Contributor blog post by Jemma: My dive into France’s linguistic obsession with food began with the summer shoe sales. This dazzling array pulled us into the shoe store – and launched an exploration into the French language. Twelve-year-old Lolo and I were meandering recently through the narrow streets of old …

During one of my first jobs here in France, one of my colleagues challenged me to learn these French tongue twisters. I found this crumpled piece of paper in a pile of forgotten souvenirs under the bed the other day. I was compelled to go through the papers as my …

In the past, most language classes followed a similar scholastic approach, typically involving the memorisation of verbs, tenses and sentence structures. The process is the same whether students were attempting to conquer one of the romance languages (Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian or Catalan), a Germanic tongue, a Slavic dialect or …

I’ve been putting off picking up my free pass to Pont du Gard for years now. Anyone who can prove they live in the Gard can get one. My friend and neighbor, Rich, said I’d murmured about it long enough. He was going to accompany me to the Mairie and …

On July 14, 1789, an angry mob stormed the Bastille in Paris, a prison that housed only seven inmates. To incensed crowd, the medieval structure represented a landmark which symbolized all of their frustration with the reigning monarchy, a weak economic environment, high taxes and a lack of personal financial …

Contributor Blog Post By Aixcentric: ‘L’art d’apprendre le francais’ and ‘l’art de vivre en Provence’ are combined for those signing up for courses with Destination Francais. It’s an Aix-based company started by two French teachers, tired of the classroom-based teaching methods they’d been tied to in the traditional system. They …

Ginger and Nutmeg have an on-going debate. Actually, it is not a debate because there is little discussion. Nutmeg admits she is a Francophile, give her the choice between BBQ Alberta beef and steak au poivre the French sauce wins. She listens to Radio Canada when she is driving, her …

What promises did you make for 2016? No dessert? More exercise? Less rosé? (are you crazy!) Or is this the year that you have decided to learn to speak French? If your resolution is to improve your Français communication skills, then Véronique Bienfait is here to help you with language services …

Are you a spelling bee champion? Or, do you rely on spell check once in a while? Are you a grammar pro? Perfecting your mother tongue is not easy! Even French speakers will admit that learning French can be frustrating… What is the word for ___? How do you conjugate …

The past two weeks the Barefoot Blogger has spent a lot of time with new French friends. Admitting that I live in France and that I can barely put together a sentence in French is getting embarrassing. Currently I have Rosetta Stone and another online language program on my computer. …