Coucou les French learners,

Have you ever tried to read children’s books in French?

It might seem like a logical starting point for French learners, assuming that books written for children would have simple vocabulary and easy-to-follow plots.

While this assumption is partially correct, children’s books can actually be quite challenging for French learners.

Children’s books often contain low-frequency vocabulary, words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. These words may be specific to childhood experiences, fantastical elements, or literary descriptions.

Additionally, these books include complex sentence structures that, while natural for native speakers, can be difficult for learners to parse.

As a result, children’s books can be more challenging than expected for those just beginning to acquire French.

The Power of Story Listening

This is where Story Listening comes in.

Story Listening helps bridge the gap between your current French level and the complexity of authentic materials, including children’s books.

By presenting stories orally with visual support and comprehensible input, Story Listening allows you to grasp the meaning of new vocabulary, (including low-frequency words) and structures in context.

You gradually build your ability to understand more complex French, eventually making children’s books and other authentic materials accessible.

Our New Free Video

Our latest YouTube video in our Story Listening series, features a delightful children’s story by Jacqueline Pierre.

Jacqueline Pierre is a beloved French author known for her charming and insightful children’s books. Her stories often explore themes of friendship, self-discovery, and overcoming challenges.

In “Le petit garçon qui ne parlait pas” (The Little Boy Who Didn’t Speak), Pierre tells the story of a young boy who remains silent, but through a series of unexpected events, the boy finds his voice in his own unique way.

Watch this video with the intent of understanding the gist of the story. Don’t worry about catching every word; focus on following the main events and characters.

After watching, visit our site to read and listen to the story again. This repetition will reinforce your understanding and expose you to the written form of the language.

Click here!

Finally, try narrating the story yourself, either aloud or in writing. This process of retelling helps make the language your own, solidifying your comprehension and boosting your confidence in using French.

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our French program and join our community of dedicated French learners.

Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what Dereck, one of our Dear Members, shared on Trustpilot:

” The focus on storytelling is very comprehensive and I believe is the key to understanding the language. My favorite method (which is only possible due to the extraordinary structure of the site) is to read a story (each word can be clicked on to instantly provide a definition- in French), then listen and read along, the same story with the audio playback and finally watch and listen only to the video retelling of the story by Alice herself. With soo many stories on the site throughout the various stages, I believe it has been the greater advancer of my progress in the language. Thanks Alice.”

So why not give it a try?