French Literacy??? What does that mean?

I am brutally aware now that I am raising a four years old in a different culture than the one I was raised in, that my son, even though confortable with his heritage, is "frenchly" illiterate. What does that mean? It means that as a parent it is hard for me to teach him all he needs to know in order to call himself French. My husband and I have been trying with great difficulty to teach him the language and the traditions, but the pop culture and other idioms he would pick up every day in France are totally foreign to him.

I believe that my family is not the only one out there with a similar situation... We are able to communicate a language, a part of a culture and its tradition, but without a united community, we cannot teach him the feelings and implications of being French. Above a language and traditions, we are a people...

I would truly appreciate any tips or ideas on how to create a larger and more united french community in this area. Unlike many foreign communities relocated in the United States, we are not a linked community. Let's create that bound for our children's sake. Let's share with them as a whole what our culture and heritage means, and let's support them in their integration as franco-american children.

I have been thinking on the many things I could be doing locally in order to encourage French Literacy in its broadest sense: teaching the French culture and language to all interested, and linking all of us as a community.

Currently, here are some ideas I am tossing around:

1) Create "French" groups in my local community

2) Volunteer in teaching French -- I am thinking about starting a Free French Learning group open to all ages once a week at my local library, welcoming fluent speakers to share the language, and eager learners to share their enthousiasm in learning...

3) Create "French Nights" at a friends house, local school and library to show a movie in French and offer an open discussion after the movie on the topic of your choice

4) Form a "play group" for French Speaking children to play together and share the language awareness

Any other ideas?

French books, DVDs and CDs for Free?

I was made aware that the King County Library System (Seattle, WA Area) is updating their list of French books (in French) for all ages. The main concern as it stands is the lack of demands for materials in French, resulting in low material circulation... Let's be realistic: No demands -- No budget! So please go and check out materials in your local libraries. I just sent a list of 200 children's titles to be added (I hope) soon to their collection, list to include Petit Ours Brun, Fantomette, and other materials, but before expecting them to purchase so many titles we need to be more active in expressing our want of a bigger and wider selection in titles. This goes for all other Library systems. We all know how difficult it is to fing a good selection of titles in french books, magazines, CDS and DVDs... Let's give each other a boost and ask our local libraries for more material in french in order to grow their foreign language purchasing budget. Isnt this a better way to go?
With time, we might be able to extend such collection to Bandes Dessinées and a quide large selection of titles.
If you have suggestions or requests on books, CDs, DVD (etc...) email me or go to your local library with your requests.

Also, some of you must be aware of it already, but Air France is to add a direct flight Seattle-Paris starting mid-June 07... The prices seem to be reasonable and it would save a lot of traveling time. More to come on this!

Bonjour et Bienvenue!

Hello and Welcome everyone!

My family just moved about 6 months ago to the Seattle Area and we are trying to link up with some of the French, French-Speaking, or French-Friendly population in this area! :)

My name is Christel and I was raised in Toulon in the South of France. I have been leaving in the USA for 6 years now and I would really like to be in touch with people out there willing to start a french group, a french literacy group, etc... It has been a long six years feeling slightly isolated... I am sure I am not the only one out there feeling like we should link up! I am looking forward to start new friendships for myself and my family and share experiences !

The goal of this blog: Above all, encourage French Literacy and create a local community, even if for now, only a virtual one! Let help each other share our culture, language and tradition... Let's share frustrations and discovery, recipes and tips on adapting here, advise on raising our children in the French and American cultures, let's share new movies and music, discuss hot issues and concerns, seek advise, etc... Let's find a little bit of home away from home!

Don't be shy and get in touch...