Associations françaises

French reading practice with side-by-side translation

 Reading comprehension: See the links at the bottom for lessons related to the phrases in italics.

Associations françaises French associations
Quand on habite en France, l’un des meilleurs moyens de rencontrer des gens est de devenir membre d’une association loi de 1901, ce qu’on appellerait en anglais probablement un « club ». Ces associations sont à but non lucratif, et peuvent être déclarées ou pas.
Translation

When you live in France, one of the best ways to meet people is to join an association loi de 1901, what we would probably call a "club" in English. These associations are non-profit and may or may not be registered (with the French government).

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Il y a des associations pour tout : pour des sports, des jeux, des activités, des études. Il y a des associations pour les expatriés d’un pays particulier ou pour rassembler tous ceux qui ont autrefois habité dans une certaine région de France. Des associations à but humanitaire luttent pour des individus désavantagés en France ou ailleurs, et des associations créatives réunissent ceux qui aiment danser, chanter ou écrire. Les associations de quartier ou d’arrondissement travaillent pour animer leurs rues, tandis que les associations de tel ou tel festival passent toute l’année à planifier ce seul événement.
Translation

There are associations for everything: for sports, games, activities, studies. There are associations for ex-pats of particular countries or to bring together everyone who once lived in a certain region of France. Humanitarian associations work to help underprivileged individuals in France or elsewhere, and creative associations unite those who love to dance, sing, or write. Neighborhood or district associations work to liven up their streets, while associations for such and such festival spend the year planning that single event.

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Il n’est pas toujours facile de trouver une association appropriée. Il y a des annuaires sur internet plus ou moins complets, et on peut toujours demander à l’office de tourisme, mais souvent on découvre une association simplement en parlant avec quelqu’un qui la mentionne. On avait de la chance à Hyères, on peut obtenir un livret à l’office de tourisme qui répertorie les 300 associations de cette ville de 52 000 habitants. Je recommande l’association Accueil des Villes Françaises pour tout le monde.

Translation

It’s not always easy to find an appropriate association. There are internet directories which are more or less complete, and you can always ask at the tourist office, but you often discover an association simply by talking to someone who mentions it. We were lucky in Hyères, where you can get a booklet at the tourist office which catalogs the 300 associations for that town of 52,000. I recommend the association Accueil des Villes Françaises for everyone.

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 Reading comprehension

Associations en France
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1 Response

  1. Simon LANG 23 August 2014 / 11:40

    Susie & I have been running a weekly AVF class for some 26 FR/UK people for 3+ years in Castelnaudary 11400. Susie organises the business. I give a 10 min talk in the 2 languages about something interesting or pertinent – eg. the French Revolutionary Calendar of 1801 (explore it!). We then split into groups of 4-6 mixed French/English to read through our pre-selected written essay – ‘my summer holidays’ is next. We self-correct during the group. It works well, as there is good rapport within our AVF group.

    Love, Simon LANG

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