How can I refresh my language skills?

[ranoutofnames]

Hi, I have a languages degree but am rusty after not having used my languages for some time. i would like to brush up but am struggling to find a course. Clearly a beginners/conversational type course isn't going to be suitable - does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

Depending on the language you are looking for, you might be able to find a regular language pub night or coffee morning in your area?

Are there any local groups of native language speakers? They might have somebody interested in a language exchange? Churches in other languages? Private sessions with a tutor?

Local uni might have some informal chat groups, though I tried that once and felt extremely old...

It is hard to find something at an advanced level, good luck

It's my French I want to improve. A long time ago I used to go to a French group that met in a French restaurant - although the abilities were very mixed and I didn't get a lot out of it. Now I live somewhere else and there doesn't seem to be a similar group - although I don't really know if I'm looking in the right places!

Do you have kids? I know some places have French speaking toddler groups?

It's hard isn't it, I did Spanish at uni but am so out of practise now and haven't been to Spain in years. It makes me sad to remember when I used to live there and felt so confident speaking to anyone. I try to keep up to date by reading Spanish newspapers online and on twitter

To be honest, I don't think you would be welcome at toddler groups, as they are for language immersion for native speakers. But you might find somebody to point you in the right direction there, even if it is for a parent offering private lessons.

How about Rossetta Stone or Fluenz, although dont get the interaction

How about trying to make some friends in France that you can keep up with? Don't know if there's a French MN?
Have you come across this? www.mylanguageexchange.com/learn/french.asp

You can watch dvds in a variety of languages - it's what my DCs' language teachers always suggest.