Coucou les French learners,
L’hiver est presque terminé, winter is almost over…
On Tuesday, we celebrated la Chandeleur, Candlemass which exactly falls 40 days after Christmas. It is the occasion to eat crêpes which look and feel like the sun, light, spring maybe…
A la Chandeleur, le jour croît de deux heures, the day grows by two hours.
A la Chandeleur, l’hiver cesse ou reprend vigueur, winter ends or strengthens.
Read an older post about this popular French celebration.
Since days are getting longer, let’s move!
React to verbal input
Over the past few weeks, I have been experimenting French in action with my online classes.
I mean I already knew TPR – Total Physical Response which is a method of teaching language or vocabulary concepts by using physical movement to react to verbal input. The process mimics the way that infants learn their first language, and it reduces learners inhibitions and lowers stress. The purpose of TPR is to create a brain link between speech and action to boost language and vocabulary learning.
It is very effective but even more effective when using rich and abundant vocabulary! I read Vive l’action ! Live Action French and j’ai eu le déclic, it just clicked! I had to try it! I also am very lucky to have Contee Seely, one of the author of the book, in my intermediate class so I could ask him for advice too!
James Asher who has researched the method for decades explains: ” When you get to respond with appropriate actions to commands, your learning is far more efficient and your involvement fuller than if you don’t move. For example, it is not enough for you to understand the meaning of “se lever” or “s’asseoir”. As an acquirer, you must construct your own reality by physically standing when you hear “levez-vous” and sitting when you hear “asseyez-vous”.
Speaking is delayed until comprehension has been thoroughly internalized. Eventually, as comprehension of the target language expands and expands, talk will spontaneously appears. Of cours, like infants learning their first language, when speech appears, there will be many distortions. But gradually, in time, learner’s speech will shape itself in the direction of the native speaker.”
#inputaloneissufficient
TIP OF THE WEEK
LISTEN & RESPOND physically. When you hear an action, do it too.
For example when you hear “il dort” (which comes out in the fable Les plumes du paon, in session 14 – Online Self Paced Course Baby Stage for beginners), do the ACTION of sleeping OR DRAW the peacock sleeping. Become an ACTIVE listener.
Download the template to draw here.
Share your drawings, share your templates with the French learners community #idrawfrenchwithaliceayel #jedessineavecaliceayel
There are now new exclusive videos and slideshows to respond to series of commands: start your day, open a present…
Watch the video and do the actions with me. Then read the instructions again and answer the questions on the slideshow.
Look at the slideshow – Commencer la journée !
QUOI DE NEUF ?
The a new series about the language ACQUISITION PROCESS is proving to be popular! I love reading about your personal experience learning a new language. It is truly fascinating and motivating!
In this series, I go over the six conditions to acquire French (or any other languages) the painless way! In the last video, I explained the fourth condition to acquire French which is to acquire it first, not to learn it! Find out how the human brain is wired to acquire any languages.
When you are a member, you can read and listen to the script too.
I have just finished recording the compelling true story of NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant. Did you know he spent his childhood in Italy and had to acquire the Italian language? I hope you will feel the birth of a legend when you listen to the audio book available on the membership! I also try to read the story slowly and to pronounce the words distinctly to allow you to comprehend the story.
This is another fruitful collaboration with Theresa Marrama and another version in the past tense is coming soon!
Listening to the community, I am launching un club de lecture, a book club on Saturday February 13
at 5pm GMT / 6pm CET / 12pm EST / 9am PST
PSST… It is FREE for all members!
We will talk about one of the audio books available on the membership. So vote for one in the community chat.
It is THE opportunity to meet other French learners like you. Get motivated to read more French books.
BOOST your Frenchfidence!
#trusttheprocess
Happy French acquisition!
P.S. Got friends, family, colleagues or clients who want to become fluent in French? Share this with them, they’ll thank you for it!