Studying French
January 25, 2023
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Here’s the story behind why I started The French Study and how it can accelerate the learning and fun you get from the French language.
The French Room
French Classes On Zoom
When I set off to France, in 1991, to start a new job in Lyon, I was pretty confident that I had enough French to get by.
It didn’t take me long to realise though, that I didn’t understand anything that was going on around me and that I couldn’t actually say any French words out loud!
After about a year of about 50% French immersion ( I was part of a large ex-pat English speaking community too), I could understand and be understood in most every day situations.
I even started to look a bit French!
Listening was as important as speaking
Listening to other people speaking French is such an important part of learning a language. In the early days, I would be pleased if I understood just a couple of words in a row or generally got the gist of the conversation.
Sometimes, I think I might have looked like someone watching a tennis match as I silently followed the conversation as it swung from one person to another. This was easily as important as speaking, as I listened to pronunciation and intonation and watched how body language became an extension of certain words and phrases.
Eventually, I was able to mimic this and use my ear to check whether something sounded right. It wasn’t infallible but it did help.
Are you practising your listening and speaking skills enough?
If this worked for me, maybe it could also work for you. Learning a language is about trial and error and using all 4 skills; reading, writing, speaking and listening.
If you would like to focus a little more on speaking and listening why not come along to one of our group conversation classes or one off events. You might just come along and listen or you may get stuck into conversation. Either way you’ll be practising your French whatever level you’re at.
French vocabulary – How do you learn it?
January 19, 2023
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French vocabulary learning can be tricky. How do you go about learning a new word and then how do you remember it?
Ellie Louis – Owner The French Room
January 13, 2023
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I’m Ellie Louis the owner of The French Room. I started this language school in 2015 and teach all the classes at The French Room. I recently launched The French Study which is an online distance course for those who want support studying at home.
Impossible n’est pas français
October 10, 2022
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Impossible n’est pas français! So said Napoléon! In a phrase that is still in use today. It conveys a feeling that all obstacles can
French Pronunciation – IN/EN Sounds
August 29, 2022
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How to pronounce IN/EN sounds in French? They are different sounds with a different mouth position. These sounds are known as nasal vowels because you push air through your nose when you pronounce them!
How to get people to speak to you in French
August 9, 2022
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How do I get people to speak to me in French? It’s not about your language skills I think we’ve all been there: ordering something
I teach live online Zoom French classes that you can join wherever you live!
Learn French. Feel Good.
