Happy new year! There is nothing special at this time of the year in wishing bonne année (happy new year) to family members, friends, colleagues or even people you just talk to, in a shop. One can even vary the phrase and say: meilleurs…
Author: Barbara
Le présent avec Calogero
On by BarbaraNe pas hésiter à écouter plusieurs fois ou à mettre sur pause pendant l’écoute pour compléter le texte. To print: Présent-Indicatif-Calogero-Worksheet Présent-Indicatif-Calogero-Answers Like1
Mercy pour l’Eurovision 2018
On by BarbaraFrance has been taking part in the Eurovision song contest since 1956, which was actually the first edition. France won five times, in 1958, 1960, 1962, 1969 et 1977. Any chances this year, with Mercy by the duet Madame, Monsieur? What is…
Le passé simple avec Sacha Distel
On by BarbaraNe pas hésiter à écouter plusieurs fois ou à mettre sur pause pendant l’écoute, si le débit est trop rapide To print: Passé simple – Distel- Worsheet Passé simple – Distel- Answers Like5
Le futur avec Zaz
On by BarbaraNe pas hésiter à écouter plusieurs fois ou à mettre sur pause pendant l’écoute, si le débit est trop rapide To print: Futur – Zaz – Worksheet Futur – Zaz – answers Like4
Comptine de la recette des crêpes (children)
On by BarbaraA crêpes recipe for Candlemas is also the opportunity to revise the three groups of verbs in French! RECETTE DES CRÊPES-COMPTINE More about la chandeleur and another crêpe recipe here More activities about crêpes to print Like3
L’infinitif avec la comptine de la recette des crêpes
On by Barbara To print: Infinitif – La recette des crêpes-worksheet Infinitif – La recette des crêpes-answers Like3
Le conditionnel présent avec le Président Macron pour Johnny Hallyday
On by BarbaraLast December, french rock star Johnny Hallyday died aged 74. Read more about his career in The Guardian. On the day of his funerals, Saturday December 9th 2017, President Macron gave a speech in front of the church, La Madeleine, in Paris….
Le présent avec Yannick Noah
On by BarbaraNe pas hésiter à écouter plusieurs fois ou à mettre sur pause pendant l’écoute, si le débit est trop rapide. To print Présent-Indicatif-Noah-worksheet Présent-Indicatif-Noah-answers More infos about cour and its homophones here. Like2
Tirons les rois (poème)
On by BarbaraHere is a little poem on tirer les rois or how to make and share the Kings’ cake on Epiphany. This also the opportunity to revise the little trick which helps you to decide between writing the infinitive (er) or the past participle or past participle used…
Le passé composé avec Indochine
On by BarbaraNe pas hésiter à écouter plusieurs fois ou à mettre sur pause pendant l’écoute, si le débit est trop rapide. To print Passé composé – Indochine – worksheet Passé composé – Indochine – answers Like4
L’Epiphanie et sa galette
On by BarbaraEpiphany is celebrated on January the 6th in remembrance of the three Wise Men visiting the new born Jesus on that day, after a long trip from the East to Bethlehem. Traditionally, and since the 14th century, la galette des rois (Kings’ cake) is eaten…
Les mots de Noël
On by BarbaraLes mots de Noël Le berger: the shepherd La boule: the bauble La bûche: the log shaped Christmas cake Le cadeau: the present Le chant: the song (Christmas Carol) La cheminée: the chimney La crèche: the Christmas crib La…
Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!
On by BarbaraHere we are again: third Thursday in November and le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé! That’s the day when the young, light and fruity wine is released in France, in shops, restaurants and bars. To be precise it should be released one minute past midnight…
Carnaval en France (children)
On by BarbaraCarnival is a really festive season in France. Many schools organise parades and it is a great opportunity to dress up. Carnaval PDF to download Like4
Carnaval, Mardi gras, Carême
On by BarbaraMardi gras (Shrove Tuesday, literally Fat Tuesday) is the last day before Carême (Lent) which starts on Mercredi des Cendres (Ash Wednesday). On that day, people are supposed to eat rich food before fasting, a religious ritual for Lent. Pancakes and pancake races…
La Saint Valentin
On by BarbaraFebruary 14th, Valentine’s Day, is almost worldwide, considered to be a day of romance; the day to celebrate your special Valentine, as if you wouldn’t do so everyday! It finds its origin in either the ancient Roman festival Lupercalia, kind of spring cleansing…
La chandeleur (children)
On by BarbaraChildren usually like La chandeleur. Maybe a good opportunity to make them play with the recipe. They can read it and then check their reading. Finally use the recipe to make crêpes and then eat them with friends and family. RECETTE DES CRÊPES RECETTE DES CRÊPES À COMPLETER…
La chandeleur
On by BarbaraEvery year on the 2nd of February, la chandeleur (Candlemas, festa candelabrum in Latin), is celebrated in France. Originally Candlemas was Christian feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (40 days after Christmas) and feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus….
Les mots de l’Avent
On by BarbaraToday is THE DAY when children are finaly allowed to open the first little window of their Advent calendar (calendrier de l’Avent). A moment they have been looking forwards to for days, maybe weeks! Les mots de l’Avent L’attente…
Faire le pont (2)
On by BarbaraLa Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) is a public holiday in France. If Halloween (which means the eve of holy, so the 31st of October) is still a very marginal celebration, and mainly consumer orientated, the 1st of November, la Toussaint is Christian festival….
Clafoutis aux cerises
On by BarbaraSummer activities: baking a clafoutis Préchauffer le four à 180°C Preheat the oven at 180°C Ingrédients: 500 g de cerises (ou autres fruits) 125 g de sucre 1 sachet de sucre vanillé 4 oeufs 70 g de beurre…
A la plage
On by BarbaraSummer activities: à la plage! La mer: the sea L’eau (n.f): the water La plage: the beach Le coquillage: the sea shell Le sable: the sand La pelle: the shovel Le râteau: the rake Le seau: the bucket Le…
Bleu, blanc, rouge
On by BarbaraToday, 14th of July, France celebrates its fête nationale, known as Bastille Day. Although it definitely makes sense to call it like this, in France nobody does. All kind of symbols are linked to that celebration: from the military parade on the…
Cours, court etc
On by BarbaraThe Wimbledon tennis tournament is in full swing, tennis rackets and balls are on sale everywhere and the weather calls for outdoor activities. What about a game of tennis? “J’ai réservé un court de tennis cet après-midi à 14h”. If you hear this…
Vox populi*
On by BarbaraAlea iata est**: last week, on the 23rd of June (etymologically the month of juniores, young men, or maybe of Juno, goddess of the Roman empire), 52% of the Brits voted (from latin votum, wish), via (via, road) a referendum, to leave Europe. A word has even been…
Foot, ballon, but et score!
On by BarbaraThe kick start of the World Cup football tournament has been given, flags and buntings are out and big screens promise great evenings in pubs all over the country. Children might even learn a bit more about geography whilst exchanging football cards…
Simple comme bonjour
On by BarbaraGreeting someone in French is not very difficult. One has two alternatives according to the time of the day: BONJOUR (literally good day!), for the morning and afternoon. Mind the pronunciation of the nasal vowel ‘on’ in bonjour which is different to ‘onne’…
Jours, mois et saisons
On by BarbaraDays, month and seasons in a word search. No translations as you can get easily guess them. Remember that French spelling doesn’t write those words with a capital letter. Jours, mois et saisons Have fun! And if you want to listen…
Fête des mères
On by BarbaraThis Sunday is Mother’s Day in the UK. In France, Mothers Day is usually on the last Sunday in May, except if it coincides with Pentecost. In this case, Mother’s Day is shifted to the first Sunday of June. On this occasion…
Balance & balance
On by BarbaraSpring is here with its trend for green: green leaves on the trees, green leaves on your plates, green tea in your cups! These days it’s all about five veggies or fruits a day, balanced meals and a balanced life. Yes, that…
Faire le pont
On by BarbaraToday, le jeudi de l’Ascension (Ascension Thursday, Holy Thursday, or Ascension Day), is a christian holiday. As it is celebrated 40 days after Easter Sunday, it always falls on a Thursday and often in May, even if the date varies. It is a bank…
Un brin de bonheur
On by BarbaraMay 1st (May Day) is known worldwide as Labour Day, la Fête du Travail. France also celebrates it with demonstrations, trade union parades and lilies of the valley. This little white flower is considered as a porte-bonheur (lucky charm): it actually works like that, as…
Vive la Reine!
On by BarbaraJoyeux anniversaire (Happy Birthday) is usually what you get for your birthday, but today something more royal is applicable. You certainly cannot wish happy birthday to the Queen in the same way you would wish it to your best friend or your child….
En avril ne te découvre pas d’un fil; en mai fais ce qu’il te plaît!
On by BarbaraEaster with its rabbits and our overdose of chocolate is on its way; the 1st of April with its foolish jokes is behind us and daffodils are blooming. There we are: spring is in the air, with its sunny (and still not…
Surnom & surname
On by BarbaraFor any British form you have to fill in, you have to mention your surname. Never, or rarely, someone asks you for your surnom in French. If ever it happens, you have to tell your nickname. Whereas surname in French would be…
Balade vs ballade
On by BarbaraSpring calls for a balade, out in the woods, along the beach, or even just in town, anywhere you amble around and enjoy the day. Looking for best Canadian online casinos ? All the best casino games on mapleleafonlinecasino.com ! It is…
Les mots de Pâques
On by BarbaraA few Easter words in a word search to keep your children busy after egg hunt. Do you know some of them? all of them? None? Pâques-wordsearch Give it a try and if you doubt you can always check the translation below:…
Joyeuses Pâques
On by BarbaraJoyeuses Pâques ! is the right wish for Easter Sunday. You might hear it a few days earlier as well, because people do wish each other Happy Easter in advance. Pâques is in fact a strange word: when it is used in singular (and…
References
On by BarbaraDid you enjoy your French session? Any reference is welcome. Please leave a message below. Thank you very much. Like59