Pascal's Blog: Resources for Learning French
Grammar tips, songs, exam preparation, and testimonials from learners around the world.
These articles are the result of our work with learners, both during immersion programs near Nantes and through distance learning courses. Here you’ll find language points explained in simple terms, activities based on songs and movies, feedback on preparing for the DELF, DALF, and TCF exams, as well as the stories of those who have studied with us.
Preparing for a French Exam
DELF, DALF, TCF, TEF Canada: how to structure your preparation, the impact of an immersion program right before the exam, and the results achieved by our students.
- How can you quickly improve your scores on exams like the DELF, DALF, TEF, and TCF?
An immersion program allows students to develop a schedule of activities specifically tailored to the exam sections. Thus, preparing for the exam in France right before taking it allows for… Read more: How can you quickly improve your scores on exams like the DELF, DALF, TEF, and TCF? - Diplomatic Career: a “winning” Coaching to succeed in the French test (Level C1/C2)
The written French test for the Diplomatic Career entrance exam (2nd test of the exam) is an eliminatory test designed to assess the candidate’s linguistic level (C1/C2), synthesis skills, analytical… Read more: Diplomatic Career: a “winning” Coaching to succeed in the French test (Level C1/C2) - Preparation for the French-Speaking Tour Guide and Interpreter Exam in Japan: 2/ Current Issues in Japanese Society (Demographics, Economy, Ecology, etc.)
This is the second installment in our series on preparing for the national tour guide and interpreter exam (zenkoku tsūyaku annaishi) in French. After covering the fundamentals of presenting cultural… Read more: Preparation for the French-Speaking Tour Guide and Interpreter Exam in Japan: 2/ Current Issues in Japanese Society (Demographics, Economy, Ecology, etc.)
Grammar, Spelling, and Pronunciation
Agreement, past tenses, the imperative, common pitfalls in French spelling, and pronunciation exercises for levels B1 through C2.
Songs, Movies, and French Culture
Songs and movies as learning tools: text analysis, comprehension activities, and cultural discoveries to help you learn in a different way.
- "I'm sick…"; yeah, but what's wrong?
From lovesickness to plain old sickness, here’s a quick dive into a linguistic world that’s very useful in everyday life. Songs are an important tool for language learning because they… Read more: "I'm sick…"; yeah, but what's wrong? - What if you didn't exist…Some Activities to Make Learning French More Engaging / Levels B2–C1 Here’s a song performed by Jo Dassin, a perfectly bilingual singer. The French version is particularly useful for practicing… Read more: What if you didn't exist…
- A Look at "Les filles de l'aurore" by William Scheller
Do you know the story behind the creation of this true classic of French music? “Les Filles de l’aurore” is a song written, composed, and performed by William Scheller in… Read more: A Look at "Les filles de l'aurore" by William Scheller
Testimonials from our students
Their goals, their immersion experience, and their success on exams and entrance exams—as told by them.
- Lucas will be able to show some diplomacy from now on.
Lucas ranked 7th out of more than 700!!! After several years of hard work and meticulous planning, with a crystal-clear goal and unwavering determination, Lucas passed one of Spain’s most… Read more: Lucas will be able to show some diplomacy from now on. - I Passed the French Proficiency Test Level 1! How I Finally Passed My French Exam!
Tatsuo lives in Tokyo, where he works for a public organization. He is passionate about the French language and culture, and he plans to devote even more time to them… Read more: I Passed the French Proficiency Test Level 1! How I Finally Passed My French Exam! - The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes: Pure Emotion
Annette came from Nigeria as part of a language immersion program to improve her French. "On Saturday afternoon, we went to Nantes, and when we got there, we discovered the… Read more: The Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery in Nantes: Pure Emotion
Nantes, the ocean, and the Pays de Retz
The region where our immersion programs take place: Nantes, the Jade Coast, the island of Noirmoutier, and the heritage of western France.
- The Passage du Gois on the island of Noirmoutier—you have to see it to believe it…
The island of Noirmoutier, 45 minutes from our home, has been connected to the mainland by a bridge since July 7, 1971 (a great year, if I may say so… Read more: The Passage du Gois on the island of Noirmoutier—you have to see it to believe it… - Welcome to my home…
“An Invitation to Travel…” You immediately think of Charles Baudelaire, with his famous couplet: “There, all is order and beauty, luxury, calm, and pleasure.” Here’s another excerpt that inspires dreams:… Read more: Welcome to my home… - 2022 were the presidential elections in France
Voting is a right, sometimes hard-won, but it is also a duty for every citizen. Many vocabulary words are associated with this field. It is best to know them to follow… Read more: 2022 were the presidential elections in France
Our partners
The organizations and individuals we work with on a daily basis: test centers, lodging providers, artisans, and cultural stakeholders around Nantes, as well as fellow FLE teachers with whom we share a common pedagogical approach.
- Have you heard of "French Escape by Amélie" and its famous "French coaching"?
I invite you to discover Amélie's world—or rather, let's discover it together. Who are you, Amélie? I’m a native Frenchwoman from the Champagne region, passionate about travel, cooking, and scuba… Read more: Have you heard of "French Escape by Amélie" and its famous "French coaching"?
Want to go beyond just reading?
Assess your level in ten minutes, or come practice French from morning to night with your teacher in a small village in the west of France.