French Conversation Conejo Valley
French Conversation Conejo Valley is a group of Francophiles of the area who meet regularly. Check for our next meeting in the Conejo Valley by clicking here for a fun evening of French conversation.
All those desiring to practice their French are welcome.
Just over 50 years ago all you would have found in the hills throughout would have been oak trees and cows. (No French conversation going on at that time throughout the prairies. :))
When it all came together
In fact, the oak trees are so numerous in the Conejo Valley that they gave their name to the first incorporated city: Thousand Oaks in 1964. The city proudly shows a large oak tree on its buses and lamp posts.
Then cam along the rest of the cities: Newbury Park was incorporated in 1977, Westlake Village in 1981, Oak Park is a community, Agoura Hills was incorporated in 1982.
Where French Conversation in the Conejo Valley May Happen
Many schools in the area teach French as part of their curriculum: Thousand Oaks High School, Newbury Park High School, Westlake Village High School, La Reina High School, Viewpoint School in Calabasas, the California Lutheran University and more.
What encompasses the Conejo Valley?
Below a map showing the area covered by the Conejo Valley. This is where you’ll meet rabbits galore (let’s not forget that Conejo means rabbit in Spanish).
Over the hills, northeast, you’ll find Simi Valley which was incorporated in 1969.
How long have cows live in the area?
To be honest, I don’t know and I don’t really care, but one thing that I do know, even though these cities seem young, caves in their hills show that Indian Chumash were living around and about as far back as 12,000 years ago! So much for the “New World” discovered by Columbus in 1493.
So what is new? People? No, but maybe the French language since the native language is Chumash, then Spanish came along with people from Spain and Mexico moving up the Californian coast. The good reason why Spanish is definitely prominent in the area. Per WorldPolulationReview.com 2014 figures, California had and I quote: “In 2014, estimates showed that the Latino and Hispanic population surpassed the population of non-Hispanic Whites. According to those estimates, taken in June 2014, 14.99 million Latinos resided in the state, compared to 14.92 whites. California has the largest minority population and the largest Hispanic population in the country.”
So why would French have a place in the State of California?
Well, did you know that California has around 200,000 French speaking inhabitants?
The last remaining area that I visit on a regular basis as a French Tutor, is the Moorpark area and Santa Rosa Valley. The Moorpark College does teach French and the Santa Rosa Valley is peacefully tucked away between Las Posas Hills and the Mountclef Ridge.
I’m hoping to see you for one hour of French conversation at our monthly meetings or to help you perfect your French!