French the Natural Way

Bonjour dear French family!

Here is a thoughtful question from @Polyglot98 that comes up for many of us:

“When can we stop noticing the rules?!”

The answer is truly encouraging!

When you acquire French naturally by immersing yourself in stories, podcasts, and real conversations, your brain begins to recognize patterns on its own.

Remember how you never consciously think about grammar rules in your native language?

The same process happens in French: through massive, meaningful input, structures like “Je suis allée” become second nature.

This shift usually starts at the intermediate level, but it’s unique for each person.

The secret is: keep enjoying rich French content!

Let repetition and context work their magic. Slowly, the rules slip into the background and your confidence grows.

Trust the process and keep going. You’re doing brilliantly! 🌟

🌬️ The Legend of Brandwen: The Most Beautiful Woman

Do you know who the most beautiful woman in the world is?

Her name is Brandwen, and she lives in the sea.

According to the legend, Brandwen possesses an irresistible charm and magical power, drawing sailors from all over to the waters off Brittany, a region in northwest France, famous for its rugged coastline and deep Celtic roots.

Brittany is rich in legends because of its history, mysticism, and vibrant storytelling culture, where magic, love, and nature all intertwine.

🎬 Watch, Read, Listen…and Narrate!

Discover the story of Brandwen! Click here! 

Start by watching the video to get the general idea, then explore the transcript and audio to deepen your understanding. Finally, narrate the legend, either orally or in writing!

Narration helps your brain process language actively, naturally reinforcing structures and improving both speaking and writing.

After listening to the story, Heather shared:

“I just visited Brittany, but I didn’t go to Lanildut in the Finistère region. Maybe another time. I love this story of magic and love.”

Add your comments too, share your thoughts with our community!

The journey is the reward, so keep moving forward, enjoying every step! 🚀❤️

P.S. Let’s celebrate Nancy Jane, our very first member who joined back in 2018 and earned a lifetime membership 🎊

Curious about her French journey? You can read it here!

Bonjour my wonderful French learners! 👋

🎉 Grace’s Amazing Success Story

I have the most exciting news to share with you this week!

Grace, one of our amazing community members, just shared her incredible progress in our Community Chat.

Click here to read her experience!

Grace recently took a test at the Institut Français to assess her current French level, and was surprised to discover she had reached B2 level,  even though she started learning French on our site last November with absolutely no foundation!

Right now, Grace understands most of my podcasts, though she admits she still struggles with grammar and writing. Her question in the Chat was simple:

“Do you have any advice for me?”

Grace‘s story is proof that with the right approach and consistency, extraordinary progress is absolutely possible! ✨

📝 The Secret Weapon: Narration

My answer to Grace – and to all of you facing similar writing & grammar challenges – is to embrace the power of narration! 📝

This method, inspired by Charlotte Mason‘s educational philosophy, involves retelling what you’ve read or heard in your own words.

The beauty of narration lies in its simplicity: after reading a text or listening to a story, you simply tell it back as if sharing it with a friend.

Don’t worry about perfect grammar or reproducing every detail! focus on expressing the main ideas using your own vocabulary and natural flow.

Narration works magic because it forces your brain to actively process new vocabulary and sentence structures, and reorganize ideas according to your own logic.

Most importantly, it helps you develop your personal voice in French.

Instead of passive consumption, narration transforms you into an active participant in your French journey! 🧠💪

🐐 Your Perfect Practice Story: “La chèvre et le vieillard“

Here is the perfect story for you to start with: “La chèvre et le vieillard” (The Goat and the Old Man), a great tale from Mali that’s now available to you on our site!

Click here to watch, read and listen to this brand new story!

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, and it’s francophone because it was a former French colony.

Fench remains one of the official languages there.

Approach this tale in 3 simple steps

First, watch the video to grasp the overall story and get familiar with the rhythm and pronunciation.

Then, read and listen again to deepen your comprehension and notice details you might have missed.

Finally, comes the magic moment: narrate the story!

If your goal is to improve speaking, tell it aloud to yourself (or to a patient family member!). If writing is your focus, put pen to paper and retell it in your own words.

Remember, there’s no “perfect” way to narrate, your version will be uniquely yours! 🌟

💕 You’re Closer Than You Think!

Watching students like Grace achieve such remarkable progress reminds me why My Dear Man & I are so passionate about what we do!

Remember, the journey itself IS the reward.

Every story you understand a little better, every new word that sticks, every moment of “aha, now I get it!” is a victory worth celebrating.

There will be days when French feels impossible, when your brain refuses to cooperate, when you wonder if you’re making any progress at all.

But I promise you, if you keep showing up, if you keep believing in yourself, you will surprise yourself with how far you’ve come.

Don’t quit on your French dreams, they’re closer than you think! 🌈✨

With all my love and encouragement,

Alice 💫

P.S. It’s not too late to join me live on Zoom for weekly French classes!

Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to polish your advanced abilities, I have a place for you. Come speak French with our wonderful community and get real-time feedback on your progress.

Register here: https://expressfluency.com/product-category/french/ 🎯

Bonjour wonderful French learners! 💖

🗓️ Invitation: Weekly French Reader Club on Zoom

You’re warmly invited to join our weekly French Reader Club starting next Wednesday at 10 am EST on Zoom!

This live course is specially designed if you are a beginner who have completed the Baby Stage and you want to boost your French in a fun, supportive environment.

Here are just a few great reasons why you should join:

• Build confidence in reading French with a compelling story chosen just for your level.

• Start speaking French naturally by narrating chapters and participating in lively discussions.

• Acquire French alongside others and become part of a motivating community.

• Receive personalized guidance and support.

• Plus, there are still a few spots left, but they fill up fast, so don’t wait!

Register now to secure your place. Click here!

Plus… This is your chance to read your first book in French, “La leçon de chocolat“!

Listen to the audiobook. Click here!

🌟 Patricia’s Family Testimony: Real Success with Story Listening

“I’ve been blown away by my eldest daughter (11), who confidently narrates your little stories back in French—with mistakes, but she just goes for it! Even more amazing is my 7-year-old who narrates back the stories in English and always tries to ask me what is being said while watching. I just tell her to listen and by the end she has understood the gist of the story!

Thank you so much for all your hard work; your videos are wonderful and engaging. I’m so glad my children aren’t struggling with the horrendously fast French of the cassette tapes from my youth!!” — Patricia

Remember, narration first in your mother tongue, and then little by little in French is a crucial step to fluency.

It builds comprehension and confidence naturally by allowing your brain to process meaning first before focusing on perfect grammar or vocabulary.

It’s how children acquire language, and it works beautifully for adults too!

🙏 Thank You for Your Dedication

Thank you all for your commitment to acquiring French with us.

Your enthusiasm is inspiring, and it’s an honor to accompany you on this journey.

I look forward to seeing many of you live next Wednesday on Zoom to share stories, laughs, and progress together.

Avec tout mon cœur,
Alice 🌷🇫🇷

Bonjour wonderful French learners! 🇫🇷💖

A question I hear often, and which @Chuan asked just recently, is one that might resonate with you too:

“If I understand when listening with subtitles, but without subtitles I cannot fully understand, does that still count as effective input?”

Let me answer you personally—YES!!! It absolutely counts as effective input, even if you rely on subtitles. 🎧✨

Subtitles are simply a helpful support for your brain to make sense of the story while you listen and watch.

What truly matters is that your input is comprehensible enough for you to follow along.

Using subtitles is perfectly fine and often necessary at first.

With time and consistent exposure, your brain will naturally start recognizing sounds and patterns without needing written aids.

That “aha” moment, when you suddenly realize you understood something without subtitles, is part of the magic of language acquisition. ✨

Don’t wait until you understand perfectly without subtitles; just keep exposing yourself.

Step by step, your confidence and understanding will grow.

Trust the process and enjoy every moment of your French journey! 🌸💪

🎙️ Dive Into Authentic French with the “Pause Café” Podcast ☕️🎧

I’m excited to invite you to listen to our new episode of Pause Café, a deep and engaging conversation with Driss Ghali about his book “Mon père, le Maroc et moi“.

Driss Ghali is a Franco-Moroccan author. He has a rich background shaped by his family’s military and public service history and has lived and worked in various countries including France and Brazil.

His book “Mon père, le Maroc et moi” was written to explore his personal and cultural identity, reflecting on his roots and relationships, and to engage readers in meaningful conversations about heritage and belonging.

Click here to listen to the podcast!

This 90-minute episode is perfect when you are an intermediate or advanced learner who want to challenge yourself with real French, sometimes fast, vibrant, and very authentic.

Remember, this isn’t about catching every detail but understanding the main themes and ideas so the experience stays joyful, not frustrating.

If it feels too challenging, give yourself permission to step back and listen to more comprehensible content, then return when you’re ready.

It’s all about growth at your pace, with compassion and patience.

💖 Welcome to Our Family

A warm welcome to all our new members joining this caring community.

We are a family of French lovers who share curiosity, kindness, and joy in every story and conversation.

Enjoy the ride, keep trusting yourself, and remember: the journey is the reward. 🌟💕

Avec tout mon cœur,
Alice 🌷🇫🇷

Bonjour, cherished French learners!

This week, I’m reaching out to remind you how truly unique and special our aliceayel.com community is.

We are not just a group taking lessons, we are a caring family of curious minds who love compelling stories and understand that acquiring French, the natural way, goes beyond memorizing rules.

You are part of something beautiful, and I’m honored to be your guide on this adventure.

Just recently, @yoheiti from Melbourne, Australia asked a great question in our Community Chat:

“Just a question, how should I balance the step by step course and the stories together? Should I be watching more of one or the other, or just an equal amount of each :)”

My answer to everyone is: There’s no strict guideline!

Our approach is flexible and adapts to what feels right for your journey.

It’s not like traditional French courses, where you must finish each stage before moving forward.

Here, you choose how you want to move.

Whether that means working through the Baby Stage first and then focusing on stories, or mixing both as your brain and heart dictate.

What matters most is understanding the gist of what you hear, watch, or read.

Some days you’ll crave the step-by-step structure, other days you’ll want to immerse yourself in the richness of stories. There are no set rules.

The only true guide is this: trust yourself and choose what keeps your motivation and joy high!

🎧 Audiobook Adventures for Every Level!

My Dear man & I are thrilled to announce two brand-new audiobooks for our community!

If you’re a beginner, come enjoy the incredible true story of Pablo: a brave pigeon on a quest to find his destiny.

From Babe Ruth’s legendary home run to the front lines of WWII, Pablo’s journey mixes adventure and discovery.

Written by Adam Giedd and based loosely on real events, “Pablo le pigeon” offers action, heart, and plenty of accessible French for novice learners.

Listen here: Pablo le pigeon 🐦

If you’re at an intermediate level, you’ll find inspiration in the life of Louis Pasteur, a brilliant French scientist whose work in chemistry, germs, vaccination, and pasteurization has changed countless lives across the world.

His relentless curiosity reshaped medicine and science.

Listen here: Louis Pasteur

Our Dear Member Nadya even visited Pasteur’s house in Arbois and looked through his microscope!

Such amazing connections make acquisition come alive.

Let your French journey flourish with stories that spark your curiosity and drive! 🙌

In closing, I invite you to share your audiobook experience and your thoughts about these stories in the comments and in our Community Chat.

Your perspectives and support brighten this community.

Keep posting, keep sharing, keep engaging.

Thank you for your dedication, your enthusiasm, and for walking this path with all of us.

Remember: the journey is the reward.

Avec gratitude,
Alice 💕