What is French Table?
In the lobby of James Hall, every Monday and Thursday starting at 6:15 PM, the Centenary French department hosts French Table. Hosted by Dr. Augustin-Billy (Dr. AB) and Dr. Doherty, students, whether they have any knowledge of French or not, can stop by and talk and do activities regarding and spoken in the French language.
Its origins go back 10 years to when Dr. AB joined the faculty. When she was in graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis, the French department there hosted a French Table for students to come to at lunch. When she arrived at Centenary and realized that the department and its students made up a much smaller population, she wanted to implement it so all of the students could connect with each other regardless of speaking level. The LQF, or Le Quartier Français, is the French living-learning community on campus, also founded by Dr. AB, whose goal connects to the goal of French Table: to connect the divide between the classroom and residential life; “I wanted to have sort of an ebb and flow between this building and Jackson.”
Another goal of French Table is, for the students who take an interest in learning French, to be able to embrace the challenges of learning a new language as adults but also to be able to find community support while learning it. Dr. Doherty hopes that students will be able to get a “sense of ownership of the language" and that “it is not just something you do abstractly in a classroom.” French Table’s fun activities are meant to show students that learning a new language and learning to express yourself in that language lets you have fun conversations and moments with friends; it is a new way to connect with people.
Sophomore Brianna Hightower works as the coordinator of French Table. When she came into the position, it had previously just been conversation, but she worked to incorporate more activities like games like Simon Says, coloring sheets, and musical activities. She also hosted a crepe night for French Table as a way to encourage more people outside of the French community on campus to become interested.
Freshman Victor Woolbert commented that compared to a more stressful environment like the classroom, French Table is much more relaxed. Playing games, chatting, and listening to French music also lend themselves to a different type of learning. “Learning words to write an essay is a lot different than learning how to hold a conversation." Woolbert also recently declared a French minor and pointed to French Table as one of the reasons why.
Freshman Nate Freneey has attended almost every French Table but is in a unique position, as he does not speak any French and is not enrolled in any French courses. He stated that he first attended because he loves to learn and then has continued to return as his interest in French has grown; now he is thinking about living in the LQF. Freneey said that despite the lack of French knowledge, he was not scared off because of how welcome the students and professors are.
Although learning a new language can be intimidating and going to French Table might seem like jumping into the deep end, Dr. AB remarked that "the more you come, the less lost [in French] you will be.” Students of all levels are welcome to stop by and join.