Une petite vacances
Joyeux Noel
This weekend I am coming to you live from France. It’s become a bit of a tradition for me and Mr Bob to have a little mini break in France just before Christmas and it’s something we very much look forward to. Christmas shopping is quieter and much less frenetic in France than it is back home and there’s no end of willing people to wrap your presents for you in the most prettiest and chicest of ways.
We’re staying about halfway between Le Touquet, a chic little town we love and Berck, a place whose name always makes us giggle as it literally means ‘yuk’ in French which it’s definitely not and has THE most fabulous beach. The hotel we’re staying in this year is almost brand new and despite realising I was English, the receptionist continued to speak to me in very clear French which I love. It always takes me a little while to ‘tune in’ so there’s things that I sometimes miss in conversations and have to ask again but it’s really important to me that the person I’m speaking to then continues in French and doesn’t resort to English. Learning a language is frustrating because one minute you can’t remember the easiest of words and the next you’re coming out with a complex phrase using various tenses and thinking ‘where the hell did that come from?’ One of my goals for next year is to continue my learning of French and here’s a few tips that might help you if you’re wanting to learn a new language in the future.
Practice the art of conversation
As painful and embarrassing as it is at times, the hour I spend speaking with my French tutor is so helpful because it’s constant feedback and correction. It makes my head hurt at times because I’m having to react instantly instead of going away and then composing the phrase I want to use, but it’s so helpful for my learning.
Repetition, repetition, repetition
It’s no surprise that the phrases I remember are the ones I practice and use over and over again. In between my French lessons I listen to a French podcast as often as possible.
Learn the most common phrases and vocabulary
There are certain phrases and words that you will hear all the time so ensure you learn these. In shops and restaurants I know the key words and phrases to listen for so I know how to respond and they’re often great conversation starters. For example, in shops they will ask if you have a loyalty card so I’ll respond by saying ‘no, I don’t live here, I’m on holiday’ which then usually leads to a conversation on where I’m from etc etc.
Variety is the spice of life
Use as many different ways as possible to learn a new language from private lessons to podcasts to watching tv to reading and learn in bite size chunks every day. For example, I might watch a French YouTube video for 10 minutes in the morning whilst I’m getting ready for work, then read my French book for 10 minutes at lunchtime and then spend 10 minutes in the evening learning 10 new words.
The most important thing of all though is ‘JUST DO IT’. You’ll say some stupid things along the way and feel a complete idiot at times but I can honestly say that I’ve never come across anyone yet who hasn’t complemented me for at least having a go.
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Better
Happy holidays from La Belle France 🇫🇷
Have a fabulous Christmas everyone and speak to you next week when we’ll be reviewing not only the end of Q4 and the end of the year but the end of a decade!!!
This weekend I am coming to you live from France. It’s become a bit of a tradition for me and Mr Bob to have a little mini break in France just before Christmas and it’s something we very much look forward to. Christmas shopping is quieter and much less frenetic in France than it is back home and there’s no end of willing people to wrap your presents for you in the most prettiest and chicest of ways.
We’re staying about halfway between Le Touquet, a chic little town we love and Berck, a place whose name always makes us giggle as it literally means ‘yuk’ in French which it’s definitely not and has THE most fabulous beach. The hotel we’re staying in this year is almost brand new and despite realising I was English, the receptionist continued to speak to me in very clear French which I love. It always takes me a little while to ‘tune in’ so there’s things that I sometimes miss in conversations and have to ask again but it’s really important to me that the person I’m speaking to then continues in French and doesn’t resort to English. Learning a language is frustrating because one minute you can’t remember the easiest of words and the next you’re coming out with a complex phrase using various tenses and thinking ‘where the hell did that come from?’ One of my goals for next year is to continue my learning of French and here’s a few tips that might help you if you’re wanting to learn a new language in the future.
Practice the art of conversation
As painful and embarrassing as it is at times, the hour I spend speaking with my French tutor is so helpful because it’s constant feedback and correction. It makes my head hurt at times because I’m having to react instantly instead of going away and then composing the phrase I want to use, but it’s so helpful for my learning.
Repetition, repetition, repetition
It’s no surprise that the phrases I remember are the ones I practice and use over and over again. In between my French lessons I listen to a French podcast as often as possible.
Learn the most common phrases and vocabulary
There are certain phrases and words that you will hear all the time so ensure you learn these. In shops and restaurants I know the key words and phrases to listen for so I know how to respond and they’re often great conversation starters. For example, in shops they will ask if you have a loyalty card so I’ll respond by saying ‘no, I don’t live here, I’m on holiday’ which then usually leads to a conversation on where I’m from etc etc.
Variety is the spice of life
Use as many different ways as possible to learn a new language from private lessons to podcasts to watching tv to reading and learn in bite size chunks every day. For example, I might watch a French YouTube video for 10 minutes in the morning whilst I’m getting ready for work, then read my French book for 10 minutes at lunchtime and then spend 10 minutes in the evening learning 10 new words.
The most important thing of all though is ‘JUST DO IT’. You’ll say some stupid things along the way and feel a complete idiot at times but I can honestly say that I’ve never come across anyone yet who hasn’t complemented me for at least having a go.
Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Better
Happy holidays from La Belle France 🇫🇷
Have a fabulous Christmas everyone and speak to you next week when we’ll be reviewing not only the end of Q4 and the end of the year but the end of a decade!!!
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