French the natural way: how should you start reading?

Coucou les French learners,

This week, I want to share a great question from Pete, one of our dear members, which I believe will resonate with many of you:

How should I read? Should I read the French words to myself (in my head like the adult I am) or will it be best to read out loud as I did as a child (70 years ago) when I was learning to read English?

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French news: uncover the legend of the Pont d’Avignon (and join me live!)

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

Today, during my Monday live class, I shared the legend of the Pont d’Avignon. This legendary tale captivated everyone and sparked a lot of interest in learning more about this iconic piece of French history.

New Resource: The Bridge of Avignon

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French the natural way: discover the joy of reading in French!

Coucou les French learners,

Are you eager to read a book in French but unsure which one to choose? You’re not alone! This is a common challenge for language learners at all levels.

When I first started to acquire Portuguese, I was eager to dive into classic literature.

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abisproduction235 accountability202 accountable202 autonomouslearner236 becomeamember233 beginnerplus166 boost218 booster213 classes39 comprehensiblefrench275 comprehensibleinput265 comprehension284 consistency170 consistent171 dailyfrench224 determined166 discipline162 disciplined177 engage184 engaged172 enjoytheride180 event79 fle303 french for fun44 frenchbeginner169 frenchcommunity261 frenchforall227 fun447 inputaloneissufficient257 intensive181 interact217 intermediate741 journey200 keepmotivated207 language acquisition263 learner251 lefrancaisensemble240 lisenfrançais216 listen317 live62 live event55 liveclass98 motivate185 motivated177 motivation235 motivationbreak182 natural199 novice high275 novicehigh360 online learner221 partnership52 pleasure158 pleasurereading141 reading286 reboot101 reward36 slow french345 speakfrench211 upper beginner449

French news: feel energized, join me this week!

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

Every Monday, I spend 30 minutes with Suqing, my Chinese tutor, and it’s something I always look forward to. Our interactions leave me feeling energized and accomplished because I can understand her, ask questions when I’m confused, and use new words I’ve picked up from watching Chinese videos during the week.

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accountability202 accountable202 acquirefrench76 active listener94 activelistener54 activelistening78 advanced294 advanced french93 beginner318 classesdefrançais40 conversation311 feedback59 feelgood30 frenchclass101 frenchclasses72 frenchnews27 guidance35 infolettre35 interact217 interaction47 interactive43 intermediate741 lessons36 live session100 liveclass98 motivation235 novice168 novicehigh360 observe25 online teaching29 progress135 pronounciation43 silence7 silent10 speak85 speakfrench211 stayontrack35 stepstospeaking58 teaching42 train29 training56 upper beginner449 warmup43 zoomclass83

French the natural way: it’s OK not to understand!

Coucou les French learners,

Today, I want to touch base on a common concern that many of you might encounter: the feeling of being lost when you don’t understand a story… Or even its gist!

Have you ever found yourself in this situation?

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abisproduction235 accountability202 accountable202 autonomouslearner236 becomeamember233 beginnerplus166 boost218 booster213 cicommunity113 comprehensiblefrench275 comprehensibleinput265 comprehension284 consistency170 consistent171 dailyfrench224 determined166 engage184 engaged172 fle303 focus36 french for fun44 french immersion23 frenchbeginner169 frenchcommunity261 frenchforall227 frenchreader46 fun447 inputaloneissufficient257 intensive181 interact217 intermediate741 journey200 keepmotivated207 language acquisition263 learner251 lefrancaisensemble240 lisenfrançais216 listen317 livre63 moments15 motivate185 motivated177 motivation235 motivationbreak182 natural199 new year22 novice high275 novicehigh360 objective21 online learner221 progress135 reading286 reboot101 reward36 slow french345 speakfrench211 total physical response14 tpr19 understandfrench35 upper beginner449

French news: embracing the silent phase

Coucou les membres de la communauté,

Last week, I shared with you my evolving perspective on pronunciation in French, emphasizing the importance of training our mouths and tongues to speak with confidence. (In case you missed it, read about my recent ephihany here!)

[read more…]

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French the natural way: how to make sure you understand it!

Coucou les French learners,

As language learners, we often wonder how well we’ve understood a video, a story or a text. We find ourselves asking:

Did I understand the message? Did I grasp the main idea? Did I really get the gist of it?

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abisproduction235 accountability202 accountable202 autonomouslearner236 becomeamember233 beginnerplus166 boost218 booster213 cicommunity113 comprehensiblefrench275 comprehensibleinput265 comprehension284 consistency170 consistent171 dailyfrench224 determined166 engage184 engaged172 fle303 focus36 french for fun44 french immersion23 frenchbeginner169 frenchcommunity261 frenchforall227 frenchreader46 fun447 inputaloneissufficient257 intensive181 interact217 intermediate741 journey200 keepmotivated207 language acquisition263 learner251 lefrancaisensemble240 lisenfrançais216 listen317 livre63 moments15 motivate185 motivated177 motivation235 motivationbreak182 natural199 new year22 novice high275 novicehigh360 objective21 online learner221 progress135 reading286 reboot101 reward36 slow french345 speakfrench211 total physical response14 tpr19 understandfrench35 upper beginner449