Student Quote of the Month

"I made so much progress in just a couple of months!”

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

A very big heartfelt MERCI to our very generous sponsors who made our annual party and raffle possible. Thank you to Absinthe Brasserie & Bar, Bisou Bistronomy, Bistro Central Park, Boisset Wines, Boudin Bakery, Buena Vista Winery, Café de la Presse, Calmart Store, Chrissa Imports, Fabrique Délices, Fillmore Bake Shop, Fringale Restaurant, France-Amérique Magazine, Jeanne d’Arc Restaurant, La Folie Restaurant, Martine’s Wines, Mathilde Restaurant, Safeway Stores, San Francisco Wine Trading Company, Sweet Things Bakery, Trader Joe’s Stores and Zuni Café.

Dites-le parfaitement / Say it perfectly

J’ai envie d’aller au cinéma.
I feel like going to the movies.

FRENCH VIGNETTE:
FRANCE IN THE MID 50s

Imagine that about 10 years ago, a foreign army was occupying California, terrorizing the population, arresting people randomly, subjecting them to torture and deportation. Imagine that only 10 short years ago, you were waiting in line with your food vouchers hoping to get bread, sugar and flour. Meat was out of the question unless you had money and connections. You saw the dark side of people when your neighbors denounced other neighbors then looted their apartments. Now, 10 years later, you’re having a child while your country is trying to rebuild itself and leave the past behind. Although this child never experienced the war, it is safe to say that her life would be shaped by the memories of it. This child was me. I was born in France roughly 10 years after the end of the Second World War. I grew up well fed, happy and fortunate. My parents were quick to improve their lives and became successful. They were the “lucky” survivors. They experienced food deprivation, but neither starvation, arrest, nor deportation. Yet, I grew up learning that you eat what’s on your plate, you don’t waste food and you always finish your bread because being fed is a privilege. When you are bored, you go play with your friends and invent games. It is your responsibility to take care of your younger siblings and you must get a higher education because education is the only thing no one can take from you. I wouldn’t be surprised if many French people born in the mid-50s and after recognize themselves in this description.
 

FRENCH TRANSLATION:
LA FRANCE AU MILIEU DES ANNEES 50

Imaginez qu’il y a environ 10 ans, une armée étrangère occupait la Californie, terrorisant la population, arrêtant les gens au hasard, les soumettant à la torture et à la déportation. Imaginez qu’il y a seulement 10 ans, vous faisiez la queue avec vos tickets d’alimentation espérant recevoir du pain, du sucre et de la farine. Il était hors de question d’avoir de la viande à moins que vous n’ayez de l’argent et des connexions. Vous avez vu l’aspect le plus sinistre de l’humanité quand vos voisins ont dénoncé d’autres voisins puis dévalisé leur appartement. Maintenant,10 ans plus tard, vous avez un enfant, tandis que votre pays est en train de se reconstruire et de mettre le passé derrière lui. Bien que cet enfant n’ait jamais connu la guerre, on peut dire avec une quasi certitude que sa vie serait marquée par les souvenirs de celle-ci. Cet enfant, c’était moi. Je suis née environ 10 ans après la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. J’ai grandi bien nourrie, heureuse et chanceuse. Mes parents ont rapidement amélioré leur existence et ont réussi professionnellement. Ils faisaient parti des survivants qui ont eu “de la chance.” Ils ont connu le manque de nourriture mais pas la famine, les arrestations ni les déportations. Pourtant, j’ai grandi en apprenant que l’on doit manger ce qui est dans son assiette, ne pas gaspiller la nourriture et toujours finir son pain car être nourri est un privilège. Quand on s’ennuie, on va jouer avec ses amis et on invente des jeux. On doit s’occuper de ses frères et soeurs et on doit aller à l’université car l’éducation est la seule chose que personne ne peut vous prendre. Je ne serais pas surprise si beaucoup de Français nés au milieu des années 50 ou après se reconnaissaient dans cette description.

Qui a dit? Who said?

«L’obéissance à un homme dont l’autorité n’est pas illuminée de légitimité, c’est un cauchemar.»

Obedience to a man whose authority is not enlightened by legitimacy, this is a nightmare.
 

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

Scroll down to see the answer.

VICTOR HUGO

Presented in French by Laurence Delahaye
$20

This presentation will be offered three times:

Wednesday, February 1, from 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Thursday, February 2, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 4, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Discover one of the most influential figures of the 19^th century and how the world famous writer played an important role in French politics. Photographs and texts will show not only the public persona, but also the son, the husband, the father and ...the lover. 

Best for levels 5 to 8. Open to French native speakers. 
Please sign up at the front desk or call in advance (415) 362-3666.

INTERCULTURAL CHALLENGES
USA - FRANCE

Presented in French by Norbert Blanchard
$20

This presentation will be offered three times:

Tuesday, March 14, from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m.

Thursday, March 16, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 18, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Explore the fundamentals of our “mental engineering” and its cultural dimensions. Based on these principles, we will look at some differences in behavior between American and French people in the workplace through case studies, personal experiences and videos. Best for levels 5 to 8. Open to French native speakers.
Please sign up at the front desk or call in advance (415) 362-3666.

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED 
PRONUNCIATION INTENSIVE

For Intermediate to Advanced levels.
Presented by Dominique Brémond.

SATURDAY, March 25
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
$99 includes book, wine and cheese.

A unique approach to French pronunciation. This workshop will change your understanding of French sounds forever and will definitely improve your pronunciation and subsequently, your comprehension. 

Levels 2 to 3 may take the first 2 hours of the course for $50, if space is available. 

Levels 4 and 5 may take the entire course upon level assessment.

This intensive gets full very quickly. This is a great seminar to repeat if you have previously attended. Please call us at 415.362.3666 with a credit card number to save a seat. 

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. Elle agit toujours _______ prudence.

2. Elle a agi _______ réfléchir.

3. Il n’a pas toujours agi _______ pensant aux conséquences de ses actions.

4. J’ai agi _______ j’ai pensé approprié de le faire.

5. Je n’ai pas agi ______ cette façon _______ obtenir des faveurs.

6. Ils ont agi _______ bonne foi.

7. Il s’agit _______ l’histoire d’une femme au début du siècle.

8. Il ne s’agit pas _______ le contredire!

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.

A FRENCH LANGUAGE TIC
YOU NEED TO KNOW

It is very recent, since 2015 at the most, and affects mostly young French people in their 20s. It is the constant use of the expression “du coup,” meaning “as a result.” This new expression has become so popular that it now can be heard over 10 times during a very short conversation. Here is an example:

Des amis sont passés chez moi alors du coup on a ouvert une bouteille de vin. C’était vraiment sympa. Du coup on a parlé de nos vacances et du coup Sophie nous a montré ses photos. Alors du coup, j’ai aussi sorti les miennes. Some friends stopped by my house, so as a result we opened a bottle of wine. It was really nice. As a result we talked about our vacation and as a result Sophie showed us her photos. So as a result I also pulled out mine.

No kidding!

User discretion is advised!

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: 

Ça ne me fait rien.
I don’t mind.

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

Ça m’est égal.
I don’t care.

C’était rapide.
It was quick.

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 que je mette mes lunettes.
I have to put on my glasses.

J’aimerais bien qu’il fasse beau.
I’d really like it if the weather was nice.

Il faudrait qu’on se voie plus souvent.
We should see each other more often.

Pourvu que l’avion ne soit pas en retard.
I really hope that the plane won’t be late.

Je suis content(e) que tu aies pu passer quelques jours avec nous.
I’m happy you could spend a few days with us.

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’adore parler français.
I love to speak French.

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 28 people. Very convenient downtown location. 

FORWARD, NO MATTER WHAT!

A seminar for stubborn women

Facilitated in English by Dominique Brémond

Saturday, February 25
1:00 p.m. to 2:30 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

«L’obéissance à un homme dont l’autorité n’est pas illuminée de légitimité, c’est un cauchemar.»

It is Simone Veil, French lawyer and politician born in Nice, former Minister of Justice and Minister of Health, President of the European Parliament and member of the Constitutional Council of France. Simone Veil is now 89 years old. She was deported and survived the concentration camps.

Les réponses :

Trouvez la préposition correcte

1. Elle agit toujours avec prudence. She always acts carefully.

2. Elle a agi sans réfléchir. She acted without thinking.

3. Il n’a pas toujours agi en pensant aux conséquences de ses actions. He hasn’t always behaved as if he was thinking about the consequences of his actions.

4. J’ai agi comme j’ai pensé approprié de le faire. I acted as I thought was appropriate.

5. Je n’ai pas agi de cette façon pour obtenir des faveurs. I didn’t act this way to gain favors.

6. Ils ont agi de bonne foi. They acted in good faith.

7. Il s’agit de l’histoire d’une femme au début du siècle. It’s about the story of a woman at the beginning of the century.

8. Il ne s’agit pas de le contredire! Don’t try to contradict him!

We are offering:
SIX 8-WEEK SESSIONS IN 2017

1. January 9^th to March 4^th

2. March 6^th to April 29^th

3. May 1^st to June 24^th

4. June 26^th to August 19^th

5. August 28^th to October 21^st

6. October 23^rd to December 16^th

... AND CONVERSATION INTENSIVES
FOR ALL LEVELS

1. Three-day intensive from January 3^rd to January 5^th

2. All day intensive on Saturday, April 1^st

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

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

5. All day intensive on Saturday, August 26th

6. Four-day intensive from December 18th 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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