Learning French can be difficult for many people. In fact, the internet has plenty of ways to learn French online. We’ve done the research and created a list of the 5 best ways to learn French on the internet. While some of these learning styles are obvious, some of the ways you can learn French are quite ingenious. Let’s get started.

1 Learn French on Skype

Learning French on Skype is one of the best ways to improve your language skills. Here’s why: You’ll get one-on-one instruction from a live French teacher located in your time zone with a native French speaker. There’s no better way to learn a new language than immersing yourself in a new language. You won’t have to meet your teacher and you can take a lesson at any time that fits your schedule. Additionally, Skype comes with intuitive tools such as a chat board that an instructor can use to show you spelling, grammar, pronunciation, and more.

2 Take an Online French Course

Today online French courses have evolved to teach you the basics of French quickly and easily. While nothing can top getting one-on-one instruction, today’s online learning centers are the next best thing. Here’s why: You’ll be able to take the online courses at your own pace. Plus, you’ll learn with audio examples and learn proper spelling and grammar. The best part is that you’ll get to test your new French skills with quizzes and a final exam at the end of your course.

Recommended Courses: www.duolingo.com/course/fr/en/Learn-French

It’s free, It’s easy, and it’s visual. You get to learn basic French spelling, grammar, and pronunciation quicky and easily.

Con: You won’t be able to practice your French speaking skills with anyone.

3 Watch Youtube Videos

There’s plenty of Youtube videos online that will teach you basic and advanced French. Unfortunately, the videos are not interactive and there’s no way to practice your French with another person, test your skills, or learn proper spelling and grammar. On the plus side, you’ll get to learn the basics very quickly.

Learn French Consonants, Vowels, and Plurals. Check out Youtube for more French tutorials.

4 Join a Discussion Group

Joining a discussion group such as a Facebook group or online forum is a great way to get help with your French questions. Typically most group members are prompt and friendly with most of your questions. A strong word of advice: French culture is a culture of manners and politeness. So please be on your best behavior when joining a group or forum. You’ll enjoy the company and get better responses when you’re polite.

Recommended Forum: forum.language-learners.org/viewtopic.php?t=1586

5 Subscribe to a French Language eMagazine

Subscribing to a French language eMagazine will not only help keep you up to date on the latest French happenings, but it will also teach you French culture as well as French language. While there are many online French eMagazines to subscribe to, we recommend French Accent Magazine. The online publication offers a wealth of information, crossword puzzles, audio examples, and articles for your reading enjoyment.

Visit: frenchaccentmagazine.com  for a free subscription.

In Conclusion

Finding the right place to start learning French can be a difficult task. While all of these online learning tools are a great way to Learn French, you may want to start off with a Free online assessment or a free online French course. This will help you find the path that best fits your needs, budget, and schedule.

Have a listen to The Good Life France “How to speak French” podcast episode to learn the three most important words in French!

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If you really want to improve your French, then a total immersion course in France is the very best way to do it. It’s also a lot of fun when you join Goût et Voyage, the taste and travel company, on their fabulous week long cultural and gastronomic full French immersion course in the heart of sunny Provence.

Full French immersion Course Provence

During your week in Provence, the whole tour will be conducted in French only. There’s no rush, no stress, no exams, no need to do anything other than practice your French and enjoy yourself. Your lovely host and teacher Martine Bertin-Peterson makes sure that you’re relaxed and really enjoying the whole experience. By the end of your week you’ll not only be talking French way better than when you arrived, you’ll also be thinking in French!

This is a very small group tour, no more than six guests, so you’ll absolutely get the attention you need to make sure that you boost your French and have the holiday of a life time. You won’t be rushed from one place to another. And, you won’t be rushed from one topic to another. You’ll be accompanied by native French speaker Martine throughout. She’ll help you with words you might not know, aid you with pronunciation and help you really advance your French speaking skills. Everything about this authentic, bespoke tour is about getting to know the real Provence, taking your time and experiencing the beauty of its landscape and villages, the traditions and heritage, the people and their past – and improving your French at the same time.

Culture and gastronomy

To help you really understand the French way of life, you’ll get to discover the rich history and culture of Provence. From picturesque perched towns and legendary villages such as Gordes and Roussillon to the gorgeous lavender fields, abbeys, museums and famous monuments such as the Palais des Papes in Avignon, you will experience the very best of Provence.

You’ll also visit stunning vineyards, meet local wine producers and enjoy sensational wine tastings. You’ll taste the finest produce of the local terroir, visit colourful markets, shop with a chef and enjoy hands-on cooking lessons and visit the workshops of artisans. The gastronomy of France is UNESCO listed for its importance to the heritage of France, and you’ll discover, the language of France is peppered with words and phrases related to food. All meals will be of the highest quality and utterly delicious. Francophile foodies will love this en Francais week long course which will increase fluency and reveals the richness of Provence in a new way.

Your accommodation is in a 4-star boutique hotel, luxurious, relaxing and oh so French.

Donc, retrouvez Martine en Provence et passez huit jours en stage intensif et voyage gourmande. Vous allez rentrer chez vous en parlant français comme un français!

Recommended for intermediate level French and above. Not ready to spend a week entirely in French? Join Martine for the “traditional” Taste of Provence conducted in English.

Details: www.goutetvoyage.com/taste-of-provence-details

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If you want to learn French, to speak it like a local and understand it fully, the best way to study is undoubtedly by immersion. It’s also great fun and when you’re able to fully immerse yourself in the culture and essence of France at the same time – it really does help make learning easier.

The best French Language Immersion course

For most of us, learning from classes, books and online works well. But for all us, to really appreciate and understand the nuances of real French, the best way is to learn is by experience.

By getting to know and chat to the locals, enjoying the legendary French cuisine and wines and experiencing the traditions and customs of France – well, nothing beats a fabulous immersion course to make learning so much more fun.

There’s a lot of choice but we love LaPont’s French Immersion Program for many reasons including the great teachers and small classes. The teachers are friendly, highly experienced with international expertise and savoir-faire. They’re on hand all day from morning to evening to assist you with you French during all outings meals and cultural activities. And, with just 3-4 students in a class, you get real one to one teaching and loads of opportunities to engage in conversational French with confidence.

Lapont French 10 day Immersion tours in Burgundy are created by Catherine Alapont, an acclaimed multi-linguist with a passion for the language as well as French culture. She and her French team makes guests feel like friends with whom they share their local knowledge and understanding of France. With this immersion course you’ll not only learn French, you’ll get the tour of a lifetime.

What this immersion course in Burgundy involves

You’ll meet your hosts in lovely Lyon in the south of France before being transported to your new home – a 17th century chateau where your French Immersion adventure takes place. Whatever your skills, whether you’re a complete beginner, want to practice speaking French or need to brush up on your grammar, you’ll find there’s a class that’s just right for you. The teachers are friendly, highly experienced and fully qualified.

The tour groups are kept small, a maximum of ten in the group, so that there’s time for you to see and do what you want and really get to know “La France Profonde”. Small class sizes, just 3-4 students per class, mean the teacher has time for you, making sure your French comes on leaps and bounds. Your fellow guests are as passionate about France, and as enthusiastic about learning, as you.

At the end of this immersion course, your French will have improved and so will your knowledge of France because you won’t be staying in a classroom all day. You’ll be exploring the hidden gems of Burgundy, Franche-Comté and the Rhône-Alpes. Included in the tour are visits to private châteaux, local artisans’ markets and vineyards and a whole lot more.

Luxurious accommodation and immersion

Your home during this time is in a beautiful chateau in Burgundy. The rooms are spacious and elegant, the hospitality is warm and welcoming and the Chateau is exclusively reserved for LaPont French Immersion VIP guests. There’s a private park and bikes for guests to cycle to the nearby picturesque medieval villages and even onsite French cinema. And the in-house chef will prepare the most delicious dishes with local fresh produce and select superb local wines

This is the perfect location to inspire you to learn in the mornings whilst loving your luxury French stay.

The French course at the Chateau-École is optional, daily a la carte cultural activities are available and accompanying partners are welcomed.

Learning in the Real World

The tour involves complete immersion in French in the chateau classrooms and on days out with local experts. You’ll get to enjoy gourmet cooking lessons and dine with local French hosts who will practice the language with you. There are escorted trips to the best local sites including off the beaten track favourites that most visitors never discover. Chateaux, cheese, wine tasting, gourmet meals and gastronomic restaurants (including a Michelin starred legend), walks in beautiful natural surroundings and exquisite street markets. You’re guaranteed to feel like a VIP.

Your immersion course ends in Lyon, AKA the gastronomic capital of France, just two hours by train from Paris. Lyon has an incredibly beautiful medieval district and a warren of cobbled streets waiting to be explored with your personal guide. Dinner is booked at a legendary restaurant and you’ll enjoy a complimentary night at a boutique hotel in the centre of the old town.

There’s an option for a 3-day extension in Lyon which includes a trip to Beaujolais and a foodie private tour in Lyon with lunch at the famous Paul Bocuse Market.

The language of France reflects its long past, its love affair with gastronomy, its diverse landscape and its history. This immersion course enables you to really absorb all these intangible aspects and get to know France at its very best and most personal. You will have a unique insight to fascinating France, the French people, the fabulous cuisine and delicious wines, the culture and history.

Places are extremely limited so register your interest for these fabulous French Immersion Tours now at Lapont.com and start a love affair with France.

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What could be more special and memorable than learning French on a truly exceptional  immersion course where you stay in lovely Provence. Aix en Provence, Isle sur la Sorgue and Fontaine de Vaucluse – the names trip off your tongue to conjure up images of the most beautiful of Provence’s towns. Now you have the opportunity to live the Provencal life in one of these legendary places like a local, enjoying the food, discovering secret places – and learning French at the same time.

French immersion courses in Provence and the South of France

There are loads of opportunities to visit the most beautiful villages of Provence, the legendary markets, museums and vineyards, to go wine tasting and discover the real Provence. But this time it’s with the help of a local, someone who knows the area, its people and its culture. You’ll get to know Provence while learning French, in a way you never thought possible as a visitor.

Every stay is adapted to suit the needs of the visitor. Every stay is tailor-made and students can choose how many formal lessons to undertake (from 5-30 a week) on an individual or group basis (usually no more than 4 people). The teachers are able to adjust the pace of learning as you go through the days, to focus on areas that need improvement and be specific where you need help. But the lessons don’t end when the bell goes here! You carry on learning, chatting over lunch, walking round a market talking to the vendors, in the boulangerie buying delicious croissants for breakfast or ordering a glass of wine in a café. This is how you learn to speak real French and practice until you feel confident. As one student puts it “I was a complete beginner but somehow I covered SO much material. It has been totally unbelievable. I learned at least the same as I would have in one year at University!”

Go as an individual, with your family and friends or as a group, at the end of your stay, you will most certainly have made new friends and you’ll be amazed at the incredible difference it makes to your French!

More news coming soon…

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As you intrepid skiers head off to the mountains for your last fling of the season, or you early bird hikers strap on your boots for some alpine air, try if you can to visit Morzine, about an hour east of Geneva and a little further north of Chamonix.

There’s lots of reasons to visit which include great skiing in one of the largest ski areas in the world, charismatic wooden chalets, amazing summer walking and trails and an even better French language school that adds a new dimension to your visit. The Alpine French School in the centre of the town is the place to go to give your legs a rest and your mind a stretch and you’ll find they offer a whole selection of different French classes, courses and workshops to add to your holiday on the slopes.

Combining alpine sports and learning a language is a heady and wonderful mix but you’ll need fine food and fettle to keep you up to speed. And as you’d expect from anywhere that until relatively recently used to be a small farming and mining town in the tough mountain terrain, it has some great local dishes.

Breakfast for the slopes – Croix de Savoie

If you’re in France, the chances are you love a croissant but before you start up the slopes why not give this local speciality a try. A croissant style pastry in the shape of a cross, with custard and sprinkled with sugar this is breakfast for the hearty. It’s a particular favourite of my French teacher Lucille at the Alpine French School and is equally good as a pick you up before you head into class in the afternoon.

Lunch and La Raclette

The food here is designed for the landscape. In other words, it’s wholesome, earthy fodder inspired by a peasant lifestyle (and budget) and consumed to give you the energy and strength you need for the mountains. And La Raclette is no exception. Raclette is both a Swiss and French cheese. It’s semi hard, made from cow’s milk and tastes smooth and creamy, a bit like Gruyere.

Lots of the restaurants in Morzine (and in fact throughout France) serve La Raclette as a dish and as you collapse at the table after a hard morning’s graft on the slopes, this is the sustenance you need. Recipes vary from chef to chef but expect potatoes, charcuterie, cornichon, peppers and French bread with the round Raclette cheese then grilled and the melted cheese scraped over the plate. Aromatic and reviving, it’s better still with a red wine perhaps from nearby Alsace or a good Pinot Noir.

Finish the day with a Tartiflette

As night falls, along with the temperature and a fresh dump of snow, the lure of cosy, laughter filled restaurants is hard to resist. And why should you? You’ve worked hard on the slopes and harder in class and it’s time to refuel. Think potatoes, lardons, onions and Reblochon cheese all baked in the oven for this local dish. Again recipes vary, but at the end of a long day, as your legs start to ache and your brain slightly fades, pulling up at a table with friends old and new and a dish of Tartiflette to ease you into the evening, has to be the recipe of the wise.

You can find out more about the Alpine French School at www.alpinefrenchschool.com and you can email them or call them at info@alpinefrenchschool.com or on 0033 450 79 08 38. Courses and classes and alpine activities are available all year round.

The post A taste of Morzine Haute-Savoie, France appeared first on The Good Life France.

An afternoon back at French school

If you think you can’t significantly improve your French in just a few hours, then you haven’t been to the Alpine French School in Morzine. And if you’ve ever wanted to improve your French language in a relatively painless and short period of time, then you need to make a trip to the Alpine French School a priority this year.

The Alpine French School

Founded in 2003 and recognised by the French government for the high standard of their professionally run courses, the Alpine French School is in the centre of the alpine town of Morzine, just an hour from Geneva.  It offers a selection of intensive French courses, classes and workshops and it’s a fantastic school to visit if you need or want to improve your French or even learn it from scratch. And particularly if you fancy combining all that with a bit of alpine sport.

Is your French a little rusty?  

Not convinced you can improve your French in just an afternoon? I joined a class of 4 for an Intensive French Course. From the outset our teacher Lucille spoke in clear, simple French and the concept behind the lesson was that whatever you wanted to say, you said it in French, with help from Lucille in French as and if you needed it.

We started with some simple conversation to get us all warmed up. Then we tackled a few pronouns, before both listening to a transcript, watching some French adverts and practicing by filling in the missing words. I’d never really given pronouns much attention before, sprinkling them randomly into my sentences with little care for accuracy so this was a bit of an eye opener and our teacher Lucille discreetly slipped in lots of information about the different verb tenses we were using (or trying to).

Quirky French “idioms” which you probably don’t need to know but should learn anyway.

Every language has their idioms and they can be one of the hardest parts of understanding what’s being said. So the part of the class that tackled these was both useful and a lot of fun as we tried to work out both their literal and figurative meaning. My favourites of that afternoon have to be:

• “Quand les poules auronts des dents” which I now know literally translates as when chickens grow teeth or as we’d say in the UK, when pigs fly.

• “Ne pas vendre le peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tué” or don’t sell the bear skin before you’ve killed the bear. Meaning one thing at a time and very apt I suppose for the mountains!

• “Il ne faut pas pousser mémé dans les orties” which means don’t push granny in the nettles or don’t go too far! An alternative of which is also “Il ne faut pas pousser le bouchon trop loin” an expression coined by a very famous (well in France anyway) French advert!

And now I just can’t wait to get the chance to use at least one of the above!

By 6 pm…

I had genuinely expected to either lose concentration or my brain to just shut up shop at the prospect of spending 3 hours in a foreign language. But not a bit of it. The lesson simply flew by and there’s something wholeheartedly satisfying about stumbling around the French language with other students, and being understood. By the end of my first class, forgotten French I must’ve once known had (if not flooded) trickled back and I’d learnt a huge amount about verb tenses and grammar. Better still I’d dusted off my rusty conversation skills and given them a good polish and I went on to do an hour’s French conversation class before I talked to myself in French all the way back to my apartment.

Filled with rekindled enthusiasm and confidence for this lovely language, after just one class I felt so confident and inspired, I’d set my sights on writing up my memories of France in French. My French had improved dramatically in the space of an afternoon although when I pick up my pen to start writing, I think it may be time to say to myself, “ne pas vendre le peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir tué”!

You can find out more about the Alpine French School and their french classes and courses at www.alpinefrenchschool.com 

More on Morzine
An Idiot’s Guide to Skiing in the French Alps

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So you haven’t ski-ed in a while? Neither has our intrepid reporter but we told her, don’t worry – it’ll all come back to you once you’re on the slopes, and just as the great Einstein once said “life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving…” Were we right or wrong? Over to Lucy Pitts to reveal all.

Ski-ing after a long break (or, an idiot’s guide to ski-ing)

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to attempt to teach you to ski. But if you haven’t skied in a while (take 20 years in my case) or perhaps have never skied, my experience might just give you the courage you need to get back on the slopes.

A trip to French school up in the mountains

I was recently lucky enough to find myself learning French at the fabulous Alpine French School in Morzine in the Alps, and in amongst the heady world of conjugating French verbs and sorting out my tenses, it seemed like a good idea to give my body as well as well as my brain a work out. The cable car up the mountain is just a short walk from the school, and as class didn’t start until 3pm, that gave me the morning to play. And as the Alpine French School sort out all your passes and kit as part of your holiday it only seemed right to give it a go.

Rusty doesn’t come close

It turns out quite a lot seems to happen to your body between your 20s and 40s and not all of it good it would seem, when it comes to skiing. For a start, as I fell out of the lift at the top of the mountain, my brain seemed to go into reverse. I instantly remembered that I was scared of heights and not very brave which was why I’d never been a very good skier to start with and I simultaneously forgot the meaning of the different colours for the different slopes.

All of which was how I found myself, on a misty, murky Tuesday morning, trembling at the top of a red run in a pair of downward facing skis. But as there was no other way down from where I stood and I didn’t know a soul, I resigned myself to a trip to A and E, identified the nearest skier who looked even close to my standard (or what I wanted my standard to be)  and pushed off the edge in pursuit. My thinking being that if the wobbly girl of 12 who I had decided to follow could do it, so could I. I’ve had 3 children after all so how hard could it be.

Undignified doesn’t come close either

I’d like to tell you, that as I flew down the mountain in pursuit, it all came rushing back and I parallel turned my way down the slopes with style and panache. But the truth is my skis did their own thing, my legs did another and I suspect I was more Bridget Jones than Bridget Bardot.

But as luck would have it, the French mountains are apparently teaming with good Samaritans who each one in turn, returned my poles, returned my gloves, picked me up, cheered me on, guided me down, dusted me off, returned my skis, helped me on to the chair lift, helped me off the chair lift, fixed my goggles and warmed me up with vin chaud several hours later as I stumbled into one of the on piste bars.

And the winner is …

As it turns out, skiing really is a bit like riding a bike and it did all come back (eventually). With the help of these tolerant and forgiving strangers and the ever patient instructors at the French Ski School in which I did enrol once I’d got off my red run, I managed to enjoy a phenomenal 10 hours of skiing in 3 days. The Morzine brochure promises “fresh mountain air…enchanting encounters…unforgettable moments” and “stars in your eyes” and it’s fair to say, it delivered on every promise and quite a few more – even if not quite in the way it had planned.

And with socks full of snow, cheeks glowing with sun burn and a body that felt like I’d conquered Everest, the really good part was that back in French language class at the end of the day, my mind was buzzing and inspired, my body was grateful for the rest and I just loved the boost to my French language skills that I got from the Alpine French School. Body and mind stretched and satisfied;  you can’t say fairer than that. 

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You can never do too much research while planning a trip to Paris. However sometimes, the amount of information you ingest seems heavier than the weight of all your guidebooks combined.

Don’t get me wrong – Lonely Planet, Frommer’s and Fodor’s have helped many Francophiles locate the best crepe stands, navigate through the Louvre and understand the service compris charge on their brasserie bills.

But wouldn’t it be nice to just get the “Reader’s Digest” version sometimes, instead of the full Wikipedia article?

We think so, and we’ve created the following four points as a start. Read on to understand Paris’ geography and transportation system; determine which season is best to plan your trip to France; and learn simple tips to improve your French –all in under five minutes. This is your insider passport to Paris…

Meet the Banks

The Seine River divides Paris in half between la Rive Gauche and Rive Droíte (Left Bank and Right Bank, respectively).

On the Left Bank, south of the Seine, lie the more bohemian arrondissements. Regal universities, quaint bookstores, and bars bursting with the young and artistic fill the Latin Quarter. In the 7e arrondissement, you’ll find Paris’ most popular landmarks sprinkled about – the Eiffel Tower, Napoléon’s Tomb, the Musée d’Orsay, etc. And don’t forget a trip to Montparnasse to visit the famous cafés where the world’s most famous literary minds gathered to linger over their café au lait and exchange ideas.

On the Right Bank, you’ll enter a type of posh Parisian wonderland. There are the well-known notable luxuries (such as the Louvre, Champs-Elysées, and Arc de Triomphe to name a few) but within the upscale area hides so much more. Saunter past exquisite townhouses in the 4e arrondissement; stroll down the tree-lined paths along the quai de Valmy; and time travel back to the age of Moulin Rouge in MontMartre’s eighteenth arrondisement.

Learn How to Use the Metro

…immediately! Paris’ metropolitain is one of the most convenient public transportation systems in the world. However if you’re unaccustomed to metro systems, it can seem daunting. Spend one afternoon reviewing the map’s lines and stops. Don’t be timid – if you get lost, just hop back on the reverse line to get back to where you started!

Once you understand you take Line 1 to see the Louvre’s Mona Lisa and Line 4 for the skull-lined cellar of Les Catacombes, you’ll realize how much more convenient and economical the metro can be versus cabbing your way around. Buy a ticket valid for multiple rides or consider getting an unlimited pass if you’re planning on traveling via metro, bus, and funicular during your stay.

Know Your Paris Seasons

Already booked your flight? Then you’ve pre-determined half your trip. The time of year you land in France will determine the type of trip you’ll have. Lucky for Francophiles everywhere, Paris is gorgeous year-round. The following lends a brief breakdown of Paris by season.

Should you go during summer’s peak season, you’ll enjoy long, lustrous days of sunlight. But not all that glitters is gold: better weather attracts an influx of tourists, and you’ll be stuck waiting in much longer lines than you’ll find at other times of the year.

Fall fills Paris with newborn energy: thousands of Parisians flock back to their city after vacations, during a time that the French like to call la rentrée (“the return”). Throughout September, new restaurants, boutiques and art exhibits crop up, creating an energetic buzz throughout La Ville-Lumière.

Winter coats the city in a cloud of dreariness, but flights are cheap and indoor activities (such as museums, cafés, and theatres) abound, so you’ll find ways to keep you out of the rain and keep you busy.

Spring in Paris is about as mysterious as the city’s infamous ghost tours. Some days, it feels like summer, but then, in the middle of a sunny afternoon, a rainstorm will suddenly strike. Despite the aggravated weather, Paris in spring is a smart option: lines are generally shorter and the gardens are at their beautiful, blooming peaks.

Learn the French Basics

French is a difficult language if you’re unaccustomed to its pronunciation. However, practicing your French before traveling abroad is easy. Go online to find French newspaper articles, listen to French music (and learn the lyrics!), and take advantage of free online resources available to you.

Then, before your trip, purchase a pocket phrasebook to have the basics on hand should you forget how to ask for the bill, find yourself at the doctor’s office, or need to book a hotel room.

So there you have it: a breakdown of Paris all in under five minutes, and now you’re well on the way to embarking on your French adventure. Bon voyage!

The post The Five-Minute Guide to Paris – Insider Passport to Paris! appeared first on The Good Life France.

Top tips for “French phrases for Christmas”…

These are typical French phrases you’ll hear at Christmas time in France, but if you want to use them during your next visit in Paris (not at Christmas), feel free to use the idioms and adapt them to your needs. Parisians will be impressed by your local knowledge!

Wish a “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Holidays” and “Happy New Year” in French

Joyeux Noël!
Merry Christmas

“The holidays” include both Noël and Le Nouvel An, and can be packed in “Les Fêtes de fin d’année”. This can be shortened to “les fêtes” like this:

Tu fais quoi pour les fêtes?
What are you doing for the holidays?

Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année.
This means “Happy holidays!”

TIP: “Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année” is perfect for a formal email, especially the last one before Christmas.

If you write Christmas cards (Les cartes de voeux), here are 2 ready-to-use messages:

Nous vous souhaitons de joyeuses fêtes de Noël et une excellente année 2014.
Bonnes fêtes de fin d’année de la part de la famille Smith.

Don’t forget to wish a “Bonne année” (Happy New Year) to each person you meet at the beginning of January!

Prepare for a 4-hour long Christmas dinner

French Christmas dinners last forever: their preparation and enjoyment takes hours; and you’ll probably have two: one on the 24th for dinner and another on the 25th at lunchtime. So here comes the dreaded question from your in-laws:

Vous venez pour le 24 ou le 25?
Will you come on the 24th or 25th?

Next will be the classic question about which traditional “entrées” (starters) to have at French Christmas dinner this year:

Je fais huîtres, saumon, fois gras ou les trois?
Should I make oysters, salmon, foie gras or all 3?

Sometimes, it’s all of them! (Told you the dinners lasted hours!)

It’s also very common to eat turkey. My personal favourite is “dinde aux marrons” – turkey and chestnuts. Remember to order it at the butcher’s, and then ask your sweetie to pick it up for you!

Tu peux passer chercher la dinde chez le boucher?
Can you go and pick up the turkey at the butcher’s?

The end of the meal comes with the traditional “bûche de Noël”.  It’s a French cake made of ice cream or butter cream that looks like a log. It is decorated with plastic or chocolate trees, mushrooms, lumberjacks and axes.

Have you ordered the bûche?

If you haven’t eaten enough, there are always chocolates and sweets to fill up your stomach: the “papillotes”. The papillotes are either chocolates or “pâtes de fruit”. They contain a paper with a joke on it (in French, obviously: good luck with the translation!) and sometimes a banger called a “pétard”.

Oh mince! J’ai oublié les papillotes!
Damn! I forgot the “papillotes “!

Buying gifts at Christmas in France

The December-long preparation of Christmas includes finding the best presents to put under “le sapin de Noël” (the Christmas tree) for your loved ones. So starting December 1st, you’ll hear phrases such as:

Tu es au point sur tes cadeaux?
Are you OK on your Christmas gifts?

Tu veux quoi pour Noël?
What do you want for Christmas?

Je cherche encore un cadeau de Noël pour ma soeur. Tu as une idée?
I’m still looking for an idea for my sister’s Christmas present. Do you have an idea?

If you write a little note on your present, here is the script:

Pour Julie de la part de Marc.
For Julie, from Marc.

The post Common French Christmas Phrases appeared first on The Good Life France.

Practice makes perfect when studying French; however, sometimes textbooks, reading passages and redundant grammar exercises get tiring. You still want to put your skills to practice, you just need to find new, entertaining ways to perfect your French. We’ve listed five unconventional ways below that will keep you entertained and allow you to progress further in your language studies.

Sing in the shower to improve your  French …

or in a park, your friend’s house, even on a stage if that helps you. By listening to and repeating lyrics sung in French, you allow yourself to practice the accent – and add to your music collection. Usually, you’ll find songs full of grammar lessons: love songs abound with subjunctive verbs; rock-and-roll lyrics commanding the listener in the imperative; hip-hop music providing a chorus full of street slang.

Online Games to improve your French

With interest and necessity rising in learning a foreign language, more and more internet resources are developing to aid students. With everything from fun infographics to language tests that help assess your skill levels, there are many options. The best part? Most of them are free!

Watch TV to improve your French

If you are just beginning your studies, add French subtitles to your favorite TV show and read along as the characters play out the scene. As you advance, change the spoken language to the one you are studying. However, keep the subtitles: this way, you’ll be able to reference them should you need to at any point. Eventually, as you work your way to the advanced stages, you’ll be able to drop the subtitles completely and enjoy your regular program in your new second language!

Graphic Novels to improve your French

Sometimes, reading a book completely in French can be quite a feat. Language textbooks are often dense, and even novels can seem overbearing at first. But what if you had a book dominated by pictures? Instead of little thumbnails accompanying the writing, the writing accompanies the photos? Welcome to the world of graphic novels. As you progress through one of these modern comics, the pictures provide context clues as to what you’re about to read, before you have the opportunity to get lost in a jumble of foreign words.

Change your “Settings”

And by this, I don’t mean your surroundings. I mean log on to your computer, click the “settings” tab, and change your computer’s settings from your native language to French. Not only will this be a constant lesson with every click of the mouse, but it will most likely cover necessary vocabulary that will prove useful in the future. Phrases like: turn on, turn off, pictures, volume, download, etc. Repeat this method on your cell phone, and other electronic devices, and you’ll be having fluent conversations with your gadgets and native French speakers in no time!

A few fun, easy changes and you’re on your way to parlez-vous-ing your way to français in no time! Who knew singing in the shower, watching TV, texting, and reading comics could prove so effective?

by Rachael Brandt

The post 5 Unconventional Ways to Perfect Your French appeared first on The Good Life France.