Stream it Now: The New Look (Dior)

Lovers of la mode* will undoubtedly devour new period drama, The New Look, which documents legendary designer Christian Dior’s rise after World War II. And, bien sûr*, his infamous rivalry with the equally iconic Coco Chanel.

Landing on Apple TV+ on February 14th, the first series comprises 10 episodes, with our own Ben Mendelsohn and France’s Juliette Binoche playing the feuding fashionistas.

Stream it here or read all about it. And, if you become hooked, don’t despair. A second series is currently in production!

*fashion| *of course

La Petite Histoire

If you've ever done a group lesson here at Lingua Franca, you've probably come into contact with La Petite Histoire*. A tale with the very humblest of beginnings, it winds up becoming a rollicking schlockbuster as you move up the levels and your French improves enough to handle the outrageous (some would say impossible) turns of events of the six young friends.

La Petite Histoire is currently only available to our students, however La Préquelle is for everyone’s enjoyment. Below, another instalment of this new series, the final chapter of the Intermediate Revision level.

*The Little Story | *The Prequel

En voyant mon désarroi, Simon a pris ma main tendrement.

“Mais, Leïla, qu’est-ce qu’il y a ? Pourquoi tu pleures ?” il a demandé.

“Ah, je suis désolée, Simon. Je suis vraiment embarrassée.”

“Tu ne devrais jamais être embarrassée devant moi, Leïla, mais je suis inquiet. Pourquoi tu es tellement triste ?”

“Ce n’est pas que je suis triste, Simon, c’est que je ne sais plus où j’en suis ! Je trouve très difficile de réconcilier tous les rôles de ma vie. Je suis femme, maman et étudiante mais c’est vraiment difficile de mélanger les trois. Je sais que je ne devrais pas me plaindre car je suis très chanceuse. Je suis très heureuse de pouvoir faire mes études mais parfois j’ai l’impression d’avoir trop de responsabilités.”

“Jean-Louis ne t’aide pas ?” a demandé Simon.

“Il travaille beaucoup,” j’ai répondu.

“Mais cette semaine, par exemple, il s’occupe des jumelles. Ça aide, non ?”

“Oui, je suppose, mais ce n’est qu’une semaine et il a dû demander l’aide de sa mère ! Moi, je fais les autres 51 semaines de l’année presque sans aide.”

“Tu ne peux pas lui demander pour plus d’aide, Leïla ?” Simon a proposé.

“C’est compliqué. J’adore mon mari mais c’est un homme traditionnel. Lui, il n’était pas très content quand je lui ai dit que j’avais l’intention de reprendre mes études. Il pense que si je décide de faire les études en plus d’être mère et femme que c’est à moi de gérer parce que son travail prend presque tout son temps.”

“Ah, je vois,” a dit Simon, d’un air sérieux. “Je vois. Ça doit être très difficile pour toi, Leïla.”

“Parfois, oui, Simon, c’est vrai,” j’ai admis. “Aujourd’hui, par exemple. Je ne sais pas pourquoi je te raconte mes problèmes. Encore une fois, je suis désolée.”

“Tu ne dois jamais t’excuser auprès de moi, Leïla. Je suis flatté que tu aies choisi de me parler de tout ça. Tu peux me faire confiance, tu sais,” il a ajouté sincèrement.

“Merci Simon,” j’ai dit. “En fait, maintenant qu’on en parle, ce n’est pas tout. Avant de quitter Paris, j’avais l’impression que Jean-Louis avait hâte que je parte. Et puis hier, quand je lui ai téléphoné pour dire coucou, j’ai entendu la voix d’une femme inconnue en fond.”

“C’est sa mère, sûrement ?” Simon a tout de suite répondu.

“Non, Simon. Je connais très bien la voix de sa mère. Ce n’était pas elle.” Et avec cette confession, j’ai recommencé à pleurer.

“Leïla, ne pleure pas, s’il te plaît. Parlons des choses plus agréables. Tu as parlé à Anaïs récemment ?”

“Non,” j’ai répondu, reconnaissante de la distraction. “Pas pendant quelques jours de toute façon. Elle a une vie très chargée. Elle est très sociale.”

“C’est normal, Leïla. Anaïs n’a pas des responsabilités comme toi.”

“Oui, c’est vrai, mais parfois je voudrais changer de place avec elle. Tout serait tellement plus simple,” j’ai dit.

“Oui, peut-être,” Simon a dit, hésitant, “mais à mon avis, Leïla, Anaïs serait incapable de gérer ta vie. Je l’aime bien, mais c’est toi que j’admire,” il a ajouté, en rougissant un petit peu.

J’étais vraiment touchée, je dois admettre. Il y avait un long moment de silence entre nous avant que j’ai noté que Simon me tenait toujours la main. En fait, il était en train de la caresser doucement.

Choquée, j’ai retiré ma main tout de suite, mais je le regrettais deux secondes plus tard.

Upon seeing my distress, Simon took my hand gently.

"But, Leïla, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked.

"Ah, I'm sorry, Simon. I'm really embarrassed."

"You should never be embarrassed in front of me, Leïla, but I'm worried. Why are you so sad?"

"It's not that I'm sad, Simon, it's just that I don't know where I stand anymore! I find it very difficult to reconcile all the roles in my life. I'm a woman, a mother, and a student, but it's really hard to mix all three. I know I shouldn't complain because I'm very fortunate. I'm very happy to be able to pursue my studies, but sometimes I feel like I have too many responsibilities."

"Doesn't Jean-Louis help you?" Simon asked.

"He works a lot," I replied.

"But this week, for example, he's taking care of the twins. That helps, right?"

"Yes, I suppose, but it's only one week, and he had to ask his mother for help! I handle the other 51 weeks of the year almost without assistance."

"Can't you ask him for more help, Leïla?" Simon suggested.

"It's complicated. I love my husband, but he's a traditional man. He wasn't very happy when I told him I intended to resume my studies. He thinks that if I decide to pursue studies in addition to being a mother and a wife, then it's up to me to manage because his work takes up almost all of his time."

"Ah, I see," Simon said, with a serious expression. "I see. It must be very difficult for you, Leïla."

"Sometimes, yes, Simon, it's true," I admitted. "Today, for example. I don't know why I'm telling you about my problems again. I'm sorry."

"You should never apologize to me, Leïla. I'm honored that you chose to talk to me about all this. You can trust me, you know," he added sincerely.

"Thank you, Simon," I said. "Actually, now that we're talking about it, it's not everything. Before leaving Paris, I felt like Jean-Louis was looking forward to me leaving. And then yesterday, when I called to say hello, I heard the voice of an unknown woman in the background."

"It's his mother, surely?" Simon immediately replied.

"No, Simon. I know his mother's voice very well. It wasn't her." And with that confession, I started crying again.

"Leïla, don't cry, please. Let's talk about more pleasant things. Have you talked to Anaïs recently?"

"No," I replied, grateful for the distraction. "Not for a few days anyway. She has a very busy life. She's very social."

"That's normal, Leïla. Anaïs doesn't have responsibilities like you."

"Yes, that's true, but sometimes I wish I could switch places with her. Everything would be so much simpler," I said.

"Yes, maybe," Simon said, hesitating, "but in my opinion, Leïla, Anaïs would be unable to handle your life. I like her, but it's you that I admire," he added, blushing a little.

I was truly touched, I must admit. There was a long moment of silence between us before I noticed that Simon was still holding my hand. In fact, he was gently caressing it.

Shocked, I withdrew my hand immediately, but I regretted it two seconds later.

How to Learn French - you're not alone.

With the new year now underway, I’ve made a return to tennis and its attendant feeling of failure it appears to evoke in me.

As you well know by now, j’adore mon tennis*  but as a beginner there is more than one concept I’m having trouble mastering.

Par exemple*, the coach wants me to hit the ball with an upward motion in order to generate some top spin instead of hitting it so flat. He’s been trying to get me to do this now for about a year and I feel as though I’m no closer to doing it now than when I first picked up la raquette*. He’s explained it to, shown me, drilled me, encouraged me, cajoled and reminded me about mille fois*, and yet my body is just not getting the message.

Today, however, I may have had a breakthrough, and it was all down to just a few words. Those mots magiques*, you ask?

“Everyone finds it difficult, Katrina.”

All of a sudden, it clicked. I still can’t do it, bien sûr*, (the man’s good but he’s not a miracle worker) but with that comment, my mindset completely changed. All of a sudden the (embarrassing amount of) pressure I was putting on myself lifted and I nearly laughed out loud because it’s something I say regularly to my own students.

We all like to think we’re unique and it’s true that no-one else has the same mélange* of DNA, strengths, weaknesses, quirks and foibles. However, when it comes to learning, thinking you’re unique can sometimes hamper your progress, particularly when you think you’re the only one who’s having trouble grasping something.

What we see at Lingua Franca, and what I’m sure coaches the world over see, is that there are certain skills or concepts that the vast majority of learners find difficult to master.

So here’s an incomplete list of some of the most common.

• Not being able to remember the gender of words

• Forgetting the third person plural conjugations of être* (sont), avoir* (ont), aller* (vont) and faire* (font).

• Thinking it’s vous faisez, not vous faites* (it’s irregular)

• Not being sure how to say ‘my friend’

• Not knowing how to say ‘some water’ versus ‘a bottle of water’

• The numbers quatre (4), cinq (5), quatorze (14), quinze (15), quarante (40) and cinquante (50)

• Mixing up pouvoir*, vouloir* and devoir*

• Not remembering the four ‘r’s (retourner*, revenir*, rentrer* and rester*) of the MRS RDP VANDERTRAMP verbs

• Forgetting to make the agreement in the past tense of verbs that take être

• Finding it tough to know when to use the passé composé* and when to use the imparfait*

• Confusing pendant, depuis and pour

• Finding it hard to recognise the difference between the imparfait and the futur simple* when reading

• Not knowing when to use savoir* and when to use connaitre*

• Forgetting it’s always beaucoup de* and beaucoup des

• The subjunctive. Need I say more?
  
  
  Realising we’re all (or have been) in the same bateau* can make us feel less uniquely silly. So, before you turn on yourself when you fais une erreur*, remind yourself that learning something is hard, it takes practice and perseverance and most importantly, that you’re not alone.
  
  C’est difficile, mais c’est difficile pour tout le monde*. Your new mantra.
  
  
  
  
  
  *I love my tennis | *For example | *the racket | *a thousand times | *magic words | *of course | *mix | *to be | *to have | *to go | *to do/make | *you do/make | *to be able to/can | *to want/wish | *to have to/must | *to return | *to come back | *to go back (home) | *to stay | *past tense | *imperfect | *future simple tense  | *to know | *to know | *lots of | *boat | *make a mistake | *It’s hard, but it’s hard for everyone.

Le Travel Planner on La Clusaz

Next up on Le Travel Planner’s itinerary (and probably now your bucket list) is La Clusaz – a picturesque alpine village in the French Alps renowned for its stunning natural beauty and world-class skiing opportunities.

Situated in the Haute-Savoie region of southeastern France, La Clusaz is a popular destination for outdoor adventurers. As well as those who love to indulge in some après-ski.

Hear what Xavier has to say about this cette destination fabuleuse* in the short video below. And, in case you missed it, here’s last month’s instalment on the charmant* Cap Ferret.

*this fabulous destination | *charming

Recette: Galette des Rois

Keen to bake something sucré* but had your fill of cannelés (for now)? With an almond cream centre enclosed in buttery, golden puff pastry, la galette des rois or ‘king cake’ will surely become a new favourite.

Easy to make (and difficult to resist), la galette des rois is served throughout France during Epiphany. Taking place on the 6th of January, the religious holiday commemorates the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus.

The French celebrate the occasion by baking or buying this cake, which features une fève*, traditionally a dried broad bean, hidden inside. Whoever finds the surprise in their slice is named king or queen for the evening and earns the honour of wearing a paper crown.

Just remember to mention this hidden treat to unsuspecting invité(e)s*!

Merci au Marmiton pour la recette*.

*sweet | *a trinket/ a broad bean (fava bean) | *guests | *Enjoy! | *Thank you to Marmiton for the recipe.

Famous French brands: Ladurée

At 16 Rue Royale in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, clad in pastel green and gold, stands the original Ladurée – a petite and enduring patisserie founded in 1862 by Louis-Ernest Ladurée. 

Initially une boulangerie*, Ladurée was rebuilt following a fire to become one of the city's first tea rooms, opening in 1871. At the time, Paris was undergoing significant cultural and social transformations, and Ladurée and his wife Jeanne had a vision to create a refined gathering place for the Parisian elite. 

Their eponymous establishment rapidement* became just that – capturing the imagination of Parisian society and attracting intellectuals, artists and socialites to indulge in the exquisite pastries and teas amidst Ladurée's elegant ambience. 

However, it wasn’t until decades later that la marque's* most iconic culinary creation came to be. In 1930, the Parisian pastry chef Pierre Desfontaines, grand-cousin of Louis-Ernes, had a lightbulb moment and cemented two macaron shells together with a filling of velvety ganache. And this is how the Parisian macaron was born, mes ami(e)s*!

Central to Ladurée's international allure is this veritable rainbow of macarons in classic flavours like vanilla and chocolate to exotic renditions such as matcha and lychee. No trip to Paris is complete without sampling these delicate confections – and, trust us, you won't stop at just one!

Today, Ladurée stands as a global emblem of Parisian elegance, with boutiques and tearooms from Tokyo to New York, including high-end department stores like Galeries Lafayette and Harrods. 

It's also been immortalised in literature, fashion and film. From Marcel Proust's evocative descriptions of madeleines to Sofia Coppola's cinematic ode in Marie Antoinette, Ladurée has left an indelible mark on popular culture. As well as our collective tastebuds. 

For more, visit the Ladurée France website.

*a bakery | *quickly | *the brand’s | *my friends

Sneak Peek into le Nid | Les bonnes résolutions pour le nouvel an

As we approach the end of January, many of you would have made les bonnes résolutions pour le nouvel an* – and some of you may have even stuck to them ;) If you haven’t, it’s never too late to set some good intentions for the new year. And here is some inspiration from le nid*.

 *new year’s resolutions | *the nest

Photo by Dayne Topkin on Unsplash

Five Cult French Pharmacy Finds

Travelling to France? Plan on packing an extra tote for your beauty haul as you're headed to skincare-lover paradise! With cosmetics sections that rival any department store, French pharmacies are veritable treasure troves of skincare wonders where beauty buffs flock for coveted products that promise radiant, flawless, French-girl peau*. 

Renowned for their minimalist approach to makeup and unwavering dedication to skincare, the French prioritise healthy, glowing complexions above all else. So, do as they do next trip and stock up on these five cult French pharmacy finds to elevate your skincare routine to new heights.

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Dry Oil: A multi-purpose dry oil beloved by beauty enthusiasts worldwide, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is a luxurious elixir that nourishes, hydrates and illuminates the skin and hair. Infused with precious botanical oils, this cult favourite is suitable for all skin types, delivering a radiant glow and delicious fragrance with each application.

Bioderma Sensibio H2O Micellar Water: Seen backstage at catwalk shows, this holy grail skincare staple is a gentle yet effective cleanser that removes la maquillage*, impurities and excess oil without stripping the skin's natural moisture barrier. Ideal for sensitive skin types, the dermatologist-recommended formula soothes and calms irritation, leaving the skin clean, refreshed and balanced.

Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré: Loved by makeup artists, models and celebs alike, Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré is a luxurious moisturiser that doubles as a primer and makeup remover. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and aloe vera, this iconic cream hydrates, softens and smooths the skin, creating the perfect canvas for makeup application while promoting long-term skin health.

A313 Vitamin A Cream: A cult classic in French skincare, A313 Vitamin A Cream is a potent retinoid treatment renowned for its transformative anti-ageing benefits. Formulated with retinyl palmitate, a gentle derivative of vitamin A, this powerhouse cream stimulates collagen production, reduces the appearance of fine lines and les rides* and refines skin texture for a youthful, radiant complexion.

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5: A soothing and reparative balm for the face and body, La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 is a must-have for addressing a myriad of skin concerns, from dryness and irritation to minor wounds and burns. Enriched with panthenol, the rich, dermatologist-tested formula provides immediate relief, accelerates skin regeneration and restores comfort to even the most sensible* skin types.

Happy shopping!

*skin | * makeup | *wrinkles | *sensitive

8 Festive French Christmas Movies

‘Tis the season to watch cosy Christmas movies – and why not improve your French at the same time?

From the classic to the contemporary, and even an animated flick for les petits*, this list of ‘8 French Christmas Movies To Boost Your Holiday Cheer’ has quelque chose* for everyone. So, pop on the aircon, make some popcorn and a Kir Royal, and sink your teeth into these festive treats.

*the little ones | *something

Sneak Peek into Le Nid | Qu'est-ce que tu fais pour Noël?

We hope you’re surviving the silly season and gearing up for some quality time relaxing with family and friends over Christmas. Nous avons hâte de vous voir* back in le nid* next year, but in the meantime, here’s how vos profs* are planning to spend les vacances de noël*.  

Je vais passer du temps avec mes proches, manger des crevettes sur la plage et lire.

I’m going to spend time with my loved ones, eat prawns on the beach and read.

Je fête Noël avec mes parents, beaux-parents et probablement mon beau-frère.

I’m celebrating Christmas with my parents, in-laws and probably my brother-in-law.

Pour Noël, je vais camper sur l’île de Straddie avec des amis.

For Christmas, I’m going to camp on Stradbroke Island with some friends.

Cette fin d'année sera un peu spécial car ma petite sœur va nous rendre visite. On va fêter Noël et son anniversaire (le 24 décembre!) ensemble. On va peut-être passer un week-end à la mer. Je vais pleinement profiter des vacances pour aussi passer plus de temps avec mes amis avant la reprise de mes études.

This end of year will be a little special because my little sister is going to visit us. We're going to celebrate Christmas and her birthday (December 24!) together. Maybe we'll spend a weekend at the seaside. I'm going to take full advantage of the vacation and also spend more time with my friends before I start my studies again.

Je vais profiter des fêtes avec mes amis à moins qu’un invité surprise ne décide de pointer le bout de son nez pour rencontrer le père noël cette année.

I'm going to enjoy the holidays with my friends unless a surprise guest decides to show up to meet Santa this year.

*We can’t wait to see you | *the nest | *your teachers | *the Christmas holidays 

Photo credits from top to bottom: Alice Pasqual, Pen Ash, Nofi Sofyan Hadi, Bailey Mahon, Omar Lopez

French travel phrases that really do the trick

Last month I mentioned one of my favourite French phrases for travel: c’est gentil*. It’s a phrase I heard a lot when I was living in France so decided to add it to my arsenal when thanking someone for a service. ‘Merci, c’est gentil’ means something like ‘Thank you, that’s kind of you’ and from my experience it goes down a treat. In fact, that’s not entirely true. It doesn’t provoke a huge reaction, and perhaps that’s why I like it so much. It’s more inclined to elicit a genuine smile and a nod from the person I’m speaking to, which in turn makes me feel like I fit in a bit more. I think we’re all striving for that to a degree when we’re travelling, non*?

So, sans plus tarder*, here are some other tried and true travel phrases that will take your French  beyond ‘bonjour’, ‘merci’ and ‘je voudrais’. There’s nothing wrong with these phrases, by the way. Au contraire*, they’re extremely useful, but if you’re ready to up your skills, here are five that really pack a linguistic punch.

Literally meaning ‘that works’ this phrase is easy to say and can be used in a variety of situations. Concierge promises to contact you later in the day about a possible reservation? Ça marche. Even better: Merci beaucoup, ça marche. The next train is leaving in 10 minutes from voie* B? Merci, ça marche. A shop assistant tells you there are credits but no refunds for the item you’ve just purchased: ça marche. Even if you’ve been speaking English up to that point, it’s still a good idea to start to throw in these little French phrases where you can. It’s low risk and can work to increase your confidence.

Granted, this is a bit of a mouthful, but if you are able to master it (and it may take a few goes), I believe it will fundamentally change your French experience. It’s so polite: ‘I am sorry to disturb you’, and I find it really disarms French people for that reason. Of course you could use excusez-moi* (and if you’re just starting out this is a very helpful phrase indeed) but if you’ve mastered that and are ready to try something a little more sophisticated, this one’s for you.

To break it down, start with je suis*. Anyone who has done more than a term of French will know this phrase and will likely be able to use it confidently (je suis australienne*, je suis comptable*, je suis divorcée* etc). Now add the fact that you’re ‘desolate’ over having to interrupt your target person and you have je suis désolé(e). This is a useful phrase in itself (so I advise keeping that one sous le coude* for future use). I find the the final touch is fairly easy to remember as the word ‘déranger’ looks so much like ‘deranged’ and it’s a word that is very evocative to me. It brings to mind a person so bothered by the fact that a fellow human being is approaching them that their head starts to swivel around, their hair goes crazy and steam starts to shoot out of their ears. This image makes me laugh (I might be only one…) which takes some of the pressure off. ‘De vous déranger’, translates as ‘to you derange/disturb’ and sounds quite deranged in itself, but trust me when I say it really does lay the terrain for a calm and respectful exchange, so practise stringing it together and try it out. You can do it.

This is both interesting and contentious at once. It’s interesting as it is actually ‘je peux’ (I can) inverted and it’s the only verb in French that changes form when you reverse the order of the subject and verb. 

Now for the contentious bit. As you may know, inverting the subject and the verb is the most formal way to ask a question in French. If you did French at school, it is likely you were taught to ask questions this way. Parlez-vous anglais?* is a classic example which many of us rote-learned all those years ago. The inversion technique, as it is known, is still a legitimate way to ask a question in French, however it is not used extensively anymore in everyday spoken French. It’s not wrong, in fact it’s very correct, almost too correct. Though it literally translates to ‘Can I’ because of the construction, in import it’s probably closer to ‘May I’ and while this is a lovely turn of phrase, it may not be appropriate for use in more casual situations. 

That said, we discussed last month the idea of finding a phrase you like and using it over and over, so if you’re able to get this phrase out, use it! One of its benefits is that you can simply add a verb after it in its whole form and you’re away. For example:

Puis-je avoir - May I have
Puis-je voir - May I see
Puis-je demander - May I ask

Comme vous pouvez imaginer* the list goes on and on.

One of the first phrases you learn as a beginner is ‘j’aime’ (I like), quickly followed by its opposite ‘je n’aime pas’ (I don’t like).

While these phrases are certainly very handy, the negative version can come across as a little too direct, so adding the word ‘trop’ at the end can go a long way to softening your delivery.

’Je n’aime pas trop’ translates roughly to ‘I’m not a huge fan of’ of ‘I’m not fussed on’ and is particularly useful when you want to politely nix a suggestion. Imagine a waiter suggests you try the salmon. A simple ‘je n’aime pas trop le saumon’ is a gentle way of letting them know that you’d rather choose something else. Consider the difference in translations:

Je n’aime pas le saumon - I don’t like salmon
Je n’aime pas trop le saumon - I’m not a huge fan of salmon

Again, there is nothing wrong with a more direct approach but sometimes having the ability to soften your language can feel rather empowering.

If you’re a fan of le shopping*, add this one to your grab bag of favourite phrases tout de suite*.

If you’re keen to buy some time just browsing in a Parisian boutique, offer this phrase up when the shop assistant approaches you. Even if you’re not exactly sure of what he or she has said to you, it’s likely to be along the lines of ‘Can I help you?’ so replying that you’re just looking is a perfectly appropriate response that will enable you to carry on uninterrupted.

Alors, voilà*! I hope you find this mini-list helpful. I’d be very interested to hear of any phrases you rely on when you’re ‘on the ground’. Let us benefit from your experience by noting them in the comments. Merci et à bientôt.*

*That’s kind of you | *Aren’t we? | *without any further ado | *On the contrary | *platform | *Excuse me | *I am | *I’m Australian | *I’m an accountant | *I’m divorced | *I am sorry | *in your back pocket (literally ‘under your elbow’) | *Do you speak English | *As you can imagine | *shopping | *straight away | *So, there you go | *Thank you and see you soon.

SWOON: Nouméa

Fancy practising your French with native speakers but not thrilled about a long-haul flight? Look no further than the tropical haven of Nouméa – just a short 2-hour flight from Brisbane in the heart of the South Pacific.

The capital city of New Caledonia, Nouméa offers warm temperatures, abundant sunshine, and pristine beaches with turquoise waters and coral reefs loved by snorkellers. Blending French sophistication with authentic island charm, it’s the perfect place to explore lively markets and historical museums, savour the fusion of French and Melanesian cuisine, relax, unwind and pratiquer un peu* with the friendly locals.

And we have some bonnes nouvelles* – we still have a few spots left on our April Nouméa trip. We’d love to see you there!

*practise a little | *good news

Photo credits (L to R)

Top line: joel-t, Mlenny, Stephanie Monot, Krittakorn Phongvijitsoph
Middle line: Franc-Comtois, Daniiielc, Caroline Hernandez, Julie Modeste
Bottom line: Sébastien Jermer, Julie Modeste, Bon Vivant, Nick Sarvari

Tricky Words to Pronounce in French

From the exaggerated R to all the unpronounced letters, there’s no denying French pronunciation can be difficult for native English speakers. So, if you find yourself regularly tripping over ta langue*, rest assured you’re far from alone!

To help you gain confidence when reading aloud or conversing, here is a list of 10 everyday, notoriously tricky French mots* with helpful pronunciation tips. 

You can also find many of the same words here, plus some new tongue twisters with pronunciation included.

With a little practice (and a dash of bravado), you'll soon be reciting this list les doigts dans le nez*!

*your tongue | *words |*very easily (with your fingers in your nose)

Le Travel Planner on Cap Ferret

This month, Le Travel Planner Xavier Amouroux est de retour*, giving us his hot take on Cap Ferret in the South of France.

A hop, skip and a jump from Bordeaux, this laidback seaside resort is well worth a sun-soaked side trip on your next trip to France.

And, in case you missed it, Xavier has also provided some inside tips on the fabulous destinations of Bordeaux and Biarritz. Enjoy!

*is back

La Petite Histoire

If you've ever done a group lesson here at Lingua Franca, you've probably come into contact with La Petite Histoire*. A tale with the very humblest of beginnings, it winds up becoming a rollicking schlockbuster as you move up the levels and your French improves enough to handle the outrageous (some would say impossible) turns of events of the six young friends.

La Petite Histoire is currently only available to our students, however La Préquelle is for everyone’s enjoyment. Below, another instalment of this new series, Chapter 5 of the Intermediate Revision level.

*The Little Story | *The Prequel

Au final, on n’a pas parlé un seul mot de français ensemble. Après une promenade le long de la rivière, on s’est arrêté à un vrai pub anglais près de l’université.

Le soleil brillait, qui était assez rare, Simon m’a assuré, et nous avons profité du beau temps pour s’installer dans le jardin à une table en plein soleil.

“Tu n’as pas trop chaud, Leïla ?” Simon m’a demandé. “On peut changer de table si tu préfères.”

“Non, pas du tout, Simon, merci. J’ai l’habitude, après tout. Je vais chaque année au Maroc avec mon mari pour voir sa famille, donc la chaleur ne pose pas de problème chez moi. Mais c’est gentil de me demander, merci encore.”

“Alors, que fait ton mari aujourd’hui, Leïla, pendant que tu visites la bibliothèque ? Désolé, je ne connais pas son nom,” Simon a ajouté.

“C’est Jean-Louis,” j’ai répondu.

“Ah bon ?” Simon a dit. “Il n’a pas de nom arabe ?”

“Non, en fait, oui, désolée, il a un nom arabe, mais il a décidé de le changer quand il a immigré en France quand il était plus jeune.”

“Ah bon, je vois. Alors qu’est-ce qu’il fait aujourd’hui ? Il s’occupe des enfants ?”

“En fait je ne suis pas sûre, Simon. Il n’est pas avec moi ici en Angleterre. Il est resté à Paris car il doit travailler. Mais il s’occupe des jumelles, oui, c’est vrai.”

Simon avait l’air surpris de nouveau. “Alors j’imagine qu’il doit être bien occupé, non ? Deux jeunes enfants et un boulot, c’est pas donné, ça.”

Je ne pouvais pas supprimer mon prochain réflexe. “C’est plus facile que trois jeunes enfants, une maison, un mari et des études, je dois dire.” Le moment que les mots se sont échappés de ma bouche, je les regrettais.

Simon a réagi tout de suite. “Ah, pardon, Leïla. Bien sûr que tu travailles très dur toute l’année.  je suis désolé. Même quand on est conscient, c’est vrai que le sexisme est difficile d’échapper.”

“Non, ça va, Simon. Moi, je suis désolée. Ma réaction est bien plus forte que nécessaire.”

“Du côté positif, Jean-Louis doit être assez moderne s’il te laisse venir ici en Angleterre, non ?”

“Me laisse venir ici, Simon ?” j’ai répondu, en colère pour de vrai maintenant. “Je ne suis pas son animal domestique. Il ne m’a pas laissé venir ici, il m’a encouragé, en fait, et je ne sais pas pourquoi ! Et en plus, il a dû demandé à sa mère de venir l’aider faire quelque chose que moi je fais toute seule tous les jours ! C’est exaspérant !” Et avec ça, j’ai éclaté en sanglots, là, au pub, au soleil avec un homme tellement gentil qui ne voulait pas me faire mal. Qui suis-je, effectivement !

In the end, we didn't speak a single word of French together. After a walk along the river, we stopped at a real English pub near the university.

The sun was shining, which was quite rare Simon assured me, and we took advantage of the beautiful weather to settle in the garden at a table in full sun.

"Do you feel too hot, Leïla?" Simon asked me. "We can change tables if you’d like."

"No, not at all, Simon, thank you. I'm used to it, after all. I go to Morocco every year with my husband to see his family, so the heat isn't an issue for me. But it's kind of you to ask, thank you again."

"So, what’s your husband doing today, Leïla, while you're visiting the library? Sorry, I don't know his name," Simon added.

"It's Jean-Louis," I replied.

"Oh really?" Simon said. "He doesn't have an Arabic name?"

"No, actually, yes, sorry, he has an Arabic name, but he decided to change it when he immigrated to France when he was younger."

"Oh, I see. So what’s he doing today? Taking care of the children?"

"In fact, I'm not sure, Simon. He's not with me here in England. He stayed in Paris because he has to work. But yes, he’s taking care of the twins, that's true."

Simon looked surprised again. "So I imagine he must be quite busy, then? Two young children and a job, that's a lot."

I couldn't suppress my next reflex. "It's easier than three young children, a house, a husband, and studies, I must say." The moment the words escaped my mouth, I regretted them.

Simon reacted immediately. "Oh, sorry, Leïla. Of course, you work very hard all year. I'm sorry. Even when you’re aware of it, sexism is still difficult to escape."

"No, it's okay, Simon. I'm sorry. My reaction was much stronger than necessary."

"On the positive side, Jean-Louis must be quite modern if he lets you come here to England, right?"

"Let me come here, Simon?" I replied, genuinely angry now. "I'm not his pet. He didn't let me come here; in fact, he encouraged me and I don’t know why. And furthermore, he had to ask his mother to come help him do something that I do all by myself every day! It's exasperating!" And with that, I burst into tears, there, in the pub, in the sun, with such a kind man who didn't mean to hurt me. Who am I, indeed?

Breakthrough tips from Paris & Bordeaux

Bonjour! 

Well, the dust has finally settled on our trips to Paris and Bordeaux a couple of months ago and we’re all (somewhat sadly) back into our normal routines here in Australia.

Of course there are plans to go back, but I thought it worth breaking our usual transmission of top tips (last month we were up to numéro 5 sur 10*) to share with you some of the fresh perspectives we gleaned from our time sur le terrain*.

Over the years, I’ve shared these tips with our students, but there’s nothing like being mis sur la sellette* to reinforce best practices. This is why immersion trips are so valuable. They give you the chance to really test out your French and make adjustments along the way as you see what works and what doesn’t.

So, here are a few breakthrough tips that’ll not only help you next time you're navigating your way in a French-speaking world, but in your regular classes as well.

We encourage our students right from the very first lesson to open any interaction with a French person by way of a simple “Bonjour, madame*” or “Bonsoir, monsieur*”. Even an absolute beginner can achieve this (with un peu de courage*), it shows respect and it fundamentally improves the quality of the conversation that ensues.

Where our more advanced students report coming unstuck, though, is when the response to the first question or request is volleyed straight back in rapid-fire French and they’re left open-mouthed and reeling with no idea of how to respond.

Our cobayes* tell us this is often where the French person will break into English. Our students generally know better than to take it personally (the French person is almost always trying to reciprocate the respect you paid in speaking their language to them), but what they found difficult was finding a way to continue in French.

We suggested something like: “Je suis désolé(e), je n’ai pas compris, mais je veux pratiquer mon français. Pourriez-vous répéter plus lentement, s’il vous plaît*?”

If that seems like a mouthful, perhaps go for something simpler, such as:

• “Mon français n’est pas très bon, répétez en français, s’il vous plaît*.

• “Désolé(e), je voudrais pratiquer mon français. Ça va*?”

• “On peut parler en français?”

Said gently and with a little smile, you’re almost guaranteed to get your own way.

Often when we try to speak French in a ‘real’ situation, our nerves get the better of us, causing us to speak more softly that we normally would. If what comes back is “Pardon*?” it’s easy to assume the person you’re speaking to hasn’t understood you, when in fact they simply haven’t heard what you said.

So before you take the leap, take a breath, redressez les épaules* and speak with confidence. You may be happily surprised by the result.

A well-rehearsed phrase that you can get out regularly and with ease is une chance unique* for bolstering your confidence. In the next post, we’ll take a look of some of the favorites our Chouchous* relied on during the trip, but for now I’ll give you one of mine.

I like to add “C’est gentil” just after I’ve said “Merci.” It’s something I picked up when living in France and decided to add it to my repertoire. It means the equivalent of “That’s kind of you” and it’s always met with a positive response. It’s easy to say and makes me feel a bit less like a tourist and more like a local (every little bit helps!).

At the beginning of each morning’s lesson during the Summer School, I’d ask the students to report back on their experiences of the previous day when they’d been out and about practising their French.

As the week wore on, they were more and more willing to take risks, which led not only to some very funny histoires* but some very valuable insights as well.

Time and time again, they reported being told that their little erreurs* were not only unimportant but actually charming. Although at first hard to believe, it does make sense if you were to reverse the situation. Imagine you’re in your home country and you’re speaking to someone for whom English is not their first language. Do you think poorly of them if they make the odd little slip up here and there? Probablement pas*. Well, it’s the same with your French. Even if a French person corrects your mistake, take it as a compliment. In most cases, they’re just highly impressed you’ve taken the time to learn their language and are trying to help you along the way. So don’t let the fear of making une gaffe* prevent you from striking out. You never know what you’ll miss out on.

When I’m tired or under stress (and isn’t that pretty much the definition of travelling, as great as it is?) my accent tends to slip and I can hear a slight Aussie twang come through. This always horrifies me and yet the reaction from French people is almost always a little smile.

After a big week in Paris, compounded by a very long delay at Gare Montparnasse, I arrived in Bordeaux dragging my feet. As much as I was excited to be there, I was absolutely épuisée* so jumped in the first cab I could find, eager to get to my new home. The chauffeur de taxi* was friendly, so we chatted for a couple of minutes about this and that. I was snapped out of my weariness, though, when he said: “J’adore votre petit accent.” The ‘petit’ was what gave it away. He meant he could discern an English accent of some description and my knee-jerk reaction was one of annoyance. To be fair it wouldn’t have taken much to annoy me at that point, but this felt like a low blow. I swear I wasn’t being spiteful but my next question was “Parlez-vous anglais*?”, to which he responded “Yes, a leetle” and went on to tell me he loved speaking English with tourists but was embarrassed by his accent. I, on the the hand, was utterly charmed by it and told him so. The circular nature of our exchange was not lost on me so I settled back and vowed just to enjoy the moment and to stop being so hung up on being perfect. We do learn a lot about ourselves when we travel, ça c’est sûr*.

*number 5 out of 10 | *on the ground | *put on the spot | *Hello, madam | *Good evening, sir | *a bit of courage | *guinea pigs | *I’m sorry, I didn’t understand but I want to practise my French. Could you repeat that slowly, please? | *My French isn’t very good, could you repeat that in French, please? | *I’m sorry, I’d like to practise my French. Is that okay? | *Can we speak in French? | *I’m sorry? | *put your shoulders back | *a golden ticket | *Teacher’s Pets | *really | *stories | *mistakes | *Probably not | *a boo-boo | *exhausted | *taxi driver | *I love your little accent | *that’s for sure

Learn French with Arsène Lupin

We recently received a tip from one of our chouchous* about one of his favourite ways to learn French – along with everyone’s favourite gentleman-cambrioleur*, Arsène Lupin!

Learn French with Arsène Lupin Gentleman-Thief is the original version of Maurice Leblanc’s famous novel (now adapted into the Netflix series many of our students love) with a word-for-word interlinear translation of the French text.

If you find yourself frustrated at having to look up every fifth word when attempting to read en francais*, this might be the book for you.

Learn how it can help improve your French vocab and purchase a copy here. 

*teacher’s pets | *thief | *in French 

Le Travel Planner on Biarritz

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next trip to France, Le Travel Planner, is back with the latest instalment of his travel tips series. This time, Xavier's turning his attention to the beautiful beachside resort of Biarritz with some fabulous advice for getting the most from the region. 

Hear what Xavier has to say about exploring this glamorous destination and the Basque Country in the short video below. And n’oubliez pas* to check out his tips for Bordeaux aussi*!

*don’t forget | *as well

My French Adventure: Jane Pratt

It’s a family affair with Jane and we’re pretty sure we know who the driver is! We’ll let Jane speak for herself but suffice it to say she’s gentille*, talentueuse* and déterminée* and a fantastic person to have au nid*.

Merci pour ta participation*, Jane.

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO STUDY FRENCH?

I studied French at high school in England and always enjoyed it. We had some wonderful holidays in France caravanning when I was young. I had planned to continue studying and use it in my career, however, as happens, things change and I chose a different path. I have always had an interest in France and French language and intended to learn again at some time. My son moved to new Farm and one day I was here and happened to see the Lingua Franca sign. It looked great so I took the opportunity.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN STUDYING FRENCH?

I started French with Lingua Franca in 2021. My son and I joined together. We both really enjoyed it. He had to leave after a couple of terms, but I have carried on. It’s been a fabulous way to learn. 

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT IT?

I have had three different teachers and they have all been really encouraging, enthusiastic and great to learn from. I find the groups really help each other and we learn from each other along the way. I’ve always felt comfortable in the groups to be able to learn and practise. I’m planning to spend more time in France in the future with my husband who has also joined Lingua Franca this year. We have lots of fun practising our French.

ANY HARD BITS?

Tenses are tricky! It’s hard to remember which is the right one when changing from past back to the future! And, of course, genders! I would say try and learn them as you go along. 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE FRENCH WORD?

I have a couple of favourite French words: canteloup* is really nice to say and of course enchanté* would be my favourite. It sounds magical. I always remember a phrase my teenagers brought home from school French lessons, “Je déteste les petit pois*.” We’ve had some laughs with that one. 

ANY OTHER ADVICE TO FRENCH LEARNERS?

Listen to as much as you can – podcasts, French TV, movies are really helpful and fun. There are lots of different levels and finding something that interests you and you enjoy can make it a great way to learn. Je vous souhaite de réussir et profitez de votre apprentissage.

*kind | *talented | *determined | *at the nest | *Thanks for joining in | *cantaloupe | *delighted | *I hate peas | *I wish you success and enjoy your learning

Have You Seen Our Travel Vlog?

Are you tempted by our summer school in Paris or keen to join us in Nouméa next April? Then make sure you check out the Lingua Franca travel vlog, where we document all the highlights of our trips.

From une dégustation de fromage* in the capital to un tour de dromadaire* in Morocco, there’s plenty of content to whet your appetite. And perhaps even inspire you to join us on our next overseas French adventure!

*a cheese tasting | *a camel ride