French conversation: 5 tips to progress even more

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French conversation: 5 tips to progress even more

Last week, I had the opportunity to work with Miguel, from Los Angeles.

He was motivated to work on conversation in French so we practiced 2 to 3 hours per day and we confirmed his level in French: definitely B2.


And because of his high level in French, I thought he was ready for 5 tips to progress even more:

1) Think in French

At some point, you absolutely need to think in French to be able to speak French! It means “let go of your reflex to translate from your language”. Obviously, it must be very tiring for you and also, in a natural interaction, while you are busy finding perfect equivalents from your language to French language (which often don’t even exist!), time is running and the person you were talking to might be left! The experience may make you feel no longer confident so here is the vicious circle!

2) Articulate

Trust me: if you keep your jaw in a position of a /é/, you will never be able to pronunce a French /e/ and no luck: showing clearly the difference between these two in French is veeeeery important. Otherwise, natives won’t feel comfortable listening to you so we go back to the same sad conclusion as explained in 1).

3) Practice outloud reading

Build your own routine where you are going to record yourself reading 5 sentences in French and you focus on articulation (if needed, cut the words before*!). Listen to yourself with a new perspective and redo the exercise. You can practice 5mn per week, it’s enough, the challenge here is to be consistent.

4) Learn to listen carefully

Active listening is obviously useful for anyone wether it’s for personal or professional reasons! As far as learning French is concerned, you are going to be able to build relevant answers / sentences thanks to the person you are talking to so let them do the job! Also, if something was not clear, you can definitely repeat and / or rephrase which helps rekindle the conversation which is a good thing, right?

5) Trust yourself

I will keep repeating like a parrot: trust yourself!

How many people did I have personally talked to who were B2 in French but they didn’t believe it even if I kept telling them haha?

See below a clarification inspired by Miguel during his stay in Montpellier:

🌴 *Feel free to contact me if you want the ultimate tip to cut a word and / or if you plan a sunny trip in Montpellier 😎🌴

📨 French course quote

3 must-visit places #JEP2024

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3 must-visit places #JEP2024

Next weekend, Montpellier heritage is yours! Celebrated in around 50 countries, Journées européennes du Patrimoine – 3rd we of September in general – are a perfect opportunity to visit freely prestigious places such as private hotels or museums, théâtres, etc.!

Please find below 3 must-visit places in Montpellier:

1) Tour de la Babote

A member of the local astronomic association will tell the story of this end 12nd builduing: a good French listening exercise! source

By the way, did you know that this tower was part of the 25 towers used as fortifications to protect Montpellier?

2) Musée du Fougau

Are you like me curious about how people used to live, wear, work back in the days? You will find all answers in this small and unique museum which is located in a 18th building, Hôtel de Varennes! source

By the way, did you know that in Occitan, “fougau” means fireplace?

Opéra

Marble, big stairs, paintings, crystal chandelier and so many other pieces of arts to discover and admire! Not to mention the fact that visiting an opera in broad daylight must be so unusual, right? source

Heritage is one of the many doors in which you can explore and go deeper into French language and culture! Enjoy your visit(s)!

🌴 Feel free to contact me if you plan a sunny trip in Montpellier 😎🌴

📨 French course quote

80th Liberation of Montpellier

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80th Liberation of Montpellier

Montpellier is celebrating this weekend the Libération after 2WW (see news report).

One of the most prominent figures of this time is named Pierre Colin, Air force officer. As a résistant, he was in charge of the local Secret Army.

I discovered his story this summer because I am always curious about local history.

His grandson was able to document his life under nazi occupation and the result is a very interesting and must-read book you will find at Médiathèque Émile Zola!

In his last words to his loved ones, Pierre Colin wrote:

« Qu’il soit pardonné à nos ennemis et que nos enfants ne soient pas élevés dans la haine »

Meaning « may our ennemies be forgiven and our children preserved from hating them ».

(“être” is conjugated with subjonctif présent to express a wish, a prayer)

Salute to Pierre Colin, a patriot who defended his country and did everything he could to free it from armed invaders!

Find more about summer 1944 in Montpellier

Savoir versus connaître

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Savoir versus connaître

First, you need to know that “savoir” and “connaître” belong to the third group of French verbs, the irregular one. Also you can write “connaître” without the accent on the “i”: “connaitre” (it doesn’t change the pronunciation).

Now, do you know that it is veeeery difficult for a native to explain the difference of meaning between these two verbs? 🤯

Recently, with Judith from Syria, we talked about two arabic verbs for “apprendre” and “connaître” and it helped me a little bit:

يعرف to know / يتعلم to learn

When you know something, you stop and you realize you are aware at this very moment about something or someone. But when you learn something, you are in a dynamic process. OK, but…

⚠️The problem in French is that you have two verbs for to know: “savoir” and connaître”⚠️

First let’s take real examples and see if it is possible to replace “savoir” by “connaître” and vice-versa
⬇️⬇️⬇️

Savoir

"3 choses à savoir sur Nika Abuladze"
Midi Libre, 12/07/2024

✅ 3 choses à connaître sur Nika Abuladze

"Des parents d'élèves veulent savoir pourquoi leurs enfants ont été sanctionnés"
France 3 Occitanie, 15/07/2024

❌ des parents d’élèves veulent connaître pourquoi leurs enfants ont été sanctionnés

"Tout savoir sur le tunnel de la Comédie transformé en "galerie cyclable" à l'automne 2025 à Montpellier"
Midi Libre, 18/07/2024

❌ Tout connaître sur le tunnel de la Comédie

Connaître

"Un Montpelliérain se rend à vélo à Grenoble pour faire connaître le jeu de Vélocité"
Midi Libre, 19/03/2024

❌ Un Montpelliérain se rend à vélo à Grenoble pour faire savoir le jeu de Vélocité

"Lenni Nouchi va connaître sa première titularisation contre l'Argentine"
Midi Libre, 05/07/2024

❌ Lenni Nouchi va savoir sa première titularisation contre l’Argentine

"Après Montpellier, le pilier droit anglais va connaître un nouveau club"
L’Équipe, 19/07/2024

❌ Après Montpellier, le pilier droit anglais va savoir un nouveau club (…)

Now let’s check the definition of these verbs on the Dictionnaire de l’Académie française

Connaître = avoir l’idée, la notion d’une personne ou d’une chose (source). Also, “la connaissance” (knowledge) is considered as a dynamic and constant process.

Savoir = avoir un fait, une information, etc. présents à l’esprit, en être instruit ; avoir acquis la maîtrise de quelque chose par l’étude, la pratique, l’usage (source). And “le savoir” (also knowledge in English!) can both be used for an overview at a given moment and to explain the fact that it can grow and be structured in time

Now with all this information, are we more advanced compared to the beginning? It seems not…

The only advice I can give – and apply to myself as a native! – is to keep being exposed to real examples from as many contexts as possible. It really helps catch the subtle difference of meaning between close words as “savoir” and “connaître”.

Things are not always like they seem to be at first sight but it is okay to accept that.

Learning a language is a journey full of uncertainties, delays, slip-ups and misunderstadings but it’s also a unique opportunity to open new doors everyday for our mind and explore!

🌴 Feel free to contact me if you plan a sunny trip in Montpellier 😎🌴

📨 French course quote

Orthotrotte, unique French Learner City Tour

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Orthotrotte, unique French Learner City Tour

Imagine you have a French class… On the streets 😱!

Yes, it’s possible in Montpellier with a unique French Learner City Tour 👉 Orthotrotte 👈

During almost 1h30, you will walk downtown and answer questions based on what is around you so take your time reading and thinking!

Psst: mark this, grammar is funny when it’s sunny 🌴

Watch Chloe’s feedback about this tour


You can do this activity by yourself, the access to the route is provided directly on your smartphone after payment, or contact Samyra for a guided tour

🌴 Feel free to contact me if you plan a sunny trip in Montpellier 😎🌴

📨 French course quote

Quiz / Avec Ghislaine Solves, présidente d’Handi Cap Sud 34

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[Quiz] Avec Ghislaine Solves, présidente d’Handi Cap Sud 34

Did you know that people with disabilities still struggle in France to have access to public transport?

Let’s dig more about this topic thanks to today’s radio report from France Bleu.

Listen to the audio below and answer the questions

Russell at la Fête des voisins!

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Russell at la Fête des voisins!

Enjoy summer in Montpellier AND practice French conversation, this was Russell’s goal when he contacted me a few weeks ago from the USA!

We planned a video call before his trip to France (of course, it is free!) to talk about his level in French and also what he wanted to do.

Saturday, June 8th, we went to meet the people living in La Paillade, a working-class area in Montpellier west and Russell was happy because it reminded him the neighbourhood where he grew up, Harlem.

As you can see in the video, Russell had to deal with the noise around but also with people talking fast (and sometimes even with an accent!), children with low voice, etc. At the end of the day, he did pretty well! 👏

The secret to speak French is… To speak French! Take any opportunity, even the smallest, to go to people, make mistakes and learn from them

Practice for real is the key to progress!


Check out local TV channel Kaina TV for reports in French and feel free to watch here the full report of this Fête des voisins.


🌴 Feel free to contact me if you plan a sunny trip in Montpellier 😎🌴

📨 French course quote

Workliday in Montpellier?

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Workliday in Montpellier?

Only a small school like École Bonjour France can be flexible to fit your requirements whether you want to work on reading, listening or speaking… And of course according to y-o-u-r availability!

A few weeks ago, Agata contacted me from Germany because she was planning a trip here and was looking for a French school in Montpellier.

👏 Bravo: this is what you call in French “mêler l’utile à l’agréable” or “faire d’une pierre deux coups” (kill two birds with one stone)

⚠️ Agata’s only conditions were to have around 10 hours of French lessons end April / beginning of May and with a focus on conversation.

When we talked on the phone, I immediately realized that her French was veeeeery good 👏! Also, she said that one of her hobbies was lindy hop and “ce n’est pas tombé dans l’oreille d’une sourde” 😁 (it hasn’t fallen on deaf ears).

Indeed, learning is easier when you are motivated so since I am able to prepare every type of content, I created a tailor-made program for Agata:

debates: expressing pros and cons is a must-do when you have reached a high level in French
talking about French events, general knowledge and social issues with a focus on dance topic, her passion

Et voilà ! We did that program last week and I would like to share here an interesting question Agata had:

What’s the difference between “se dérouler” & “se trouver”?

🤔

By the way, these two verbs are called “verbes réfléchis / verbes pronominaux”
You use a pronom when you conjugate them, it will be like: je m’appelle / tu t’appelles / il s’appelle, etc. (for: me / te / se)

Ok so first let’s find out real examples…

> Se dérouler

L’Open Sud de France se déroule à Montpellier du 30 janvier au 4 février
Le Parisien, 30/01/2024

La huitième bourse aux vélos se déroule à Montpellier les 4 et 5
Midi Libre, 16/04/2024

> Se trouver

Le plus grand skatepark d’Europe se trouve à Montpellier
Le Bonbon, 31/01/2024

Cycles SH a déménagé : où se trouve à présent le spécialiste du vélo électrique ?
Actu.fr, 30/04/2024

Can you replace “se dérouler” by “se trouver” in these examples (and vice versa)?

🤔

Let’s give it a try!

L’Open Sud de France ̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶r̶o̶u̶v̶e̶ à Montpellier du 30 janvier au 4 février ❌
La huitième bourse aux vélos du Vieux Biclou ̶s̶e̶ ̶t̶r̶o̶u̶v̶e̶ à Montpellier les 4 et 5 ❌

Le plus grand skatepark d’Europe ̶s̶e̶ ̶d̶é̶r̶o̶u̶l̶e̶ à Montpellier ❌
Cycles SH a déménagé : où ̶s̶e̶ ̶d̶é̶r̶o̶u̶l̶e̶ à présent le spécialiste du vélo électrique ? ❌

📣 Conclusion

Se déroulerSe trouver
focus on duration, proceedings
synonyms: se passer, se tenir		focus on location
synonym: être situé à


🌴 Feel free to contact me if you plan a sunny trip in Montpellier 😎🌴

📨 French course quote

Enjoy your holiday and remember that you can turn it into a list of real challenges to progress in French!

Quiz / Free public transport in Montpellier

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[Quiz] Free public transport in Montpellier

Did you know that people living in Montpellier have free access to public transport? You can also be one of them if you have a permanent address because you study or you work here.

Let’s dig more about this topic thanks to today’s radio report from RFI.

Listen to the audio below and answer the questions