Le Quartier Bonjour Brilliance

The Slow Lane

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You’re setting the counter-trend.
40 minutes of quiet attention is this the new niche luxury? It's certainly rare.

“What would feel really satisfying to understand better today?”

40 Min Lesson - Stretch for Level 5 +

This is for you if you've set aside some time, and want something a little intellectually stretching.   

How to listen to a French Podcast 

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In this 40 Min Lesson you look at a podcast in detail from the podcaster Ma Terre Happy with guest Paul Pyronnet.

This lesson is the first in a series to do the following things:
  • Understand and enjoy a podcast in French at a new level
  • Observe and learn from the speaker's use of communication techniques - Rule of 3, metraphor, questions, pause etc
  • See how successfully we can learn about something new in French rather than in English (i.e PNL) - That's the real stretch here!
If you choose this series of 40 Min Lessons you will likely find listening to podcasts in French in the future very satisfying.
You will get an insight into communication techniques that are just as valuable in any language and you might even discover something useful from the PNL concept.
Your time here will be remembered in your study log. Look for the ticks by the activities. 

What if your Bonjour Brilliance membership only allowed you 40 minutes of study each week?

How would you use your time?

Imagine that once your 40 minutes were up, you’d have to wait an entire week before you could step back into Le Quartier Bonjour Brilliance.

  • How would you choose to spend those minutes?

  • Which corner of the Libraries would you head to first?

And how would you feel once you’d used them all — satisfied, curious, maybe already looking forward to your next visit?

"Which part of your French feels under-loved?"

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N'oublie pas - you can always see where your attention has been focused -  The Percentage Completed on your My Study page- helps you notice how balanced your French is becoming.
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"If you gave your French 40 minutes of real attention, what might change?”

Here's an idea. Why not give 40 minutes to pronunciation? 

In that time you could really nail two or three of the 32 French sounds. 

I mean really say them as they are meant to sound.  And the extraordinary thing is, is that people will instantly see you as a more accomplished and confident speaker. No extra grammar, or vocabulary just the ability to say a few sounds as the listening expects to hear them.

Ellie's planned path

  1. Click on the button to go to The Pronunciation Library
  2. Choose two to three sounds
  3. Start learning and practising in Sections 3 and 4


If the International Phonetic Alphabet is new to you. Take a look first at Section 2.
Before you begin say one of the sounds you are practising out loud.
Your time here will be remembered in your study log. Look for the ticks by the activities. 

"Are you here to explore, or to consolidate?”

Consolidate

It's a smart move to consistently consolidate and it often means revisiting the basics. I'm lucky, I go back to basics all the time. Sometimes several times a week. It's part of the joy of teaching people at the beginning of their French path.
And the incredible thing is, even after all these years, I am still uncovering details in the basics that reveal themselves only after you have made a few passes. So, yes I am all for consolidation and retracing steps with a new set of questions in your pocket and a more experienced head on your shoulders. 

Explore

"Le voyage forme la jeunesse" is an old saying in French which I absolutely love. If you are in explorer mode be prepared to be surprised and ready to challenge some of your long-held assumptions or beliefs about this infinitely, interesting language. 

Retrace your steps or beat a new path?

It's up to you. Of course,  whichever path you take you are moving forward. Here I will direct you to your French study. When you get scroll to see where you’ve been spending your attention lately.

That might help you decide where to go next.

Whether your mood today is intrepid explorer or seeking confidence in consolidation.

"And Finally. Would you like to be guided, or to wander?”

Wander

Just take your time and enjoy your discoveries. Stay in one place for hours, days or weeks or take a lucky dip every time to go into a library. Keep an eye on your balance and notice if your choices are naturally leading you through all the skills. 

Be guided 

Choose one of my suggested paths on this page or ask me for direction via The French Room or any course or private chat in your social pages. I always read your messages and respond. If you want to talk it over, there are consultations available for you to book in the live schedule.

Either way

Whichever route you take, your path is remembered.
You can see how far you’ve come — and how beautifully balanced your French is becoming — any time in Your Study.

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