9 things you say that rub French people the wrong way
Whether you are quoting a famous song, trying to be funny or just being totally naive, some statement or questions are going to rub a French person the wrong way. Here is my top 9 list. The post 9...
View ArticleMeeting in Paris - Rencontre à Paris - a typical bilingual dialogue
My phone student Eric had to review his greetings in French. I asked him to write a realistic dialogue for homework. It turned out so good that we decided to share it with you :-) The post Meeting in...
View ArticleFrench Vocabulary for Pinterest - Vocabulaire Pour Pinterest
Pinterest's interface in France is still in English. So French people using Pinterest are going to use English words, with a strong French accent. However, the French also use some French words - they...
View ArticleD-Day ("Le Débarquement")
June 6th is a pretty special day. It's the anniversary of D-Day and as both a French and US citizen, it definitely has double the impact on me. The post D-Day ("Le Débarquement") appeared first on...
View ArticleLes fêtes foraines - carnivals and fun fairs in France
Each summer, roving carnivals/ fun fairs seize the villages of la campagne française (French countryside). Children love it, adults are usually a bit mad at all the mess it brings (limited parking,...
View ArticleCanadian French - Le Sirop d'Erable
Puisque le Québec est le seul pays francophone qui produit du sirop d’érable, il a développé un vocabulaire spécialisé immense au sujet de l’acériculture (culture et exploitation du sucre d’érable). Le...
View ArticleLa Cathédrale de Reims - Learn French In Context
Située à l’est de Paris dans la région Champagne-Ardenne, Reims (prononcez "Rince" = R, "IN" nasal et un S a la fin) est une ville qui a un patrimoine riche et divers. L’histoire de la ville est...
View ArticleLe 14 juillet, la Fête Nationale Française - Bastille Day
Le 14 juillet est la Fête Nationale en France : c'est une journée de célébration de la culture française. De nombreux événements publics ont lieu: des défilés militaires, des repas de commune, des...
View ArticleFrench Vocabulary for Twitter - Vocabulaire Français pour Twitter
Twitter's interface is still in English - so of course, the French are very likely to use English words to talk about their actions on Twitter. But here is a vocabulary list - it's interesting mostly...
View ArticleThe French school system explained
This is always a problem for my students. Understanding the French school system, l'école française, knowing which grades are which is a real nightmare. So here is a post that should make things...
View ArticleHow to Comment About Food in French
Food is often at the very top of French conversations. The French always comment on their food and at home, a cook always expects many compliments. So today, we'll study how to make positive and...
View ArticleNantes : A City Turned Towards the Future - An Easy Bilingual Virtual Visit
Olivier et moi revenons de 48 heures à Nantes : nous sommes tombés sous le charme de cette ville jeune, dynamique, avec un urbanisme moderne sachant mettre en valeur ses quartiers historiques. Lisez...
View ArticleHow is Halloween celebrated in France? Learn French Vocabulary and Traditions
French people don't typically celebrate Halloween. In the 1990s, young international hipsters started to have costume parties for Halloween, and some bars and restaurants took up the trend as well...
View ArticleThanksgiving in France
Camille and I sometimes have students or friends from the US/Canada asking us about how we celebrate Thanksgiving in France. The short answer is "we don't" and that often comes to a them as a...
View ArticleQue signifie "Black Friday"? Meaning & French Traditions for "Black Friday"
"Black Friday" marque le début de la saison des soldes de Noël aux États-Unis. Cela commence le vendredi après Thanksgiving. Les entreprises américaines ont des soldes de un à trois jours avec...
View ArticleSaint Nicolas - the French Santa Claus
Dans la nuit du 5 au 6 décembre, Saint Nicolas passe dans les maisons pour apporter aux enfants sages des friandises (fruits secs, mandarines, gâteaux, bonbons, chocolats et surtout de grands pains...
View ArticleHanukkah in France - La Fête d'Hanoucca
Chanukah or Hanukkah, is usually spelled Hanoucca In French (also Hanoukka, Hannouccah, Hanouccah…). It is also called « la Fête de l'Édification » ou « la Fêtes de l'Encénie », ou "la Fête des...
View ArticleChristmas in France - French Christmas Dialogue (with audio)
For the Holidays, I created and recorded a realistic dialogue to introduce you to both the French traditions and precise vocabulary used in France around Christmas and the Holidays. This post comes...
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Catholic Mass Prayers in French (with audio)
Far from me to proselytize, but this recording of the French Catholic mass might interest some people. I know some of my students will attend services regularly, even when in a foreign country. The...
View ArticleHail Mary in French With Audio - Enregistrement du Je Vous Salue Marie
My enunciated recording of the Catholic mass is so popular that I thought I'd record the "Je vous Salue Marie" ("Hail Mary") as well. The post Hail Mary in French With Audio - Enregistrement du Je Vous...
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