Millau: A train journey to improve your English language

Thursday January 26, in front of Millau station. A small group of about fifteen rushes to board a train to Beziers. Snippets of dialogue in English escape as young and old approach these different troupes. However, the latter are not tourists who have come to enjoy the south of Avignon, but many Millavois.

Because the whole point of this particular trip was to get on the train and learn English. It is behind the Eco-metro happy hour concept, launched by Fearghal McLaughin, professor of the language of William Shakespeare at the Commerce and Industry (CCI) and National Arts and Crafts (Cnam) millavois. Eco-metro for English conversation – olé to Tournemire restaurant on the Millau Express. “It’s true that I have little inspiration for the name.”Fearghal McLaughin, laughs.

Entirely in English

However, the idea is well established. Participants meet at Millavois station to take the train to Tournemeyer. Once there, enjoy local produce at Le Brias restaurant run by Maxime and Arthur. After two hours of English conversation, the small group set off back to Glove City. “The idea is to speak in English and have a good time. Details Feargal McLaughlin. We are here to combine business with pleasure, to (re)discover the train and the beautiful landscapes.”

Immersion in English is total from going up the stairs to coming back. Even the controller lends a hand to the game, stuttering broken English. Restaurant service is also provided in English by Maxime, whose mother is American. “Bringing people together to talk is a great idea. It changes classrooms, offices,” Note the latter.

A more relaxed environment allows tongues to relax. For Lionel, it was a first trip. “I wanted to improve my English, it’s better to continue after you retire”. Nicholas came to deepen his knowledge and continued to speak English for his work. There are also youngsters who accompany their parents. “It motivates us more to speak English to see how we express ourselves in a conversation”says Emma, ​​a student at Marcel-Aimert College.

Develop the train

Throughout the journey, there are no pre-defined discussion topics and everyone is free to start any conversation they want. Board games also round off the evening. Fearghal McLaughin, supported by two other facilitators, Annelies Aantjes and Tony Windler, moves around the groups – pre-established according to participants’ levels – to encourage interaction.

Apart from improving the language, another thing presented was the development of the train, an unexploited means of transport according to Feargal. “Our elected officials talk to us a lot about the environment and encourage us to carpool and use electric transportation, Emphasizes the assessor. However, both have been around for over a century: rail.

feeling “the rest” of this public service “Who’s Not Here Anymore”, Fearghal McLaughin dreams of an improved route to support freight, tourism and school transport. Further, “It is one of the most beautiful French railways”Allowing you to admire the viaduct or the village of Peyre.