Tag Archives: SOFI 64

Korrika 2022, a relay race to support Basque Language

SOFI 64 and Korrika 2022

This year, SOFI 64 is happy to be part of the 22nd edition of KORRIKA.

 

As a French language school welcoming so many students of different nationalities, we truly believe languages are a part of ourself and that learning another language gives us the opportunity to experience a culture, to see our environment and the world differently.

 

This is why we will run the kilometer n° 2381 starting at the Port Vieux beach in Biarritz on April 9 at 20:28 precisely. All our students, teachers and friends are welcome to join us to run and show their support to the Basque language and culture.

 

During eleven days and ten nights, Korrika will travel 2,575 kilometers throughout the seven provinces of the Basque Country. The aim is to promote the use of Basque language and to raise funds to finance intensive Basque courses and evening classes for adults.

 

Korrika will end in San Sebastian on Sunday, April 10 at 12:30.

 

SOFI 64 and Korrika 2022

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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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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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Our school’s neighborhood

An illustrated map of La Chambre d'Amour in Anglet

Our fantastic neighborhood

We are incredibly well located, close to the beach yet in a quiet and peaceful environment.

 

When we are not teaching French or surfing (…) we enjoy spending time around. Students and teachers, we all have our favorite places to go to. That is why we asked this amazing artist to make this beautiful illustrated map of our neighborhood.

 

This map is to help our students better understand our district in a fun way featuring things to do and places to eat in our immediate surroundings.

Our stunning neighborhood and beaches will put you in the best mood to learn French!

 

An illustrated map of La Chambre d'Amour in Anglet

 

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How to express obligation in French with “Il faut”

How to express obligation in French

Il faut … Il ne faut pas…

 

How to express an obligation in French

 

Daily life, work, family, sport, travel… Everywhere and most of the time, we must face obligations.

To express them in French, there is of course the verb “devoir” but also the expression “il faut” followed by the infinitive. This structure is very easy to use!

You will never read or hear “je faut” ou “vous fallez“. This structure is always the same and is only used with “il”.

Take a verb with an infinitive, place it behind “il faut” and… voilà! 🙂

For example: “A la plage, il faut mettre de la crème solaire / Il faut jeter ses déchets à la poubelle / Il faut prendre un parasol / Il faut emporter une serviette de plage”

 

In the negative form: “Il ne faut pas oublier son pique-nique!”

 

Below are more examples to practice.

Have fun!

Il faut...

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Beach clean up !

Beach clean up - SOFI 64

Keep our beaches clean!

First week of October, we gathered all together after our French lesson and headed to the beach for a good beach clean up!

We were nicely surprised to find a beach free of large garbage stuff. We had plenty to do with very small plastic parts though amongst which too many lollipops sticks and straws…

2 hours later, with 4 garbage bags full of plastic bits we can feel useful and happy to have contributed to maintaining our beach clean!

Merci à tous! 

Beach clean up - SOFI 64

 

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Bienvenue chez SOFI 64

Life at SOFI 64

One of our students made a beautiful short movie about her French experience here at SOFI 64.

She studied French with us for 4 weeks and at the end of her stay offered us this amazing present.

Thank you Emma! You did a great job with this movie and with your French! We are very happy you enjoyed your stay with us! 🙂

 

 

 

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When to use “Est-ce que” in a question?!

How to use "est-ce que"

Well, it is quite easy!

Whenever you want to ask a question in a formal way, just use “Est-ce que” at the beginning of the question.

Est-ce que ” doesn’t really mean anything and is therefore difficult to translate.

For example, let’s choose a simple sentence like “Tu manges au restaurant ce soir?”.

To formalize and ask this question in French, just put “Est-ce que” at the beginning and… it’s done!

Let’s try with more examples:

“Tu manges au restaurant ce soir”?  —–> “Est-ce que tu manges au restaurant ce soir?”

“Vous allez à la plage?” —–> “Est-ce que vous allez à la plage?”

“Je peux venir avec vous?” —–> “Est-ce que je peux venir avec vous?”

!! With “Il / Elle” and “Ils / Elles” !! : Que —–> Qu’ 

“Il veut faire une sieste?” —–> “Est-ce qu’il veut faire une sieste?”

“Elles aiment bronzer sur la plage?” —–> “Est-ce qu’elles aiment bronzer sur la plage?”

And voilà!  🙂 

How to use "est-ce que"

How to ask a question in French

 

 

 

 

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SOFI 64 Reviewed by Bionca, former student

Student in French smiling

Review of our French Language School by a Former Student

As you may already know, we love teaching French.

Here at SOFI 64, we do our best to make your experience unforgettable and worthy.

And when students reward us with reviews like this one, we are overjoyed. It motivates us to keep doing even more and keep students happy with their French experience!

https://waywardessence.com/review-sofi-64-french-language-institute/

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