“From Canada to Crescendo: my French journey”
David is 84 and one of our oldest students – but young at heart and in spirit. Originally from Canada, he moved to Belgium years ago. A true citizen of the world, he travelled extensively for work and continues to do so well into his retirement.
David: “I’m currently taking French level 5 at Crescendo CVO, and I’ve also taken level 6 in the past. I switch between the two depending on how I feel. The exact level doesn’t matter that much — you always learn something new through interaction or reinforce what you already know. I studied French in secondary school from 1954 to 1959, and I want to keep the language alive. Also, Crescendo CVO is only 800 metres from our house, so I can walk to class. That way, I keep my mind and body active.”
Why learn French?
“My wife’s family all speak French. We also love travelling to France and often go on river cruises with a French company. It’s great to be able to connect with people in French while travelling. The language comes in handy during other trips too. Between that and my native English, I can talk to just about anyone.”
“In class, I try to build enough confidence to express myself as fluently as possible. I’m more than happy with the courses — and especially with the teachers. The topics are relevant and well-structured, and my fellow students come from all over the world. It’s enriching and fascinating to learn about other cultures and even compare languages.”
“It just so happens that all my classmates are women. They’re warm, kind, and genuinely care — they always check in on me when I miss a class.”
One of my favourite moments during class?
The coffee break, when everyone chats cheerfully — en français, bien sûr!