French in Local Culture
French Films, Conversations Groups, Schools and More
Below you'll find information on French conversation groups, films, immersion schools, nursery programs and DELF/DALF testing.French Films Showing 'Round Town
At SW 10th and Stark, Living Room® Theaters is a visionary concept created by longtime filmmakers that set out to reinvent the way films are viewed and distributed. They frequently have French films: for the current listings go to Living Room Theaters. Cinema 21, Hollywood Theater, Regal Fox Tower, and the NW Film Center also show French films; receive email 'heads up' about current French films by joining the Alliance's free bulletin (form is on our home page). The Alliance also has a large lending library of French classics and current films on DVD, for loan to members.
French Conversation Groups in Portland
Alliance Française de Portland - Monthly Groupes de Conversation à la boulangerie St. Honoré, at Fenouil Restaurant (in the bar) and at Lapellah Restaurant
and floating occasionally to other venues
Alliance Française conversation groups meet monthly and are hosted by native-speaking Alliance teachers or staff members. Participation is free.
503.223.8388
NORTHWEST PORTLAND
Alliance Group at St. Honoré Boulangerie at 2335 NW Thurman Street (see details above)
Groupe francophone
Meets Saturdays from 10:30 to 12 at Sweet Masterpiece Chocolate and Coffee Bar in the Pearl, at 922 NW Davis.
Contact: David Gardner
SOUTHEAST PORTLAND
Chez Machin Group
Meets the 2nd Monday of each month
7:00-8:30pm
Chez Machin
3553 SE Hawthorne Boulevard
Contact: Jennifer Coyne (jennifer.r.coyne@lycos.com)
SOUTHWEST PORTLAND
Samedi au Village
Grand Central Bakery - Multnomah Village
3425 SW Multnomah Boulevard
Portland, OR 97219
Meets on Saturdays
15h30-17h (3:30-5:00pm)
Contact Stephane Cohen stephanecoh@yahoo.com
NORTH and NE PORTLAND
Costello's Travel Caffe
Fourth Tuesday of the month
2222 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
19h (7pm)
503.287.0270
www.costellostravelcaffe.com
North Portland Language Exchange
Each Tuesday, 7:00 to 8:00pm
512 N. Killingsorth St.
Portland, OR 97217
503.988.5394
www.multcolib.org and search on French under Events.
Vancouver, Washington
See the Alliance groups listed above for the Vancouver group.
Le Cercle Français de Portland
The Cercle has its own page on this website: click here.
OTHER CONVERSATION GROUPS
For info on additional conversation groups also check Xavier Sudre's site.
Le Samedi Français (pour les enfants) -- Animé par La Crèche Nursery (fee-based)
Mon parent et moi - pour les 12-semaines à 36-mois de 8h30 à 10h: chants, jeux de mains, petites comptines... avec les parents.
Les grands - pour les 3-8 ans de 11h à 12h30: Gouter traditionel, accueil en chansons suivi d'une comptine, activité organisée (bricolage, peinture, cuisine...) autour d'un thème (les saisons, les différentes fêtes). Contact Anna-Gaelle Hendrix for further info.
website
French Elementary Immersion and International Middle Schools in Portland
The French American International School
French American School (PS through Grade 5) and Gilkey International Middle School
8500 NW Johnson St.
503-292-7776
website
Portland French School
6318 SW Corbett Ave. -- children from PS to Grade 6.
Portland, OR 97239
503-452-4160
website
La Crèche Nursery in SE Portland
A state-certified French American Family Child Care Home at Mt Tabor Park, for children 10 months and up. Call 503.234.0861 or contact Anna-Gaëlle for information on openings.
websiteMonsieur Moustache for Ages 3-5
Two Alliance teachers run an independent program for pre-schoolers where children (accompanied by their caregiver) learn French through songs, games and make-believe. For further information email Jane and Carine or call 503.708.6629.
websiteDELF-DALF in Portland
French Proficiency Exams: DELF and DALF
DELF stands for Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française and DALF stands for Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française. These are the official French proficiency exams offered by the CIEP education agency of the French Ministry of Education. Testing is offered on a limited basis by approved testing centers and certified examiners (two of our Alliance de Portland teachers are certified). Testing in the Portland area is coordinated by Emmanuelle Burk, head of the GIMS Middle School at the French American International School, with the cooperation of the Alliance and PSU. Participation is open to the public; register in advance; fees range from $50 to $100 (for the higher levels). The 2010 test dates in Portland are June 10-18. Specifically: June 16 for levels A1 and A2, June 17 for levels B1 and B2, June 18 for levels C1 and C2, June 10 for levels A1 and A2 juniors, and June 11 for levels B1 and B2 juniors. Email eburk@faispdx.org or 503.292.9111, x602 for additional info, or visit the official French site.
Pétanque in Portland
Portland Pétanque Club - Play Pétanque in Portland
website
The Portland Bouligans - Portland's #1 Pétanque Club (Jamison Square Park)
website
Located in the heart of the Pearl: Jamison Square, Portland, OR 97209
Wednesdays at 4pm, Saturdays at 10am
Email for more info: Shaughn McClurg
Other French Resources
French American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest
Jack Cowan, Executive DirectorTel 206 443 4703
Cell 206 618-2544
Fax 206 448 4218
www.faccpnw.org
French Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur
Marc MichelleNormandie Import Corp
7911 NE 33rd Drive, Suite 310
Portland, OR 97211
Cell 503-358-0830
Fax 503-497-5457
www.normandie-import.com
TV5 - 24/7 French Television
Available in Portland via:
Verizon FIOS, Comcast cable and
Dish Network
website