Friday 28 December 2012

Learning French for Beginners Should Include Lots of Practice

Don't underestimate the challenge of learning french for beginners. It may not take too long to be able to say hello and goodbye, but if you want to be able to communicate anything useful, it is going to take practice. Repetition is the key to remembering new words and phrases.


 At first you will be mentally translating all your words from English to French. But with enough practice, you will start to skip the mental translation process, and you'll be able to speak or respond fluently in basic situations. It's a good idea to listen to French radio or watch French television shows, if they are available. Even if you don't understand ninety percent of what is said, just hearing French will get you familiar with the cadence and tones of the language. A new language always sounds like undifferentiated gibberish in the beginning, but the more you listen to it the more you will pick out separate words.

Monday 24 December 2012

French Christmas Poem

Viendras-tu par la cheminée?
 
 
Père Noël , viendras-tu par la cheminée
Father Christmas, will you come by the chimney

Pour déposer dans mes doux souliers
To leave in my slippers

Quelques surprises, quelques jouets
Few surprises, few toys

Quand les flocons blancs tourbillonneront dans le ciel
When the white flakes whirl in the sky

Et quand le sapin resplendira de lumières
And when the Christmas tree with its lights will glitter

Alors je serais que c'est le moment
Then I would know that it is the moment

D'aller m'endormir dans un lit douillet
to fall asleep in a cosy bed

Et bien sur quand je me réveillerai
And of course when I awake

Je trouverai dans mes souliers quelques jouets
I will find in my slippers some toys


Wednesday 19 December 2012

Impress Your Friends With Your French Language Skills


As the world becomes a smaller place and people cutting across different demographics and cultures come together across various walks of life, learning a new language can be an extremely utilitarian and exhilarating experience. There was a time when knowing different languages was only reserved for those who had a passion for it and these people also basked in the glory of their knowledge. Over the course of modern times, learning French language often became a hobby for some and a requisite for others. While it is true that people get compelled to learn a new language only when they have a passion or are required to do so, yet it is also a fact that mastering French language skills can be a fun experience.
 
We live in a global village today where travelling to foreign countries, having friends from various demographics and also blending in various cultures into our lifestyle to make it even more happening are not considered exceptions but an instance of the paradigm shift towards being a citizen of the world. Very few people would have no friends from France and very few people would not wish to explore France during Christmas. It is not that people in France do not know English but it certainly helps when you know the French language.


Consider a scenario where you are hosting a few friends at a Christmas party or are about to meet your French friends at a gathering. It will be an amazing idea to impress them with your French language skills. Albeit you do not need to get a Masters in French literature but knowing how to speak, listen to and correspond can be thrilling enough.

If you are visiting France anytime soon, for Christmas or for some other reason, knowing the French language would be immensely helpful. When in Paris, you would perhaps find most people being able to speak and correspond in English but as you go farther from Paris and explore the country sides, small towns and villages, you would need the help of your French language skills. Foreign tourists in France were predominantly restricted to Paris but the real picturesque France and the true essence of French culture can be best experienced when you hit the road and explore the small towns and remote areas.
 
French language is also one of the sweetest languages in the world and learning it can be a very fulfilling experience.
 




Saturday 15 December 2012

Noël - Noël

 
 La Crèche
 
 
 
    La Boule                                   La Chaussette
 
 
 
Le Père Noël
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Why Children of All Abilities are Entitled to Learn a Foreign Language

Most good educators believe that every person is able to learn. Some are better at learning one subject and not another while some have a very easy time learning and others have a very difficult time learning. The students that have a difficult time learning the core material are sometimes excused from learning a second language to try and stop any undue stress on the student. While many educators believe this theory or protocol is correct and in the best interest of the child it is important to know that learning a second language can improve many different skills and should be offered to all students no matter the student’s ability.

 
There are a number of different reasons to learn a second language. One major reason is for employability purposes. It is true that English has become somewhat of a global language, but many people are not comfortable speaking English to a native English speaker. Surprisingly enough four-fifths of the world’s population does not speak English. It is for this reason that many employers have begun to look for employees that are able to speak more than one language. If a student with a lower ability to learn is not taught a second language they are given yet one more hurdle to overcome. 

Another great reason to teach a second language to all students is to increase their global understanding and awareness. No matter what the learning ability of a student they should be aware of different cultures to encourage understanding of differences, thus increasing their multicultural awareness. Most second language classes teach not only the language, but the customs as well. It is this part of the class that will increase tolerance and understanding of people’s differences.
Another great reason all students should learn a foreign language is to increase their understanding of the English language. Studies have shown that learning a second language helps students learn about language in general. The language skills that are taught in their second language classes carry over into their native language. Students that are taught a second language normally have a stronger vocabulary and have even been known to earn higher reading achievements.
Although learning can be difficult for some students it should never be an option to not learn or be taught a second language. Learning a second language can only help a struggling student by increasing their vocabulary and their overall knowledge of their native language. 

 

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