In our private French lessons, we primarily focus on learning to speak like a native, and most of our lessons are spent in conversation. But reading in French is fundamental to improving your speaking ability. Keep reading to learn 3 tips that will help you to read more fluidly in French.
3 tips for improving your ability to read French Read More »
In our private French lessons, we primarily focus on learning to speak like a native, and most of our lessons are spent in conversation. But reading in French is fundamental to improving your speaking ability. Keep reading to learn 3 tips that will help you to read more fluidly in French.
3 Tips for Improving Your Ability to Read French Read More »
Last week, we wrote about the importance of learning French noun gender and presented multiple categories of words that tend to be either masculine or feminine. This week, we want to give you 3 more important clues to use to assess whether a French noun is masculine or feminine
How to Learn French Noun Gender: Part II Read More »
When you imagine a word that has no direct translation into another language, it’s easy to imagine the existence of some exotic, complex word. For example, take the French verb “entarter.” This means, “to hit someone in the face with a pie”. Somehow that seems like exactly the kind of word that would have no direct translation in to English (or possibly any other language). But how about the verb “to kick?”… “To hug”? Seemingly basic English verbs such as these have no direct counterpart in French.
7 Verbs that Have No Direct Translation in French Read More »
ave you hit a plateau with your French language learning? You know… that maddening period when– despite your best efforts – it seems that you’re not retaining anything new, not speaking a jot better, still making the same mistakes, and will never, ever become fluent. Don’t worry. This happens to almost everyone who learns a new language. Keep reading to learn how to push forward and see progress in your French.
How To Handle A Plateau in Your French Language Learning Read More »
The French – Parisians, in particular – have a reputation for being rude. But the behavior that foreigners perceive as rudeness is often the result of cultural misunderstandings. To avoid any such misunderstandings, learn the following 7 French phrases before visiting Paris. With these phrases at the ready, we think you’ll see that Parisians are much more friendly than they’re reputed to be!
7 Polite French Phrases to Learn before Visiting Paris Read More »
Some French verbs are more complicated than others for Anglophones, most especially those that don’t have an exact counterpart in English. Such is the case with the verbs retourner, revenir and rentrer. While each of these verbs do generally indicate someone going back to a place, they must each be used in a specific – and different – set of circumstances. Keep reading to learn more!
Retourner, Revenir, Rentrer: What’s the Difference? Read More »
Looking for a job in France? If so, it’s never too early to start preparing for the job interview. In this blog post, we discuss the cultural quirks of the French job interview and the 12 French phrases you’re most likely to hear.
Surviving the French Job Interview: Cultural & Language Tips Read More »
Ah, il fait si beau! This spring Paris is flirting with all of us by offering days of golden sun, bright blue skies and breezes as gentle as a caress. This is perfect weather to sit at a café terrace with a glass of rosé and watch the world go by. If you plan on spending time in a Parisian café, here are some handy words, phrases and other tips to make this classic Parisian pastime even more enjoyable!
Café Talk: 12 French Phrases for Hanging Out in a Parisian Café Read More »
The verb “faire” is one of the handiest verbs in the French language, but it can be one of the most confusing for beginners. Not only is faire an irregular verb, but it has multiple uses and appears in numerous French expressions and idioms. Even trickier…
Verb Spotlight: “Faire” – Usages and Expressions Read More »
When learning French, it’s natural to try to translate phrases word-for-word from English. Sometimes it works. But sometimes the words that form an innocent phrase in English may become something awkward, naughty or incomprehensible in French. Since we don’t want you wandering around France asking about condoms or saying that you’re horny when you intend
Does Not Translate: 7 Common Mistakes Anglophones Make In French Read More »
Sometimes one of the hardest aspects of learning French isn’t remembering the right words to use – it’s remembering how to pronounce those words correctly.
As we discussed last month, it’s understandable that non-native speakers have difficulties with pronunciation. The French language is full of silent endings, liaisons, and unfamiliar accents. Your lips, mouth and tongue have to move differently to pronounce these words as French natives do. And you have to learn to hear it when you’re not pronouncing a word properly.
Practice Your French Vowel Pronunciation Read More »
Last week, we discussed expanding your French vocabulary with “vrais amis” (true cognates): French and English words that are identical or nearly identical in both spelling and meaning. This week, we’re going to focus on “faux amis” (false cognates): words that look identical in both French and English but have entirely different meanings. What are
Speak Better French: Learn Your Faux Amis (False Cognates) Read More »
We are delighted to share the success story of one of our former students, Liam Connell. Liam, a retired trader living in Chicago, took private French lessons in Paris twice a week with French As You Like It at the beginning of 2013. It thrills us that he found his lessons so enjoyable and
Success Story! Former Student Liam Connell Shares His Tale Read More »
Can you spot the vrai amis?? Like many French language schools in Paris, our teachers often hear students fretting about the difficulty and complexity of French language. And we won’t deny it: learning French can be tough. The good news is that if you’re an English speaker, you do get a bit of a
Improve Your French Vocabulary with Vrais Amis (True Cognates) Read More »
“Errer est humain, flâner est parisien.” To err is human, to stroll is Parisian. – Victor Hugo These words were true in the 19th-century and they’re true today. Nothing is more quintessentially Parisian than spending a lazy hour or two strolling through Paris’s streets, gardens, or along the banks of the Seine with no aim
The Covered Passages of Paris: A Christmas Stroll Read More »
‘Tis the season…to hear Christmas carols all day long. Even here in Paris, where playing carols in stores wasn’t a thing until recently, we now stumble through December dreaming of a Bing Crosby White Christmas. With the strains of all these Anglophone carols in the air, you might think that there isn’t such a thing
Learn French by Singing French Christmas Carols! Read More »
Doesn’t it drive you crazy when this happens? Scenario #1: You’ve just settled in at a table in a cozy Parisian bistro. In your very best French, you say to a waiter: “Puis-je avoir la carte, s’il vous plaît?”* He nods and immediately hands you an English menu. Scenario #2: You’re at the fromagerie**, preparing to
When Parisians Won’t Speak French to You – How to Handle It Read More »
Paris is a haven for bon vivants. Although there are numerous supermarkets, chain shops and fast food restaurants, markets in Paris are still very much alive, kicking and full of fresh fruit & veg. While in Paris, whether on holiday or staying for longer, we suggest making like the locals and heading over to your
Top tips to learn French at markets in Paris Read More »
Getting a haircut in a language you’re not completely comfortable speaking can be a challenging and (maybe a little more for women who often have more hair to lose) terrifying experience. At the same time cutting your own hair or trying to stretch cuts to last long enough until your next visit home isn’t very
Learn French by Getting a Hair Cut Read More »
