French Conversation Groups in Minneapolis/St. Paul

There's no better to learn any language than through conversation. This goes for French, especially. The pronunciation and intonation of the French language can be tricky, and simply reading it off the page will never get you very far. You can pore over the books and spend hours in class, but until you get out and really interact in the language, you won't have it mastered. Whether you are looking to become fluent in the language of love, or simply preparing for a business trip to Quebec, consider attending a French conversation group.

What are the perks of a conversation group? A conversation group is a low-pressure environment in which to get "real-life" practice in a language. If you live in the Twin Cities area, chances are that you struggle to find places where you can get genuine French-speaking practice. After all, French isn't really the lingua franca around here! But conversation groups can be the niche where you find the much-needed conversation practice you've been craving. Here are a few great French conversation groups in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Investigate...and then dive in...Bon voyage!

Barnes & Noble French Conversation Groups

What better place than the relaxed, warm environment of a bookstore to get together with other French language-speakers and converse about all sorts of topics? Barnes & Noble Bookstores around the Twin Cities offer French conversation groups. These are unstructured, enjoyable evenings of conversation. You never know who will show up! There will often be a group of native French-speakers, serious students and brand-new beginners. Since it is not a formal classroom session, you are free to talk about whatever topics you desire! You can come and go as you please. Feel free to bring your questions with you as there is likely to be a French language expert on hand who can help you work through problems. The following Barnes & Noble locations offer French conversation groups:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Galleria Mall, Edina
Tuesdays @ 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Har Mar Mall, Roseville
Thursdays @ 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Coffee and French Conversation @ Caribou Coffee

Like a bookstore, a coffee shop is a great place to kick back and visit. The conversation group at Caribou Coffee is focused more on intermediate and advanced learners, so this a great place to try if you are looking to hone your French skills. Beginners might find this environment a bit too challenging, but if you're a quick learner, it might be rather stimulating!

Caribou Coffee at the corner of Larpenteur & Lexington
Wednesdays @ 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Downtown French Conversation on the Weekend

If you're busy during the week and Saturdays work best for you, this might be your choice of French conversation group. This relaxing little coffee house in the heart of downtown Minneapolis is a great location for city-dwellers to get together and chat in French:

Espresso Royale
Hennepin and 13th, Downtown Minneapolis
Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m.

French Conversation in St. Paul's "Lowertown"

Another great location for French conversation on the weekend can be found at the Black Dog Café in St. Paul's Lowertown. All levels of ability are welcome here. This is a great location that attracts a lot of language-dabblers and artists. You never know what great topics you might be able to get talking about…in French, no less! Pick up lunch or coffee and settle in for French conversation practice.

Black Dog Café
308 Prince St., St. Paul
Sundays @ 11:00 a.m.

Borders Book Café French Conversation Group

Like the idea of relaxing conversation on a weeknight in a bookstore? Especially if you're in the western suburbs, the Borders Bookstore in Woodbury is a great place to stop in and chat for a while in French. All levels of ability welcome.

Borders Book Café
8472 Tamarack Bay, Woodbury
Tuesdays @ 7:00 p.m.

Other Opportunities for French Conversation

If you're looking for something more intense and structured than the conversation groups that meet spontaneously at coffee shops and bookstores, there are also opportunities through the University of Minnesota and other local schools. You can also find a myriad of resources through the Alliance Française of Minneapolis/St Paul. Visit their website, www.afmsp.org, to get launched into a world of new ideas and opportunities for learning French while staying local!