Why You Shouldn’t Read Le Petit Prince

Leave a comment

Why You Shouldn’t Read Le Petit Prince

“Everyone should read Le Petit Prince when he learns French”

Ok, tell me who started all this? Who?

It is not that I have something against that beautiful book — it is not my favourite French classic and certainly not the best! — and if you absolutely want to read it, go on, give it a try.

(You can start off by listening to this playlist)

Here is the truth:

First, many French people didn’t read Le Petit Prince — or other classics by the way — even if they praise it and would fight tooth and nail for it!

Most of the time, they just studied some extracts at school. Only two categories of people would read the entire books: 

  • the motivated ones 
  • those interested by literary studies.

Second, you have to know that even natives may have difficulties to understand Le Petit Prince because it is complex since it is about imagination and poetry!

Thus it is absolutely normal if you face the same difficulties. One has to be really advanced in the language to understand the implicit, etc. 

Also, thinking about it, French literature is not set in stone: there are so much treasures to discover and promote…

For example, did you know that Simone de Saint-Exupéry, Antoine’ sister, was also a writer? She was older than him and when he started to be famous, he didn’t want another writer in the family (!). Despite that, she was a dedicated sister since she protected her brother’s work until the end of her life in 1978.

Their descendants, reporting they didn’t know why she didn’t do it herself, published her uncompleted but interesting childhood memories book, Cinq enfants dans un parc, to commemorate the centenary of the birth of her brother in 2000. 

I really want to pay tribute here to unknown or lesser-known authors like Simone de Saint-Exupéry who was not just “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s sister”, but a person, a woman and a writer in her own right.

People like her make me reflect a lot on what is — or not — considered as major books and authors “you have to know”…

Anyway, there are so much great books to read out there so make your own way!

This being said, you will find below some reading advice if it can help:

1) Read books in French that you have already read in your language

Since you know the story, it will help you (and you can find bilingual versions if you want to take it slowly).

2) Read French versions of “must-read” books from all over the world

For example, read again Anne Frank’s diary, Le Journal d’Ann Frank, in a French graphic version. You can also find French versions of short writing style books like Le manuel du Guerrier de la Lumière by Paulo Coehlo. If you feel ready for more, check the French versions of 1984 by George Orwell, La chambre solitaire by Shin Kyong-Suk (신경숙) or Les Délices de Tokyo by Durian Sukegawa.

3) Read books in French about topics you are interested in

If you like travel writing, go at Librairie Grangier downtown Dijon — it is the biggest bookshop around — and flick through the “récits de voyage” area! If you are more into crime novel, try Le Mystère de la Chambre jaune*, a classic by Gaston Leroux.

* Yes, it is a version for teenagers but who cares? You will find useful annotations

If you are a soccer fan, check out this book + CD: La fabuleuse aventure des Bleus (A2). It is about the French team who won the World Cup in 2018.

And for more suggestions depending on your level in French, check out this page!

4) Read classic (or not!) books in French

➨ Classics especially dedicated to learners of French (teenagers and adults): for example, Le Tour du monde en 80 jours + CD (A2) by Jules Verne

➨ Classics published in bilingual versions: check out this page

➨ Short texts: for exemple an engaged essay, Indignez-vous ! by Stéphane Hessel (30 pages), an outstanding French diplomat, resistant, writer and activist who addressed a beautiful message to the French people in 2010 (3 years before his death) about what they fought for in the past and shouldn’t forget. You also have La préférence nationale and other short stories, first book by Fatou Diome who shared her experience of immigration in France with a unique and brilliant style.

➨ Comics to relax (but also learn thanks to the images! ): you can find lots of classics adapted into comics and if you are a comics books fan, you have to know all about Franco-Belgian comics! Here is a selection that people from all ages love to read again and again: Le Petit Nicolas, by Sempé-Goscinny (also without images here), Cédric (Cauvin/Laudec/Dupuis), Boule et Bill (Roba Jean/Dupuis), Gaston Lagaffe (Franquin/Dupuis) ⇓, etc.

“There is black ice”

➨ For more, check out Sam’s Book Club

You have an opinion about a book from this list (or not!)? Share with us below!

NEW:

Check our Free Quizzes for Beginners!

(update 20/08/13)

French conversation: 5 tips to progress even more

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

[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!

Leave a comment

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?

Leave a comment

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

Leave a comment

[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