tips Archives - French Your Way

FYW 182 : How long does it take to learn French?

August 1, 2018 by Jessica Leave a Comment

I'm sometimes asked the million dollar question: "How long does it take to learn French ?" (or any other language, for that matter.) Another variation to this question is: "How long does it take to become fluent in French?" Before I go any further, what would YOU answer? In this episode, I'll talk about the 6 levels of proficiency defined by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). I'll try to define the notion of fluency and what comes into play regarding how fast you can learn a foreign language. I'll also give you my opinion about quick-learning methods which … Read More →

FYW 166 : How to write the plurals of French compound nouns?

April 11, 2018 by Jessica Leave a Comment

Spelling the plurals of French compound nouns is the perfect blend of logic and grammar notions. It can seem tricky or daunting at first but actually isn’t that hard! And, again: it’s logical. So, take your French writing skills to the next level by listening to this episode! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode un laissez-passer, des laissez-passer = pass un mange-tout, des mange-tout = snowpea, mangetout Un chou-fleur, des choux-fleurs = cauliflower un court métrage, des courts métrages = short film un porte-serviette, des porte-serviette / des … Read More →

FYW 160 : French Conversation – How to Improve Your Confidence

February 28, 2018 by Jessica Leave a Comment

I’m ranting a bit in this episode! I’ve lost count of how many times I heard students say that they don’t dare speaking French by fear of sounding ridicule or making mistakes. They make excuses with themselves to postpone the time they'll give French conversation a try, thinking they first need to study more French grammar and textbooks. If you can relate to this situation, I'll give you my opinion on this (well, you probably already have an idea of what I think!) and I will try to get you out of your analysis-paralysis state and to JUST DO IT! I'll give you simple tips on how to improve your … Read More →

FYW 158 : 10 French grammatical mistakes even native speakers make

February 14, 2018 by Jessica Leave a Comment

Here are the top 10 French grammatical mistakes French people make too…and which make me cringe the most! In this episode, you’ll learn to avoid these common traps as I’ll make sure to explain the difference so that YOU get it better than French people do! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode 1 WRONG : avez-vous déjà entendu parlé de … ? CORRECT : avez vous déjà entendu parler de … ? WRONG : Il continue à parlé CORRECT : : Il continue à parler 2 WRONG : j’ai prit CORRECT : J’ai pris (pris, prise) 3 WRONG : Elles sont allé, nous avons … Read More →

FYW 141 : Tips to watch French movies

October 18, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

Alexandre from Moscow would like some tips to watch French movies. Although his level of French is rather advanced, he struggles with understanding French movies. Why is that? And how to slowly get to watching French movies in original version without subtitles? I don't have a magic wand for it but my tips may help you! LINKS and RESOURCES Episode 136: "How to increase your French vocabulary? My best tips": frenchyourway.com.au/podcast136 "How to improve your French listening skills? " (article): https://frenchyourway.com.au/improve-your-french-listening-skills "How to improve your … Read More →

FYW 121 : Tout droit vs à droite: what’s the connection between these two expressions?

May 31, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

David from Sydney asked me :"If gauche is left, and droite is right, what is the connection between droite and tout droit for straight ahead ?" These can be confusing indeed because the two expressions look and sound very much alike. What particularly interested me in David's question is, not surprisingly, whether there was a connection between tout droit et à droite, as in whether they had the same origin (because clearly, they don't indicate the same direction!!) Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode A gauche = left / to the left A droite = right / to the … Read More →

FYW 107 : How to Add French to Your Daily Life

February 22, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

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 →

FYW 095 : How to prepare for the DELF or any French exam

November 30, 2016 by Jessica 1 Comment

Whether you plan to sit for the DELF, DALF, TCF, VCE or any other French exam or French certification, there are a few things you need to know to help optimise your score on the day. My tips include how to get familiar with your French exam requirements, how to shape your answers to meet these requirements and how to practice for the exam! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode www.ciep.fr > DELF tout public > exemples de sujets LINKS and RESOURCES ciep.fr My French essay correction service: https://frenchyourway.com.au/french-essay-correction … Read More →

FYW 093 : The different translations for BUSY in French

November 16, 2016 by Jessica 2 Comments

How to translate the English word "busy" in French? I hope you’re not too busy to listen to this episode because students of French often use the wrong word for it! I'll help you choose the relevant translation according to the context. Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Occupé,e = busy (person, phone line) Le Président est toujours très occupé = The President is always very busy La ligne est occupée = the phone line is busy Chargé,e = busy (schedule) Il a un emploi du temps très chargé = He’s got a very busy schedule. Rempli,e = busy (day) Les … Read More →

FYW 091 : I’m back from France! My comments and travel tips for you

November 2, 2016 by Jessica 2 Comments

In this episode, I’ll share my memories and comments after spending 3 months of family time in France. You’ll get another insight into French culture and habits. LINKS and RESOURCES Episode 75 : France Travel Tips (PART 3): Driving: https://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast75 Episode 77 : "Zero confidence when speaking French!": https://frenchyourway.com.au/podcast77 Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose mine, and I’m grateful for that. If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at … Read More →