I spent many Christmases in France when my son was young. We would always spend Christmas Eve to Boxing Day (the latter doesn’t exist in France – it is just a normal day) with my son’s French grandparents. So what are the differences between Christmas in France and the U.K? Read below in English or scroll down for the French version. As in the U.K, … Continue reading Noël en France
This week’s blog continues with the mnemonic CROISSANT, a simple tool to remember what to include in your answers to the longer writing questions: C: Connectives R: Reasons O: Opinions I: Intensifiers S S: Sophisticated structures/subordinate clauses A: Adverbs N: Negative phrases T: Tenses This post is going to concentrate on reasons, which are relevant for the 80-90 and 130-150 question (Edexcel and IGCSE) and … Continue reading Strengthen Your French Writing: How to Back Up Your Opinions
I have blogged before about the mnemonic CROISSANT. It is a simple tool to remember what to include in your answers to the longer writing questions: C: Connectives R: Reasons O: Opinions I: Intensifiers S S: Sophisticated structures/subordinate clauses A: Adverbs N: Negative phrases T: Tenses This post is going to concentrate on opinions, which are relevant for the 80-90 and 130-150 question (Edexcel and … Continue reading Ace your GCSE or IGCSE writing exam
Learning a foreign language is not just about communication—it’s also an excellent way to improve your memory. Studies have shown that bilingual individuals tend to have better cognitive abilities, particularly in areas like recall, focus, and multitasking. When you learn a new language, you train your brain to manage different sounds, vocabulary, and grammar rules, which helps enhance your working memory. One key benefit is … Continue reading Boost Your Memory by Learning a Foreign Language
I can’t believe the Olympic Games in Paris are already over. They added a structure to my day that I’m already missing. I still can’t stop thinking about the opening ceremony with all its craziness, the breathtaking light show, and that incredible Flying Cauldron. My favourite part was the metallic horse galloping along the Seine, embodying Sequana, the goddess of the river Seine (la Déesse … Continue reading Uncover the Cultural and Linguistic Riches of Paris 2024 Olympics
Scroll down to read this post in French. Of all the things that we may envy the French for (food, weather, fashion…) the most important to me is their lifestyle. French employees have a 35-hour week and a minimum of 5 weeks holiday AND they have more public holidays than us. But what about school holidays? Typically, the school year is divided into similar holiday … Continue reading Do the French have more holidays than us?
Bastille Day, celebrated on the 14th of July, is a significant national holiday in France, known as “La Fête Nationale” or “Le Quatorze Juillet.” It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, a pivotal event at the beginning of the French Revolution. Here’s why this day is celebrated: Symbol of Revolution: The storming of the Bastille was a symbol of the … Continue reading Le quatorze juillet
Ever had one of those moments when you’re breezing through your day, feeling invincible, and then suddenly, BAM! It feels like someone just pulled the plug on your energy reserves. Congratulations, you’ve just experienced a classic French phenomenon known as a “coup de barre.” Literally translating to “a blow from a bar,” this delightful idiom perfectly captures that sudden wave of fatigue that crashes over … Continue reading When a “Coup de Barre” Hits Harder Than Your Morning Coffee
As the GCSE French writing exam approaches, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. To help you channel your preparation into success, here are some last-minute tips to ensure you’re ready to excel: 1. Revise Key Vocabulary and Phrases Themes and Topics: Focus on vocabulary related to common themes such as family, school, holidays, hobbies, and technology. You can find study sets … Continue reading GCSE French Writing Exam: Last-Minute Tips for Success
