j'escargote

bonjour tout le monde!
I'm running a little slowly today, but I did have time to check out 10 suggestions for new French words.  They run the gamut of topics, but I like the #1 suggestion: escargoter, which means to take your time over something.  Just imagine yourself in a restaurant in Paris, as you escargotez over dinner with that last digestif. Or you could escargote over that wonderful novel that you're reading.
Check out all of the wonderful ideas here: http://www.thelocal.fr/galleries/culture/new-french-words-that-might-join-the-dictionary-
If you have any ideas of French words that you would like to see in the dictionary, write them in the comments!

Learning another langugage

Bonjour tout le monde!
I had another blog post in mind, but found this on my Facebook this morning.  I went to the site, and loved what I read.  It doesn't matter which language you're interested in, check this out.  What I found the most interesting is the idea that once you're an adult, you can't learn like a child anymore.  Of course we can't, because we usually need more information, and how to sound literate in a shorter amount of time.  I also loved the idea of learning as much vocabulary as possible, because the more you have to work with, the more you can say.  Here is the original post: http://www.forbes.com/2010/07/27/learn-second-language-lifestyle-travel-study_slide.html
So, what to do if you want to start or continue another language?  Look online; there are podcasts (if you like to listen), plus all sorts of things to watch, and you can even listen in "easy French" on www.rfi.fr
And after all that, you're ready to have conversation classes with me, and then go with me to France!

Helpful websites:
www.france24.fr Think CNN in French.  There is also an English version website.
www.france2.fr  This website has all sorts of things to watch and do; the news from France, Belgium and Switzerland (at different times) plus you can watch various shows which are shown on French television.  France 2 is a television station, and you can go from there to other things and sites.
www.nrj.fr A popular French radio station.  Although the music is pretty much international, it's fun to listen to what they are talking about. And you can keep up with what's happening!
www.1jour1actu.com  This is a website for younger French kids, but I always find it useful in a cultural way, especially when they talk about French stuff, like politics.  I found out an awful lot that way.  Now you have to register, but it's free, and fun.
www.lemonde.fr and www.lefigaro.fr Two French newspapers - the level of vocabulary is higher, but often fun to read.

Not interested in French?  Google your language, and see what is out there for you!

What do I want to do when I grow up?

Bonjour tout le monde!
I still have several blog posts remaining from my trip to France and Italy, but today I'm talking about, well, me.  As many of you know, I left my teaching job of 32 years in June, 2012.  Of course during the summer, when we are supposed to be off, nothing is different.  I went out to lunch with friends, stayed up and got up late, went to Tahoe with my husband.
Then the first day of school came around. I woke up in a panicked sweat, wondering what on earth was I going to do?  People always have ideas; be a substitute, teach online, tutor, give conversation classes.  That was OK, but I was still a little depressed.
I did apply to be a substitute, but still haven't heard from the company.  Same thing with the independent teacher hunter company.  But still, a girl has to earn a living, right?  I signed up with a tutoring company and I got a nibble!  Then another one!  Suddenly, I was working almost every weekday.  Then when the school year ended it all went back to nothing.
I went to France and Italy with friends on a tour that I organized.  We had so much fun, and I learned all about life on an adult tour (who knew?  It was awesome!).  And I am working as an independent proofreading contractor - I had no idea that grammar could be so much fun.
So...things are slowly looking up.  When school resumes, I should have my students back, and perhaps more.  I need to figure out how to continue being a proofreader (in English, by the way; French works, too) or translator; and if you need French lessons, I'm your gal!
I am so blessed to have wonderful friends and family.  My next post will not be so sentimental but hopefully equally interesting.

And just in case, I sign off
Jacki Williams-Jones
Executive Language Coach -specializing in French and English lessons, grammar and proofreading.
Spread the word!

French and Stanford in one post!

Many of you know that La Croque Madame is a Stanford sports nut.  Therefore I was very happy when Stanford beat USC in football 21-14.  People thought that since we no longer had Andrew Luck as our quarterback, that we were done.  But the Cardinal has a new quarterback, Josh Nunes.  He was interviewed on ESPN for a segment that aired this morning.  Besides being a cool quarterback, it turns out that Josh took 3 years of French in high school, and that he was asked a question in French. Josh answered in French; pretty good French, too.
So, French is for diplomats, science geeks AND American football  players.  Ouais!
Click here to see the video.