
you can see the value (4.5 hours at $24).

To participate in any session, simply visit The Kalamazoo French Language Meetup Group website and RSVP “yes” to the Vas-Y-Voir session of your choice. Pre-payment is required in order to RSVP and requires a credit card (payments are made via Amazon.com). If the pre-payment system is inconvenient, other arrangements can be made – simply contact one of the group
organizers.

The first sessions begins this Thursday, February 26, 2009! Be sure to RSVP and join us.

Hoping to see you there,
Avi T.



*The third Thursday of every month is the regular non-cost meetup of The Kalamazoo French Language Meetup Group.