Grape way to learn French

I once had the humiliating experience of working alongside a professional grape picker. By lunchtime he had covered stacks more rows than me.

Published Monday 02 December 2019 - 15:04 Modified Monday 02 December 2019 - 15:04

Del på Facebook Del på Twitter Del på e-post

It is a great bonding exercise and a great polisher-up of rusty French.

The next step is to join the fête committee, where your muscles will always be welcome.

In the meetings, you will quickly pick up whole sets of expressions, which will progressively join themselves up into complete sentences et voilà! Tu commences à posséder la langue!

Norman Boyd Hunt, by email

Stay informed:
Sign up to our free weekly e-newsletter
Subscribe to access all our online articles and receive our printed monthly newspaper The Connexion at your home. News analysis, features and practical help for English-speakers in France

Del på Facebook Del på Twitter Del på e-post

letters and comment language letters

Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the xenophobic jibes now only appear to go one way
Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French

Columnist Nick Inman notes that some French people are harsh judges of foreign speakers
'My language skills mean I am just not funny in French'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives advice on how to convey your humour while learning French

Tips for Americans considering a French mortgage

With the number of Americans moving to France on the rise, we ask the experts for some tips for those considering applying for a French mortgage

Britons are the largest foreign community of second-home owners in Nouvelle Aquitaine

See which other departments in the region are popular with British nationals

Travellers risk extra costs under new Eurotunnel ticket rule
May will be difficult month for train travel in France, warns minister
Larousse dictionary adds 150 new French words - which ones do you know?

Large increase in Americans buying properties on the Cote d’Azur

President Trump is cited as a major factor, but is not the only reason for the area’s popularity

Brexit cards: what are the rules around passport renewal and residency cards in France?

It is highly recommended that Britons in France retain a valid UK passport

What are the jobs you cannot do in France with ‘auto-entrepreneur’ status?

The status offers tax and administrative advantages, but has strict rules about the professions allowed

Is compensation possible if a neighbour’s pet damages garden at French second home?

Disorderly pets can wreak havoc on gardens

Repairs on dry stone wall in France: Must stones be bought or can they be picked up?

You may need to consult your neighbour to repair border walls

Yellow lights for pedestrians in many cities in France - what do they mean?

The lights are being trialled in six major cities until 2027

New ski night train will link Paris to the French Alps

The Travelski Night Express will begin service this December and start selling tickets in May

Dunkin’ doughnut chain to open in France in May

Its flagship store will be in Paris’ ninth arrondissement

Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism

Columnist Nabila Ramdani notes that the xenophobic jibes now only appear to go one way

Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French
Proposed law will stop French banks from closing accounts for no reason
Letters: France's threatened birds must be treated with respect

'My language skills mean I am just not funny in French'

Columnist Cynthia Spillman gives advice on how to convey your humour while learning French

‘We have never been so close’: Why France may soon legalise assisted dying

Anne Raynaud, from the Association for the Right to Die in Dignity, says that France is behind other countries - but change may be coming

Do inherited estates in the UK need to be declared in France?

There is an inheritance tax treaty between France and the UK

Health reimbursements linked to income supported by French state auditor

The controversial move aligns with prime minister's plans to cut costs

Tips and tricks for cleaning old French brickwork

Columnist Nick Inman says it can be a thing of wonder if treated properly

Exemption from fees to register electric car to end across most of France from May
Why you may see a low-flying helicopter near you in west France
Proposal to end 10% tax allowance for retirees in France: Key points

Grape way to learn French

I once had the humiliating experience of working alongside a professional grape picker. By lunchtime he had covered stacks more rows than me.

Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism

Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French

'My language skills mean I am just not funny in French'

Tips for Americans considering a French mortgage

Britons are the largest foreign community of second-home owners in Nouvelle Aquitaine

Travellers risk extra costs under new Eurotunnel ticket rule

May will be difficult month for train travel in France, warns minister

Larousse dictionary adds 150 new French words - which ones do you know?

Large increase in Americans buying properties on the Cote d’Azur

Brexit cards: what are the rules around passport renewal and residency cards in France?

What are the jobs you cannot do in France with ‘auto-entrepreneur’ status?

Is compensation possible if a neighbour’s pet damages garden at French second home?

Repairs on dry stone wall in France: Must stones be bought or can they be picked up?

Yellow lights for pedestrians in many cities in France - what do they mean?

New ski night train will link Paris to the French Alps

Dunkin’ doughnut chain to open in France in May

Comment: Anti-French bravado is an embarrassing British anachronism

Why your accent should not hold you back when speaking French

Proposed law will stop French banks from closing accounts for no reason

Letters: France's threatened birds must be treated with respect

'My language skills mean I am just not funny in French'

‘We have never been so close’: Why France may soon legalise assisted dying

Do inherited estates in the UK need to be declared in France?

Health reimbursements linked to income supported by French state auditor

Tips and tricks for cleaning old French brickwork

Exemption from fees to register electric car to end across most of France from May

Why you may see a low-flying helicopter near you in west France

Proposal to end 10% tax allowance for retirees in France: Key points

Dordogne residents face aftermath of flood damage as more rain forecast

Doctors threaten strike against bill mandating where they work in France

Visitors to Normandy American Cemetery must soon book in advance

DHL suspends high-value deliveries to US from France

Entry/Exit System: What happens when travelling to EU with a French spouse?

New language tests for French residency cause confusion

April 2025: changes in France you may have missed

Learning French: what does sacquer mean and when should it be used?