By Emily Lockwood
Staff Writer
Mira Costa French 7-8 classes, led by teacher Laurie Gonalons, went on a field trip to the French Market Cafe in Venice to expand their cultural horizons.
At the French Market Cafe, students were presented with an opportunity to be immersed in French culture. Not only were they able to speak the language with the staff at the cafe, but they also got to see actual products from France.
“This is the first year that I have taken this field trip,” Gonalons said. “I think this was a great way for students to really pick up on the French culture.”
Students were served traditional food such as “des plateaux de fromages,” which are various French cheeses, “des plateaux de charcuteries,” a plate of French ham, salami, prosciutto, and pate, and “mouse au chocolat.” The cafe seats in and outdoors.
“The location of the French Market Cafe is ideal because you do not have to catch a plane to have the experience of visiting France,” Gonalons said. “This also gave students a chance to become more familiar with the greater Los Angeles area.”
While at the cafe, students read French poetry. In class they were assigned a famous French poet and had to research some background information on them. Then, they were to select a poem that was written by the poet and present it at the cafe.
“Speaking the language in front of people is beneficial to my speaking skills,” junior Susanna Sieke said.
While they read their poems, the other students in the class concentrated on the pronunciation and flow of the poem as well as the overall presentation.
“The way people speak French is different than the way English is spoken,” Gonalons said. “In English, people lose the level of enthusiasm in their voice at the end of a sentence. Where as in French the level of enthusiasm increases.”
The French Market Cafe also has a gift shop that is comprised of items that were shipped to the cafe directly from France. The market portion offers a wide selection of French novelties such as foods, magazines and newspapers.
“It is a nice way to visit a little piece of France,” manager Kevin Lopes said. “All of my co-workers are French, and the kids were able to learn and make friends.”
This field trip was designed to give students a true sense of what France and French culture are like. Students took the tools that they have been learning in the classroom and implemented them while at the French Market Cafe.
“We learn best when we are engaged in the proper surroundings,” Gonalons said. “I thought the cafe was the perfect setting to learn French in.”
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