French the Natural Way

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

We had a wonderful time last Wednesday during our monthly Community live session on Zoom! It was a joy to see so many of you join me for a lively discussion about the charming animation “The Season.”

The atmosphere was incredibly relaxed, which encouraged everyone to speak French freely without any hesitation. This is precisely the goal I strive for in each of my online French sessions: to create a comfortable environment where language acquisition feels natural and enjoyable.

If you missed the session or would like to revisit it,
you can watch the replay at your convenience. Click here!

Mark your calendars for our next monthly reunion, which will take place on Wednesday, November 6. I’ll share more details as we get closer to the date, so stay tuned!

Community Question of the Week

I love hearing from our community members, and this week, I’d like to highlight a question from Karel, one of our Dear Learners. He asked in the Community Chat:

J’ai vu la vidéo 16 du senior-stage. Je trouve cela, pour moi, très intéressant de comprendre la grammaire de la langue française. Est-ce que c’est aussi important quand on parle français ?

In English: “I watched video 16 of the Senior Stage. I find it very interesting for me to understand French grammar. Is it also important when speaking French?”

Click here to access the Senior Stage!

For those unfamiliar, the Senior Stage is a series of videos, texts and audios designed to explain grammar and literature texts to Advanced French learners. It is the ultimate stage in our French program!

The Role of Grammar in French Acquisition

This is an excellent question, Karel! Merci beaucoup.

When you first start acquiring French, knowing all the grammar rules isn’t crucial. The natural approach to language acquisition focuses on immersion and comprehensible input, allowing you to absorb the language organically.

However, as you progress to more advanced levels, understanding grammar becomes increasingly important, especially when reading complex texts or engaging with literature. Grammar provides the framework that helps you decipher nuanced meanings and appreciate the intricacies of the language.

For instance, in the Senior Stage, we explore works by authors like Blaise Pascal. Understanding the grammar used in his essays allows you to grasp the depth of his philosophical arguments and the beauty of his prose.

It’s like having a key that unlocks deeper layers of meaning in sophisticated French texts.

Now to answer Karel‘s question about the importance of grammar when you speak French:

I believe that understanding grammatical structures enables you to form more complex sentences, convey precise meanings, and engage in nuanced conversations.

A Heartfelt Thank You

Your enthusiasm and dedication make our community vibrant and inspiring.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for being part of our French program.

If you know anyone who might benefit from acquiring French the natural way, please share our program with them. Together, we can spread the joy of acquiring French!

@DebinCda shared on Trustpilot:

This program is by far the most promising of the many I’ve used to learn French. My writing and reading tests at a B2 level but my listening and speaking is still A1. I’m HORRIBLE!!! I started at the Baby Stage a couple of weeks ago and halfway through this stage, I’m actually understanding without needing to translate from French to English. And even better, I’m remembering the new vocabulary without a problem. It helpfully keeps showing up in the stories so I get constant reinforcement. Amazing! I’m also filling in a few holes in my knowledge I didn’t know I had. Merci beaucoup !!!!

Thank you for your continued support, and happy acquisition!

Cordialement,

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

This week is shaping up to be a busy and exciting one for our community.

We have our book clubs starting, along with our monthly community meeting happening this Wednesday. I can’t wait to connect with all of you!

Although you may not be able to attend the book clubs live, don’t worry! You can still enjoy watching the replays at your convenience. You can still be part of the conversation and enjoy all the insights shared during our meetings.

Click here for the Reader Club “Où est Médor ?” recordings

Click here for the Book Club “Mr Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran” recordings

Join me for a Free Movie Talk!

I’m thrilled to invite you to our monthly community meeting on Zoom!

JOIN ME FOR 1 HOUR LIVE
FOR LA PAUSE D’OCTOBRE 2024 !

Wednesday October 2
4pm UK / 5pm France / 11am EST / 8am PST

Click here to join the FREE session!

This month, I’m hosting a special “Movie Talk” about fall and the changing seasons. It’s a wonderful opportunity to hear & speak French in a fun, interactive way while exploring themes related to autumn.

You’ll enhance your vocabulary, and most importantly, connect with fellow French learners.

I can’t wait to see you there! #youarenotalone

Community Question of the Week

Here is a good question from our community that I think many of you will relate to. Rajvir asked in the Community Chat:

When I’m watching videos, I understand plenty through context, gestures, and your drawings. But when I try to consciously think of a particular word, I don’t know its meaning exactly. Do I need to get rid of this habit?

What Rajvir is experiencing is actually a natural part of language acquisition.

Understanding through context is crucial. But you shouldn’t feel pressured to know the exact meaning of every word.That will come with time and exposure.

Instead of trying to get rid of this habit, embrace it!

Continue watching videos and absorbing as much as you can. As you progress, you’ll naturally start to pick up more specific vocabulary.

If there are words you’re particularly curious about, jot them down and look them up later. This way, you’re building on your contextual understanding while gradually expanding your vocabulary.

Remember, language acquisition is a journey, not a destination.

Every bit of French you understand, whether through context or precise vocabulary, is a step forward.

#enjoytheride

Join Me on Wednesday!

Remember to join me this Wednesday on Zoom for our monthly live session.
Click here to join!

Thank you all for being part of this wonderful community!

Cordialement,

P.S. Got friends, family, colleagues and clients who want to become fluent in French? Share this with them, they’ll thank you for it!

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

As the leaves begin to change and the air turns crisp, October invites us to slow down and cozy up with a good book.

There’s something magical about curling up with a book as the days grow shorter, and I want to share that experience with you through my upcoming French Book Clubs.

October is the perfect time to immerse yourselves in stories while enhancing your language abilities.

Join my October Book Clubs!

My exclusive French Book Clubs are starting next week!

Dive into engaging literature while connecting with fellow learners. Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot soon!

It is a fantastic way to improve your French. The discussions we have will deepen your understanding of the material and also give you the chance to speak French in a supportive environment.

Upper beginner level – Enjoy a French reader

You can understand simple sentences and express basic needs? My French Reader Book Club is designed just for you. We’ll read a book specifically tailored for learners, filled with high-frequency words and structures that will boost your confidence and fluency.

Here is what you’ll accomplish during one hour session:

• TPR (Total Physical Response) at the start of each session
• Reading of selected excerpts together
• Comprehension questions & narration
• Pesonalized questions & answers based on what we have read

This is the book we’ll read togehter. Click here to read it and listen to it!

Julie shared:

The students’ responses to the stories; Alice’s ability to enhance our understanding and enjoyment and to pull everything together; and, as always, the great good humor permeating every session.

This is a great way to solidify your foundational skills while enjoying a captivating story.

Click here to join me next Friday!

Intermediate to Advanced Level – Read a French bestseller

You can discuss various topics and understand more complex texts? Then my French Novel Book Club is for you.

We’ll be reading “Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran” by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, a beautifully crafted story about friendship that transcends cultural boundaries.

Here is what you’ll achieve during one hour session:

• Thoughtful group discussions (all in French, bien sûr !)
• Reading of selected excerpts together
• Focus on fine-tuning text comprehension
• Vocabulary enrichment

Molly shared :

I enjoyed figuring out and learning deeper meanings of the book through everyone’s input. The book club also reaffirms your approach to acquiring the language. I understand more and really get the flow, feeling, and sense of French.

This short novel offers rich themes and relatable characters, making it an ideal choice for stimulating discussions.

Click here to join me next Tuesday!

Dedicate this month to reading

I encourage you to dedicate just this month to reading and participating in 5 live one hour sessions. By the end of October, I guarantee you’ll feel a renewed sense of confidence in your French abilities.

The deadline to register is Sunday, September 29, so don’t wait too long.

Join the French reader club now (for upper beginner)!

Join the French novel club now (for intermediate learners)!

And if you can’t it make live, you can always prurchase the recordings only, pas de problème !

Cordialement,

P.S. Got friends, family, colleagues and clients who want to become fluent in French? Share this with them, they’ll thank you for it!

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

Online live fall classes kicked off yesterday, and as always, I feel uplifted seeing both new and familiar faces on Zoom.

Teaching is a joy for me because I love having funny, authentic interactions with people from all over the world. I’m constantly learning new things from my students, which is the true power of teaching with comprehensible input.

With comprehensible input, you acquire language through exposure to understandable messages in the target language. You can have meaningful conversations entirely in French right from the start, even for upper beginners.

By focusing on communication rather than grammar rules, you naturally absorb the language structure and vocabulary.

If you’re interested in joining me live, there are still a few spots available in classes ranging from advanced beginner to advanced level. Click here to register.

New Fall Resource

Here is a new resource about fall that I used with my intermediate learners on Tuesday.

It’s a slideshow designed to spark thoughtful discussions about autumn in French. The slideshow includes compelling questions about fall with model answers, as well as idiomatic expressions like “s’en prendre plein la vue” (to be amazed by what you see) or “se lasser de quelque chose” (to get tired of something).

There are also pictures to comment on. Que penses-tu de cette image ?

The last slide features a video from French TV about fall in Québec. When watching the video, try to grasp the expressions used in the slides and notice the different pronunciations between the French presenter and the people living in Québec. This exercise will help you develop your ear and comprehension skills.

Find this slideshow in the “Diaporama” section of our site. Click here!

Community Growth

We’re thrilled to share a recent review from Francelle on Trustpilot:

After trying various apps and books, AliceAyel makes everything else seem ineffective. I can’t believe my progress! Merci!!!!

If you are enjoying our site, please take a moment to post a review.
Click here!

Your feedback helps us grow as a community and reach more French language learners.

Thank you for being part of our French program.

Here’s to a fantastic fall season of French acquisition!

Cordialement,

P.S. Got friends, family, colleagues and clients who want to become fluent in French? Share this with them, they’ll thank you for it!

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

As we fully embrace “la rentrée“, returning to routines and starting fresh after the summer break, I find myself in an unexpected position.

While the hustle and bustle of this season is in full swing, I’m actually taking a week off from teaching. In fact, my son just said to me:
– Maman, maintenant, ce sont les vacances pour toi ! (which translates to “Mom, now it’s vacation time for you!”).

There’s always something brewing in our French language world!

Well… although I’m not actively teaching this week, I’m busy preparing for next week’s live classes on Zoom and the exciting book clubs starting in October.

The Power of Live Classes

Why join my weekly live classes?

The benefits are numerous! Group classes on Zoom offer a dynamic environment where you can interact in French in real-time.

Keep yourself accountable!

These live sessions give you the chance to ask me questions directly and receive constructive feedback, which is crucial for improvement.

Class sizes are limited, ensuring that each one of you has the opportunity to engage and interact in a safe, supportive setting.

Whether you’re an upper beginner or at an advanced level, classes are tailored to suit your needs and help you progress.

Start next week and choose from Beginner Plus to Advanced. Click here to join me on Zoom.

Pamela shared:

I am very happy with this class.  The content is rich but also understandable. Alice is a great teacher. It is also fun that the students in the class are from all over the world.

Can’t start now? Join me in October to read & discuss a book with me.

You are an upper beginner… We’ll be reading the delightful French reader “Où est Médor ?”. Reinforce frequently used structures and assimilate key vocabulary in a fun and interactive environment. Click here to join.

You are at an intermediate-adavnced level… We’ll be exploring the captivate novel “Monsieur Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran” by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt. Engage in thoughtful discussions, improve your comprehension, and enrich your French vocabulary. Click here to join.

Molly shared:

I enjoyed figuring out and learning deeper meanings of the book through everyone’s input. The book club also reaffirms your approach to acquiring the language. I understand more and really get the flow, feeling, and sense of French.

For Beginners: The Power of Comprehensible Input

For our beginners, I want to emphasize the importance of receiving French comprehensible input in your early language acquisition journey.

This means exposing yourself to French that you can understand, even if you can’t produce it yet. Speaking French too early can actually be counter-productive. It may lead to frustration and reinforce incorrect patterns.

Focus on understanding French first.

By immersing yourself in the language through listening and reading, you’ll build a strong foundation.

You’ll start to think French, and then you’ll feel ready to speak. You’ll find the words come more naturally and accurately!

Start with the Baby Stage. In each session:

1. Watch the video and try to understand me,
2. Listen to & read the transcript. Turn on Audio Sync View to follow the script as you are listening to Ben, My Dear Man’s voice at the same time.
3. Try to answer the comprehension questions to check your understanding. You can review your answers by clicking on “Cliquez ici pour afficher la solution” at the bottom of the page.

Last Week’s Highlights and Looking Ahead

We had a wonderful time last Wednesday during our one-hour live session. We had a blast singing “On court” by Yannick Noah!

If you missed it, don’t worry! you can watch the replay by clicking here.

Our next free live session will be on Wednesday, October 2nd.

I’ll send you more information about joining on Zoom as we get closer to the date.

Thank you for being part of our French program. Your enthusiasm and dedication make this journey so rewarding!

Cordialement,

P.S. Got friends, family, colleagues and clients who want to become fluent in French? Share this with them, they’ll thank you for it!