Caunes-Minervois: Workshops in English for children

Language workshops resume under the association Connexions culturelle, led by Gérard Boyer. Since 2018, Jane and Steve Hartley have been running English language workshops for children aged 7 to 11 years. They take place on Saturdays from 10:30am to 12pm and are open to everyone subject to membership of the association for €10 per year. Since last year, workshops have alternated between Caunes-Minervois and Villeneuve-Minervois. This year, the same formula is being reproduced: the children will be welcomed for this first term at Gauns Bowling Alley, then from January 2024, the workshops will alternate in one or the other commune. Jane and Steve were teachers in England, where they came from before settling in Villeneuve-Minervois after their retirement in 2010. Jane explains: “These are not courses, but workshops in the form of games, a fun and practical approach and a vocabulary of everyday life. This year we will create a vocabulary focused on creation, songs, dances, cooking, mask making … where the body and clothes, school bag items, family Members, there will be a session on weather…”. One theme per session, and all in English, although Jane is always assisted by a French speaker. “Above all, we want people to speak English, and children need to be exposed to the English language to gain confidence.”. Meetings for interested families and children This Saturday September 23rd Caunes-Minervois Bowling Alley from 10:30am. The workshops are open to all children from the surrounding villages with a moral commitment to follow the workshops throughout the year to deliver achievements to their parents at the end of June.