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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abisproduction201 advanced beginner443 autonomouslearner202 becomeamember199 beginnerplus132 boost184 cicommunity102 comprehensiblefrench241 comprehensibleinput231 comprehension250 consistency136 consistent137 dailyfrench190 determined132 discipline128 disciplined143 engage150 engaged138 fle269 french for fun44 frenchbeginner135 frenchcommunity226 frenchforall193 fun413 fvr53 inputaloneissufficient223 intensive147 interact183 intermediate707 keepmotivated173 lacoste2 language acquisition229 learner217 lefrancaisensemble206 lisenfrançais182 listen283 motivate151 motivated143 motivation201 motivationbreak148 natural165 novice high241 novicehigh326 online learner187 reading252 reboot78 reward36 slow french311 speakfrench193 tennis3 upper beginner449

French the natural way: discover the power of taking notes

Coucou les French learners,

C’est la rentrée ! It’s back to school (or work) in France. This phrase is commonly used in French to refer to the time when people return to school or work after summer vacation. Because, you know, les vacances, c’est sacré !

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abisproduction201 acquire50 acquiring18 advanced beginner443 authentic168 autonomouslearner202 becomeamember199 beginner french28 cicommunity102 community154 comprehensiblefrench241 comprehensibleinput231 comprehension250 course124 dailyfrench190 dailyreading32 fle269 fluency107 freewrite50 frenchacquisitionforall34 frenchcommunity226 frenchculture295 frenchfluency19 frenchforall193 frenchjourney20 frenchreaders66 improve19 improvement15 inputaloneissufficient223 intermediate707 journal53 journaling46 language45 language acquisition229 learner217 lefrancaisensemble206 listen283 massiveinput10 natural165 notes2 novice168 novice high241 novicehigh326 online learner187 process22 produce12 production44 progress101 reading252 selftaught48 slow french311 speak85 speakfrench193 speech9 takingnotes2 tips50 upper beginner449 write59

Adult Stage – Conclusion

Coucou la communauté des French learners !

L’étape adulte est terminée. Tu as complété toutes les sessions de l’« Adult Stage », félicitations !

Je vais continuer de parler en Français parce que maintenant, tu peux comprendre tout ce que je dis (ou presque !) en Français.

adult-progress32 adult-stage32 advice23 apprendslefrançais91 approach38 communauté59 community154 conclusion5 course124 culturefrancaise80 culturefrance2 experience15 frenchacquisition135 frenchcommunity226 frenchjourney20 histoiredefrance137 howto49 intermédiaire577 intermediate707 labase65 method20 natural approach59 nextstep4 nextsteps4 notes2 optimalinput74 ownexperience9 plenary5 plenarysession5 presentation140 presenting102 read40 readandshare5 recommendation11 script201 scripts113 self french205 series71 share17 slow french311 slow pace126 takingnotes2 tips50 upper beginner449 video350 vivelacommunautédefrenchlearners15 vocabulary256 vocabularylist84 write59

French the natural way: how writing prepares you for fluent speaking

Coucou les French learners,

I hope you are enjoying l’été, summer time! I love this time of the year because as some of you may know already, I am a frileuse. This French word cannot really be translated in English but it basically means I am sensitive to cold.

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abisproduction201 acquire50 acquiring18 advanced beginner443 authentic168 autonomouslearner202 becomeamember199 beginner french28 cicommunity102 community154 comprehensiblefrench241 comprehensibleinput231 comprehension250 course124 dailyfrench190 dailyreading32 fle269 fluency107 freewrite50 frenchacquisitionforall34 frenchcommunity226 frenchculture295 frenchfluency19 frenchforall193 frenchjourney20 frenchreaders66 improve19 improvement15 inputaloneissufficient223 intermediate707 journal53 journaling46 language45 language acquisition229 learner217 lefrancaisensemble206 listen283 massiveinput10 natural165 novice168 novice high241 novicehigh326 online learner187 process22 produce12 production44 progress101 reading252 selftaught48 slow french311 speak85 speakfrench193 speech9 teenstage16 tips50 translate7 translating6 upper beginner449 write59

French the natural way: to dare is to do

Coucou les French learners,

Today, I have received the most uplifting message from Christine, a dear member and committed learner:

On this day of thanksgiving (USA), I especially thank you for your special companionship on my French language acquiring journey. I wouldn’t be where I am without your presence in my life on my journey. 

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abisproduction201 accountability168 accountable168 acquire50 acquiring18 adultstage1 advanced beginner443 authentic168 autonomouslearner202 bandedessinnée6 bd6 becomeamember199 cicommunity102 comic book2 comics7 community154 comprehensiblefrench241 comprehensibleinput231 comprehension250 course124 dailyfrench190 dailyreading32 fle269 fluency107 freewrite50 frenchacquisitionforall34 frenchcommunity226 frenchculture295 frenchfluency19 frenchforall193 frenchjourney20 frenchreaders66 iceberg6 icebergimage6 improve19 improvement15 inputaloneissufficient223 intermédiaire577 intermediate707 keepgoing27 keepmotivated173 language45 language acquisition229 learner217 lefrancaisensemble206 lisenfrançais182 listen283 massiveinput10 motivated143 motivation201 motiver4 natural165 online learner187 process22 produce12 production44 productive9 progress101 read40 reading252 rester-motive23 selftaught48 slow french311 speakfrench193 tips50 total physical response14 tpr19

French the natural way: become a joyful reader

Coucou les French learners,

Last week was full of events as we commemorated the end of la Grande Guerre, the Great War. The 11th of November is un jour férié, a bank holiday in France and it celebrates l’Armistice which happened in 1918,

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abisproduction201 accountability168 accountable168 acquire50 acquiring18 advanced beginner443 authentic168 autonomouslearner202 bandedessinnée6 bd6 becomeamember199 cicommunity102 comic book2 comics7 community154 comprehensiblefrench241 comprehensibleinput231 comprehension250 course124 dailyfrench190 dailyreading32 fle269 fluency107 freewrite50 frenchacquisitionforall34 frenchcommunity226 frenchculture295 frenchfluency19 frenchforall193 frenchjourney20 frenchreaders66 iceberg6 icebergimage6 improve19 improvement15 inputaloneissufficient223 intermediate707 keepgoing27 keepmotivated173 language45 language acquisition229 learner217 lefrancaisensemble206 lisenfrançais182 listen283 massiveinput10 motivated143 motivation201 motiver4 natural165 online learner187 process22 produce12 production44 productive9 progress101 read40 reading252 rester-motive23 selftaught48 slow french311 speakfrench193 teenstage16 tips50 total physical response14 tpr19

French the natural way: keep it up!

Coucou les French learners,

To be honest, watching and hearing my own children speaking Portuguese fluently and sounding like natives, makes me feel discouraged sometimes. I struggle to speak Portuguese fluently, to let it flow!

I was reading this interesting article about the best age to learn a language.

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abisproduction201 accountability168 accountable168 acquire50 acquiring18 advanced beginner443 authentic168 autonomouslearner202 becomeamember199 cicommunity102 community154 comprehensiblefrench241 comprehensibleinput231 comprehension250 course124 dailyfrench190 dailyreading32 fle269 fluency107 freewrite50 frenchacquisitionforall34 frenchcommunity226 frenchculture295 frenchfluency19 frenchforall193 frenchjourney20 frenchreaders66 iceberg6 icebergimage6 improve19 improvement15 inputaloneissufficient223 intermediate707 keepgoing27 keepmotivated173 language45 language acquisition229 learner217 lefrancaisensemble206 listen283 massiveinput10 motivated143 motivation201 motiver4 natural165 online learner187 process22 produce12 production44 productive9 progress101 reading252 rester-motive23 selftaught48 slow french311 speakfrench193 teenstage16 tips50 total physical response14 tpr19