Coucou les French learners,

How can we find motivation?

Start by slowing down, taking a couple deep breaths. Next, let’s commit to the next week of French together. Join the March challenge on the YouTube channel and draw with me whilst acquiring French effortlessly.

Accountability is the best! Invite your friends by sending them this link now!

#jedessineavecaliceayel #idrawfrenchwithaliceayel

On Monday, during our accountability hour, we shared our routine. Maggy said she dedicates one hour each afternoon to reading and listening to stories. Before going to bed, she listens to a comprehensible audio-book.

My grand-father, Papa-Jean, used to say:
– When you don’t have time to do something, that means you don’t really want to do it because you can always find the time to do something you really want to do.

Time is what you need to acquire French. When you find the time, read and listen to stories. When you understand a story in French, your brain subconsciously acquires the vocabulary and structures. It is the MOST efficient way to become fluent. Find the time and start with one story a day.

#trustheprocess

Join me in France in the fall

I have always wanted to bring us together in real life and show you my country.
And this dream could come true in 2023! Will you join?

Its inception occurred in a recent conversation with my sister Astrid. She lives in the beautiful region of South West France, in a pretty little village rated “best place to live” near the Royal city of Pau with her family. She prompted me:
– Why don’t you meet your members in France this year? I can help you organise an authentic French retreat with THE best food and of course THE best company…
It didn’t take me long to answer. Astrid has built up an impressive list of best kept secret spots and plans exclusive events for a living. The perfect partner!
– Oui, bien sûr, évidemment ! Let’s meet in person, discover France the authentic way and of course … acquire French the natural way !

The plan is to meet in Pau, a 4 hours train journey from Paris.

Let’s speak French, laugh, relax and enjoy l’art de vivre à la française.
Each day includes a live story session, a French authentic experience and a delicious lunch while spending quality time together.

One intensive but relaxed week to boost your own journey to French Acquisition.
#youarenotalone gets real!

This is the perfect opportunity to finally meet in person and experience an authentic French stay, something unique.

Places are limited. Register you interest by March 15.

Review of the week

Michael shared his transformation:

I’ll start at the beginning. Like everyone during the global shutdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I needed a distraction. I had always wanted to learn French, and even though I already know English, German, and Spanish, another one under my belt wouldn’t hurt. I was 34 when I started, and I must admit, the brain is not as quick to soak up intense knowledge such as passé composé, present, simple past, future, and simple future, let alone a million new vocabulary words to complicate things even further. Initially, I worked with an instructor for nearly a year but still struggled to retain the language.

I was watching YouTube videos hoping to find someone to explain it differently. Well, what do you know!?! I came across Alice’s YouTube channel, and no lie when I say my life was changed entirely regarding my French learning progress. Initially, I thought, how is this going to work? I mean, I am 35 years old, and she is telling me Kid stories. Of course, my progress was not made overnight. It took several months, but I realized, without even thinking about it, she had taught me all along. The key to my success was to not focus on making progress and to ignore most agendas usually created for us, illustrating time points of where we should be regarding vocabulary, conjugations, reading comprehension, and so forth. In addition to her stories, I found myself reciting them by memory to my partner while walking our pets and incorporating the vocabulary she taught us daily.

Alice’s method of teaching the French language is unlike any form I have ever encountered, and I could only wish now that my teachers from the past used techniques such as hers. I am living proof that if we set all rules aside and for an hour or so a day take ourselves back to our childhood and listen to her stories, we will be surprised at how quickly we can pick up the language.