Tag Archives: French lessons

Adverbs in French language (A2)

Adverbs in French language

Adverbs ending with “-ment” in French language

 

Adverbs are used to give a precision on the action that is performed. They usually answer the question “how?” and are placed behind the verb.

Example:

  • Il parle lentement.
  • Elle travaille efficacement.
  • Nous étudions régulièrement.

Adverbs are invariable, i.e. their spelling does not change.

 

How to form an adverb?

Take the adjective in the masculine form (doux), put it in the feminine form (douce) then add “-ment” . That’s it! 🙂

  • Doux —> Douce —> Doucement : Ils jouent doucement avec le chien.
  • Franc —> Franche —> Franchement : Je peux te parler franchement?
  • Naturel —> Naturelle —> Naturellement : Elle a réagi naturellement.
  • Fou —> Folle —> Follement : Ils sont follement amoureux.

 

Of course, as you can imagine, there are different types of adverbs which do not comply with this rule…

1. Some adverbs are formed from the masculine of the adjective; this adjective is ended by a vowel:

  • Passionné + ment —> Passionnément (avec passion)
  • Spontané + ment —> Spontanément (de manière spontanée)
  • Poli + ment —> Poliment (de manière polie)
  • Vrai + ment —> Vraiment 

2. Other adverbs end with -amment or -emment when the adjective ends with -ant or -ent.

  • Bruyant —> Bruyamment : Il mange bruyamment.
  • Méchant —> Méchamment : Il lui a répondu méchamment.
  • Intelligent —> Intelligemment : Il suffit de travailler intelligemment.
  • Patient —> Patiemment : Il a attendu patiemment.

 

Here is a poster that can summarize today’s lesson.

Adverbs in French language

READ MORE

Ask and tell the time in French (A1)

What time is it in French language

How to ask and tell the time in French (1)

To ask what time it is in French, there are different options:

  • Vous avez l’heure ? (to ask if you don’t know if the person you are talking to can give you the time)
  • Quelle heure est-il ? (formal)
  • Il est quelle heure ? (casual)

There are two different ways to tell the time:

  • The formal way (professional appointments, medical appointments, airports, administrations…)
  • The casual way (family, friends, colleagues…)

For each of these ways, your sentence will start with “Il est…”.

Example:

Il est 15h00 (formal).

Il est 3h00 (casual).

 

 

Time in French

 

 

A few objects for time  :

Une montre (watch)

Une horloge (clock)

Un portable (cellphone)

Un réveil (alarm clock)

 

Et chez vous, quelle heure est-il?

 

Drag and drop the right sentence on the clock. Then, check your answer!

 

 

 

 

READ MORE

WE ARE OPEN !

French Language School

OUR SCHOOL IS OPEN!

Since May 11th, our French language school has reopened its doors and our first post-lockdown lessons went pretty well !!
As a small school, we were able to adapt quickly and we applied every mandatory criteria French government required for schools to open! 👌🏻❤️🙂
We also decided to OFFER each of our students a beautiful free mask and a free hand sanitizer flask !
WE ARE ALL READY (teachers & mascots) !! ☀️🇨🇵🤙🏻
French Language School
READ MORE

Indirect verbs and pronouns in French (A2 / B1)

Indirect Verbs in French

Indirect Verbs in French

 

 

Which pronouns for which verbs (2)?

 

A few weeks ago, we introduced  « les pronoms compléments directs » in French language.

Today, we will be talking about the “pronoms compléments indirects” : me, te, lui, nous, vous, leur .

 

INDIRECT PRONOUNS ARE :
* used to replace a person (or an animal) only introduced by a definite article (le, la, les, l’) or a possessive adjective (mon, ton, son …).

* used with “indirect verbs”, i.e. between these verbs and the person, you will find the letter “à”(téléphoner à quelqu’un, offrir à quelqu’un, dire à quelqu’un…)

* always before the verb.

 

Example:

Tu téléphones souvent à tes parents? —> Oui, je LEUR téléphone assez souvent.

Elle a déjà annoncé à  son petit ami qu’elle allait partir faire le tour du monde ? —> Oui, elle LUI a annoncé hier soir.

Ils ont prêté leur voiture à Jeanne ? —> Non, ils ne LUI ont pas prêté leur voiture.

 

! « LUI » peut remplacer un homme ou une femme.

 

When there are two verbs, indirect pronouns are placed between these two verbs:

Vous allez proposer À VOS VOISINS de vous accompagner? —> Oui, nous allons LEUR proposer de nous accompagner.

Je peux LUI offrir une bière? —> Oui, vas-y. Il aime bien la bière blonde.

 

Their use is simple when you know if the verb is used with “à + quelqu’un” or not.

That’s why we made this list of 15 verbs !

READ MORE

Our Virtual Classes are on!

French Online classes

Your Virtual French lessons with SOFI 64

Due to Covid-19 and measures taken by the French Government, we worked hard to offer our students an alternative to their their usual French classes at school.

 

Starting tomorrow, our first French lessons online for the A1 level will be on!

 

There are a few spots left for those who want to join.

 

French Online classes

 

 

 

READ MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

All your questions answered in the following list. If we forgot one, do not hesitate to contact us to ask! We will be happy to give you the answer you are looking for. 🙂

 

BOOKING

  • How do I book my French courses and my accommodation?

You can book directly through our website, by phone or directly at school.

  • How can I pay for the deposit, courses and accommodation ?

Deposit is payable by bank transfer only. For outstanding balance, we accept payment by bank transfer, credit card (at school) or cash.

  • What is the minimum age for students?

Students must be 18 to enroll.

 

VISA

  • Do I need a visa to come to France?

It depends on your nationality. For a stay of less than 3 months, a tourist visa is usually sufficient. Please contact the French consulate or embassy in your country for more detailed information on this subject.

  • If I need a visa, can SOFI 64 help me with my application?

Yes! Our Qualité FLE accreditation gives the chance to our students to be able to get a student visa. As soon as we receive full payment for your stay, we will send you a stamped and signed booking confirmation as well as your host family information. These documents shall be presented with the invoice to the French Embassy. If your visa is refused, your money will be returned less the non-refundable process fee (50 euros).

 

OUR SCHOOL

  • What time should I be at school on my first day?

 Your first day at SOFI 64 will start at 9.00.

  • What should I bring with me on the first day of school?

Please bring with you a pen and a notebook. If you registered to our « French & Surf » program, you should also bring some sunscreen, a beach towel and a bathing-suit.

  • Which languages do you speak at school?

French, English, Spanish, German and Basque.

We have 5 spacious and bright classrooms. Our school has a beautiful private terrace with tables, chairs and umbrellas. In our kitchen, there is a coffee machine and a kettle for your organic coffee and tea available at school. To practice your French skills after class, French books and French language DVDs are available in our small library.

  • Will I have access to the Internet at SOFI 64?

Yes. You will have access to the Internet through our WIFI.

 

COURSES

  • Which languages are used during the courses?

French and French!

  • How many students will there be in my class?

Each class is limited to 8 students. Minimum number of students in a group is 2.

  • How old will the other students be?

We welcome students of almost all ages (18 and +). However, the average age of our students is between 25-35.

You can start on any Monday. Full beginners must start on specific dates (one Monday per month).

  • Can I combine or change courses?

Yes, subject to availability ! For instance, it is possible to book one week of “French & Surf” and another week of “French & Yoga“.

If you change your program during your stay, there will be a 25 euro-fee applied.

READ MORE

Direct verbs and pronouns in French (A2 / B1)

French direct verbs

Which pronouns for which verbs?

The  “pronoms compléments directs” (me, te, le/la/les/l’/nous, vous) are easier than they seem!

* They are used to replace a person or a thing introduced by a definite article (le, la, les, l’) or a possessive adjective (mon, ton, son…).

* They are used with “direct verbs”, i.e. between these verbs and the person (or thing), there is no “à” (regarder à quelqu’un, refuser à quelque chose, reconnaître à quelqu’un…)

* They are always before the verb.
Example:

Tu vois LA MER depuis ta fenêtre? —> Oui, je LA vois.

Il aide SA SŒUR qui rénove son appartement? —> Oui, il L’aide presque tous les jours (LE/LA + a / e /i / o / u —> L’)

Ils ont retrouvé LEUR CHIEN? —> Non, ils ne L’ont pas encore retrouvé.

 

When there are two verbs, they are placed between the two verbs:

Vous allez inviter VOS VOISINS? —> Oui, nous allons LES inviter.

Je peux poser MON SAC sur cette chaise? —> Oui, oui, vous pouvez LE poser là sans problème.

 

Their use is simple when you know if the verb is used with “à” or not. But then, what are these verbs?

Here is a list of 20 verbs you can get familiar with!

 

 

French direct verbs

READ MORE

Experience: 6 months studying French & enjoying Biarritz

Martin studied French in Biarritz for 6 months

6 months in Biarritz: a truly remarkable experience

We are very often fortunate to welcome inspiring and inspired students in our school. Some of them sometimes want to share the remarkable time they had in Biarritz.

 

Last year, Emma gave us this wonderful gift after her visit to our school.

 

This year 2019, it is Mikko and Martin who decided to film the experience Martin had while with us. Martin comes from Germany. He is a professional sommelier whose family have been working in the wine industry for more than 130 years.

 

If you want to improve your French for professional or personal reasons, we are here to support you and help you achieve your goals!

 

 

 

READ MORE

Masculine nouns in French

Masculine nouns in French

Masculine, don’t do the mistake anymore!

Masculine nouns in French

 

After a first poster for feminine nouns in French language, here is a second one for masculine nouns.

 

It is not always clear which word should be used with “le” or “la“, however, it is still possible to know the gender of nouns in some cases.

 

For example, nouns ending with “-ment” will always be masculine: le bâtiment | le médicament | un éclaircissement | un aboiement.

Others ending in “-age”, for example, will also always be masculine with a few exceptions though! You can therefore easily say “le fromage, le garage, le massage, le message, le blocage, le carambolage, le sondage, l’atterrissage, le décollage, le chômage…”

… but be careful with the following 5 words that are feminine: la page | la plage | la cage | une image | la rage.

 

And you, do you know of any other nouns that are masculine according to their endings? Can you complete the above poster with more masculine nouns?

READ MORE

DELF and DALF exams are being changed

Evolution des épreuves du DELF et du DALF

Changes for the DELF and DALF exams

From March 2020, the DELF and DALF tests will have a new structure.

Some changes are planned for the levels A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2. Only the A1 level test remains unchanged.

What will these changes consist of?

 

First of all, for the oral and written comprehension tests (A2, B1 and B2) the open-ended questions will be removed. Instead questions with chosen answers will be proposed to the candidates.

 

Then, there will also be an increase in multiple-choice questions. Justification for the answers to the “True or False” exercises will no longer be required.

 

The number of tasks will be modified. The number of audio documents will thus increase from 7 to 14 for level A2 and that of level B2 from 2 to 5. 

 

Duration for the written comprehension test will rise from 35 to 45 minutes.

 

Finally, for DALF C1 and C2, the specialty areas will be removed and give way to social themes that are more easily accessible to all candidates.

 

Bonne chance à tous!

 

 

Evolution des épreuves du DELF et du DALF

READ MORE