Immersion
Today is all about keeping up with current French culture. We will also be recapping some of the other points we have learned today, like introductions and articles.
“Amélie (Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain)”
One of the most well-known French films in contemporary cinema, this film is about the whimsical adventures of a young woman who decides to change the world by discretely helping those around her. Quirky and whimsical, the film is a great introduction to French culture and some slang terms. There are also a lot of introductions going on, which is a nice perk. Its pacing is quick, but most of the dialog is crisp and clear, especially the narration.
Emilie Simon
Drawing comparisons from Bjork and Kate Bush, this French singer, songwriter, and composer is an avant-garde marvel. Her down-tempo style is great for relaxation, and her voice is as crisp and clear as can be. She has won a multitude of awards, has been featured in numerous films, and sings in English as well as her native French. She was even tasked with the honor of creating the soundtrack for the French version of March of the Penguins, so her relevance in the modern French music scene is apparent. She is known for songs like “Desert,” “Jetaimejetaimejetaime,” and her newest single, “Menteur.”
Faire Une Recette: Make a Recipe
Cooking can be a genuinely fun way to learn a language, so why not try your hand at a French recipe…in French! This is an excellent way to continue working on those articles we have been learning today. You will also be gaining some great food vocabulary as well.
Sites like Marmiton or Elle à Table give you the opportunity to find thousands of recipes with the click of a mouse. Of course, these recipes will be using the metric system of measurement, so it is worth it to get friendly with a conversion website as well. Grams and milliliters will quickly become familiar with a little practice. Remember: volume and weight are not the same for every ingredient, so 100 grams of flour and 100 grams of sugar will have very different volume measures in cups.
In order to get the most out of this activity, you will need to whip out your French dictionary. Try to use it as much as possible to translate words you do not know (this is your second day, so that means most of them!), and be sure to write down the translated words you learn for reference. The act of actually searching for a word in a physical dictionary makes it stick so much better than the instant gratification of translation software, so try not to cheat on this one.
A few ingredients common to French grocery stores are quite difficult to track down elsewhere. Recipes that call for “fromage blanc” or “fromage frais” can usually be made with either Greek yogurt or sour cream. “Feuilles de brick” (thin sheets of dough) can easily be replaced by using phyllo dough.
Especially since cuisine is such an integral part of French life, this exercise is just as much a cultural lesson as it is one of grammar and vocabulary. If you are looking for some quintessentially French dishes to try, search for some of the following:
Main Dishes:
Listen to Track 32
- Coq au Vin
- Croque-Monsieur
- Quiche
- Ratatouille
- Bœuf Bourguignon
- Cassoulet
- Moules Frites
- Soupe à l’Oignon
- Enter your text here...
Desserts:
Listen to Track 33
- Madeleines
- Crème brûlée
- Crêpes
- Profiteroles
- Mousse au Chocolat
- Éclair
- Mille Feuilles
- Tarte Tatin
Note: Instructions for French recipes are almost always written in the infinitive, or base, verb form. It is a nice little introduction to some French verbs and the terms used in French cooking.
Now, put on your un tablier (apron) and enjoy!