French Your Way: Recent Episodes
Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way
This interview is taking you to Ardèche, that (so) beautiful part of France where I used to spend the summer holidays as a child. Meet André Rouy aka « Dédé l’Ardéchois » and discover the history of the train network in Ardèche – the only French département which doesn’t operate any more trains. Dédé and… Read More →
The post FV 134 : Dédé l’Ardéchois (Part 1): local heritage and history of the railway appeared first on French Your Way.
By popular demand, I have recorded a series of episodes to help you learn or recognise common French slang expressions. As you may know, the French you learn in the classroom and the French you hear in the street or in the movies can sometimes sound quite different! In this episode we’ll go through some… Read More →
The post FYW 245 : French slang expressions (4) appeared first on French Your Way.
Listener Nancy would like to clarify when “ne” can be dropped in French. When is it possible to deliberately forget this common 2-letter word? Is there any change in the meaning? Listen to find out! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Je n’aime pas quand tu fumes = j’aime pas… Read More →
The post FYW 244 : When is “ne” optional in French ? appeared first on French Your Way.
When students write in French, I often see words spelled with an initial uppercase which shouldn’t be: the English language uses capital letters in more situations than the French language does – typically with days of the week or months of the year. Let’s go through a useful checklist of words that require a capital… Read More →
The post FYW 243 : When to capitalise a word in French ? appeared first on French Your Way.
In this second part of my interview with Manolo we will talk about his confrérie (a society of people who get together to perpetuate a tradition, a skill): la Confrérie des amateurs de Sagarno de la Bidassoa. This society is currently under process to be part of the Unesco intangible cultural heritage list. Learn the… Read More →
The post FV 133 : (Part 2) The “vin de pomme” from Pays Basque appeared first on French Your Way.
Live workshops are back! More information and bookings open on my events page: https://frenchyourway.com.au/events If you can’t attend, don’t worry: you will receive the replay video as well as the worksheet and answers. Upcoming events: Dictée en français / French dictation Sunday May 22nd at 9pm Paris time. Imparfait vs passé composé Thursday May 26th… Read More →
The post FYW : Live workshops are back! May 2022 appeared first on French Your Way.
As if it were not challenging enough to get to understand French spoken at normal speed, how to understand a French conversation when there is background noise/music, or a piece of French audio that’s not clearly audible? In this episode inspired by a question from Fiona, I will share some tips on how you can… Read More →
The post FYW 242 : Understanding French when sound quality is poor or there’s background noise appeared first on French Your Way.
Fiona from Melbourne Australia asked me to explain the difference between the verbs “sentir” and “ressentir” in French. Let’s go through the differences in their use and in the structure of the sentences. Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode L’odorat (nm) sentir des fleurs / un parfum / l’odeur de… Read More →
The post FYW 241: SENTIR vs RESSENTIR appeared first on French Your Way.
This 2-part interview with Manolo will take you to the heart of the French Basque country (Pays Basque), its heritage and its tradition of making “vin de pomme” (also known as “sagardo”, or “sagarno”), which is not the same as the apple cider from Normandy. The start of the conversation will help you locate the… Read More →
The post FV 132 : (Part 1) The “vin de pomme” from Pays Basque appeared first on French Your Way.
Here’s a selection of 5 mistakes commonly made by English students learning French. Some may be a “simple” refresher (but we really need to drill those in, don’t we!), some of them may be new to you depending on your level of French. Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Je… Read More →
The post FYW 240: 5 Common Mistakes in French That English Speakers Make (part 1) appeared first on French Your Way.
This episode was inspired by a question from listener Philip: “Recently, a thunderstorm damaged my internet connection. The router displayed the error message “réseau non détecté”. I was surprised, because I would have said “pas détecté”. When should we use “pas” or “non” to mean “not”?” Let’s see examples and learn about the difference between… Read More →
The post FYW 239: “pas” vs “non” in French appeared first on French Your Way.
Betty Levanqué really is an incredible woman, I would even call her a wonder woman. I’m truly in awe at everything she’s done so far in her life, her stamina, her strength; she’s an inspiration to work hard, be present for your family, love people, give back to others when you can. Betty studied hard,… Read More →
The post FV 131: Wonder Betty, the life of an inspiring woman (Part 2) appeared first on French Your Way.
By popular demand, I have recorded a series of episodes to help you learn or recognise common French slang expressions. As you may know, the French you learn in the classroom and the French you hear in the street or in the movies can sometimes sound quite different! Warning : in this episode, I’ve gathered… Read More →
The post FYW 238: French Slang Expressions (3) appeared first on French Your Way.
In my last newsletter and YouTube video, I asked for your input/feedback on what you struggle most with in French and I took note of your difficulties (some of which I still need to think about how to best address them.) One aspect of French grammar which came back several times was how to tell… Read More →
The post FYW 237: Telling the Gender of Nouns appeared first on French Your Way.
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Betty Levanqué really is an incredible woman, I would even call her a wonder woman. I’m truly in awe at everything she’s done so far in her life, her stamina, her strength; she’s an inspiration to work hard, be present for your family, love people, give back to others when you can. Betty studied hard, even while becoming the other of a very premature baby with a disability and later on resuming her studies and taking up three courses in three different universities the same year at age… 40. She founded an association to help orphans in Vietnam (where her background is), the food bank of New Caledonia where she lives (banque alimentaire de Nouvelle-Calédonie), owns a real estate agency (Le Café Immobilier) as well as a popular café in Nouméa (Boops Café), and is the president of the APESA, an association supporting business managers burning out and at risk of committing suicide.
The least we can say is that Betty is profoundly humane and committed to making a difference in people’s lives. This is a long, inspiring, feel good interview.
In this episode we’ll start with Betty’s Vietnamese background – this is essential to understand the values of merit, work and endurance that are ever present in her life story. Betty’s name and identity changed when she was 6 years old. Learn interesting facts about Vietnamese names.
Vocab List au chevet (de qn) = at [sb]’s bedside
avoir plusieurs cordes à son arc / avoir plus d’une corde à son arc = to have more than one string to one’s bow
dépayser (qn) = be a break of [sb]’s routine, be a change of scenery
doudoune (nf) = down / winter / puffa jacket
guichetier, ière (n) = ticket salesperson
hypokhâgne (nf) = intensive foundation degree in literature
khâgne (nf) = literature foundation course
métissé,e (adj) = mix-race
parler à bâtons rompus = to talk about this and that, to jump from one topic to another
patronyme (nm) = surname, family name
prépa / classe préparatoire (nf) = preparatory class
sauter / passer du coq à l’âne = to jump from one subject to another
trame (nf) = outline
Links * Le Café Immobilier (Facebook) * La Banque Alimentaire de Nouvelle-Calédonie * Boops Café (Facebook) * Apesa NC * Follow my Dream
The post FV 130: Wonder Betty, the life of an inspiring woman (Part 1) appeared first on French Your Way.
This recording is in French, here’s the outline of what I talk about to help you follow:
A comeback video in a new environment: we’re in France! We’ve been settling down, enjoying family time after two years of separation, finally meeting my little (and very cute nephew), creating memories (e.g we took the kids to the snow!)
The children have started attending French school…on and off really, due to the absurd C*vid protocols in place here. Still, I’m hoping this will give me some time to resume working on French Your Way!
In 2021, I worked on a personal project (I’ll tell you about it when the right time comes) and spent quite a while in lockdown being my daughter’s private teacher. We also prepared our departure to France.
In order to help you with your French, I need YOU to give me your input, your feedback:
- What is your biggest struggle about learning French? What do you need explanations/reinforcement with?
- What type of content do you find most helpful to learn? (podcasts, online classes, eBooks?)
Please get in touch! Email me
/!\ Don’t forget: I explain French concepts in English. If you know me, you know that! For authentic conversations in French, check out my “French Voices” podcast.
Thanks for your patience while I wrap my head around things again and release new content! I am grateful for your support and your kindness.
Jessica
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The post FYW – I’m back ! News and what’s next appeared first on French Your Way.
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Melbourne-based French Australian painter Guy Trinquet, is a finalist in the 2021 Glover Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious landscape painting awards.
Vocab List courbe (nf) = curve
donner le cafard = to make (sb) sad / depressed
flasher (sur…) = to fall (for…)
lauréat,e (n) = prizewinner
s’écailler = to flake / chip / peel off
Links and Resources * https://www.guytrinquet.com * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guytrinquet.art/ * Instagram: @guytrinquetart
The post FV 129: (Part 2) French artist Guy Trinquet appeared first on French Your Way.
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Melbourne-based French Australian painter Guy Trinquet, is a finalist in the 2021 Glover Prize, one of Australia’s most prestigious landscape painting awards.
Vocab List croquis (nm) = sketch, rough outline, first draft
déceler = to detect, to spot
ébauche (nf) = sketch, rough outline, first draft
être tenu(e) de (faire quelque chose) = to be required / bound (to do sth)
gosse (n) = kid
gribouillage (nm) = scribble
grimper = to climb
passer (ça passe) = to be acceptable, to be admissible
subjuguer = to captivate, to enthrall, to conquer
tiquer = to twitch, to cringe
toile (nf) = canvas
vente aux enchères (nf) = auction
Links and Resources * https://www.guytrinquet.com * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guytrinquet.art/ * Instagram: @guytrinquetart
The post FV 128: (Part 1) French artist Guy Trinquet appeared first on French Your Way.
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In the second part of this interview with Belgian consul Pierre Steverlynck, we discuss the languages he speaks at home and at work – since Belgium is a multilingual country. You’ll learn the difference between an ambassy and a consulate, what a “carte d’identité” may be used for (I know that not all countries have one such thing). Also find out how one becomes a diplomat. And, you’ll hear about the “flying kit”, a really cool system for expats living on faraway islands!
Vocab List avancée sociale (nf) = advance, progress
chauvin,e (adj) = chauvinistic, partisan
concours (nm) = competitive exam
empreinte (digitale) (nf) = (finger) print
encadré,e (adj) = managed, supervised
examen d’entrée (nm) = entrance examination
flamandophone (n, adj) = Dutch-speaking
néerlandais,e (n, adj) = Dutch
QI (quotient intellectuel) (nm) = IQ
Links and Resources * https://france.diplomatie.belgium.be/fr * Also discover (or rediscover!) episode 80: About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
The post FV 127: (Part 2) Representing Belgium abroad: the work of a consul appeared first on French Your Way.
By popular demand, I’ll record some episodes to help you learn or recognise common French slang expressions. As you may know, the French you learn in the classroom and the French you hear in the street or in the movies can sometimes sound quite different !
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also find my short eBook “How to improve your French conversation skills” useful! It includes a section featuring common differences between French as you know it and as it is actually spoken in real life
Check out my eBook : https://frenchyourway.com.au/improve-french-conversational-skills
Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode La mater
le ciné, cinoche
le restau
un boîte (de nuit)
Un keum (= mec)
Une meuf
(un) ouf
vénère
une teuf
chan-mé
un keuf, un flic, un poulet
LINKS and RESOURCES * French slang expressions (1) – French Your Way Podcast episode 233: http://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast233 * my eBook “How to improve your French conversation skills”: https://frenchyourway.com.au/improve-french-conversational-skills
The post FYW 236: French slang expressions (2) appeared first on French Your Way.
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Pierre Steverlynck is a Belgian consul, a diplomat representing Belgium abroad. When we started the interview, I was nervous because I had been wondering for weeks what to call him. I was worried about coming across as impolite, not knowing whether I should call him “Pierre”, “Monsieur”, or any specific term of address related to his status. Find out the answer to this thorny issue in this first of two episodes of our conversation!
Pierre will tell us about his different missions and roles and will regularly draw parallels between the French and Belgian systems (uni, admin and diplomacy-wise), which is making this interview even more enriching!
Learn about the Belgian National Register, compulsory vote and the consequences for not voting, but also about some differences in how the French and Belgian speakers say the numbers 70 and 90… and how confusing this is even for us!
Vocab List Affaires Etrangères (fem plur) = Foreign Affairs
CCD (contrat à durée déterminée) (nm) = fixed-term contract, temporary contract
enlever une épine du pied (de quelqu’un) = take a thorn out of [sb]’s side
lambda = average, regular, ordinary
rapatrier = to repatriate
ressortissant,e (n) = citizen, national
tour d’ivoire = ivory tower
trainer (avec quelqu’un) = to hang out (with someone)
visa long séjour (nm) = long stay visa
Links and Resources * https://france.diplomatie.belgium.be/fr * Also discover (or rediscover!) episode 80: About The Smurfs! With Jean Auquier, manager of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée
The post FV 126: (Part 1) Representing Belgium abroad: the work of a consul appeared first on French Your Way.
A simple French grammar tip can help you go a long way to efficiently translate common expressions from English to French!
Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Rien/quelque chose / quelqu’un / personne + DE + adj SING MASC
rien de spécial / de grave / d’important / d’urgent
quelqu’un d’important / de généreux / d’honnête… BUT de BIEN vs BON
quelque chose de bizarre / d’étonnant / d’incroyable / secret
The post FYW 235: How to translate “Nothing serious, something urgent” and more expressions in French appeared first on French Your Way.
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Natacha is a young Frenchwoman qui “a la patate” and a contagious passion for improvised play. She’s the founder, coach, and one of the improvisers / actresses of The French Loop, a theatre company based in Melbourne. (If you also live in the area and would love to practice your French and have a go, Natacha welcomes non native speakers too, hint hint!).
In this second episode, Natacha is presenting the French Loop : who can attend ? From what age? We’ll also talk about a not so well-known aspect of improvisation called social theatre / Shake Theatre. You’ll see that this activity can be a fantastic, therapeutic tool. Finally, I love Natacha’s message: everything is possible, don’t take life too seriously!
Vocab List avoir la patate (fam) = to be in a great mood, to feel in great shape
cérébrolésé,e (adj) = brain-damaged person
comédien,ne (n) = actor, actress
coulisses (fem plur) = backstage
envoyer du pâté (fam) = to be cool, to be badass, to be sick
éphémère (adj) = short-lived
exutoire (nm) = outlet, release
fac (nf) = uni
Links and Resources * https://www.thefrenchloop.com * The French Loop on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefrloop
The post FV 125: (Part 2) Drama company The French Loop with Natacha appeared first on French Your Way.
I received an email from Abhijit’s, Tasmania, who is struggling to translate some sentences from English to French. He says he prefers to learn phrases as opposed to grammar and asks for my opinion and any potential book recommendation. This is a good opportunity for me to share MY thoughts about the best way to learn French language.
Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Take this conversation:
Hey! I haven’t heard from you for a while. How are you? and how’s everything going? I was on leave for about 7 days and now back to work. Hope to catch up soon.
Now to translate this I really struggle. I learn by phrases as opposed to by grammar. I personally think it’s better. Do you have a basic book that you would recommend?
Regards
Abhijit (Hobart, Tasmania)
How to translate:
“Hey! I haven’t heard from you for a while. How are you? and how’s everything going? I was on leave for about 7 days and now back to work. Hope to catch up soon.”
Avoir des Nouvelles (de quelqu’un)
I haven’t heard from you
Did you hear from him? Etc
How are… you ? Everything ?
To be on leave = être en congé / en vacances
To catch up with someone : revoir ; faire le point avec
LINKS and RESOURCES * (Article) Challenge: Can I Make You Love French Grammar? https://frenchyourway.com.au/love-french-grammar * (Podcast) FYW 061: Challenge – Can I Make You Love French Grammar? : https://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast61 * FYW 115 : Questions in French (Part 2): The different translations of “what…?”: https://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast115 * FYW 147 : How to translate the English “DO” in French?: https://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast147 * How to say “I miss you” in French? https://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast90 * Practice Worksheets to Help You Build Correct Sentences in French: https://frenchyourway.com.au/practice-worksheets-build-correct-sentences-in-french
The post FYW 234: Learning phrases vs learning grammar appeared first on French Your Way.
By popular demand, I’ll record some episodes to help you learn or recognise common French slang expressions. As you may know, the French you learn in the classroom and the French you hear in the street or in the movies can sometimes sound quite different !
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also find my short eBook “How to improve your French conversation skills” useful! It includes a section featuring common differences between French as you know is and as it is actually spoken in real life
Check out my eBook
Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode 1. Balles (argent):
Il a acheté une nouvelle voiture à 15.000 balles ! 2. A deux balles (worthless, cheap, lousy ; cheap joke, Xmas craker humour, bubblegum humour) 3. Bobo (pain, scratch, boo boo ; boho, bobo) 4. Mec, gars, type 5. Pote, poto 6. Nickel (super, parfait, impeccable), nickel chrome 7. Faire cul sec, ¨cul sec!” 8. Saouler
Ma mère / vieille me saoule avec ses conseils à deux balles.
ça me saoule to make/get sb drunk 9. Mes vieux / mon vieux, ma vieille 10. Se prendre une cuite = to get drunk / intoxicated / hammered / pissed
Il est rentré du bar hier soir avec une bonne cuite. = He came home smashed from the bar last night. (source: Word Reference) 11. Être cuit,e (Baby is cooked)
LINKS and RESOURCES * my eBook “How to improve your French conversation skills“
The post FYW 233: French slang expressions (1) appeared first on French Your Way.