It is generally agreed that if you want to practice a foreign language, the best thing you can do is to travel to a country where this language is spoken. But, what about the rest of the time? How do you stay motivated and how to practice when you’re not travelling? Here are simple tips on how you can add a bit of French language and culture outside formal lessons, tips to add French to your daily life! This episode is the audio version of an article I published some time ago on my website (www.frenchyourway.com.au ) and which has been helpful to many students of French – which is why I’ve … Read More →
What Type of Teacher Do You Have ?
Do you Have a Killing Teacher or a Killer Teacher ? I’ve heard it today again: “I had French lessons before but the teacher was very aggressive. She would lose patience if I was not understanding or pronouncing a word well. So I didn’t really want to go to the lessons anymore.” (No wonder you didn’t!). Kristy had met what I call a “Killing Teacher”. “Killing Teachers” Killing Teachers kill the student’s desire/motivation to learn. This thirst of knowledge or interest for the subject may die by itself as students move on with their lives and discover new centres of … Read More →
FV 024 : A Year as an Au Pair in Australia
A working holiday visa is the perfect way to travel and be able to work to finance your trip or simply to learn the language. That’s what Sabine is doing: she is currently working as an au pair in a family in Sydney. Sabine will tell us why she decided to go to Australia, how she found her host family and what her typical day is like. She’ll also share her plans of travelling. If you have some suggestions and tips for Sabine to enjoy the travelling part of her stay in Australia, you’re welcome to use the comment section at the bottom of the show notes. Stay tuned after the interview if you … Read More →
FV 023 : Behind the Scenes of SBS French Radio with Christophe Mallet
Have you ever heard about the Australian radio called SBS? Wherever you are in the world, you can listen to it live or in podcast (so, it’s very good for more French exposure!). SBS broadcasts in many languages including French, and a few weeks ago, I met Christophe Mallet, the executive producer for the French program. He invited me and gave me a tour of the studios. I also attended a live broadcast and got interviewed about French Voices podcast. (You can listen to this short interview too, the link is in the shownotes below). In today’s episode, Christophe and I switched roles and I … Read More →
10 Tips on How to Take the Train in France
Are you travelling through France by train this summer? Lucky you! Taking the TGV (“Train à Grande Vitesse”, i.e fast train) in France is simple but here are my 10 tips on how to take the train in France to make your trip even easier. And I took the photos for you on my last trips to France ;-) 1. Unlike slow trains, TGVs have numbered seats so it is advisable to book your ticket before departure. This can be done on the SNCF (national French rail network) website – check www.voyages-sncf.fr , and practise your French reading! 2. To buy your ticket at the station or for any enquiry, … Read More →
FV 021 : Me on the Radio !
This episode is a bit special, because it’s an interview... of myself! In July I was invited as the guest for the weekly French program of a community radio, the Pulse (Broadcast is every Thursday 6-7 pm Melbourne time). This first radio show was a great experience. Here is the recording of our interview – I’ve edited the songs and the commercials for copyright reasons Episode Timeline [04 min 04 sec] How I met my husband [06 min 51 sec] A passion for travelling [07 min 58 sec] A romantic engagement [09 min 30 sec] Facts about my hometown [10 min 27 sec] My studies [11 min 40 sec] … Read More →
FV 020 : French Fashion, Tips and Faux-Pas with Caroline from Fren’CHIC Touch
In today’s episode, we’ll talk about fashion with personal shopper and image consultant Caroline from Fren’CHIC touch. Boys, stay tuned, it’s not only for girls! We’ll try to put words on what it is that makes French fashion so different and so famous all around the world. Caroline will give you her top fashion tips and we’ll also discuss fashion faux pas! At the end of this episode, you’ll also get a special offer from Caroline. Episode Timeline [05 min 18 sec] Where Caroline is from [07 min 14 sec] Arriving in Melbourne [09 min 34 sec] Struggles with English [10 min 44 sec] How … Read More →
FV 019 : Virologist Serge Talks About his Work, the Difference Between French in Quebec and France, and Dancing
Serge is a marine virologist from Quebec now living in Australia. In this episode, we cover a broad range of topics such as Serge’s profession, the differences between the French from Quebec and from France (school system, language, accent, social differences). We also talk about Serge’s involvement with some events organised by Alliance Francaise de Geelong and his hobbies. If you like this podcast, I would love for you to leave a review on iTunes! I’ll read out a few reviews in the next episode. :) Episode Timeline [05 min 26 sec] Quebec and Montreal [06 min 38 sec] Chicoutimi [09 min … Read More →
FV 018 : French Navigator Eric Shares his Passion for the Sea
In this episode Eric, a French navigator now living in Australia shares his passion for the sea and for boats. My husband and I were recently invited on Eric’s boat for a lovely afternoon and we learnt a lot about sailing. Listen to the fascinating stories of Eric’s travels and learn useful navigation tips in French! Episode Timeline [04 min 02 sec] Background [5 min 51 sec] Le Club Med [06 min 55 sec] Work experiences in Corsica [09 min 34 sec] First year in Australia [12 min 07 sec] Project for the marina [12 min 51 sec] A job on the ground! [14 min 15 sec] Why Eric loves … Read More →
FV 017 : Listen to concertmaster and violinist Ignace Jang to help tune your ear…to French !
Ignace Jang is the concertmaster of Honolulu symphony orchestra. We talk about his background, profession and the string program he will be running this coming July. We’ll also talk about the influence of immigration on music and about Hawaii ! Announcement for the Aussie listeners: if you’re around Sydney on the 10th, 11th and 12th of July 2015, come and say hi at the Bleu Blanc Rouge French festival! More information will be coming on my Facebook (French Your Way) – but it seems like my site will be located near the kid’s corner and the pétanque playing area. Finally, I’m curious: … Read More →