The Jonathan Law French Club (Photo by @jlhs.frenchclub)
By Dani Kotansky – News Editor
Jonathan Law French Teacher Dr. Evans is the advisor for the French Club. Advocate News Editor Dani Kotansky interviewed Evans asking what the club is all about.
Dani Kotansky: What are some goals for the French Club this year?
Dr. Evans: To meet more frequently (every other week) and continue to plan fun activities (movies, crafts, food, etc.) for our current members. We are also working on attracting even more new members…remember you don’t have to take French to join us. Everyone is welcome.
DK: What fundraising activities are you planning to do this year?
DE: We’re hoping this will be a big year for fundraising. We will be doing movie nights, online food sales, tee-shirts, and more. Stay tuned.
DK: Why should students join French Club?
DE: The Jonathan Law French Club is relatively new, only about three years old. Interest in French is through the roof, and we wanted to create a space that would allow all students to celebrate Francophone culture, make French-related crafts, sample amazing French foods, listen to French-language music from around the world, and watch French-language films. We are a warm and welcoming group committed to spreading the joy of language learning around our school community.
DK: How do you celebrate French holidays within the club?
DE: Last year, our club celebrated at least one holiday per month. Back in November, the French Club celebrated National French Week by coloring the flags of all the Francophone countries (French is an official language in 27 countries, as well as one of the most geographically widespread languages in the world, with about 50 countries and territories having it as a de facto official, administrative, or cultural language). Before winter break, we had a holiday party where we made mini bûches de noël, ate popcorn, and watched a French movie. Most recently we had a party to celebrate La Chandeleur, which is national crêpe day in France. The round warm yellow crêpe symbolizes the sun and the arrival of spring. Our party combined that holiday with Valentine’s Day, and we enjoyed making Valentines in French, making and eating crêpes, eating chocolate, and watching a short animated French film. In the spring we celebrated Mardi Gras/Carnival by making masks and April Fools Day (where the tradition is to put paper fish on people’s backs and joke around with your friends). This year I hope we can go outside for a picnic with traditional French foods.
In all French classes in March we participate in Manie Musicale, so we listen to a lot of French-language music in the French Club while doing crafts. Check out the giant bracket and the flags on the wall to the right of Dr. Evans’s room (214) and scan the QR codes for the playlist. Manie Musicale is a French song competition inspired by “March Madness” (NCAA basketball tournament) where students listen to and vote on French-language songs in a bracket-style tournament. It’s a fun way to engage students with Francophone music, improve their listening skills, and expose them to different cultures. Last year, the artists came from over 15 different French-speaking countries other than France, such as Belgium, Senegal, Canada, Cameroon, Mali, and Algeria. We can’t wait for the list of this year’s artists to come out in December.
DK: What is your favorite part of French culture?
DE: I think my favorite part of incorporating culture in my curriculum is how surprised students are when they learn that French is the only language other than English that’s spoken on every continent. I like to use the term Francophone culture, as every French-speaking country has its unique foods, traditions, music, art, clothing, and celebrations. My favorite aspect of French (from France) culture has to be the food and the art of cooking. Buying, preparing, and enjoying fresh and local ingredients is an art form in all regions of France, it’s just extraordinary.
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