we will be in paris 12 days. have a bit of french under my belt but would like to take a conversational lesson - perhaps 2 hours at a time, maybe 3 times? not sure. anyway, looking for same. any ideas?

No ideas but I think it's great you're making an effort. It will be appreciated.

Hi cindyjo - Just to clarify...do you mean that you like to take a conversational class WHILE you're in Paris, or do you mean that you'd like to take classes PRIOR to going to Paris?

If you're interested in taking classes before your trip, you can always contact your local Alliance Française

http://www.alliance-us.org//en/Directory.aspx

Since I don't have time to go to classes, I actually prefer to use the Pimsleur language series of CDs for conversational/spoken lessons (you can find it on Amazon). I've learned basic Czech and Italian and made it all the way up to advanced Spanish with this method - and I often use it to brush up on my French. It's a pretty cool way to learn a language. Good luck!

If you'd like a few private lessons while you're in Paris, most of the language schools can help.

Check out a few at www.souffle.asso/fr.

There is a website called "before you know it" I am using it to brush up on my French. I know someone who used it before a trip to France & they said it really helped them communicate.

www.byki.com

There is also the great classic "French in Action" available on the web. I am using that also. It is a bit more difficult because everything is in French & it goes deeper than the "tourist" lingo. It is a great way to actually hear what native French speakers sound like.

http://www.learner.org/resources/series83.html