Absolutely French Paris

Month: July 2019

“In your French school: which languages do your teachers speak?”

“In your French school: which languages do your teachers speak?”

This question related to the way of teaching language has been asked many time, so I would like to respond to it more clearly here.

It’s a real and wide subject, related to the way we teach and learn languages in France and that makes us not good at languages!

These are the lots of preconceived ideas I’m trying to fight :

1 – We learn a new language better with someone who speaks our language: No

To learn French, we need a French trainer who speaks French, that’s all!

Of course, if he has learnt at least one other language, it is an advantage: he has been in a learning situation and therefore, he will understand better the way of teaching language (although this is not enough, I will come back to this in another article).

Language courses must be taught only in the language to learn.

Why ?

– First of all, because every student will take the easy way out (yes, even me). When they knows that the teacher speaks their language, they will systematically use words from this language when they don’t know, to go as simply as possible, instead of trying to find another way to explain themselves with a vocabulary they know : and then familiarize their brain with the language to learn.

– Furthermore, the learner has to hear new sounds over and over again to be able to remember.

– Finally, we have to keep in mind that our adult brains can only do one thing at a time.

Integration center – French training – expat partners

2. I see you coming:
“It’s not possible to set this up when students are beginners.”

Well, how did we learn our mother language? No one was here to translate us. However, we all succeeded (ok, more or less quickly depending on each one).

People showed us pictures, made us repeat words, played with objects, explained that they matched this or that word….

So we can do it, we just have to go step by step, and re-use a lot of the words we’ve already learnt.

Naturally, the first few days are harder: you have to repeat, pronounce, listen a lot, but in a long term period, the efficiency is really better.

There are many positive effects of speaking only the language of instruction to learn:

– This increases the learning process

– The student finally understands through context

– Learners’ pronunciation is better

– They improve their oral and comprehension skills

– With the immersion way : The brain creates a new space for this language and then connects to it each time it is used

Many studies of neurosciences have shown that a language that is only taught in this language can be retained better and the brain develops a new space for it, in the Broca area, which is the part of the mind that is dedicated to languages.

And softwares such as Rosetta Stone, which use images and signs to explain and teach languages, also prove it.

3 – We can still translate just some words into their language to help them: NO

Contrary to what we might think, “translating” does not help learners,

but facilitates the work of teachers: no need to explain again.

If we explain the rules of the game at the beginning, that there will be no translation or explanation in their language, the learners fully understand and adapt.

– When we remove the translation from our learning system, we are learning to think in this language directly and this way of teaching language is much more efficient.

That’s why, you can ban all applications to learn a language, which translate, all videos with the subtitle in your language…

– Moreover, translation has its limits, it never goes as fast as thinking directly in the desired language (even if it takes a little time, and patience to get there).

– It’s called immersion, and nothing better has been done to teach foreign languages.

You may have lived abroad and experienced this way of teaching language ? If so, you have surely seen the difference in your learning, haven’t you?

4 – And to explain the grammar, can we still use another language? NO

Well, there’s no point in learning grammar until you’ve practiced at least 100 hours of speaking, listening…

Grammar can reassure (many) students, but it is mainly by talking that we memorize,

by learning and using complete sentences.

Once you’ve practiced 100 hours, you have all the vocabulary you need to explain grammar.

So let’s forget the grammar hours and practice!

And to practice, let us never forget that there is one thing that is essential for learners to dare : kindness!

Armelle Perben

Founder, Expatriate’s Spouse and Executive Director of Absolutely French

www.absolutely-french.eu

Armelle defends the double career in expatriation,

for the happiness of the expatriate,

and the career of the expatriates’ partners,

because they are also talents !

Absolutely French is the first French school ?? dedicated only to expat spouses.
Our main mission is to promote double career among expatriate couples.

With our fun, friendly and innovative French trainings, we guarantee you a better integration! ❤️

You want to learn with us?
You want to register an expat partner?

Contact us!
E-mail: contact@absolutely-french.eu
Tel: 01 83 73 98 49
Address: 4, rue Faraday 75017 Paris

Read other articles :

5 (excellent) reasons to learn French!

Why learning by doing ?

10 key points to learn French and improve quickly

Find us there :

19 July 2019
Is speaking the language sufficient to integrate yourself into a new country?

Is speaking the language sufficient to integrate yourself into a new country?

Settling in a foreign country is not always easy concerning language and integration for expatriates.

In addition to moving in and paperwork, one of the major problems is integration. Any immigrant or expatriate may face a cultural and social gap.

So how do you understand your new identity? We often think that language learning is associated with integration. However, it turns out that it is not always enough.

Understanding the culture

First, of course, the language of a country helps to understand and discover its culture. However, this is only the start. The culture of a country includes its inhabitants, its history, its historical works and monuments and of course its customs. Unfortunately, this is not transmitted through the language itself. An expatriate needs to learn traditions, habits, know-how… in order to integrate as well as possible.

Language is, of course, a vector of integration, but it must be associated with all these key elements to be even more useful.

Building up your network

Secondly, it is indeed good to learn the language of one’s host country, but what is the point of learning a language if one does not have the opportunity to use it with others? Integration in a new country also means creating a new network, opening up new relations. The wealth of a country is most often seen in what its inhabitants can bring to us. That’s why, thanks to others, we integrate better and faster, whether they are local or expatriates.

Understanding this new environnement

Finally, comes a more practical question: the discovery of its environment and existing services useful to everyday life (association, town hall, La Poste…).

An expatriate is faced with all kinds of administrative formalities, both when they arrive and during their life in their new country. It is therefore important to help him understand them. The language allows us to understand the content of the various documents. However, the functioning of systems can sometimes remain unclear. Whether we are talking about the various types of social assistance or medical assistance, we need to know what we can expect and how to access it.

At Absolutely French, we have made all these key elements the starting points of our trainings. In addition to training in the French language, expatriates have the opportunity to acquire, through games, fun courses, track games in their new city, all that there is to know about the French way of life.

Now you know more about language and integration for expatriates!

(more…)

19 July 2019
Expatriation : still a men’s business

Men in Expatriation : still a men’s business

In my previous article (Partners of Expatriates: These Lost Talents), I mentioned a significant number :

92% of accompanying partners are women. In other words, in only 8% of cases of expatriation, it is the man who follows his wife abroad.

When one has to choose between the career of one or the other, it is often the career of the man who prevails.

Between social codes and stereotypes, we will discuss a thought-provoking subject: male/female parity in expatriation.

Disparity for men/women : some key data

In most cases, during an expatriation where men are following their partner, the latter will find better positions when they follow their spouse, than the women following their husbands

Men find a full-time position in 83% of cases, , compared to 52% for women

The position found by men is consistent with their previous position, in 64% of cases, compared to 54% for women

To find a job, 11% of men receive help from the expatriate company, compared to 4.5% of women.

What are the causes of these inequalities ?

Although women account for half of the labour force, disparities in expatriation remain. Taboos still rooted in the minds of women, of their partners but also in the minds of recruiters, caused the latter .

Inequality of opportunity is the only consequence of these pre-established ideas.

The predominance of man’s career

As we have seen, more women are sacrificing themselves and their careers for the benefit of their partner and family life. But this is very often imposed by company codes :

Man’s career is seen as more important, especially because their pay is higher

Codes and habits want the man to work and support the household

It is socially more difficult for a man to be “house husband” and inactive, but much more logical and acceptable that this is the role of the woman

It is therefore difficult for a man to agree to push the traditional social norm of the family

Women put up barriers themselves

In the 40/45 age group, this is where the least number of male expatriate companions is found. This is the moment when a man’s career is at its peak. But this is not also the case for women. However, they self-censor:

Women refrain from applying to jobs and tend to think that it is not their role to go on an expatriation on the one hand and on the other to accept that their husband sets aside their own career

Compared to their male colleagues, they also feel that they will have no chance of being selected,

They feel pressure and fear that they will not be able to reconcile career, family life and expatriation

In many countries, they suffer from the weight of traditions and the impact of motherhood

Related to mobility, women are reluctant to be the cause of the change for their family,

They fear that they will have to be the sole financial support of the household.

Inequality rooted in international business mobility policies.

For the same position, businesses will tend to favour a man over a woman.

Businesses favour men because women are “perceived” as being less pro-active in terms of expatriation.

Because of how society is shaped, the mobility teams think that men will see fewer constraints to disrupt daily life and family life in order to leave for expatriation.

Recruiter’s stereotypes : men ready for expatriation

Recruiters feel that women will not want to leave because they are more reasonable and less ambitious than men.

Recruiters also consider female expatriation to be more risky, as women would could have “more difficulty” adapting to their new environment, to be accepted by collaborators in the host country.

Taking into account the customs and traditions of the host country, HRDs will be more reluctant to send a woman to Muslim countries in Africa or the Middle East.

Stimulated by some companies that show the example, expatriation for women certainly evolves. But it is still up to companies to put in place a favourable framework for expatriation allowing women to reconcile family life and international careers.

Since women are more concerned about their partners’ careers, businesses must take into account the problem of dual careers and support expat partners in the process of adaptation and job search.

It is also up to women themselves to become aware of their value and to all to remove clichés and presuppositions.

Armelle Perben

Dirigeante Absolutely French

www.absolutely-french.eu

armelle@absolutely-french.eu

Sources :

**par Expat Communication et la Caisse des Français à l’Étranger (CFE)

https://www.lenouveleconomiste.fr/lesdossiers/lexpatriation-au-feminin-14534/

https://www.femmexpat.com/expatriation/vie-familiale-sociale/le-couple-et-lexpatriation/expatriation-cliches-de-genre/

https://www.expatcommunication.com/impact-de-lexpatriation-couple-double-carriere/

https://lepetitjournal.com/expat-pratique/famille/expat-quand-le-conjoint-suiveur-est-un-homme-22210

http://madame.lefigaro.fr/societe/carriere-mari-expatriation-couple-travail-020316-113105

Retrouvez Absolutely French sur :

16 July 2019
5 million expatriate women worldwide : expat partners

5 million women followed their partner in expatriation

8 million companies send expatriates abroad

Only 25% are expatriate women (overall figure, 8% of French expatriates!)

Still too few expatriate women

The majority of expatriate women living abroad are partners of expatriates, and only 20% of them will have the chance to find a job, knowing that it rarely matches their level of education.

To all these wonderful women who ensure the daily, make sure that their husband can work in the best conditions, that their children are well integrated in their new country and often think of themselves last, I say bravo!

And I ask myself: how is it that these women are not recognized by the company that sends them abroad?

How is it that no one asks them for their opinion on their departure in expatriation?

That no one welcomes them in their new country?

That they are not valued by the company for the determining role they have during the expatriation?

Because without them (and men partner too, of course), no expatriation can ever succeed !

Integrating expat partners :

Which companies today take into account the integration of expat partners ?

(No, not language classes … it is not enough)

Which offers them a real service so that they can also have a double career ? A real accompaniment just for them.

I know some companies but they can still be counted on the fingers of a hand.

The war of talents

So to move things forward, here are some numbers : Talent Wars are already underway:

36% of employers worldwide face recruitment difficulties and

54% of employers say this recruitment difficulty directly affects the quality of service of clients. *

And this talent war is already global.

Companies that have understood that the expatriate will no longer leave if his partner is not well accompanied,

will have the best foreign talents.

Not to mention that if they are smart (and they already are!), they will also be able to recruit the partner who is himself a talent!

* the expat partner is here voluntarily feminized,

sorry to all the wonderful men I know, who are or have been expat partners.

Without you, equality between men and women would not advance!

Thank you !

Comment attirer des talents étrangers? Pensez à leur conjoint.

*Sources Expat Communication – HSBC – Bersin by Deloitte

Absolutely French is the first French school ?? dedicated only to expat spouses.
Our main mission is to promote double career among expatriate couples.

With our fun, friendly and innovative French trainings, we guarantee you a better integration! ❤️

You want to learn with us?
You want to register an expat partner?

Contact us!
E-mail: contact@absolutely-french.eu
Tel: 01 83 73 98 49
Address: 4, rue Faraday 75017 Paris

A lire aussi : https://absolutely-french.eu/les-conjoints-dexpatries-ces-talents-perdus/

Ou : L’expatriation encore une affaire d’hommes!

15 July 2019
How to authenticate your documents

How to anthenticate your documents?

When you arrive in France, the French authorities can ask you to “authenticate your documents” in order to prove that your documents are real documents.

This may be to drive in France, to find a job or to start a training.

Here we explain how to authenticate your documents.

Let’s start with the driver’s licence.

Authenticate your driver’s licence

When changing a foreign (non-European) driver’s licence to a French one;
you will submit your request to the French Prefecture.

The latter will then ask the issuing country for the authenticity of the document, to be sure of the validity of the document (and to be convinced that it is not a forgery).

She then asks for a certificate of authenticity.

To speed up the process, it is always better for you to provide this certificate.

Where can we find this document?

Normally, it is the administrative entity in your country that gave you your licence that must provide it to you.
If you go there with your licence in your pocket, this document can be done directly on their website, it is faster.

To obtain it, you often have to bring in: your passport with the French visa (the visa is not necessarily necessary) + a photocopy of your permit + 2 photos.

Some countries offer this service online.

The other option if you cannot go to your country is to ask your consulate or embassy. Depending on your country, they can either authenticate the licence themselves or apply for it.
The delay may be longer.

How much does it cost ?

Generally, this service is free, but depending on the country it can be charged.

Authentificate – Legalise a diploma

For your diploma obtained abroad, according to the agreements concluded between your country and France,

you will need (or not) to have it authenticated.

Where to find this information?

At your embassy in France, by calling them directly or on their website.

Where do I get it authenticated?

If you need to have your diploma authenticated, know that the legalization of the diploma requires an official stamp.

The embassy or consulate can do that.

For example, an Indian act may have been legalized at the French embassy in Chennai.

That is why it is always better to have these documents authenticated before leaving.

Qu’est ce qu’un justificatif de domicile?

How to find a job in France as an expat partner : 5 key points

Legalise other documents :

letter of recommendation, certificate of accommodation

It is the same procedure as for the diploma, it is done at the French embassy located in your country.

Be careful : very important !

To be legalized, a document must be written in French.

For you, your document is surely written in your language, so you must have this document translated by a “qualified” translator.

You have here the list of sworn translators for Paris, Page 289, these translators are classified by the translated language.

This translation must be done before proceeding with legalization/authentication.

What is a Justificatif de domicile?

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12 July 2019
Top 5 french grammar books

5 grammar books we recommend to learn french

Whether you are beginners, intermediate or experienced, here are 5 books of French grammar to learn or improve your grammar, recommended by our FLE teachers.

Grammaire essentielle du FLE with Didier

Various books of different levels (A1, A2, B1, B2)

To work with personalised content, adapted to your level,

For teenagers and adults.

I found this book very complete, with a large choice of written and oral exercises

We love : each theme relies on 3 different steps :

observation, reflection and memorisation

Key advantage : numerous distributors in France and abroad, ideal to prepare yourself well before your arrival!

Digital resources are also available as well as a comparative grammar.

You can consult the book on their website : Voir le livre

Prix : 20.90€

©centpourcentfle

Progressive grammar of the FLE with Clé International

For beginners : A1 book

For intermediate learners: A2 to B2 books

Progressive learning

We love : being able to practice exercices while having the book in front of you to acknowledge all the grammar rules

The avantage : adapted to take language certificates

To have a look at the book : Click here

Price : 23.90€

©issus.com

Classic grammar learning with PUG

2 books, 2 levels : beginner (A1,A2) and advanced (B1, B2)

Work on your oral and written skills

We love : the summary sheets to remember what you have learned

The avantage : uses analytical skills and develops your perceptions to learn

To have a look at the book : Click here

Price : 20.50€

©pug.fr

The exerciser with PUG

600 exercices of grammar, 24 chapters.

For advanced learners.

We love : the information is synthetic : we are not lost in loads of data

The avantage : relies on numerous documents

(articles, publicity, photographies, drawings, statistics)

to become familiar with a wide variety of resources.

An index for exercices which allows you to spot de difficulty of each grammar rule.

To have a look at the books : click here

Price : 21.60€

Possibility to buy another chapter.

©pug.fr

Bled grammar with hachette

80 lessons, more than 350 exercices with correction.

An easy format which is adapted for children and adults.

Offers a great amount of grammar rules and verbs

To be capable of speaking and writing in any situation.

We love : The very detailed exercises and lessons

The advantage : very useful book

Price : 12.90€ (less expensive than other grammar books)

To have a look at the book : click here

@bled.hachette-education

Absolutely French is the first French school ?? dedicated only to expat spouses.
Our main mission is to promote double career among expatriate couples.

With our fun, friendly and innovative French trainings, we guarantee you a better integration! ❤️

You want to learn with us?
You want to register an expat partner?

Contact us!
E-mail: contact@absolutely-french.eu
Tel: 01 83 73 98 49
Address: 4, rue Faraday 75017 Paris

Did you like this article? You can also read :

Bien se tenir à table : 10 règles de savoir-vivre indispensables

10 points clés pour bien apprendre le français et progresser plus vite

Follow Absolutely French on :

11 July 2019
5 free applications to learn french

5 applications to learn french

We tested several applications to learn french, here is our top 5 !

Quizlet :

Games, games, games, we love it !



Application that allows you to train and helps you to memorize the language. Possibility to create your own lists according to your desires and needs among millions already created.

Possibility to listen to texts with perfect pronunciation in 18 languages.

– We like : listening to the pronunciation of words

– We don’t like : lack of freedom to edit the cards

To discover Quizlet, it’s there !

Duolingo :

Form sentences quickly

Short and fun lessons, adapted to a larger number. Fast progression. Basic vocabulary, instant correction. Several languages available. Good for children.

– We like : the possibility to switch to an “intensive” mode

– We don’t like : quite basic vocabulary, the use of two languages, only the language taught should be used.

Duolingo

Flashcards avec CRAM:

Being the main player in your learning process

Make your own vocabulary sheets according to your needs, illustrate your vocabulary as you wish.

Possibility to take already done cards.

Possibility to share your cards with other people.

Learning via new cards but also revisions via old ones already learned so as not to forget what you are learning.

22 languages available.

– We like : visuals helping you to memorize, being able to listen to what you write in the language chooses!

– We don’t like : the obligation to pay to access the entire application

Cram is a great tool to develop your vocabulary, using what already exists, or

by creating their own maps with their definition: in French, of course ?!

Orthographe avec DigiSchool :

Progress at your pace with 4 levels of difficulty



Spelling with DigiSchool offers fun and interactive exercises, adapted to the level of the learner. Reviews with intuitive and easy cards and the possibility to test your knowledge to evaluate yourself

– We like : large amount of exercises

– We don’t like : the obligation to pay to access the entire application

Memrise :

Work on your vocabulary according to your level and become autonomous quickly



Their mission? Make learning fun.

A wide choice of interactive games available even without Internet connection.

Works by setting goals to evolve at everyone’s pace. Focused on useful vocabulary on a daily basis.

Their goal is to make you learn the language and to make students able to conduct a conversation quickly. International team for accompaniment.

22 languages available.

– We like : mots practical and useful words for your everyday life

– We don’t like : the obligation to pay to access the entire application

Try our application !

Absolutely French :

Learn every single day with great visuals and interactive games !

Learn a new French word every day.

Play : watch, listen, contextualize, pronounce, use it in à sentence and write this new word to memorize better.

Review all words at the end of the week, one week, one theme.

Beginners level.

Improve your vocabulary faster with Absolutely French !

Our application allows you to test yourself and learn differently !

The very positive aspect of our app : you have a free access to all the content we offer.

Absolutely French IOS

Absolutely French Android

You liked this article ? You can also read :

Bien se tenir à table : 10 règles de savoir-vivre indispensables

10 points clés pour bien apprendre le français et progresser plus vite

Find Absolutely French on :



10 July 2019
Mes jardins préférés à Paris – Linh

Mes jardins préférés à Paris

Un article écrit par Linh

Paris est une ville de parcs. Il y a beaucoup de jardins partout, des petits parcs, des grands parcs,
des jardins, des bois et même des parcs dans les parcs.

Je vis dans le 16^èmearrondissement. Il y a des parcs à proximité de ma maison :
un de mes jardins préférés à Paris est le jardin du Ranelagh. Il a été créé en 1860 par le Baron Haussmann.

Il a un grand terrain de jeux pour les enfants.

Après l’école, beaucoup d’enfants viennent ici.

En week-end il y a aussi un service d’équitation pour les enfants.

Il y a souvent des spectacles de marionnettes, de guignols. Il y aussi des manèges et des balançoires.

Le parc ferme à 20h30 et ouvre aux alentours de 10h.

Vous pouvez prendre le métro ou le bus pour aller à ce jardin. La station de métro est “Ranelagh”.

“Je peux rester là toute la journée.”

Le parc suivant que je veux présenter est le Parc Monceau. C’est un parc très célèbre à Paris.
Il date du 17^èmesiècle et se trouve dans le 8^èmearrondissement, entre l’Arc de Triomphe et la gare Saint Lazare.

Le Parc Monceau est grand, il y a un terrain pour les enfants et une grande pelouse pour pique-niquer en famille.
Il y a aussi beaucoup de constructions : des temples, un château, un moulin, une pyramide…

Le parc est très beau. Claude Monnet a peint beaucoup de ses tableaux ici.

J’adore aller au parc Monceau avec une baguette de pain et un livre, je peux rester là toute la journée.

J’y vais aussi bien seule qu’avec mon mari et mon enfant. Cet endroit est très apaisant et joli.

Et puis j’aime aussi : Le parc des Buttes-Chaumont, pour son relief, la petite rivière (les enfants adorent!) et les restaurants qui sont à l’intérieur.

Absolutely French est la première école de français ?? dédiée uniquement aux conjoints d’expatriés.

Notre mission principale est de favoriser la double carrière chez les couples expatriés.

Avec nos formations de français, ludiques, conviviales et innovantes, nous vous garantissons une intégration réussie !

Vous voulez apprendre avec nous ? Inscrire un conjoint d’expatrié ?

Contactez-nous !

E-mail : contact@absolutely-french.eu

Tel : 01 83 73 98 49

Addresse : 4, rue Faraday 75017 Paris

A lire aussi :

Parler une langue suffit-il à l’intégration dans un nouveau pays ?
Gestion des Expatriés : 4 Points Clés

Retrouvez Absolutely French sur :

4 July 2019