How do you stay in touch with France between trips?
Dec 30th, 2017, 07:59 AM
#22
About twenty years ago, when I started working on my French after a long hiatus, I started with French decorating magazines. They took over my living room, I couldn’t see through them to the TV.
Then I had our kitchen redone and decorated using my grandmother’s collection of Quimper faience. I began a love affair with eBay and accumulated enough vintage French kitchen items that a friend referred to one of the vendors as my personal shopper in France.
I started watching and listening to lectures from the College de France. Then I went to Paris and realized I could show up in person (for free, without registering) and attend the same courses I follow at home. So now I have teachers there whose courses I follow every year and go to Paris and see them in person.
Several years ago I went to a book discussion as part of a monthly series at the French Cultural Center in Boston, and there I met a couple of people who told me about an adult ed class in a nearby town for French literature and conversation. There is a core of people in the class who have been going for years, and it was just what I needed to get over the self-consciousness of speaking a language I didn’t get to use all that often.
I now have added to that a class where we read French philosophy, which is painful, and have weekly discussions about it, which is delightful. And a group of us get together every two weeks or so to work our way through Proust at a pace of about ten pages per week. I figure we’ll be doing this for the rest of our lives.
Reading all this, I realize I sound obsessive, so I will stop here without mentioning all the French music I have downloaded and listen to in the car and at home. This has led to going to concerts in Paris and even in Boston to see some of the people I listen to.
Okay, now I’m really going to stop.
Then I had our kitchen redone and decorated using my grandmother’s collection of Quimper faience. I began a love affair with eBay and accumulated enough vintage French kitchen items that a friend referred to one of the vendors as my personal shopper in France.
I started watching and listening to lectures from the College de France. Then I went to Paris and realized I could show up in person (for free, without registering) and attend the same courses I follow at home. So now I have teachers there whose courses I follow every year and go to Paris and see them in person.
Several years ago I went to a book discussion as part of a monthly series at the French Cultural Center in Boston, and there I met a couple of people who told me about an adult ed class in a nearby town for French literature and conversation. There is a core of people in the class who have been going for years, and it was just what I needed to get over the self-consciousness of speaking a language I didn’t get to use all that often.
I now have added to that a class where we read French philosophy, which is painful, and have weekly discussions about it, which is delightful. And a group of us get together every two weeks or so to work our way through Proust at a pace of about ten pages per week. I figure we’ll be doing this for the rest of our lives.
Reading all this, I realize I sound obsessive, so I will stop here without mentioning all the French music I have downloaded and listen to in the car and at home. This has led to going to concerts in Paris and even in Boston to see some of the people I listen to.
Okay, now I’m really going to stop.
Dec 30th, 2017, 08:37 AM
#23
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Nikki,
Could you say more about the lectures from the College de France? Subjects? Cost, if any? Level of fluency required? And how to obtain?
Also, for NYers, there's another resource, esp. valuable since the closing of the Librairie de France in Rockefeller Center. Albertine is a bookstore/cultural center run by the French Consulate in a magnificent Whitney mansion at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street. They offer free lectures in French and, more often, in English, on a variety of subjects. We went to one offered by the owner of Vaux-le-Vicomte, my favorite chateau, and, more recently one featuring Gloria Steinem interviewing Christiane Taubira, the former French minister of justice. Many of the talks are too literary for me, but there's an interesting mix.
Could you say more about the lectures from the College de France? Subjects? Cost, if any? Level of fluency required? And how to obtain?
Also, for NYers, there's another resource, esp. valuable since the closing of the Librairie de France in Rockefeller Center. Albertine is a bookstore/cultural center run by the French Consulate in a magnificent Whitney mansion at Fifth Avenue and 79th Street. They offer free lectures in French and, more often, in English, on a variety of subjects. We went to one offered by the owner of Vaux-le-Vicomte, my favorite chateau, and, more recently one featuring Gloria Steinem interviewing Christiane Taubira, the former French minister of justice. Many of the talks are too literary for me, but there's an interesting mix.
Dec 30th, 2017, 09:47 AM
#25
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Oh Nikki, I recognize the--let's not say obsession--pre-occupation with France. Lot of us have it but you've really done something with it. I recall one of your trip reports where you attended a class at the Sorbonne (I think) as a visitor and saw plays in French. I deeply admire your language skills and the work it took to get to that level.
Dec 30th, 2017, 09:59 AM
#26
Frenchaucœur,
The College de France website has many recordings, both audio and video, of their courses in all kinds of subjects. It is worth spending some time with the website, it is not the most user friendly one possible but it is better than it used to be:
https://www.college-de-france.fr/site/en-college/
The language can be switched between English and French, and some of the videos are translated into English.
There is no charge for any of the courses on the website or in person in Paris. When I started listening to them, I understood a small percentage, depending on the speaker, but I figured I was probably getting something by osmosis.
These are all courses based on the current research of the instructors, so the selection is quirky and not necessarily geared toward general interests. Courses are generally once a week for two or three months, at least the ones I’ve followed.
The French literature guy is Antoine Compagnon, who also teaches at Columbia.
The College de France website has many recordings, both audio and video, of their courses in all kinds of subjects. It is worth spending some time with the website, it is not the most user friendly one possible but it is better than it used to be:
https://www.college-de-france.fr/site/en-college/
The language can be switched between English and French, and some of the videos are translated into English.
There is no charge for any of the courses on the website or in person in Paris. When I started listening to them, I understood a small percentage, depending on the speaker, but I figured I was probably getting something by osmosis.
These are all courses based on the current research of the instructors, so the selection is quirky and not necessarily geared toward general interests. Courses are generally once a week for two or three months, at least the ones I’ve followed.
The French literature guy is Antoine Compagnon, who also teaches at Columbia.
Dec 30th, 2017, 10:01 AM
#27
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fuzzbucket, learning French is an ongoing project for me. I enjoy conversing in French, but it requires a kind heart and patience on the part of any French people I'm talking to.
xcountry, intriguing about the gears. Can you explain?
I've been listening to Nouveaux Contes de fées by the Comtesse de Segur, as read on Librivox. I get a little fed up with pretty blond princesses captured by evil fairies, but I love the reader's voice.
xcountry, intriguing about the gears. Can you explain?
I've been listening to Nouveaux Contes de fées by the Comtesse de Segur, as read on Librivox. I get a little fed up with pretty blond princesses captured by evil fairies, but I love the reader's voice.
Dec 30th, 2017, 10:08 AM
#28
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Nikki, I'm going to check out that link.
Here are the two threads I remembered on books about France. I didn't realize how old they were. There may be something more recent.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...out-france.cfm
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-in-france.cfm
Here are the two threads I remembered on books about France. I didn't realize how old they were. There may be something more recent.
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...out-france.cfm
https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-in-france.cfm
Dec 30th, 2017, 10:09 AM
#29
Coquelicot,
We were cross posting. The classes I have attended were always at the College de France. I don’t think the Sorbonne has the equivalent free courses open to the general public.
When I started all this some time ago, I cultivated a large tolerance for both reading and listening to things I did not completely understand. I do not have the patience to study grammar, although some of the friends I have made in classes take that route. I prefer just to read and listen to as much as I can, which doesn’t feel like work. I did start with a pretty good base from studying French through high school, however.
As far as seeing theater, I try to read the play ahead of time, especially the classic ones, and then I really understand it when I go in person. With more contemporary plays, to keep it fresh I see the play without reading it but then try to buy a copy (often available at the theater) that I can read afterward to see what I missed. This can be quite a revelation! To be honest, I also do that with contemporary plays in English.
We were cross posting. The classes I have attended were always at the College de France. I don’t think the Sorbonne has the equivalent free courses open to the general public.
When I started all this some time ago, I cultivated a large tolerance for both reading and listening to things I did not completely understand. I do not have the patience to study grammar, although some of the friends I have made in classes take that route. I prefer just to read and listen to as much as I can, which doesn’t feel like work. I did start with a pretty good base from studying French through high school, however.
As far as seeing theater, I try to read the play ahead of time, especially the classic ones, and then I really understand it when I go in person. With more contemporary plays, to keep it fresh I see the play without reading it but then try to buy a copy (often available at the theater) that I can read afterward to see what I missed. This can be quite a revelation! To be honest, I also do that with contemporary plays in English.
Dec 30th, 2017, 11:20 AM
#30
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I second Nikki's recommendation for trying theater in France. A few years ago I attended a performance of Dix Petits Chats at the Theatre du Palais-Royal, figuring that if I could understand anything it would be a play based on Agatha Christie. I read the book in advance and actually did very well; I probably got 90% of the dialog. And it was a lot of fun just being in the theater with an audience composed almost entirely of French people--very different from the atmosphere at a Broadway show!
I always find my French is much better when I come home than it was when I left. I'd say I speak well but not quite fluently, and people are very kind.
I always find my French is much better when I come home than it was when I left. I'd say I speak well but not quite fluently, and people are very kind.
Dec 30th, 2017, 11:46 AM
#32
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frenchaucoeur, I get language fatigue. My French is at its best when I'm on the plane going over and it goes downhill from there.
A sweet friend said that even a French baby can't talk till it's two years old, so until I've been in France two years I shouldn't be concerned.
A sweet friend said that even a French baby can't talk till it's two years old, so until I've been in France two years I shouldn't be concerned.
Dec 30th, 2017, 12:13 PM
#33
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OK, well, I just looked at the C de F website and all I can say is "Chapeau, Nikki!" That stuff is way above my pay grade. Asymptotic geometry? I'm not a stupid person, but I couldn't cope with that in English!!
I read a lot of Simenon and listen to French chanteurs who were popular before I was born. Does that count?
I read a lot of Simenon and listen to French chanteurs who were popular before I was born. Does that count?
Dec 30th, 2017, 12:19 PM
#34
Coquelicot you caught me generalizing. But, in my opinion only, the general pattern is ... if someone is climbing in a very tough (hard to keep the pedals turning) gear they are likely British using the gears they use back home on very hard but shorter climbs. If they don't mention what gear they climb in they are likely French/German/Spanish and know it is an accomplishment to even climb a mountain regardless of how easy the gearing is. And if they are asking what gears they will need in the Alps they are likely Americans (not including Californians and Coloradoians) planning ahead to ensure they have an easy enough gear to climb 3-7000 feet with slopes of up to 12-15% possible.
All done in a good spirit usually. And to repeat ... these are just my observations from reading endlessly about cycling.
All done in a good spirit usually. And to repeat ... these are just my observations from reading endlessly about cycling.
Dec 30th, 2017, 01:07 PM
#37
Trust me, you will only find me in a class on asymptotic geometry in my nightmares.
The class by Antoine Compagnon from a couple of years ago on les chiffonnières littéraires (literary ragpickers) was fun and interesting, I thought.
https://www.college-de-france.fr/sit...-2015-2016.htm
The class by Antoine Compagnon from a couple of years ago on les chiffonnières littéraires (literary ragpickers) was fun and interesting, I thought.
https://www.college-de-france.fr/sit...-2015-2016.htm
Dec 30th, 2017, 01:08 PM
#38
For anyone completely fluent in French, I have just one things to say: France Inter.
When I first repatriated to France, er, 45 years ago, I began listening to this radio station. It is the "general interest" government owned station -- a brief news flash every hour and various programs all through the day -- culture, politics, health, current affairs, gardening, comedy, satire, music... I don't know exactly what makes it so addictive compared to the main two competing commercial stations (Europe 1 and RTL) but we "Inter" fans are so loyal that even when the government radio is on strike and plays only music, we still keep listening to it. In fact, it has often been said that the strike day music programs are the best in France.
Anyway, I needed to learn a lot about France at the beginning, and since I did not have a television for the first 5 or 6 years, France Inter taught me everything I needed to know about the country.
Of course, I should warn certain people about the station. Strangely enough, even though it is government owned, it has always been extremely independent and over the years it has become amazingly left wing (a plus as far as I am concerned, but I understand that this is not the case for everybody). One of the most incredible programs in the "Belgian" one which can be heard at 17:00 and 0:00 -- it is an hour of satire helmed by Charline Vanhoenacker and her other Belgian colleagues, which tears into French foolishness in a way that few people could imagine in other countries. This in itself is anathema to some of the "patriotic" French.
Anyway, it can be heard at www.franceinter.fr and quite a bit of it can also be seen on the video feed on the same site.
When I first repatriated to France, er, 45 years ago, I began listening to this radio station. It is the "general interest" government owned station -- a brief news flash every hour and various programs all through the day -- culture, politics, health, current affairs, gardening, comedy, satire, music... I don't know exactly what makes it so addictive compared to the main two competing commercial stations (Europe 1 and RTL) but we "Inter" fans are so loyal that even when the government radio is on strike and plays only music, we still keep listening to it. In fact, it has often been said that the strike day music programs are the best in France.
Anyway, I needed to learn a lot about France at the beginning, and since I did not have a television for the first 5 or 6 years, France Inter taught me everything I needed to know about the country.
Of course, I should warn certain people about the station. Strangely enough, even though it is government owned, it has always been extremely independent and over the years it has become amazingly left wing (a plus as far as I am concerned, but I understand that this is not the case for everybody). One of the most incredible programs in the "Belgian" one which can be heard at 17:00 and 0:00 -- it is an hour of satire helmed by Charline Vanhoenacker and her other Belgian colleagues, which tears into French foolishness in a way that few people could imagine in other countries. This in itself is anathema to some of the "patriotic" French.
Anyway, it can be heard at www.franceinter.fr and quite a bit of it can also be seen on the video feed on the same site.
