If you are new to Frenchparents (now .net, ex .org since someone stole our web address), you may not be sure what the web site and network is about. Is it for French speakers only, who want to exchange advice, or is it for all those with an interest in the French culture for themselves and their kids? Well, itŐs a bit of both actually.

It was designed by people with an interest and background in both the French and the US culture who felt the need to exhange advice with like-minded people and who wished to consciously choose what they believed was best in each of these cultures- because they were lucky enought to be able to! You as an American may decide you want a different mix of US and French ingredients than me, as a Canadian and French citizen, but at least Frenchparents will point you in the direction you need to choose to what extent you immerse yourself and your children in the French culture and approach to life.

Questions a lot of our visitors and members have:

Where can I meet other people, especially parents, with an interest in the French culture in San Francisco and elsewhere to practice my French?

There are questions and answers on the Recommendations info space on playgroups in this area. While there may not be one in your area, or the time may not be convenient, itŐs easy to post in the bimonthly newsletter and ask others if they'd like to create a Francophile group.
You can also ask to email all those members in your area and inquire if they know of one or offer to start one when you become a Supporting member.
The Yellow Pages area of the site lists language instruction centers for adults and children where French practice is offered.
Finally, the Links area lists organizations that hold dinners or other events in French in the San Francisco Bay area, as Frenchparents is not yet in the area of organizing major events! With enough volunteers, who knows?

What are events we can attend as parents or simply as adults with a link to the French culture?

Well, we list the ones we know about in the e-newsletter but there ain't many for children that are open to all in any case! We told the Alliances Francaises in SF, the East Bay and Marin and the French consulate about this but they have not been reactive so far. The Berkeley Alliance Francaise has just started having classes for children this fall of 2003, maybe they'll now add fun events for children if some of you ask them?

As for events for adults, those are mentioned but Suzanne Toczyski's e-newsletter has a very comprehensive listing of them. Frenchparents is focused more on family events. Email Suzanne to receive the e-newsletter: toczyski@sonoma.edu.

As mentioned below, if some of you wish to organize events for children where French is spoken with the Frenchparents network, that'd be great!

What are the French bilingual schools in the area like? What's it like having a child in a bilingual school when you don't speak French?

The Editorial Committe has provided a presentation of the two bilingual schools in San Francisco so far but would love some more feedback from members themselves, that's the best source of information!

As for what it's like, it seems ok for all the American parents who have their children in these schools. They always raise this question in their open houses in any case, which we mention in our e-newsletter ( and which are usually on their web sites).

With this as a start, yo can now peruse the Frenchparents web site a bit after having joined for free and decide whether you'd like to become a Supporting member!

Vos commentaires/ Send your comments to Editorial at frenchparents.net