FSL 2 - French as a Second Language

Last Saturday, I began my second round of conversational French at the Glendon Campus of York University.

Although I realize that I may never recover my childhood facility for speaking French, the stimulation of being in a classroom again surrounded by so many young faces is renewing.

The teacher is the only person in the class who even comes close to my age and as Roger ( that's Row-Jay) began the three hour class, I had the nagging suspicion I had met him before.

Of course, the first question he posed was, "Why are you taking this class?"

The answers ranged from, "I want to improve my French so that I can become a flight attendant," to "Speaking French well will help in my interaction with my company's French customers," to "I teach primary school already but my dream is to be able to teach it in French someday."

Much loftier answers than my attempt at trying to ward off Alzheimer's, I thought to myself.

Next came our personal introductions en francais. When my turn arrived and I made the inevitable mention of Brebeuf College, Roger stopped me in mid-sentence.

"I know Brebeuf. There was a French teacher there you might have known."

"Do you mean Jacques Carron?" I offered..

Suddenly I made the connection and by the stunned expression on his face, Roger had made it as well.

"I've met you," he said. "It was in Jacques' backyard. This is truly amazing."

Indeed, we had met five years ago when dear friend Jacques was losing his cancer battle.

"What a small world!" Roger exclaimed. "I think we also met at Jacques' funeral in Chatham."

Now speaking to the entire class, he went on, "Jacques was a wonderful man, a most compassionate person and a very good friend. He had the most beautiful garden in his back yard. I can still see it now."

I often think of Jacques. When he died, he left me some of his philosophy books that I have grown to cherish including a series by twentieth century contemplative Carlo Carretto.  As well, my card playing buddies and I often reminisce about Jacques' uncanny card playing ability and in his honour, we have instituted a trophy for top scorer in our bridge games.

As Roger said, indeed it is a small world.

A la prochaine..