Tag Archives: Learn French

Towards an Eco-Friendly School

Our PDF guide to our eco-friendly French school

 

Our Sustainable Journey

At SOFI 64, we make ecological management a priority in our daily practices. This choice illustrates our commitment to sustainable living and the preservation of our planet.

We are delighted to announce that we have recently been awarded the prestigious Green Standard Schools label. This recognition underlines our commitment to environmental sustainability and to creating a healthy, planet-friendly learning environment for our students.

Logo Green Standard SchoolsThe Green Standard Schools label is awarded to schools that adopt sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. As a school, we are committed to following their recommendations and encourage environmentally friendly behaviour among our staff and students.

 

To find out more about our ecological management practices, we invite you to consult our PDF document detailing our sustainable initiatives. By adopting these measures, we actively participate in reducing our ecological footprint while providing a healthy and responsible environment for our students and our community.

 

Our PDF guide to our eco-friendly French school

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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

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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!

 

 

 

 

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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
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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 !

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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

 

 

 

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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.

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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

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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!

 

 

 

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Feminine nouns in French

Les mots féminins du français

Feminine ou masculine?

 

Les mots féminins du français

 

For many, nouns and gender in French are a real headache…. Why is the word “amourmasculine and the word “guerrefeminine? Who knows?

Today, we made this poster that will allow you to memorize the endings of nouns that are always feminine.

For instance, words ending with “-ure”, “-tion”, “-ette”(…) are always feminine.

Be careful however as the word “Skeleton” is masculine!

Click on the image below to practice a bit.

🙂

Les mots féminins

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