French the Natural Way

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

This is our final newsletter of 2024, and what a remarkable year it has been!

My Dear Man & I want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to each of you.

Your incredible contributions, unwavering participation, boundless enthusiasm, and infectious joy have transformed our online French program from a simple learning platform into a true community, a family.

As we prepare to take a break and spend time with our loved ones, we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a peaceful end to the year.

New Resources to Delight and Inspire

When you are beginning

We’re excited to introduce a charming new short story from Bernard Friot‘s “Histoires minute” that help you acquire frequently used structures and offers a humorous insight into French culinary culture.

This entertaining narrative revolves around ketchup, a condiment that might surprise you in the world of French cuisine! You’ll discover that for the French, fries are traditionally enjoyed with just a sprinkle of salt, and ketchup is decidedly not a welcome addition!

Click here to read and listen to Ketchup !

A quick word about this story’s author: Bernard Friot is a renowned children’s literature writer, born in 1951 in the mountainous East region of France called le Jura.

He has published over 80 books and is celebrated for his witty, imaginative storytelling that often challenges traditional narrative structures.

His “Histoires minute” (Minute Stories) collection is particularly famous for its concise, playful, and often surprising short narratives that captivate readers of all ages.

In addition to this story, here is an exclusive treat for you! You can watch me tell another fun story by Bernard Friot titled “Chou” (Cabbage), which comes from his other book “Histoires pressées”.

Click here to watch, read & listen to Chou !

This video was specially created for you! And it is another very fun story!

When you are advanced

Our Senior Stage now offers two new sessions designed to provide optimal input to deepen your understanding of French historical contexts.

Explore “le grand siècle“, the Big Century in France, uncovering curious facts during this transformative time. This period was marked by significant developments in French society and culture, alongside notable climatic conditions that shaped daily life.

Click here to watch, read & listen to the Big Century!

Looking Forward to 2025

As we conclude this year, my Dear Man & I warmly encourage you to share your French experience.

A review on TrustPilot would mean the world to us and help other language enthusiasts discover the joy of acquiring French.

Click here to post your review!

French acquisition can be so simple, joyful, and incredibly rewarding.

We look forward to reuniting with you in the new year 2025, ready to continue our shared adventure in the beautiful world of French language and culture.

Joyeuses fêtes et à bientôt!

P.S. The French Reader Club is now closed but there are still 2 spots left to join the French Book Club in January. Click here to sign in!

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

What a wonderful Wednesday we shared together!

Our recent Zoom Community session was truly a magical moment that felt like a warm family reunion. Your vibrant contributions and enthusiastic participation made the event truly special.

If you missed the live session or if would like to revisit our time together, watch the replay and experience live Story Listening using optimal input. Click here!

Understanding Optimal Input

Optimal input is a vital concept for natural French acquisition.

It emphasizes the importance of comprehensible language that you can understand, even if you miss some details.

Optimal input allows for the natural absorption of the language without relying on explicit grammar instruction.

Optimal input should be content-rich, providing a diverse range of vocabulary and structures within meaningful contexts. This richness helps you acquire language holistically.

The input should also be engaging and interesting to you. When the content is compelling, you are more likely to remain focused and motivated, leading to more effective acquisition.

That is why a story-based approach is highly effective, starting with simple narratives and gradually increasing complexity to match your progress.

It’s about immersing yourself in comprehensible, compelling content.

The magic of this method lies in its ability to help you acquire French effortlessly, just as you acquired your first language, through rich, engaging stories that capture your imagination.

By focusing on understanding the message rather than dissecting grammar rules, you’ll find yourself acquiring French unconsciously and enjoyably.

Exciting Book Club Opportunities: Limited Spots Available

Our January book clubs are filling up quickly, offering another avenue for receiving optimal French input!

Advanced Beginners Book Club

There are only 2 spots left for our reading of “Le Château de Chambord” by Theresa Marrama. This intimate group of 8 participants will ensure everyone has a chance to engage with the text.

Click here to join the French Reader Club!

• Strengthen your understanding of frequently used French structures
• Expand your vocabulary in context
• Improve your reading comprehension with guided support
• Enhance your speaking abilities through group discussions
• Build confidence in using French in everyday situations

Advanced French Learners Book Club

Another 3 spots remain for our exploration of “La Vénus d’Ille“, a captivating short novel by Prosper Mérimée from the 19th century. This club promises rich discussions and profound language immersion.

Click here to join the French Book Club!

• Improve your reading comprehension of authentic French literature
• Expand your vocabulary in context
• Enhance your speaking abilities through guided discussions
• Gain cultural insights into French society and diverse perspectives
• Build confidence in expressing complex ideas in French

A Heartfelt Conclusion

Your continued support and passion for acquiring French inspire us every day.

My Dear Man & I are grateful for this incredible community of language learners who are committed to acquiring French the natural way.

Just last week, Imteyaz commented on Trustpilot:

Le français naturellement is a fantastic language learning platform with a strong focus on storytelling, which greatly aids in understanding French. The site is uniquely structured, allowing you to click on words for definitions, read along with audio, and watch video retellings by Alice herself. This method has been crucial in advancing my language skills. Although I started with a beginner level in speaking and listening, the program has helped me progress quickly, reinforcing new vocabulary through repeated exposure. Alice’s instructional videos, live classes, and private lessons have been enjoyable and effective. I highly recommend it for anyone serious about learning or practicing French. Merci, Alice!

If you’ve found value in our approach, we would be tremendously appreciative if you could share your experience on Trustpilot.

Spread the joy of language acquisition and support others on their French journey!

Cordialement,

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

Tomorrow, you have an exciting opportunity to enjoy an immersive French experience!

I have a special treat in store for you, an adorable story about a Christmas tree that will surely get you into the holiday spirit.

Free French Session: Une histoire de l’Avent

Join me this Wednesday for a special one-hour free French session on Zoom.

This session is open to all levels, so feel free invite your friends, colleagues, clients, family who are interested in acquiring French!

JOIN ME FOR 1 HOUR LIVE
FOR LA PAUSE DE DECEMBRE 2024 !

Wednesday December 4
4pm UK / 5pm France / 11am EST / 8am PST

Click here to join the FREE session!

During our session, I’ll be using the Story Listening method developed by Beniko Mason.

This approach focuses on providing comprehensible input through storytelling, allowing you to naturally absorb the language without the stress of formal instruction.

Read and listen to Wednesday’s story now! Click here.

Plus, reading along as I narrate allows you to engage with the material without the pressure of having to speak right away.

As you become more comfortable with the text, you’ll feel more prepared to participate actively in future discussions.

It is a powerful tool that enhances your listening abilities, comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, confidence, fluency, and overall enjoyment of acquiring French.

I’m excited to share this experience with you during our session!

Connect with Fellow French Learners

This session is not just about French; it’s an opportunity to meet other French enthusiasts.

Share your experiences, challenges, and triumphs in your French journey. Building a community of learners can be incredibly motivating and supportive.

Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this session offers a unique opportunity to enhance your French abilities in a relaxed, engaging environment.

Acquire, connect, and grow in your French language journey!
Looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

Cordialement,

P.S. If you’ve been enjoying our online French program, My Dear Man & I would be grateful if you could share your experience by leaving a review on Trustpilot. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more French learners like yourself! Click here to post your review.

Just this week, Ali shared:

I can recommend her content without hesitation. I had a rough journey with learning French, but that changed in this year since I found comprehensible input and the Alice Ayel Platform that provides exactly that. Since then I found real motivation and joy in learning French and I believe this is how we learn best. My journey is still ongoing, yet being subscribed here helped immensely. If you are looking for good immersion material as a very beginner or even if you are already further along, I would give it a go 🙂 I find it’s also a very fair deal in terms of price.

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

Yesterday, I had the delightful opportunity to have lunch with Ann, one of our cherished members, who traveled all the way from Wyoming to Braga.

Our conversation revolved around our nurturing community, and Ann fondly remembered all the participants of our Community Live Meetings: Barry, Karel, Lynn, and Jeff…

It truly felt like a family gathering, filled with warmth and camaraderie.

Come and connect with other members in the community during a live Community Session! Click here.

These calls are driven by our members themselves. It is an opportunity to share your journey acquiring French and read, listen and speak French in a safe environment.

Insights from My Conversation with Sophie Roubertie

In other news, I recently collaborated with Sophie Roubertie on a podcast and YouTube video discussing her latest book, “Je reconnais les Saints dans les églises et les musées.”

Click here to listen to our conversation.

Sophie is an esteemed cultural commentator and has been actively involved in promoting French art and history.

Her book provides a comprehensive guide to identifying saints in French churches and museums, which I believe is essential for understanding the rich tapestry of French religious art.

Recognizing these saints enhances your appreciation of art and also deepens your understanding of France’s cultural heritage.

Saints also have incredible lives! During our discussion, Sophie and I explored several significant saints in French history, including Saint Martin de Tours.

Saint Martin is revered for his role in Christianizing France, a pivotal moment in the country’s history. When we talked about him, I told a part of his story that Sophie didn’t know!

I shared the amazing story of Saint Martin during our last Community session on Zoom. You can watch the replay here.

Save the Date for Our Next Community Session

JOIN ME FOR 1 HOUR LIVE
FOR LA PAUSE DE DECEMBRE 2024 !

Wednesday December 4
4pm UK / 5pm France / 11am EST / 8am PST

More details will follow soon!

One of our members, @Noemis, has embarked on the Senior Stage and shared her thoughts on the first session:

J’aime bien écouter et comprendre la grammaire avec les exercices. Vos explications sont vraiment exceptionnelles. Merci Alice.

Keep sharing your comments and reviews, they are invaluable to us.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and Happy French Acquisition!

Cordialement,

P.S. Your Feedback Matters!

Remember to fill out the survey regarding a potential week in Pau next year. We need more responses to make this trip a reality! Click here to fill it in!

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

This is a gentle reminder to fill out our very short survey regarding the organization of our immersive French week in Pau next year.

My sister, Astrid, and I need enough responses to plan this exciting event effectively.

Carolyn shared:

I had a great time despite knowing less French than everyone else. What a lovely group! And fun lessons.

Your participation is crucial, so please take a few minutes to
complete the survey here!

New Stories for Intermediate and Advanced Learners

Read & listen to our new stories specifically designed for intermediate (Adult Stories) and advanced (Senior Stories) French learners. These stories come with in-depth analyses and opinion questions with answers included.

Liberté ou responsabilité ? Read and listen to this Adult Story
and give your opinion in the comment section.

To master French at an advanced level, it is essential to understand complex texts that feature richer vocabulary and structures, as well as to express your ideas and opinions with fluidity and nuance.

You will be able to communicate effectively in various situations and fully appreciate the richness of the French language.

How to reach an advanced level

Read and listen to rich, engaging stories rather than simplistic or “twaddle” content.

The difference lies in the depth of the material and the complexity of the language used. By exposing yourself to authentic and varied French, you naturally enrich your vocabulary and enhance your understanding of grammatical structures.

Additionally, I encourage you to narrate these stories in your own words, either orally or in written form.

Read or listen to a short passage once (about 5-10 minutes long) without taking notes. Then, don’t look at the text or pause the audio and retell the story in your own words in French.

Aim to speak for about 5-10 minutes, focusing on conveying the main ideas and details you remember. Don’t worry about perfection; your goal is to express yourself using the language you’ve acquired.

La sortie des classes : what about narrating this text from an African novel?
It is a Senior Story.

Improve your fluency, and develop your ability to express complex ideas in French!

An Inspiring Testimonial

To conclude, I would like to share an encouraging message posted this morning by @Angus888 in our Community Chat:

One of the things that stands out on Alice Ayel’s site, above all other comprehensible input in French available on the internet and YouTube, is that Alice’s stories are INTERESTING. I am so bored of French acquisition videos on YouTube developed using AI that just list people’s days. I could count on two hands the number of truly interesting language acquisition stories in French on YouTube, and I have listened to a lot. Most of the time, they use the verb tense of literary French, which is not great for people wanting to acquire spoken French. That is why I linger on Alice’s site way beyond the point of completing her stages – I just love the stories and her other resources.

Your dedication to acquiring French inspires us to continually improve our offerings.

If you’ve found value in our resources, please share your experience by posting a review on Trustpilot.

Your feedback helps us grow and also assists other language learners in discovering our community.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and Happy French Acquisition!

Cordialement,

P.S. Remember to complete the “week in Pau’ survey as soon as possible. Click here to fill it in!