Verbs and Prepositions in FrenchYou’ll notice that many verbs in French are followed by prepositions. We say “J’ai oublié de lui envoyer le message” and “On s’habitue à la nouvelle

Present Participles in FrenchIf you are familiar with the practice of meditation, you will know that this is an exercise in focusing on the present. During meditation, you might sit with good posture

For Movie Lovers! French Film Awards and Movie TermsSince we’re in the middle of awards season, and the Académie des arts et techniques du cinéma recently held its 44th César Awards, it

La Complainte des FrançaisComplaining. It’s what we do to express dissatisfaction or annoyance at something. And apparently, it’s considered France’s national sport. In late 2018, the French president Emmanuel Macron

Are the French Funny?The French have their funny moments, just like everyone else. A French laugh is like any other kind, involving spontaneous sounds, movements of the face and body, and expressions

Useful Words and Sentences to Ask Directions the Right Way in FrenchNavigating any place can be quite difficult, especially if you are directionally challenged. I often felt that way in New York when

Higher Education in FranceIn a previous article I discussed the French educational system, focusing on primary and secondary education. In this article, I will discuss French higher education, which can also seem as

Transit in France: Learn the Related French VocabularyThere are many ways to get around in France, including bus, bike, and the well-known Paris metro. Like other large cities, Paris has an extensive subterranean

"What does a Cow Say in Your Language?"I had a friend in high school who had immigrated and, as happens with foreign students, spent a lot of time in an international crowd.

The French Education System ExplainedThe French school system can be a bit of a puzzle for outsiders. Not only are years in secondary school counted backwards, but the point at which tertiary education

Passé Simple? Do You Really Need to Know?When I was in school, I went off one summer to what was basically a camp for students in French studies. We lived in dormitories,

My Trip to Châteaux de la LoireOne grim and grey period during my time in Paris, when winter had not yet turned into spring, I had the opportunity to leave the city with

Famous French Monuments in FilmThere are so many monuments in Paris that avoiding them while filming might be more of a challenge than including one in a scene. Of course, monuments in Paris

How to Deal with Phonetic Difficulties when Learning FrenchMy previous article on difficulties that learners of French face when learning the language covered some of the structural issues that learners find challenging. Here

How to Deal with Structural Difficulties when Learning FrenchEach learners of French has different strengths and weaknesses. Some develop vocabulary rapidly, while others have a solid understanding of grammar. Some speak with ease,