Coucou les French learners,

Last week, I was telling you about “The Three Little Pigs”, remember?

Watch, read & listen to ” Les trois petits cochons ” (with a surprising ending!)

As you embark on your French language journey, you might think that diving into children’s stories like “The Three Little Pigs” seems counterproductive.

After all, your ultimate goal is to speak French fluently and engage in thoughtful conversations.

You may be wondering how these simple tales could possibly help you acquire the words and sentences needed for real-world interactions.

It’s natural to feel that stories might not be your first choice for language acquisition, but I am here to tell you why they should be.

Stories vs. Conversations: Understanding the Difference

Stories and conversations have distinct characteristics that impact language acquisition in different ways.

Stories follow a structured narrative, often with repetitive patterns and predictable elements. They introduce vocabulary and grammar in context, allowing you to absorb language naturally.

Conversations, on the other hand, are dynamic and unpredictable. They require quick thinking, immediate comprehension, and the ability to formulate responses on the spot.

While both are valuable for language acquisition, they serve different purposes at various stages of acquisition.

Why Stories Come First: Building a Strong Foundation

When you are a beginner, you should start with stories for several reasons.

Firstly, stories provide a controlled environment where new vocabulary and grammar structures are introduced gradually and repeatedly. This repetition aids in retention and builds confidence.

Importantly, stories often incorporate frequent words alongside less common academic vocabulary, preparing you for meaningful conversations that go beyond basic exchanges, such as ordering a drink, to engaging in deeper discussions about ideas and experiences.

As you progress to more complex narratives with richer vocabulary, you’ll naturally expand your comprehension and language abilities.

And by the time you reach an intermediate level, you’ll have developed a solid foundation in French, making the transition to conversations much smoother and less daunting.

Think back to how you acquired your mother tongue; you didn’t jump straight into thoughtful conversations. Instead, you started by listening to stories told by those around you.

This foundational exposure allowed you to develop an understanding of language before engaging in complex dialogue.

Start your journey with us today!