Let’s Speak French is an informal group of people who meet at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month to converse in the French language and have fun. Organizer Jim Paquette said everyone is welcome. The meetings take place at TJ’s Pizza in Biddeford. Tammy Wells Photo

BIDDEFORD — Some came to learn more, some to engage in conversation, some to relive memories like the days when, in some of the area’s parochial schools, half of the school day was taught in French, the other half in English.

“Let’s Speak French” is an informal get-together of people eager and happy to converse in the language that for most represents their heritage.

There are no fees to join, and no group officers. They speak French, and have fun.

Jim Paquette, who grew up speaking French, and missed doing so, organized the Let’s Speak French group that meets months in Biddeford for conversation, laughter, and fun. Tammy Wells Photo

Spearheaded by Biddeford native and Saco resident Jim Paquette, Let’s Speak French brings together people who want to practice their French speaking skills — and have a great time doing so.

It used to be that the French language was heard in most places in Biddeford, neighboring Saco, and some of the surrounding areas, but it’s not spoken so often today.

“I used to be fluent,” said Paquette, 69. “I didn’t know how to speak English until I went to school.” But, he said, over time, his French skills became rusty as the his opportunities to speak the language of his birth dwindled. “It got to a point where I would have to stop and think how to say it. Since we’ve been meeting, I’m not struggling as much as I used to.”

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According to the U.S. Census, in 2019, 5.9 percent of Mainers spoke a language other than English at home.  In 1970, about 141,500 Maine residents – 14 percent of the population at the time – reported French as their mother tongue, according to U.S. Census figures compiled by the University of Maine. In the 2012-2016 census, 38,695 French speakers were reported in Maine, making up 3 percent of the population.

The Let’s Speak French group has been meeting since January. It started small and has grown, with the most recent session on March 28 attracting 25 people, eager to converse. The group meets at 6 p.m. at TJ’s Pizza in Biddeford on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Some come a little early and order supper.

They began the March session singing the French version of national anthem of Canada — a nod to their ancestors who left provinces like Quebec and New Brunswick to come to Maine to work, and then paused for a group photo before settling down to have a chat, en Francais. There is conversation, and often games, like passing out a flash card that shows an English word, and people try to guess the French translation, said Paquette.

Barbara Corbeil said she reads French and writes it, but came to brush up on her French-speaking skills. “I grew up speaking English,” she explained.

With a nod to their heritage, those in the Let’s Speak French group that meets monthly in Biddeford start the evening by singing the Canadian national anthem, en Francais. Tammy Wells Photo

Claudette Vachon attended for the first time at the most recent session. “My daughter suggested I check it out,” she said.

Jean Gagne said she grew up knowing French, but it was not spoken at home, most of the time.

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“Only when my grandmother came to visit,” said Gagne, who said her grandmother understood English, but didn’t speak it.

Sandra Curro and Anita Moran were among the attendees.

“When I was little, my mom only spoke French to us,” said Curro, but time passed, and there was less opportunity to speak French.

Pat Boston, born Therrien, was looking forward to the evening. She said she learned French at St. Andre’s School and took French classes in high school and in college, and joined the Let’s Speak French group for the first time in March after another program, which offered conversation in several languages, wrapped up.

Paquette said during the 1950s and 60s, “no matter where you went in this area, you’d hear French spoken.” That began to change in the 1970s and 1980s, and continued.

“Now, I don’t hear it at all,” he said.

He and others who meet to talk, laugh, and enjoy each others company are changing that, a bit.

The next Let’s Speak French event is scheduled for 6 p.m. at TJ’s Pizza on Tuesday, April 25.

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