Want to stop having French conversation anxiety? Try this!

Today, I received three comments on my Facebook page regarding French conversation anxiety, which I'd like to address. I'm hearing this all the time, and I hope to help you as much as possible with my answers. If you want me to identify exactly what happens in your case, do contact me to have a chat. And now, here are the three questions. (This week: verb ÉCOUTER (to listen)

1. "I would like to learn how to "think" in French. I mostly need to translate English to French and it slows down the conversation." Here is the misconception that stops most of us from speaking in a second language. I'm saying "most of us" because I've been dealing with this when I learned English, and I'm dealing with this problem now, as I'm learning Italian and Spanish. Disclaimer: I'd also like to include other people, whose mother tongue is not English - I have clients whose mother tongue is Mandarin, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Russian. Especially when you learn French through English it is easiest to not resist to think in English. You have 40% of the vocabulary common in both languages - why would you want to avoid this amazing resource? Also, there are expressions and structures in English that you can use in your French sentences. You just need to know which ones those are. Which ones are your friends, and which ones are 'exceptions'. Look, thinking in French cannot be a goal. It is always a consequence of speaking too fast and too much, at which point the brain finds a shortcut, and you find yourself thinking in French. It's a side effect. If you make "thinking in French" your goal, you will end up working longer and harder to get to the point of enough practice that allows you to eventually, naturally think in French. My advice is this: use your thinking in English, learn a few techniques to help you navigate this smoother (email me, and I'll have a quick crash course with you on your specific challenge), and practice enough - you'll be surprised how quickly you'll end up thinking in French. 2. "I lived in France for one year - never could just speak it although I could understand and order pay and find the toilet :) ." I'd like to say here that most people wait to learn "enough words and grammar" until they venture to speak the language. What this does is keeping us in the comfort zone - we learn, do our homework, exercises, we understand well, even enjoy a movie - and the more we get comfortable in this phase, the more we are afraid to start using the language. Why is that? Because we will start making mistakes, we sound at a lower level than our theoretical knowledge - and we thought we were over that phase - and we get discouraged. So, I'll say this: First, do remember that the part of our brain responsible with the performance of the language (conversation) is completely different from the one that is learning the theoretical information. There's a process and specific techniques to learn to shift the theoretical information in such a way that it becomes available to us when we make conversation (email me, and I'll have a quick crash course with you on your specific challenge). Second, when you learn the language, don't wait to know "enough" vocabulary and grammar to start making conversation. In my J'Ouellette® Intensif program, I make conversation with my clients in the second lesson. Then all the new vocabulary and grammar is organically integrated in conversation, rather than building resistance and anxiety until the moment comes to apply all we learned. 3. I have an extremely difficult time understanding spoken French. This looks to be a problem of pronunciation and ear gymnastics. In French there are rules of pronunciation - not all are found in the free resources, and a coach/tutor is needed for this part, to help. The rules of pronunciation go hand in hand with the spelling in French. Once you know how to spell and how to pronounce, you have a solid foundation to fall back onto when you don't understand what someone says. Also, the ear needs training. At the beginning (and this beginning may linger for a while, depending on the consistency of your practice) we don't hear our own mistakes. I've gone through this Hell with my English. It took me 2 years of listening to a CD and practicing every day for about 2 hours to get to the point of hearing when my pronunciation was not right, and to be able to correct myself. This is why here you definitely need a coach to help you hear your own mistakes. Once that is done (easily, in a few hours, if coupled with a solid Pronunciation course), you can then be self sufficient and continue advancing your French conversation skills on your own :)

Now it is your turn! Tell us in the comments below, what is your challenge when you try to make conversation? Don't ever give up on your dream to become bilingual - the world needs your enthusiasm when you go to Paris and fully enjoy it! Want to learn French on your own terms? Create a solid foundation for conversation, master pronunciation with J'Ouellette® Intensif, and travel the World!                   _______________ Llyane Stanfield is a Parisian French language coach, and founder of the J’Ouellette® French Method – an organic method using techniques that are employed by the world’s finest linguists. She travels between Toronto, New York and Paris, while teaching French via Skype in more than 15 countries. She is French language coach for busy traveling professionals, and has produced an unprecedented Intensive Program and French Pronunciation Master Class, as well as other visual and teaching materials. She now spends a large proportion of her time in Paris, where she also organizes an annual Immersion Retreat. Her unique methods produce a quantum leap in confidence and pronunciation, and a short session with her is the perfect start to brush up your French (whatever your level!) at the start of your Paris trip. …and now Please Share this post with your friends. They’ll love you for it!

Register to the Fall Contest: Concours parisien d'automne 2015

Hey, hey! Welcome to J'Ouellette® Concours d'automne 2015! :) How would you like to win an amazing 8 week Parisian experience that prepares you inside and out for your next trip to the City of Light? This is our tenth contest, and the more popular this contest gets, the more people are coming to participate, so you should too! We had 9 contests so far (one every season), and today we prepare to discover Paris in the cool of the autumnal festivities, so I am attempting to get you in the mood for some French culture on the most moody of the year ;). Behind this page, I hid a treasure chest of goodies! The main treasure, a Secret and very Parisian GRAND PRIZE given to a person who answers ALL 7 questions correctly. We have other treasures to be won, but you need to register to see what is in my treasure chest! Paris is the City of Light, and Fall is one of the times when it excels in this department, but in a different way. Do you know what are the most fun things to do in fall in Paris (but the ones that are known only to Parisians), what do Parisians like and, generally, what do Parisians do this time of the year? Any historical secrets linked to this event? Then you *must* participate to the contest! So, how is this fall contest going to work? Every day, between October 25th and 31st, I'm going to add a Q that you have to A. We will have 7 questions from different areas of French culture, language and trivia.

If you have one right answer, you will be rewarded with a FREE class with me by Skype* - YAY!!! Now there is a secret and very Parisian $299 GRAND PRIZE given to the person who answers ALL the questions correctly. All I can divulge is that the prize includes French language secrets, best French movies, best French cuisine recipes, and much more! ;)

You do have to register, in order to see what is in the treasure chest. After you register, you will be redirected to the page where the questions are posted, and they are announced via email or social media. The Fall Contest ends November 1st, 11:59 pm PT. Register NOW to find out what is the prize, access the questions and win this enchanting Contest! :) All you have to do is to enter your best email address in the form below*. [wufoo username="llyane" formhash="rwvxaal0r7t7ej" autoresize="true" height="260" header="show" ssl="true"] Bonne chance, Llyane ______ * we will not spam, sell, rent or lease your information NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY (This will also subscribe you to my weekly newsletter.) Images credit: wikipedia.com

French Christmas in July 2015 (22nd - 31st)

Hey, hey, mon cher ami,

Is there something that you secretly wanted to have from the J'Ouellette® French store, but I never offered it? Or I offered it when the timing wasn't right for you?

On July 21st you sent me your wishes - NAMED THE PROGRAM AND THE DESIRED BONUS - and now we have them live during the 10 days of Christmas in July between 22nd-31st.

Created by you! (The 3 top most popular requests are available for everyone)

HURRY, Christmas in July ends July 31st!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!

If you are looking for a unique method, using 8 little known techniques, an extremely flexible and 100% customized approach to help you understand the language and make it your own, then you MUST take advantage of these offers.



1. Bilingual Express full Audiobook (regular $399), includes:

- 76 audio-lessons - 4 Skype lessons

BONUS: « Talk like a Parisian » Pronunciation Master Course (a value of $299, and includes 2 additional Skype classes)

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2. Vidéo Accéléré Intensif (regular $1,499), includes:

- 95 video-lessons - 5 Skype lessons

BONUS: 15 Skype Classes

$1,829.00 $799.00 (2 spots left)



3. J'Ouellette® Intensif (regular $1,699), includes:

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If you have all these programs and you need additional Skype classes, or you want to start with Skype, CLICK HERE for 3 FREE hours (when you book 15 - 3 spots left).

HURRY, Christmas in July ends July 31st!

Isn't it swell to be able to think about a French Christmas in July, in the middle of the heatwave?
I'm practically giddy to see what you'll choose :)
Merci,
Llyane

xo

Love locks: Millions are heartbroken today

The Pont des Arts or Passerelle des Arts is a pedestrian bridge in Paris which crosses la Seine. It links the Institut de France and the central square (cour carrée) of the Palais du Louvre, (called "Palais des Arts" under the First French Empire). You’d think that the bridge was very old, but the present structure is only 31 years of age - rebuilt in 1984, using the same plans of the original bridge (1804). Since 2008, tourists started to attach padlocks (love locks) with their first names written or engraved on them to the side of the bridge, then throwing the key into the Seine river below, as a romantic gesture.

   

"Catastrophic" and "destructive" locks were removed from the bridge today to save the crumbling structure from some hundreds of thousands of love locks (some estimated around 1 million). The organization “No Love Locks” thrives, the hashtag #nolovelocks is used by small and big organizations and companies all over the Internet. “I love this bridge. It is a huge part of my personal memories of my first visit to Paris, and my first Valentine's day with my husband. That's why I co-founded No Love Locks to SAVE this beautiful and historic bridge, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site for Paris, from the vandalism of "love locks" and tourism run amok. We have a Facebook page and a petition against the locks in French and English. If you REALLY love Paris and the Pont des Arts, then join us in the fight to save and restore the architectural heritage of Paris!” Lisa Taylor Huff, discovered Paris and did what she does best: fights for what she loves.   I read comments from the more neutral « Une page se tourne sur le célèbre PONT DES ARTS à PARIS avec l'enlèvement des cadenas… » to the more eloquent: “To the lady who STILL thinks her disappointment and sneaky little lock trump history, SAFETY, the environment and massive costs to Paris, I say get a grip and think about more than just yourself!!!”   There is also a #lovelocks hashtag, and those using it call this operation « un massacre ».   Nolovelocks.com received a comment this April, that I wanted to share with you: “im 14 and some people say im too young to know anything but i have to honset the locks are a little to much but the locks dont only represent the love for couples it also is for the love of someone who has died or has had a big inpact on their lives and im not saying your coldhearted but the feeling of someone taking off the symbol for they love for someone dont you feel a little pain or gulit - Kayla”   If you thought you had mixed feelings about it, watch this video to see how many Parisians think that the locks were a symbol of Paris and why they are sad:  
Dernier adieu aux cadenas d'amour sur le Pont... by leparisien   Not everybody knows that the locks were being removed on a regular basis, only to be replaced by other lovers with their own. So if you think that your lock may still be there - think again.     What is Paris going to do about it? Will his heart stay unmoved by the tears and disappointment of so many lovers, now married with children, left without romantic stories to tell and places to show? Will his business sense stay unmoved by the potential loss of tourists from around the world, now that they can’t plan their honeymoon in Paris just so that they can put their lock on the bridge? Or will he, with his typical French cynicism, comment “How many of these couples are still married anyway?”   FB: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pont-des-Arts/112845095394616 Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_des_Arts

Now it is your turn! Tell us in the comments below, are you sad or happy about this operation? Don't ever give up on your dream to become bilingual - the world needs your enthusiasm when you go to Paris and fully enjoy it! Want to learn French to enjoy Paris? Create a solid foundation for conversation, master pronunciation, and visit the City of Love, using the comprehensive J'Ouellette® Intensif                   _______________ Llyane Stanfield is a Parisian French language coach, and founder of the J’Ouellette® French Method – an organic method using techniques that are employed by the world’s finest linguists. She travels between Toronto, New York and Paris, while teaching French via Skype in more than 15 countries. She is French language coach for busy traveling professionals, and has produced an unprecedented Intensive Program and French Pronunciation Master Class, as well as other visual and teaching materials. She now spends a large portion of her time in Paris, where she also organizes an annual Immersion Retreat. Her unique methods produce a quantum leap in confidence and pronunciation, and a short session with her is the perfect start to brush up your French (whatever your level!) at the start of your Paris trip. …and now Please Share this post with your friends. They’ll love you for it!

Edith Piaf: her 100th anniversary would be this December...

So do you love Edith Piaf? As a wonderfully talented singer who became widely regarded as France's national diva of her time, her music is timeless! And what better way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of her birth than a marvellous exhibition in Paris? Check out the article below for more and watch the video for some French singing! (This week: the verb CHANTER - to sing)

(Learn the pronunciation of all the tenses with Le Génie Verbale)

Could you imagine Piaf at 100 years of age, leading a healthy life, being one of the others, like the others, having her little tea, taking her blood pressure regularly, sinking in anonymity? Maybe this would be a good thought, but for me and many in France, Piaf could pass for the embodiment of “Mme Bovary”, the beauty of the butterfly burnt by the bright hot light, consumed by a dramatic life with its ups and downs, with its passions that burned even more than the light burned the butterfly, with its highs that made her bloom more than any camomile tea and clean air of the banlieues could have done to her. As much as we would like to see her healthy and well, we know that she couldn’t have led a life of balanced diet with a bedtime at 10pm, because the drama was in her blood, the French drama was in her destiny. She burned like a candle to give us the light of her spirit, the beauty of her soul, the expression of her voice and the sin of her love. Here is her story… Born Édith Giovanna Gassion on 15 December 1915 to a mother who was a café singer, and a father who was an acrobat, she was raised by a grandmother in a brothel in Normandy. She started to sing at 15, and was discovered by Louis Leplée 5 years later. With her 4’8” and stage fright, she became the French version of Cinderella. She had a song for every occasion, made France love her and made the World listen to her. She lost her only child at 17, lost her secret love at 34 and at her death, the archbishop of Paris refused to officiate at a funeral mass, but the French people couldn’t disagree more. She was portrayed by Marion Cotillard in the movie “La vie en rose” in 2007 who received an Academy Award for her portrayal of the singer, and this December, at her 100th anniversary, her life and legacy is to be celebrated in an exhibition in Paris. But let’s hear the story told in her own words... La vie en rose (1946) Des yeux qui font baisser les miens, Un rire qui se perd sur sa bouche, Voilà le portrait sans retouche De l'homme auquel j'appartiens Quand il me prend dans ses bras Il me parle tout bas, Je vois la vie en rose. Il me dit des mots d'amour, Des mots de tous les jours, Et ça me fait quelque chose. Il est entré dans mon cœur Une part de bonheur Dont je connais la cause. C'est lui pour moi, moi pour lui dans la vie, Il me l'a dit, l'a juré pour la vie. Et dès que je l'aperçois Alors je sens en moi Mon cœur qui bat Des nuits d'amour à ne plus en finir Un grand bonheur qui prend sa place Des ennuis, des chagrins, s'effacent Heureux, heureux à en mourir. Quand il me prend dans ses bras Il me parle tout bas, Je vois la vie en rose. Il me dit des mots d'amour, Des mots de tous les jours, Et ça me fait quelque chose. Il est entré dans mon cœur Une part de bonheur Dont je connais la cause. C'est toi pour moi, moi pour toi dans la vie, Il me l'a dit, l'a juré pour la vie. Et dès que je t'aperçois Alors je sens dans moi Mon cœur qui bat Hymne à l’amour (1950) written for Marcel Cerdan
Le ciel bleu sur nous peut s'effondrer Et la terre peut bien s'écrouler Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes Le ciel bleu sur nous peut s'effondrer Et la terre peut bien s'écrouler Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes Je me fous du monde entier Tant qu'l'amour inond'ra mes matins Tant que mon corps frémira sous tes mains Peu m'importe les problèmes Mon amour puisque tu m'aimes J'irais jusqu'au bout du monde Je me ferais teindre en blonde Si tu me le demandais J'irais décrocher la lune J'irais voler la fortune Si tu me le demandais Je renierais ma patrie Je renierais mes amis Si tu me le demandais On peut bien rire de moi Je ferais n'importe quoi Si tu me le demandais Si un jour la vie t'arrache à moi Si tu meurs que tu sois loin de moi Peu m'importe si tu m'aimes Car moi je mourrais aussi Nous aurons pour nous l'éternité Dans le bleu de toute l'immensité Dans le ciel plus de problèmes Mon amour crois-tu qu'on s'aime Dieu réunit ceux qui s'aiment Non, je ne regrette rien (1960) Non, Rien de rien (No, nothing of nothing) Non, Je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing) Ni le bien qu'on m'a fait (Not the good things that have been done to me) Ni le mal tout ça m'est bien égal (Nor the bad things, it's all the same to me) Non, Rien de rien (No, nothing of nothing) Non, Je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing) C'est payé, balayé, oublié (It's paid for, swept away, forgotten) Je me fous du passé (I don't care about the past) Avec mes souvenirs (With my memories) J'ai allumé le feu (I lit the fire) Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs (My troubles, my pleasures) Je n'ai plus besoin d'eux (I don't need them anymore) Balayés les amours (Swept away my past loves) Avec leurs trémolos (With their tremors) Balayés pour toujours (Swept away for always) Je repars à zéro (I start again from zero) Non, Rien de rien (No, nothing of nothing) Non, Je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing) Ni le bien qu'on m'a fait (Not the good things that have been done to me) Ni le mal tout ça m'est bien égal (Nor the bad things, it's all the same to me) Non, Rien de rien (No, nothing of nothing) Non, Je ne regrette rien (No, I regret nothing) Car ma vie, car mes joies (Because my life, my joys) Aujourd'hui, ça commence avec toi (Today, it begins with you) We are celebrating her 100th birthday as if she was here because she is here, even if her body left us at only 47. (lyrics and translation by metrolyrics .com)

Now it is your turn! Tell us in the comments below, what is your favorite Edith Piaf song? Make sure you watch the Learn Parisian French - verb CHANTER (to sing) on Youtube! While you're there, and if you like it, please click the 'Like' button! Don't ever give up on your dream to become bilingual - the world needs your enthusiasm when you go to Paris and fully enjoy it! Want to learn French to enjoy the French songs? Create a solid foundation for conversation, master pronunciation, and travel the World, using the comprehensive J'Ouellette® Intensif                   _______________ Llyane Stanfield is a Parisian French language coach, and founder of the J’Ouellette® French Method – an organic method using techniques that are employed by the world’s finest linguists. She travels between Toronto, New York and Paris, while teaching French via Skype in more than 15 countries. She is French language coach for busy traveling professionals, and has produced an unprecedented Intensive Program and French Pronunciation Master Class, as well as other visual and teaching materials. She now spends a large portion of her time in Paris, where she also organizes an annual Immersion Retreat. Her unique methods produce a quantum leap in confidence and pronunciation, and a short session with her is the perfect start to brush up your French (whatever your level!) at the start of your Paris trip. …and now Please Share this post with your friends. They’ll love you for it!

Your French business etiquette IQ

By Llyane, on April 21st, 2015

So how good is work etiquette IQ? It can make the difference between success and failure, no? This is equally true in French business! Check out the article for some amazing insight into proper business etiquette in the French world, and watch the video for some French that works! (This week: the verb TRAVAILLER – to work)

Knowing and applying proper etiquette is always polite in social situations, but in business it can be crucial to negotiation and could be a deal breaker for your business relationships.

The French world values rules and formality, and aside from a good product or service, it is the relationship with potential clients, partners, or colleagues that will make a difference to your bottom line.

Respect is a very important value, and the French like to go out of their way to show it. And of course they appreciate it when they receive it in return.

In a business meeting you should be aware of a few differences from what you may be used to in an American boardroom.

1. Avoid exaggeration, because the French consider it naïve, shallow or even rude.

2. Always be prepared to debate – the more logical and documented argument wins, so you should be prepared with a strong vocabulary and well practiced points. Rehearse your pitch with other French speaking colleagues or with your coach.

3. Apologizing for not speaking French very well at the beginning of the meeting would be a good way to warn your French counterparts and help them prepare to speak slower and clearer for you. (You too should speak slowly to allow yourself to pronounce correctly and to remember your French under the stress of the meeting.)

4. Avoid overly friendly behavior. Always use « vous » without exception as the French make a strict distinction between their business and social life.

5. Dress conservatively (men in dark colors, women in softer colors), maintain eye contact but don’t stare (read the subtext of what people say and their body language, but don’t advertise the ”I’m listening” attitude) and wait to be instructed where to sit.

6. July and August are vacation months in France, so avoid scheduling a business meeting during those months. Also avoid scheduling business lunches, as they are not popular in France, so if you want to bring up business matters at the table, wait for when dessert or coffee is served.

Knowing the proper French business etiquette places you in a better position for negotiation yet, discussing the terms of a deal in French rather than English can and will add an extra layer of professionalism and commitment to your business relationships. Not to mention that you are in complete control over the nuances of your positioning.

Learning the proper way to word your thoughts goes beyond vocabulary and verb conjugation. Phrase construction and pronunciation can change the meaning of your phrase at the least desirable point in a meeting. The clarity of our communication is crucial in a business meeting, so prepare in advance with a strong language coach who will help you see what mistakes you tend to make, thus putting you in control when you have to correct yourself during an important negotiation.

Now it is your turn!

Tell us in the comments below, what is the number one challenge you have during your business meetings in French?

Make sure you watch the Learn Parisian French – verb TRAVAILLER (to work) on Youtube! While you’re there, and if you like it, please click the ‘Like’ button!

Don’t ever give up on your dream to become bilingual – the world needs your enthusiasm when you go to Paris and fully enjoy it!

Want to master French
for your next business meeting?
Register for J’Ouellette® Intensif
and do business your way.

_______________
Llyane Stanfield is a Parisian French language coach, and founder of the J’Ouellette® French Method – an organic method using techniques that are employed by the world’s finest linguists. She travels between Toronto, New York and Paris, while teaching French via Skype in more than 15 countries. She is French language coach for busy traveling professionals, and has produced an unprecedented Intensive Program and French Pronunciation Master Class, as well as other visual and teaching materials. She now spends a large proportion of her time in Paris, where she also organizes an annual Immersion Retreat. Her unique methods produce a quantum leap in confidence and pronunciation, and a short session with her is the perfect start to brush up your French (whatever your level!) at the start of your Paris trip.

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Free video series: How to master French conversation

Don’t Let Your Rusty (or Non-Existent) French Stop You From Enjoying Your Next Trip To Paris!

My guess is that you are in one of these stages:

1. You enjoy yourself thoroughly when you go to Paris, but picking up the language is crazy challenging.

2. You’ve tried learning French in the past, but it didn’t stick. You’re ready to try once more — but you’re fearful you may fail again.

3. You’re passionate about learning French, and always looking for new resources to help you get better.

Whatever motivated you to come to this page, I don’t believe it was an accident. There’s a reason you’re reading this today.

I’m confident this series will help you gain the clarity you need to make meaningful progress, no matter where you are now. You can set and accomplish big milestones — and express yourself fully in French.

Be the first to watch 3 awesome FREE French training videos, and to access our weekly insider’s show J’Ouellette®TV :)

All you have to do is to CLICK HERE and enter your email address.

Now it is your turn!

Tell us in the comments below, what would is the one thing that you’d like to improve in your French conversation?

Don’t ever give up on your dream to become bilingual – the world needs your enthusiasm when you go to Paris and fully enjoy it!

Want to know how to make conversation
in your next trip to Paris?
Join the Club « Oh, là-là ! »
– registrations open soon!

 

p.s.
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