How does living in France affect your English? Forgetting some English is more common than you might think - in fact there is even a word for this
Who are France’s juilletistes and aoûtiens? We look at two words used to describe different French summer holiday habits
Which French accents are the hardest to understand? Geography and the speed at which people speak have an influence
practical Why you may be struggling with French - and what you can do about it Six problems and solutions to help you improve your language skills
8 false friends from my French students that we can learn from False friends in French can cause lots of confusion for language learners
Six Christmas gift ideas for people learning French Christmas offers a good opportunity to give helpful resources that language learners may not buy for themselves
How do bilingual classes differ from others at French school? We look at both language-learning classes, as well as special schools which teach all their curriculum in multiple languages
Français, français: when do you cap up the F? The rule is easier to understand than it may at first seem
Do you need to speak French to do a road awareness course? The requirement to undertake a course resulted from a driving incident
Do you know the English equivalents of these 5 French expressions? Idioms and old expressions that every French person knows can be a good way to boost your language level
Five films or series to help improve your French this month We take a look at what's new on Netflix in August
Which new words have made it into the latest French dictionary? The 2024 edition of the Petit Robert dictionary has introduced 150 new words into the French lexicon
What is the origin of France’s motto ‘Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité’? We look at the history of this phrase and the extent to which it is linked to the French Revolution
What is the French word for ‘woke’? ‘Woke’ has entered French vocabulary in its English form. There is a French equivalent, but it has not reached mainstream use, yet ‘Paris est belle ou beau’? Are French cities masculine or feminine? There is no irony in the French language - apart from the word ‘bref’ Experiment with French language-learning techniques and have some fun
French podcasts to help improve your language skills Podcasts are a great way to make progress in learning French. Do you know someone who might find this article helpful? How can I watch French TV from abroad? Are there any free government-approved online French courses? Why do French people say petit juif for elbow and is it offensive? Language tests for multi-year residency cards on agenda for French MPs ‘Faire la pluie et le beau temps’: Our French expression of the week
‘Se mettre au diapason’: Our French expression of the week We look at a musical expression related to the idea of being in tune with another person or a certain situation
Five tips to mastering the French language when you move to France Learning French as an adult can be difficult - five readers share their experience of what worked for them
Hyphens, no hyphens: what is correct spelling of French commune names? The Association des Maires de France explains the official rules
How new arrivals in France can learn language I am moving to France soon and would like advice on free French language tuition or help towards funding lessons. I believe the state offered this. Is it possible and, if so, how can I start the process?
False friend: Does 'verbalisation' in French mean warning? It is common to read in French media about people receiving a 'verbalisation' by police for breaking Covid-related rules. We explain whether it means they have been warned by police or given a fine.
Why do French people say 'quinzaine' for two weeks? Various explanations include 'quinzaine' simply being easiest to say to the French associating a two-week period with half a month, so 15 rather than 14 days
What is the difference between 'cuisine équipée/aménagée'? These two terms are often listed on French property adverts and it is good to know the difference so you know what to expect from your new kitchen
Joining a library in France: A free way to improve your French There are more than 16,000 public libraries in France with varying levels of online services
French residency cards ‘should depend on a language test’ Right-wing French political party Les Républicains wants to introduce obligatory language tests for anyone applying for a residency card
New French language course to be offered to foreign workers French as a foreign language is to be offered as an option under the government’s lifelong learning scheme which is open to all workers.
Understanding French cuts of beef The choice of meat cuts in France can be baffling. The Connexion gets tips from a British butcher in France
Is the word paysan insulting in French? I was listening to a radio report about a recent tractor protest in Paris and heard the reporter refer to the farmers as paysans . It sounded insulting, like they were calling them “peasants” – did I understand correctly? R.G.
English children won't always be top of English class Learning English in France when you are an 'Anglo' is not as simple as you may think
Where can I sit a language test to become French? How do I find out where to sit a French language test to include in a nationality application? I was trying to find a centre in which to take the DELF test. C.P.
15 years on, I still speak French with an accent Young movers: ‘It was sink or swim!’ says Tom Rowe who arrived in France at age 13
Horses for courses... Holly’s route to a legal career Holly Jessop is a Paris lawyer but could not speak any French when her family moved to rural Mayenne from Dorset nearly two decades ago.
Make life easy on yourself when learning a language One of the first things we say in our Moving to and Living in France guide is “learn to speak French” but many readers do not. Nick Inman reveals how he beat his block
Will France still pay for language course? Is free French language training paid for by the government still available to Britons who wish to live here permanently? A.O.