Review: Concert en Bretagne by Cécile Talguen

When learning French, perhaps especially at the earlier levels, reading regular French text such as in newspapers or on news websites may seem out of reach. It’s frustrating because regular reading is one of the keys to improving reading comprehension and expanding your vocabulary.

This is where graded French readers come in. They are available at different levels, such as A1, A2, B1, and have a limited number of words. Readers may be simplified versions of classic works or written especially for language learners.

Although readers are relatively simple, they can still be very challenging depending on your level of French. They are much more welcoming than texts aimed at native speakers. You can also return to them later and get an idea of how your French has progressed. 

 Cover image: CLE International

I recently revisited a reader titled “Concert en Bretagne” by Cécile Talguen. Published by CLE International in (2006) as part of its Collection Découverte series, this title is pegged at Niveau 1, suitable for beginning students. The series has seven levels, starting at ‘intro’ and working upwards from level 1 through 6.

Concert en Bretagne is about a girl named Gwen from Paris who goes to stay with her grandmother in Carhaix, Brittany for the holidays. Gwen has various adventures which revolve around a jewellry heist and a music concert, part of the Vieilles Charrues festival. The story is engaging and interesting.

The 48 page reader includes helpful illustrations to explain the story and bring it alive. It starts with preliminary exercises, such as looking at the cover and describing what you see. Each chapter concludes with exercises that test your comprehension of the foregoing chapter.

When I first looked at this reader, at an earlier stage of French, I found it difficult and didn’t finish reading it. At the second attempt and with the passage of time, however, I found the reader much easier. There was still new vocabulary and some unfamiliar expressions, but I was able to comprehend the story quite clearly and I finished it in good time.

Revisiting the book was a good exercise: I got some reading practice; learned new vocabulary and expressions; and practiced my comprehension. I also got a helpful insight into how my French reading ability had progressed over time, which is definitely good for morale!

Look for a copy of this book at your local French cultural centre or public library. Alternatively, buy your own copy from the publisher.

In summary: I recommend this reader for beginning (A1) French students. For more advanced students it will be a relatively light read.

Find out more about “Concert en Bretagne” on the CLE International website

Interview: Studying French in Montpellier

My colleague, Wessel, took three weeks off work earlier this year to polish up his French in the southern French city of Montpellier. He also took part in school activities and experienced the local area. In this interview, Wessel shares his experiences.
 
David: What school did you attend?
Wessel: LSF Montpellier, which is situated in the centre of Montpellier, surrounded by cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife.
 
David: Why did you select this school?
Wessel: Because the website was well-designed and provided a lot of information. If the website of an organization is well-designed, it shows that the organization has a professional approach. On top of that, the school has been accredited by several language institutions.
 
David: What level were you in?
Wessel: I started at A2 level and moved from there to B1.
 
David: What was the nature of your course?
Wessel: I took the intensive course, consisting of 20 group classes (of 45 minutes each) in the morning, combined with an additional 10 group lessons on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.

                                   LSF students enjoy a tour of historic Montpellier.

David: How did you find the classes?
Wessel: Engaging and fun. On the other hand, sometimes I felt that having more “dry” exercises focusing on grammar etc. would have been good too. 
 
David: Does the school have a library and cultural programme?
Wessel: It has a library with books, study books and DVDs. In addition, the school organized excursions on a nearly daily basis, such as wine tastings or visiting Marseille. The downside of taking the most intensive programme was that I didn’t have the time to take part in many of the activities.

David: How about your living arrangements while studying French?
Wessel: I organized my accommodation through the school. The school offers a range of accommodation options such as staying with a French host family, or living in a student residence or hotel. I stayed with a friendly host-family, but had a separate studio in their apartment.

                           The historic garden, Le Jardin des Plantes, in Montpellier.
 
David: How do you rate your accommodation?
Wessel: The accommodation was nice, the family was friendly and it was pleasant to live in a normal neighborhood. Since I was living in a separate studio in the host family’s apartment, I did not have breakfast and dinner together with them. In hindsight I would have preferred to eat with my host family, since it is more fun and allows you to improve your French quicker.
 
David: How do you rate the school and would you recommend it to others?
Wessel: I would give the school a 9 out of 10 and I would definitely recommend it.
 
David: What are highlights of the area?
Wessel: The beach is great. You can rent a bike and cycle to the beach in 1.5 hrs. Apart from that, there are many lively bars and restaurants all over the place. I also visited Arles, a nearby historic town where Vincent van Gogh created many of his paintings.
 
David: Anything else you’d like to add?
Wessel: The investment to learn French was definitely worth it! Meeting people from all over the world was an added bonus. 

Read more about LSF Montpellier 
Read more about Montpellier

Dictionary Review: Collins Easy Learning French Dictionary

If you are learning French, then a dictionary will be one of your must-have learning materials. The dictionary will help decode unknown words, advise you on word usage and even help with conjugation. 

Increasingly, dictionaries are moving online, often as applications for a smartphone or electronic note pad. Despite this, I’d like to make a stand for the paper dictionary.

You can take the non-electronic dictionary anywhere, it’s easily accessible, doesn’t rely on internet access and never runs out of power. It also looks good on the bookshelf with your other French books.

The Collins Easy Learning French Dictionary (2009) is a classic English-French dictionary that is a good choice for beginners comfortable in English.

Coming in at a little over 600 pages, this softback dictionary is small enough to carry to class, yet big enough to hold sufficient vocabulary for early learners.

The bulk of the book is divided into French and English sections. Look in the French section if you have a French word you need to know the meaning of. Alternatively, look in the English section if you want to translate an English word into French.

The pages have an easy-to-read format. Target words are in bold blue in the French section and bold black in the English section. The explanatory text is in black in the French section and blue in the English section.

Apart from direct translations, the dictionary also gives information about gender and the type of word (noun adjective, etc.) and provides expressions and examples of how to use a word or expression in a sentence. For example, « remarquer » is defined as « to notice ». The accompanying sample sentence is: « J’ai remarqué qu’elle avait l’air triste, » meaning « I noticed she was looking sad. »

There is also a guide to grammar with useful conjugation tables. Another section includes handy snippets including a map of France, and subject-oriented French-English translations such as relationships and feelings, describing someone, time, numbers and writing letters and emails.

This is a great dictionary for beginning learners of French. A word of caution however: Try not to overuse the dictionary. When reading a French text, try to guess what a word means from the context. Alternatively, just try to pick up the sense of a sentence or paragraph – initially it’s not necessary to know what every word means.

Summary advice: Use the dictionary as one of your language comprehension tools, but don’t overuse it.  

Improving your French listening ability

For many people, aural or listening comprehension is one of the most difficult parts of learning French.

Reading French is perhaps the easiest, as you can see the words in their context and you have more time to figure out what the words mean. Speaking is not easy, but most students will have some level of vocabulary they can call upon, even if it is simply a Bonjour or au revoir.

Listening to French as it is spoken can be challenging. One of these challenges is time: For the learner, French native speakers seem to speak too quickly and many words are lost.
A second challenge is pronunciation: When reading you can see the whole word, but when listening speakers don’t pronounce all parts of every word while other words run together. Intonation can make words you recognize in writing seem very strange when spoken.

A third challenge: There just seems too much information. While you are processing the words you have just heard, you have to also be listening out for the ongoing stream of words.   

The obvious answer to this problem is to get as much listening practice as possible. Even if you are not in a total French environment, there are plenty of listening opportunities on the Internet. One I’d like to particularly recommend is “Le journal en français facile” on Radio France International (RFI).

This daily news programme of current events, which uses relatively simple words and explains things in their context, is available on the RFI website, at the top of the Apprendre le français section. 

The Journal package includes an audio file of about 10 minutes, which can be streamed online or downloaded, along with a script.

The Journal can be used in a variety of ways: You can listen to the audio one or more times and then read the script (probably the more challenging method). Or you can listen to the audio while reading the script. Alternatively, you could read the script and then listen to the audio. Whichever method you choose, engaging with the Journal will give you practice in listening.  

While it is invaluable to have written text of the audio, in some places the audio differs from the script. This is partly because the presenters go off script and partly due to some segments being from field reporters. This actually makes for a good additional learning opportunity: Listen closely and try to fill in the missing text.  

Another good thing about the Journal is that it relates to current news. If you are familiar with the news in English or other language, then it will be easier to understand the Journal.
Listen to the Journal as part of your daily routine and you will get at least 70 minutes of French each week – more if you listen to each edition several times.

10 tips about Alliance Française in Lyon

This post is the last in a series about the Alliance Française (AF) in Lyon. Previous posts have covered the following topics: getting ready to study at AF; living at the student résidence; the experience of studying French at AF; and using the vélo’v public bike system to get to and from class, and around the city.

The current post provides tips for students about the facilities and services available at AF in Lyon.

1. The reception counter and administration staff are very helpful and patient. They are always happy to talk to students about any questions or issues. For complicated issues, it is possible to talk with them in English.

2. The lobby area is a great social meeting point. There are comfortable chairs and small desks around which students gather before and after class. Many social activities are arranged in the lobby.

3. AF runs cultural activities. For example, during my month of study (April 2015) there were three French movie evenings, as well as jazz festival activities. There is a printed newsletter with details for each month.

4. The school produces a handy printed guide to studying at AF and many of the practicalities of living in Lyon.

5. A small reference-only library provides books grouped according to their corresponding level of French. Among the books are graded French readers; grammar and vocabulary books; and books on aspects of French society and culture. Two computers are available for listening comprehension. It is a nice library which at the time of my visit was open three days a week.

6. A student noticeboard provides all kinds of information, including about jobs; language exchanges; accommodation; events; and items for sale.

7. In the refreshments area, there are two hot drink machines, along with a cold water dispenser. A snack vending machine includes sandwiches as well as the usual fare of chocolate bars and chips.

8. There is free wifi in the lobby area and also in many, if not all of the classrooms. This was a lifesaver in my case, in terms of communication, as my student residence building did not have wifi. The AF wifi meant that I could keep in touch with family and friends at least to some degree. Many students used the wifi in class to power online dictionaries on their smartphones.

9. The mezzanine area has two computers for student use along with a table for meetings.

10. The school is close to a number of vélo’v bicycle stations and other public transport networks, including trams.

10 tips for using vélo’v in Lyon

Getting to and from French class at the Alliance Français in Lyon is a question that will face all students. For those living near the school, walking will be a great option. Other students living further away will be spoiled for choice by Lyon’s public transport system of metro, trams and buses. Another option to seriously consider is cycling and the public bike system, vélo’v.

Lyon is a great city for biking. There are loads of cycleways, including dedicated paths, as well as lovely routes such as through the ever-so-green Parc de la Tête d’Or and along the banks of the sedate Rhône and Saone rivers.

As I regularly used vélo’v to get to and from French class, two of my fellow students asked for help in how to use the system. Because other students and potential students might also have an interest, here are my 10 top tips on using vélo’v:

1.      Using a vélo is significantly cheaper than other forms of public transport. There are a variety of ticket options: Short term tickets are €1.50 for one day or €5 for a week. An annual ticket for €25 is available from the vélo’v website. Other options are available, such as using your Lyon transport Técély card.

2.      If you have a short-term ticket then you have 30 minutes of riding time before you will be charged extra. If you don’t want to pay more (for example, €1 for the second 30 minute period) then plan your trips so that you always return the vélo before the 30 minutes is up. For my vélo ride to French class, for example, I usually stopped at one vélo station along the way to either refresh or change vélo.

3.      Always check the vélo before you take it. Like anything mechanical, the vélo break down or function poorly at times. Given the popularity of the system, this is unsurprising. Basics to check: tyres are not flat; the chain is on; there are pedals; the lights work; the seat is adjustable; the bell works; and there is a panier with strap.

4.      Avoid certain vélo stations at certain times.  For example, on weekday mornings the stations around the main train station (Part-Dieu) become full and it is hard to find a place to park your vélo if you are heading that way. Stations near the Parc de la Tête d’Or are incredibly popular on a sunny day, particularly during weekends. At such times there can be a long queue.

5.      If a station is full or there are no vélo available, look on the computer terminal for nearby stations. The system will indicate how many vélo are available and there is usually a local map on the back of the terminal of nearby stations.

6.      Get the free vélo’v map from the tourist information office. The guide overlays every vélo station on a map of Lyon. It is very handy for planning your trip and reducing stress levels should your preferred station be full. The map also shows good cycling routes. If you have a smartphone, download the vélo’v app, which includes real time information on vélo availability.

7.      Information and instructions on the computer terminals is available in multiple languages including French and English. More details are available on the vélo’v website. Be aware that the touch screens on the computer terminals don’t always work very well. Sometimes the touch function is unresponsive, while other times a screen may be damaged, or possibly affected by direct sunlight. Be persistent and avoid any known problem stations. If your French is good enough, report the problem to vélo’v.

8.      Keep a close eye on your vélo! The system puts a €150 block on your credit card, with the amount liable to be deducted if you lose the vélo or it is stolen. Likewise, be sure to return your vélo properly. If the vélo is not fitted correctly into the docking station, you are likewise liable for the €150 charge. To make doubly sure of a correct return, get a printed return card from the computer terminal. It will help you sleep better.

9.      Wear a helmet! It doesn’t appear to be mandatory in Lyon, but for the protection of your head, it is worth taking this extra precaution.

10.   If you are planning to be in Lyon for longer than a couple of months, then consider buying your own vélo. In many ways, using your own vélo is easier than navigating the vélo’v system. You will be able to extend your range beyond the vélo’v system boundaries; the vélo will be set up how you like it; and you can potentially recoup some of your initial costs by selling your vélo later. That being said, vélo’v is a terrific asset for Lyon. Make the most of it while you are in the city and happy biking!





French classes at Alliance Française in Lyon

I am sadly coming to the end of my month of studying French in Lyon, with only a few more days of class to go.

I have really enjoyed my time at the Alliance Française in Lyon. I took the ‘Extra intensive General French’ package which consisted of 20 hours of French per week in two classes. The first -- a mix of grammar, oral comprehension, and writing – runs 9am to 12 noon Monday to Friday. The second is a conversation class offered four afternoons a week from 12.30 to 1.45. 

On the first morning, students gathered eagerly around a noticeboard to check lists of names for which rooms they would be in. Apart from French, there were all kinds of other languages being spoken, adding to the multi-national atmosphere.

Two teachers took a share of each of the morning and afternoon classes. For example, with the conversation class, one teacher taught for Monday and Tuesday, while another teacher took Thursday and Friday. The transition between teachers was relatively seamless and it was interesting to compare their different styles.

Initially the morning class had around 18 students, but was quickly divided into two separate classes with a much more comfortable number of students and more chances for teacher contact.

My class (level A2N1) used the textbook Alter Ego plus, published by Hachette. The package, available for sale from Alliance Française, included a textbook, activity book, and CDs of audio material. I didn’t have my book for the first class and the teacher very kindly copied the relevant pages for that day.

The classrooms are roomy and bright. Each is fitted out with a computer and projector which teachers use in an interactive way to display pages from the textbook, write notes on the enlarged pages, and play audio clips. This system really helped to enliven the textbook and gave the feeling that all elements were integrated. There is also plenty of traditional whiteboard space for writing new vocabulary.

The teaching styles varied between individuals, but all the teachers displayed a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm for French. All the classes were conducted in French and the teachers went to good lengths to use relatively simple French language to explain instructions and concepts. Where students really struggled, The occasional English or other language words arose in class, often from fellow students who wanted to help. Other students were a natural source of information and encouragement.

I was impressed with the extent teachers would go to explain, for example, certain grammar points when one or more of the class was a bit lost. I myself benefitted from this extra attention and explanation, which really helped me to come to grips with some concepts that initially had me baffled. In this regard it is really important to keep up with the homework and do extra reading as necessary.

The conversation classes where not quite as I had imagined, but were very good all the same. I had thought, rather improbably, that these classes would involve continuous chatting. Given the level of French and some natural shyness or lack of confidence in speaking, however, it was very necessary for teachers to take a structured approach. This often involved students first sharing what we knew on a topic. This was followed by a review of key vocabulary and conversation exercises around the topic, including in small groups and in front of the class.

One of the most fun activities for me, in conversation class, involved each student writing the name of a famous person or character on a notepaper and passing it to their neighbour to wear but not look at. Sitting in a circle, each student had to guess who they were by asking yes or no questions of the other students. It was such a fun game that the usual shyness barriers to speaking were quickly broken down. 

Although I have only been at Alliance Française a short time, I feel that I have made noticeable progress, both in terms of grammar, listening comprehension and speaking. Although I am sure I only speak in very basic and broken French, at least now I feel more confident than before to say some simple things. Being able to comprehend this personal progress is incredibly rewarding and I feel that I have a firm base for future progress. 

If you want to really improve your French, then I thoroughly recommend the Alliance Française in Lyon. Not only will the school help a lot, but also living in a French environment adds an important intangible: You have to be ready to speak French at any time! 

Morning class: One of the teachers and most of the students (a few were away this day).

Conversation class: One of the teachers and most of the students (a few were away this day).

Living at the résidence and getting to French class

I arrived in Lyon at the end of March ready to start a month of learning French at the Alliance Française in Lyon. 

Due to the availability of flights, I arrived two days before I could move into the student résidence on 1 April. I stayed at two of the several hostels in the city travelling easily by public transport (a combination of tram, metro, and funicular). 

The first night was at the Hostelling International hostel, on the historic Fourvière hill, which features dorm rooms for up to six people. The second night was more comfortably spent in a single room at Éthic Étapes which is however further out from the city centre. 

Résidence Jussieu, which I was to call home for the next month, is a collection of multi-story student accommodation blocks opposite the campus of the Institut national des sciencés Appliquées de Lyon (INSA) in the north-east suburb of Villeurbanne. I found the office and completed the check-in procedures in a mixture of French and English.

My room is on the top (fourth) floor of one of the blocks. No elevator unfortunately, so I lugged my case up via the stairs.  The room is basic and small (10 m2) but has a large desk with a window overlooking trees and the sky. There is also a small fridge, shelves, a narrow cupboard, a slat bed, and an ensuite containing a wash basin, shower, toilet, and an outlet for an electric razor. The ensuite appears to be a modular unit that was added to the room at a later date. It is amazingly small, yet very usable and gives the room the feeling of a tiny apartment or even a train sleeper compartment. It is possible to rent a cheaper room without ensuite, or alternatively a studio, which is more expensive.

Each floor of my block has a shared basic kitchen featuring a sink, bench, microwave, and stovetop elements (no oven). Some of the kitchens also feature a table with chairs. If you want to cook, you will need to provide your own cooking utensils along with cleaning materials like dishwashing liquid. A supermarket and a boulanger are nearby, and every Sunday there is a local market.

Apart from the stairs and hallway, the kitchen is the main place at the résidence to meet other students. I found that a number of other Alliance Française students are living here, including several from my class.

Generally speaking, the résidence blocks are equipped with wifi, but unfortunately my building was not included in the network and only offered internet via cables. This is fine if you have a laptop, but not so useful if you are using a tablet or smart phone. 

Although the résidence is some way from the Alliance Française and the city centre, it is well linked by trams 1 and 4.  A tram stop is just across the road. Another transport option, which I use extensively, is the public bicycle service Vélo’v. One of the city’s 345 bike stations is beside the tram stop and another is only a few minutes walk from the school.

To go to and from classes I bike through the large Parc de la Tête d’Or and along the Rhône River. It is a picturesque route which includes the unusual bonus of being able to see giraffes and other wild animals at the park zoo. An additional advantage of this route is that it uses cycleways and avoids motor traffic as much as possible. Depending on the availability of bikes, the weather, the traffic conditions, and how fast I am going, the journey typically takes 30-40 minutes. 

Learning French in France

Maybe you’ve learned some French at high school, evening class or university. You may also have visited a French-speaking country on vacation, or at least thought about the possibility. A natural next step, if you have the opportunity, is to take a French language course in a Francophone country.

I had been thinking about doing this very thing for some considerable time. Apart from being a fun experience, studying in a French-speaking environment seemed like a great practical way to improve my French. What better way to build confidence in one’s French speaking and listening ability than being surrounded and immersed in French? Also, there would be cultural and travel opportunities when not in class.

The stars finally aligned and I had some spare time to spend a month studying. I had visited France before on holiday and decided to return for more serious purposes. I had previously attended evening classes at the Alliance Française in Jordan and New Zealand, where I was impressed with the quality of teaching and the availability of library materials and cultural activities. There are more than 800 Alliance Française centres around the world.

I looked at a number of schools in France before deciding on the Alliance Française in Lyon. It is a very popular school with more than 2,600 students each year, representing more than 130 nationalities. Being a larger school, it has many class levels, so can cater for students of varying abilities and be more likely to group students of similar ability in the same class.

The school also has a library and organises cultural activities. Another important factor is that it can help with a range of accommodation types to suit different budgets including student residence, host family and private accommodation.

Another key factor that attracted me is that the Alliance Française in Lyon has been awarded the French as a Foreign Language (FLE) quality mark. The mark is awarded jointly by three French Ministries to French language centres that meet a set of objective criteria related to quality of teaching, service and management. There are around 95 schools which hold the FLE quality mark. You can search them at the website link above.

Lyon itself is a large city with many attractions including an old town, Roman amphitheatres, a fine arts museum, and an excellent park. (I’ll go into more detail about Lyon’s treasures in a later blog post.) There is also plenty to see in the surrounding area, including Annecy and Geneva to the east.

I am currently on my way to Lyon where I will be studying at the Alliance Française during April. I’m very excited about this opportunity and look forward to sharing my experiences as a student at the school and of living in France. 

Review: “Les aventures de Tintin : Objectif lune”

The Tintin comic books by Belgium writer and artist Georges Rémi are much loved by millions of readers around the world. Written originally in French, starting in 1929, they have been translated into many other languages, including English, Chinese, Russian, Italian and Polish, to name just a few.

The books follow the adventures of the young reporter Tintin and his faithful dog Milou (Snowy in English). A cast of major characters travel with Tintin, including Capitaine Haddock (Captain Haddock), Professor Tournesol (Professor Calculus), and the police detectives Dupond and Dupont (Thompson and Thomson). There are also a host of minor characters and, naturally, plenty of baddies.

If you are already familiar with Tintin in English, or other language, then you can use your existing knowledge and enthusiasm to tackle the books in French. Another option is to have the book in front of you in both English and French versions.

I read “Objectif lune” (Destination Moon), first published in 1953. The story follows the development of a working moon rocket, well before the first actual moon landing in 1969.

Most of the story takes place at a tightly-guarded research centre in a remote mountain region of the fictional country of Syldavia. All does not go smoothly though, as it transpires espionage is afoot.

The story is a mix of serious plot and humourous incidents, the latter often involving the somewhat hapless Capitaine Haddock and the at times absent-minded and hard-of-hearing Professor Tournesol. The Professor uses a hearing trumpet – a technology that doesn’t always work very effectively!

Georges Rémi is well known for the attention to detail and realism of his drawings. The colourful illustrations put the text – most of which is in speech bubbles – in context and helps with comprehension. Be aware, however, that some of the exclamations produced by the excitable Capitaine Haddock can be challenging!

I highly recommend reading Tintin books as a way to practice your French and build on your vocabulary. They can also be a type of barometer of your personal progress in French reading comprehension. The first time I tried to read Tintin, I could only make out a few words here and there. But on returning to Tintin after time spent in French class and lots of reading of graded readers, I found that I could understand significantly more. One day I will dip in again and hopefully will be able to understand even more.

To find Tintin books in French outside the francophone world, try your local French cultural centre, or the children’s French language section at your local public library. Books may also be purchased directly from the publisher, Casterman (in French) or the Boutique Tintin online store.

Read more about Tintin at the official site.

The French version of the Tintin site includes additional material such as “Tintin TV”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review: “Marée noire” by Dominique Renaud

Graded French readers are a great way to practice reading and improve your vocabulary. They open up reading opportunities to all levels of language learner, particularly those at the earlier levels.
 

Graded readers help to build confidence and stamina in reading, and there is a real sense of accomplishment that comes from finishing a book in French, no matter how small it may be.

The French publisher CLE International produces a range of graded readers in its “Décourverte” (discovery) collection. Books are available at levels from introductory to “Niveau 6”. According to the publisher, these books are either original fiction or adaptations of classic works.   

I read “Marée noire” (Oil spill) by Dominique Renaud. It is a 47 page book published in 2008 at the level “Niveau 1”, which the publisher says is suitable for someone in their first year of French. The story centres around a family who live in a coastal village in Brittany. When an oil tanker breaks up and spills large quantities of oil into the ocean and along the coastline, the lives of the family, the community and local sea life is turned upside down.

The book is attractively illustrated and the images often help with the understanding of the text. Selected words are explained, in French, at the foot of each page. There is plenty of vocabulary related to maritime and environmental themes.

I like the comprehension activities, which are both at the beginning of the book and following each chapter. These make the book more interactive and add to the learning value of the text. Another helpful feature is a page introducing the key characters.  

If you’d like to sample the book online, you are in luck, as the cover and first chapter are available on the publisher’s website. 

Duolingo - A great free tool for improving your French

Whether your French is basic or advanced, then the free language-learning site Duolingo is well worth a visit. According to Duolingo itself, the site has more than 38 million users and was selected by Apple as iPhone App of the Year 2013.

Available as a website and an application, the tool has two main parts. The first is a series of interactive modules that cover introductory French grammar, while the second involves the translation of texts from French into English*.

Each module includes exercises for writing, comprehension (written and oral), and speaking. The speaking option appears to be more about encouraging you to have a go at saying something in French rather than involving speech recognition software.

The earliest module, “Basics 1”, starts off displaying four images with matching text “l’homme”, “le chat”, “la pomme”, and “le garçon”. The user is asked to select the image and text for “the boy”. You will get instant feedback on your response.

Another page gives the text “La femme” accompanied by audio of the text. The user needs to translate the sentence into English.    

Other early modules cover topics such as food, animals, adjectives, possession, plurals, être/avoir, clothing, colours, present, questions, conjunctions, prepositions, and pronouns. There are more than 65 modules in all and they usually come with written ‘tips and notes’ on particular grammar points.

If you make four mistakes in a module, then you will need to start again in order to complete it. You can repeat modules as often as you like. The programme keeps a record of modules you have done and after some time has passed, users are encouraged to revisit modules to strengthen their understanding. The repetitive nature of the grammar section is a very positive part of Duolingo. Having struggled with plurals myself, I found that doing this particular module a number of times really helped me to understand the concept of French plurals in practice.

The grammar modules can be done on the Duolingo website or via application on a smartphone or tablet. The application option is particularly convenient and means that you get in some French grammar practice in your spare moments when you are on a bus or train, for example, so long as you have internet access.

Sometimes the Duolingo answer may leave you wondering why your response was wrong. If you are doing the grammar modules on the website, there is an option to read comments from other users about troublesome questions and answers.

For more advanced learners, the second part of Duolingo – the interactive translation of written texts – is a great option for practicing reading and writing French. This can only be done on the website. [Please see below the May 2017 update on the translation feature.]

Texts can be chosen by subject area and difficulty. Translation is done in small chunks, such as a word, group of words, or a complete sentence. If you are in doubt about how to translate a word or words, hover the mouse over the text to get an automated translation.

A number of people will be involved with the translation of popular texts. If you disagree with someone else’s translation then you can change it, but do give a reason if it is more than a very minor revision, so as to inform other users. The translation activity is very interactive and it’s possible that one or more other people may be translating a document in real time.

You can also upload your own texts for free, so long as they are in the public domain. Commercial users upload documents for a fee, which users translate. Presumably this is part of how the site is able to fund itself.

 Although Duolingo is free for language learners, it is necessary to register with your email. You can select your own anonymous username. Users will get regular emails reminding them to practice (this feature can be turned off) and, if you have translated some text, emails letting you know that another user has revised your work. Disagreements about translations can be a source of tension, so best to remain calm, cool and polite at all times.

Users earn points for completing grammar modules and translating texts. It’s possible to follow other users and discuss language issues with them in the public space.

I highly recommend Duolingo as a useful tool for improving your French. It’s something you can dip into as much as you like and is very interactive. Beware: translating French can be strangely addictive!

*This blog focuses on the French part of Duolingo. It should be noted that other languages, including German, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, and Irish, can all be learned on the site.

Update May 2017: 
Earlier this year, Duolingo unfortunately decided to retire the translation part of its website, which it calls its "Immersion tool". Read the Duolingo statement about the decision and the response from some users.