Experience Language: Experience Life!
Newsletter - March 2007

Bonjour and welcome to our March newsletter. Bonne lecture!

In this issue:

Tips for Learning French.
Les Clopes Dehors!
Edith Piaf - La Môme.
French Accents on the Computer.

Tips for Learning French

Learning a foreign language takes time and commitment. Here are a few tips for learning French:

Try to immerse yourself in the language.
Be patient with yourself.
Don't worry about making mistakes.
Think about how you learn best.
Do a little every day.
Read.
Have fun and enjoy it!

Click here to read our full article on tips for learning French.

For a full immersion in the language you could experience learning French in France. Visit our website for details of our courses and locations at:

http://www.experiencelanguage.co.uk

Les Clopes Dehors!

Incroyable, mais vrai! The French have finally banned smoking in public places. Since the beginning of February 2007, it is no longer allowed to 'fumer une clope' in airports, railway stations, hospitals, schools, shops and offices. If you are caught 'une clope au bec', you will be fined 68 Euros. Restaurants and bars have a little longer before the ban takes effect, until the end of December 2007.

Click here for a list of smoking bans.

Edith Piaf - La Môme

A biographical film about Edith Piaf (ay-deet pee-aff) was released last month in France. Edith Piaf, despite her short life, was and still is an iconic figure in France. Her songs "La Vie en Rose", "Je ne Regrette rien" and "Milord" became famous all over the world.

The film will be released in the UK in June as "La Vie en Rose". Marion Cottillard, who you may know from 'Taxi' and 'A Very Long Engagement' plays Edith. Gerard Depardieu plays Louis Leplée, the man who discovered Edith and gave her the nickname, 'La Môme' (the sparrow kid). The reviews are good. A must see film!

Click here to read about Edith Piaf's tumultuous life.

Click here for extracts of "La Môme".

French Accents on the Computer

Not only is it a little tricky to remember which accent goes where but then you also have to work out how to type them in! One relatively easy way is to use the ALT codes. All you have to do is hold the ALT key and type a 3 digit code. Once you release the ALT key the character appears:

ALT + 133 = à.
ALT + 130 = é.
ALT + 136 = ê.
ALT + 138 = è.
ALT + 135 = ç.
ALT + 147 = ô.
ALT + 150 = û.

The numbers must be typed with the numeric keypad (on the right hand side of the keyboard). If you are using a laptop, you can use the following method instead: