French the natural way: 2 tips for progressing in listening
Coucou les French learners,
Before we delve into 2 effective tips to confidently understand French audio, here is a quick reminder to secure your spot to meet us in Pau from June 17-21, 2024. The deadline is next Monday, February 5!
You also have until tomorrow to get 50% discount on our lifetime packages. Enter Coupon Code : COUCOU2024
- Step by step videos with transcripts, audio and glossaries.
- Stories adapted to the chosen Pack.
- Exclusive full-HD videos download.
- One-time payment.
- Lifetime access!
Melissa wrote:
I am enjoying this learning platform. I love the solo option. I can take my time and process this beautiful language. Customer service has been so helpful. I highly recommend this program and I am so thankful for what they offer.
Today, Laura shared in the Community Chat:
I am on lesson 24 of the Baby Stage and also take a class on Saturdays at the A2 level. I am finding that I am able to really comprehend the Baby lesson video extremely well. However, when I go to the Baby Stories (audio only) I am really struggling unless I read it first. Any thoughts or tips on bridging to audio only?
The challenge Laura is facing with comprehending audio-only content, specifically the Baby Stories, is what many French learners face. This is a common hurdle: how to transition from understanding content through reading to confidently comprehending audio-only material.
It is easy when you use a gradual approach. Your emphasis is on exposure and understanding.
Read and listen together
Initially, read the story while listening to the audio. This will help you connect spoken words to their written form and reinforce your understanding. This dual exposure helps reinforce your understanding of vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structures.
Furthermore, the visual reinforcement from reading provides a scaffold for your comprehension. Seeing the words while hearing them strengthens the mental association between the written and spoken forms, aiding in retention.
As you follow along with the text, you become more attuned to the natural flow and rhythm of spoken French, making the transition to audio-only seamless. The simultaneous engagement of both visual and auditory senses enhances comprehension.
Try out for free by reading and listening to Le corbeau et la carafe. It is a fable for beginners about a thirsty crow.
You have a comprehensive experience that goes beyond mere translation, fostering an intuitive understanding of the language.
Break it down
Read along as you listen, and gradually reduce your reliance on the written text. Then divide the audio into smaller sections. Focus on understanding one part before moving to the next. This step-by-step approach makes the process manageable.
Large chunks of audio can overwhelm your working memory. Breaking it down reduces cognitive load, allowing your brain to effectively process the linguistic elements, such as vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Focusing on smaller sections enables you to identify key elements effectively. You can pay closer attention to specific words, phrases, or intonation patterns.
You also actively engage: pausing between sections makes you reflect on what you’ve heard, reinforcing your understanding. You create mental checkpoints throughout the listening process.
Successfully comprehending smaller sections builds confidence. As you achieve understanding in bite-sized portions, you gain assurance in your listening abilities. It motivates you to tackle more extensive audio content.
It aligns with principles of cognitive psychology, optimizing your ability to process, understand, and retain information. #trustheprocess
What are you waiting for? Join us now and make real progress in French! You will gain:
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul.
P.S. Listen to my conversation with my sister Astrid or watch it on YouTube. We talk about languages and our incredible week in Pau!
For community live meetings happening each week, find all the details here.
French the natural way: is our program enough to reach fluency?
Coucou les French learners,
Last week, Alissa asked a good question:
So is the material that is already on the website (I know the Senior Stage is not yet fully ready and I’m far away from that anyways ☺️) enough to reach fluency ?
And how much input do you recommend each day to advance fast in the language ? I guess that is individual but still maybe you have some sort of guidelines
Just want to say that I really enjoy your way of teaching and the stories and I’m very happy to have found you.
Here is our best possible answer to Alissa:
The materials available on our website provide a strong foundation to acquire French, but achieving fluency isn’t solely reliant on these resources. Becoming fluent in French depends on regular abundant input. Input alone is sufficient to become fluent in French.
The amount of daily input can vary based on your schedule, but consistency is key. Aiming for regular exposure, even if it’s a short duration daily, contributes significantly to progress. While there’s no fixed guideline, striving for around 20-30 minutes of focused interaction with French content daily can be a great starting point.
The more consistent you are hearing and reading French, the more progress you’ll notice in the long term toward fluency. Alissa, remember the journey itself is incredibly rewarding and should be enjoyable. Your main emphasis is on comprehension.
When you comprehend what you hear and read in French effortlessly, your brain naturally starts to internalize the language. It progresses from understanding without conscious effort, to thinking in French, and eventually culminates in speaking French spontaneously and effortlessly.
Here are your 3 steps: U(nderstand)-T(hink)-S(peak)
This pain-free, simple approach will transform your French experience from an arduous task into a joyful adventure. #trusttheprocess
Understand French now!
Listen Actively: Engage with comprehensible French content. Start with simple stories or stories you know already in your own language. When you are a beginner, start by watching stories.
Your focus is on comprehension rather than stressing over vocabulary memorization or grammar rules, making it an engaging and effective way to acquire French.
You should be captivated, making the language acquisition process enjoyable and accessible.
Here are some cues:
– Read and listen to stories at your level. If you are a beginner, explore the 81 Baby Stories available.
– Listen to our audiobooks. These are French readers specifically written for French learners.
– Explore our diaporamas. You can follow songs’ lyrics or learn about a true story or tradition.
– If you are short on time, watch our one minute videos with subtitles. That way, you are still exposed to French input daily.
Now if
- you prefer to set your own pace without the influence of a group, allowing you to focus on you individual needs.
- being part of a community involves scheduled meetings or interactions, which do not align with your availability or preference for flexible acquisition times.
- joining a community induces anxiety because you feel uncomfortable speaking or sharing your progress in front of others.
- you don’t want to pay a recurring fee and you just want to pay once.
You can now choose to GO SOLO !
Until January, 31 get 50% OFF for one French Stage. Enter Coupon Code : COUCOU2024
Get full Access to
- Step by step videos with transcripts, audio and glossaries.
- Stories adapted to the chosen Pack.
- Exclusive full-HD videos download.
- One-time payment.
- Lifetime access!
Think French
Reading in French is a powerful tool for thinking in the language because it helps internalize sentence structure, provides cultural context, aids memory recall, and establishes connections between words and concepts.
Regular reading promotes fluid thinking in French.
Now, this is very exciting news!!! Barry, one of our very dear members wrote a truly captivating book, all in comprehensible French!
You probably know the adventures of Marie and her clever dog, Médor. But do you know Marie’s magical uncle, Tonton Nono? He has a giant flying orange to take Marie wherever she wants to go. Tonton Nono‘s real name is Bruno, and he is Marie‘s mother’s brother. Here is his story when Bruno was young and how he discovered magic.
A comprehensible story written in the past tense with unique characters and exciting twists to keep you wanting more! Rich vocabulary and structures are repeated throughout the stories to provide optimal input. Reading this book will help you think in French. #readingispower
Download the pdf version here.
Speak French
Our first gathering in Pau in October 2023 was a tremendous success. It was a week filled with authentic French conversations, quality time in delightful restaurants, and, most importantly, lots of laughter and joy.
While many of you expressed interest in joining, my sister, Astrid and I opted to keep this experience limited to a small group to ensure a more enriching time together.
That’s why we’re having a new reunion in Pau from June 17-21, 2024.
This is another special gathering, distinct from the one in October. It’s a unique 5-day immersive program with only 10 spots available, so be sure to secure your spot promptly!
You can find all the details, along with pricing, here.
About Pau 2023, Carolyn shared:
I had a great time despite knowing less French than everyone else. What a lovely group! And fun lessons.
What are you waiting for? Join us now and make real progress in French! You will gain:
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul.
P.S. Our January reunion was another delight (watch the recording here – only available to our members), we are meeting again LIVE on Zoom on Wednesday, February 28 2024. Save the date. More details soon!
For more community live meetings happening each week, find all the details here.
French the natural way: Join me for one hour live tomorrow!
Coucou les French learners,
It is just a quick reminder that we are meeting live for La nouvelle année 2024 !
Wednesday January 10
5pm UK / 6pm France / 12pm EST / 9am PST
Let’s kick off the New Year together with a special reunion! Join me live on Zoom for a story reading session followed by lively chats, all in comprehensible French!
Share your New Year’s objectives and aspirations: what challenges do you aim to conquer, and what do you envision achieving this year?
Click here to join us, I can’t wait to meet you!
Gain New Friends and Get Involved with the French Learners Community. #youarenotalone
Increase your vocabulary and comprehension #storyispower
Reduce your stress #relax
Communicate with real people in French #youcandothis
(You don’t have to speak if you don’t feel ready to, you can use the live chat to communicate)
Now if
- you prefer to set your own pace without the influence of a group, allowing you to focus on you individual needs.
- being part of a community involves scheduled meetings or interactions, which do not align with your availability or preference for flexible acquisition times.
- joining a community induces anxiety because you feel uncomfortable speaking or sharing your progress in front of others.
- you don’t want to pay a recurring fee and you just want to pay once.
You can now choose to GO SOLO !
Until January, 31 get 50% OFF for one French Stage. Enter Coupon Code : COUCOU2024
Get full Access to
- Step by step videos with transcripts, audio and glossaries.
- Stories adapted to the chosen Pack.
- Exclusive full-HD videos download.
- One-time payment.
- Lifetime access!
Simo Mace shared on Trustpilot:
This method is highly effective for beginners aiming to reach a B level proficiency. This approach provides a comprehensive range of materials to facilitate an immersive language learning experience. Tailored for optimal results, it caters to the diverse needs of learners, making it an excellent choice for those embarking on their language learning journey.
What are you waiting for? Join us now and make real progress in French! You will gain:
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul.
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!
P.P.S. My winter weekly online sessions started this week and you can still join! They are tailored from upper beginners to advanced learners. If you are looking for a nudge to move forward in your French journey, then join me live along with a group of motivated and fun learners! Click here to sign up.
French the natural way: 3 steps to make real progress
Coucou les French learners,
Bonne année et bonne santé 2024 !
I love this quote from Nadya, our caring member, who shared in the Community Chat:
Bonne année : 2 fois plus de bonheur, 0 grammes de soucis, 2 tonnes de surprises, 4 millions se sourires !
This year, FOCUS.
Focus on acquisition. Focus on the process. Focus on the journey.
Progress step by step and make real progress in French. Focus on your achievements. The journey is the reward.
It is easy. Focus on those 3 letters U – T – S :
U – Understand French
T – Think French
S – Speak French
Understand French now!
Your initial focus is to understand the language itself. Make French become clear to you. Once you understand what you hear and read, your mind naturally begins to process thoughts in French.
Ben and I have put together a very special program to help you start your French journey. All you have to is to sit back and relax. Listen to compelling stories. Listen with the intent to understand.
Once you understand the gist of the story, you are done. Your brain is processing the new language for you and is storing the French words.
You read compelling stories. Do not focus on French, focus on the story: what is the problem, what is going on, how the story ends… Your brain acquires French subconsciously.
When you understand what you hear or read, that is when your brain acquires the new language. The new structures stay in your brain forever because you have acquired them (not learned them).
Choose your way!
Go community
Access structured courses with videos, transcripts and audio, specifically designed to make you progress step by step. Be part of a caring community and share your journey with other learners like you. Have a support network, motivating and encouraging you through your highs and lows. Access updates and enhancements. Keep yourself accountable through the most invested community.
Access to ALL resources
- Baby, Infant, Teen, Adult, Senior Stages: 153 videos with transcripts, audio and glossaries.
- 495 stories with audio and glossaries.
- Community chat, Books and Audiobooks.
- Diaporamas.
- Exclusive Videos…
Go solo
This is brand new: you can now explore one Stage at a time forever!
Advance incrementally through single-level content to master French at your own pace. Enjoy the exclusive option to download full-HD videos for an immersive learning experience. Make French become clear to you. Have the advantage of continual access to the course material. Learn at your own pace without time constraints. Revisit sessions whenever needed, reinforcing your comprehension.
Feel empowered. Transform yourself and get a French soul.
Until January, 31 get 50% OFF for your chosen pack. Enter Coupon Code : COUCOU2024
Get full Access to
- Step by step videos with transcripts, audio and glossaries.
- Stories adapted to the chosen Pack.
- Exclusive full-HD videos download.
- One-time payment.
- Lifetime access!
Think French
Once French becomes clear to you, you start to think French. By consistently exposing yourself to comprehensible input, focusing on understanding, thinking, you can gradually engage in conversations. This is the right time to join me live!
My winter weekly online sessions start next Monday! They are tailored from upper beginners to advanced learners. If you are looking for a nudge to move forward in your French journey, then join me live along with a group of motivated and fun learners!
Sign up here! There are still a few spots available!
Linda shared:
I am really enjoying Alice’s class. She keeps the class lively and entertaining with many opportunities to listen to her beautiful French and to speak it as we learn. I look forward to Monday mornings each week, knowing that I will be part of a fun learning experience.
Speak French
You are now ready to focus on speaking! So why not join me and your fellow French learners in Pau on June 17 to 21?
Boost your French, explore the unique history and discover the hidden gems of Pau, as well as indulge in exquisite cuisine. You will also connect with like-minded individuals, forging new friendships.
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, this program provides a safe and relaxed environment for you to confidently express yourself in French. Prepare to return home with a deeper understanding of the French way of life and a renewed passion for the language.
Secure your spot now! 10 participants ONLY.
Judy shared about Pau 2023:
I think for a first immersive experience this was perfect — fun and not too demanding, and very accepting/welcoming. And this particular group of people was just wonderful, a real pleasure to spend the week with. Alice, I love and appreciate your demeanor and would love to do another, more intensive immersion with you.
What are you waiting for? Join us now and make real progress in French! You will gain:
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul.
P.S. We are meeting again LIVE on Zoom on Wednesday, January 10. This will be our first encounter of the year so I hope to see you! Click here to join.
French the natural way: top 2 highlights of 2023
Coucou les French learners,
May peace, love, and prosperity follow you always. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. May your heart be lifted! Joyeux Noël !
As we approach the end of 2023, it’s time to reminisce about the highlights of this year for our community.