French the natural way: it’s Not the destination, but the journey!

Coucou les French learners,

I am back from a magical week in Pau, near the Pyrenees where I spent quality time with 11 dear members of our community. But more on that next week…

Ma soeur et moi à Pau !

For now,

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French the natural way: 5 tips to keep you engaged and progressing!

Coucou les French learners,

Discipline is often the secret ingredient behind achieving your French language goals. It’s what helps you stay focused even when you’re not as excited as you were at the beginning or when the newness of learning wears off.

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abisproduction237 advanced beginner479 autonomouslearner238 becomeamember235 beginnerplus168 boost220 cicommunity115 comprehensiblefrench277 comprehensibleinput277 comprehension286 consistency172 consistent173 dailyfrench226 determined168 discipline164 disciplined179 engaged174 fle305 french for fun44 frenchbeginner171 frenchcommunity266 frenchforall229 fun449 fvr53 inputaloneissufficient259 intensive183 interact219 intermediate743 keepmotivated209 lacoste2 language acquisition265 learner253 lefrancaisensemble242 lisenfrançais218 listen319 motivate187 motivated179 motivation237 natural201 novice high277 novicehigh362 online learner223 reading288 reboot101 slow french347 speakfrench213 tennis3 upper beginner449

French the natural way: tips to start reading

Coucou les French learners,

I have just finished reading such an impactful post about language acquisition. Jody Noble, who is a fanstastic language teacher has been discussing the myth around language practice.

Courtesy of Compelling Input Productions

She writes: “Why do people continue to believe that PRACTICE is the key?

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French the natural way: how to access input?

Coucou les French learners,

I have just finished reading this fascinating article by Steve Kaufmann on how learning a new language is a subconscious process. Basically, the author explains how he learned Romanian by first reading a lot about Romania in Romanian! He says: “

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Story listening is powerful!

To me, developing listening skills are vital in life, yet not practiced enough. As teachers, we are told to let students learn by doing (which is valuable too in some cases) and that classrooms should be students led. As a consequence the skill of listening is being put aside,

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How to find out about your learners interests in a compelling way?

I have started teaching French to a group of 3 girls aged 10 years old. They are native German but they have been attending a primary school where they were taught French intensively, it was like an immersion type of school so their level is very good.

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From story-telling to story-asking

I am reading TPRS with Chinese characteristics: making students fluent and literate through comprehensible input by Terry Waltz and I am learning a great deal! I definitely recommend this book if, like me, you want your learners to truly develop fluency and proficiency in another language and on the other hand you do not consider yourself advanced in TPRS and comprehensible input,

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