Student Quote of the Month

“All of your instructors are wonderful!”

SUPPORT OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

The following businesses sponsor our Holiday party every year: 

Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Bisou Bistronomy, Bistro Central Park, Buena Vista Winery, Café de la Presse, Fabrique Délices, Fillmore Bake Shop, Fringale Restaurant, Jeanne d’Arc Restaurant, La Folie Restaurant, Mathilde Restaurant, San Francisco Wine Trading Company, Sweet Things Bakery and Zuni Café.

Dites-le parfaitement / Say it perfectly

Il faut que je vous demande quelque chose.

I have something to ask you.

FRENCH VIGNETTE:
FRANCE IN THE MID 70's

After the “Boom!” comes the “Blah!” Two words that may best describe the transition from the 60’s to 70’s. Unemployment jumped from 2.2% to 5.4% and continued to rise. The media started to frantically use the word “La crise” (the crisis), and continued to routinely do so for the next 40 years. It contributed to push the French people into a sense of helplessness. Young adults in the 70s were bombarded with terms such as: la crise, le chômage (unemployment), le manque de débouchés (the lack of professional outlets). Students were told that their college degree would only lead to the unemployment office. These pessimistic views impacted a whole generation. 

Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Prime minister between 1969 and 1972, acknowledged this phenomenon with his famous declaration: “Les Français sont moroses” (French people are sullen). The media loved the term! As a response to the May’68 rebellion and concerned by the fact that the French economy was falling behind, he launched a plan for “une nouvelle société, prospère, jeune, généreuse et libérée” (a new society, thriving, young, generous and more free). His efforts didn’t draw much support, neither right nor left. 

Several students’ organizations tried to revive the spirit of May 68. Many demonstrations took place against government reforms and fascism around the world, particularly when the American giant ITT financed a coup in Chile leading to the assassination of President Salvador Allende. As we will see later, the 70s were a transition to a more conservative and less politically active France.

FRENCH TRANSLATION:
LA FRANCE DANS LES ANNEES 70

Après le “Boom!” vient le “Bof!” Deux mots qui décrivent le mieux la transition entre les années 60 et 70. Le chômage est passé de 2,2% à 5,4% et a continué à monter. Les médias ont commencé à utiliser frénétiquement le mot “la crise” et ont continué à le faire de façon routinière pendant les 40 prochaines années. Ceci a contribué à donner aux Français un sens d’impuissance. Les jeunes adultes des années 70 étaient bombardés de termes tels que : la crise, le chômage, le manque de débouchés. Les étudiants s’entendaient dire que leur diplôme universitaire ne les conduirait qu’au bureau du chômage. Ces idées pesssimistes ont influencé toute une génération.

Jacques Chaban-Delmas, Premier ministre entre 1969 et 1972, a reconnu ce phénomène dans sa célèbre déclaration : “Les Français sont moroses.” Les médias ont adoré le terme! En réponse à la rébellion de mai 68 et soucieux de voir l’économie de la France prendre du retard, il a lancé un plan pour “une nouvelle société, prospère, jeune, généreuse et libérée.” Ses efforts n’ont pas obtenu beaucoup de soutien, ni à gauche, ni à droite.

Plusieurs organisations étudiantes ont tenté de raviver l’esprit de mai 68. De nombreuses manifestations ont eu lieu contre les réformes du gouvernement et contre le facisme dans le monde, particulièrement lorsque le géant américain ITT a financé un coup d’Etat au Chili menant à l’assassinat de son Président, Salvador Allende. Comme nous le verrons plus tard, les années 70 ont été une transition vers une France plus conservatrice et moins active politiquement.

Qui a dit? Who said?

«Certains diront que je suis entêtée mais comment ne pas l’être quand on croit à la 
cause que l’on défend.»

Some will say that I am stubborn, but how not to be, when one believes in the cause one defends.

Faites défiler le texte vers le bas pour voir la réponse.

Scroll down to see the answer.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES
AT THE FRENCH CLASS

All conferences are $20. Our conferences are best for levels 5 to 8.

Please sign up at least 24 hours in advance. Call (415) 362-3666

PARIS: LE MARAIS

Presented in French by Laurence DELAHAYE
$20

This conference is offered 3 times:

Wednesday, April 5^th from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, April 6^th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 8^th from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Discover new aspects of this historical neighborhood located in the heart of Paris. This very interactive presentation will cover History, hôtels particuliers, gardens, museums, restaurants and boutiques. There is so much to say about le Marais, one of the oldest quartiers de Paris.
Please sign up at the front desk or call in advance (415) 362-3666.

THE REUNION ISLAND

Presented in French by Laurence ROMAIRE 
$20

This conference is offered 3 times:

Monday, April 24^th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 

Wednesday, April 26^th, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, April 29th from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Discover new aspects of this historical neighborhood located in the heart of Paris. This very interactive presentation will cover History, hôtels particuliers, gardens, museums, restaurants and boutiques. There is so much to say about le Marais, one of the oldest quartiers de Paris.L’ïle de la Réunion is in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. French people settled on this island in the 17^th century and it became an overseas department in 1946. Discover this lush land and its traditions and culture.
Please sign up at the front desk or call in advance (415) 362-3666.

Rent an apartment in Paris

Great locations, rates and management. The French Class students get a discount.
Contact: rothray@rothray.com

Un verbe à la fois!

One verb at a time!

See what you can say with a very simple verb…

Learn French From Your Home Or Office

Learn French face to face with your teacher on SKYPE or FACETIME, just like in our classroom. Skype is FREE and VERY easy to install and use. 
Go to the Private Lessons page on our website for more details and rates, or call us at (415) 362-3666. 

Trouvez la préposition correcte 

1. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin est né _____ Paris _____ 1622.

2. C’était le fils _____ un tapissier.

3. Il est allé _____ l’école _____ les Jésuites.

4. Ensuite, il a fait des études _____ droit _____ Orléans.

5. Il a fondé “L’illustre Théâtre” _____ Madeleine Béjart.

6. Il a pris le nom _____ Molière _____ 1644.

7. Il s’est installé ____ la Salle du Petit-Bourbon _____ son retour _____ Paris.

8. Il est mort _____ scène _____ jouant Le Malade Imaginaire.

Voir les réponses plus bas. See answers below

Faites défiler le texte vers le bas ou cliquez sur la clé pour voir les réponses.
Scroll down or click the key to see the answers.

COOL THINGS TO DO IN PARIS

1. Go to the Saint-Ouen, the largest Flea Market in Europe.

2. Spend time at the Saxe Breteuil Market on Thursday or Saturday.

3. Discover quiet hidden passages such as Galerie Vivienne.

4. Walk along the Seine and speak with “Les Bouquinistes.”

5. Taste a foie gras macaron by Pierre Hermé.

6. Attend Jim Haynes supper club. (Google for info.)

7. Have a picnic in the Parc Monceau.

8. Eat Algerian couscous in a specialty restaurant.

A Simple Fact To Learn More French

If you learn one simple sentence in French every day, you will learn 365 French expressions in a year.  For example: 

Vous croyez?
Do you think so?

Read The French Class Newsletter and learn hundreds of expressions per year, for free! Keep reading! Keep learning!

Quelques phrases utiles /
A few useful sentences

Je reviendrai demain.
I will come back tomorrow.

Je vous verrai la semaine prochaine.
I will see you next week.

Pronunciation Quick Fix...

$20 for a one-on-one 25-minute practice to improve your pronunciation. Schedule your pronunciation quick fix before or after your class. Call us now at (415) 362-3666 or just come to the front desk to make an appointment.

Un petit peu de grammaire /
A little bit of grammar

Le subjonctif

Il faut qu’il s’en aille.
He has to leave.

J’aimerais qu’elle revienne.
I’d like her to come back.

Il faudrait qu’on s’en souvienne.
We should remember it.

Pourvu qu’ils n’aient pas eu un accident.
I do hope that they didn’t have an accident.

Je suis si content(e) que vous soyez venu(e)(s)
I’m so happy you came.

Visit our website www.frenchclass.com and find a class for your level. Don’t hesitate to call us at (415) 362-3666 if you have any questions regarding the appropriate level for you or if you would like a free assessment.

Your Victory of the Month

Keeping a positive attitude while learning will help you learn faster and will also make learning so much more pleasant! Save a few minutes every day to open your French book and review what you just learned. Set small goals. For example, learn how to say one sentence:
J’ai acheté du fromage.
I bought cheese.

My French 2 Cents

Have your own French tutor for 2 cents per day!

Here is how it works in 4 easy steps:

• pay $7.30 for a one-year subscription to this amazing program
• receive a welcome email
• send your questions to the e-mail address you are given
• receive a prompt answer

It is that easy!

Rent...

our large conference room for your professional events

Great rate. Up to 25 people. Very convenient downtown location. 

FORWARD, NO MATTER WHAT!

A seminar for stubborn women

Facilitated in English by Dominique Brémond

Why we should never say,  “I’m not a business person.”

Saturday, April 8
2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Sliding scale $5 to $25

Please join our creative, warm, fun and supportive group to explore options and ideas about how to develop a skill, make a career change or improve your existing business.

WINGS! A MENTORING PROGRAM FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO FLY HIGHER

Presented by Dominique Bremond.

Explore your options and ideas about how to develop a skill, make a career change or improve your existing business.
Contact: dominiquebremond@aol.com 

The French Class Meet Up

Learn more French everyday on our two Facebook pages

Qui a dit? Who said? La réponse

«Certains diront que je suis entêtée mais comment ne pas l’être quand on croit à la cause que l’on défend.»
Some will say that I am stubborn, but how not to be, when one believes in the cause one defends.

It was Danielle Mitterrand (1924-2011). She became a member of the French resistance when she was 17. Her sister, who was also part of the French underground movement against the Nazis, introduced her to another young resistant, François Mitterrand, who later became the French President. She married him in 1994 and had three children. She created her own foundation, “France-Libertés,” and was very politically active and fought for human rights and justice in countries such as Cuba, Turkey, Tibet and Israel.

Les réponses :

Trouvez la préposition correcte

1. Jean-Baptiste Poquelin est né à Paris en1622. JBP was born in Paris in 1622.

2. C’était le fils d’un tapissier. He was the son of an upholsterer.

3. Il est allé à l’école chez les Jésuites. He went to a school run by Jesuits.

4. Ensuite, il a fait des études de droit à Orléans. Then, he studied law in Orléans.

5. Il a fondé “L’illustre Théâtre” avec Madeleine Béjart. He founded the L.T. with M.B.

6. Il a pris le nom de Molière en 1644. He took the name Molère in 1644.

7. Il s’est installé dans la Salle du Petit-Bourbon à son retour à Paris. He settled in the P.B. room after he returned to Paris.

8. Il est mort sur scène en jouant Le Malade Imaginaire. He died on stage while playing The Imaginary Invalid.

NEXT 8-WEEK SESSIONS IN 2017

- March 6^th to April 29^th

- May 1^st to June 24^th

- June 26^th to August 19^th

- August 28^th to October 21^st

- October 23^rd to December 16^th

... AND CONVERSATION INTENSIVES
FOR ALL LEVELS

1. All day intensive on Saturday, June 24^th

2. Four-day intensive from August 21^st to August 24^th

3. All day intensive on Saturday, August 26^th 

4. Four-day intensive from December 18^th to December 21^st

FAQS:

- Are the levels offered separately?

Yes. You sign up for the intensive course corresponding to your current level. Levels offered are usually from 1 to 7. We recommend a free assessment of your level before you sign up. Assessments may be provided over the phone or on Skype if you don’t have the time to come to the school.

- Do I have to sign up in advance?

Signing up in advance is highly recommended so we can offer the level and time you want. Groups with fewer than 4 students are canceled 3 days before the intensive. In order to sign up, you need to call, register and give a credit number or remit payment. 

- What do we do during the intensive? 

The intensive courses focus on conversation and oral comprehension, but we also review grammar relevant for each level, practice pronunciation, and introduce a lot of useful vocabulary for every day conversation.

- Do I have to attend the entire intensive?

Not necessarily. If there is space, you may also attend and pay per day.

- What happens if I register and cannot attend? 

We are sorry we cannot offer refunds or credits after the no refund date announced on our web site. We cannot make exceptions to our policy.

French Lessons Online

You moved away?
Please keep in touch, keep speaking French!

• You can continue studying French with us on line with Skype. Learn more about it.
• You may still benefit from reading new quick tips every month. 

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