Riviera Pebbles Blog: Going that one step further

Posted on 4th Jan 2019 in Muse Mag

Bring French into your home

Well done if you’ve taken the time and effort to go to classes and join groups. We bet you’re asking yourself “How am I not fluent yet?!”. Everyone who learns a second language after the age of 10 has been here, but to further your language learning you must go that extra mile and try bringing French into your home. Try having a conversation every day in French in your maison.

Whilst you are cooking or cleaning, listen to some French radio such as Franceinfo or NRJ. A large majority of these stations can be played through a laptop or phone where they discuss news of the moment. Lots of people who have mastered a second language praise listening to news radio stations as a means of learning a language.

TV soaps can help: they are simple and as you get to know the characters you get a head start in guessing their reactions. Try Plus Belle La Vie and their lives in a working-class neighbourhood of Marseille. On some channels it’s on twice a day, so you have another chance to catch a phrase you missed. There’s also over 3,500 episodes, so if you find a box set you can watch from the beginning, and immerse in more ways than one.

You can also watch your favourite movies but with French subtitles, or none. You know what’s going on, so it can be a great tool for intermediate level. Pick up some old DVS on offer whilst you’re staying with us and play them once home. French films give you an excuse to curl up on the sofa all under the guise of language learning.

If you want true French films, here’s a few Pebbles recommendations:

• Cyrano de Bergerac
  
  Gerard Depardieu stars again in this humorous love story set in 17th Century France. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne but doesn’t tell her his feelings because he thinks she won’t be able to see past his huge nose. Roxanne is also loved by the handsome Christian who is all brawn and no brains. Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxanne by wooing by secret proxy. Can you guess the ending? You may have some help if you have seen the Hollywood remake, Roxanne, with Steve Martin.



• Les Roseaux Savages
  
  This becoming of age film won four César awards in 1995. The plot centres around four normal teenagers during the Algerian war who grapple with themes of communism, sexuality, racism and feminism with angst and uncertainty. It is not a fast-moving plot, but one where you believe in all the characters and their intense interaction with each other. The film also has a great soundtrack.



• Les Intouchables
  
  An uplifting film following the story of a quadriplegic aristocrat who hires a street smart ex-con male as his new care-giver. The film depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humour which really does warm your heart. Popular in France, just nine weeks after its release in 2011, it became the second biggest box office hit. From tears of sadness one minute to then tears of joy, this film is one not to be missed.

Learning whilst relaxing on a sofa in one of our Nice apartments. Tempting isn’t it? Listening to the radio or watching a French film once or twice a week can make such a difference in your language learning whilst being entertaining at the same time. For our last step on how to master the French language click here.