How to use this newsletter 🧐
Hey learners old and new, welcome to French with Amélie!
This page is a (updated) rundown of the different and creative ways you can use my dialogues to improve your French.
The dialogues are a simple tool, yet this allows them to be versatile and very flexible to different learning styles—to *your* learning style. You might be surprised at how many different ways you can learn with the dialogues!
Alors, allons-y !
Easy
📣 Read the dialogue out loud (this bit is really important) to yourself.
Try and master the intonation of the words and emotions.
🎙️ Record yourself reading the dialogue out loud, then listen to it back.
You can repeat this x2-3 times. You will be surprised at how you can self-correct your accent and intonation, and how you will become aware of where you need to study!1
✏️ Print out the dialogue, and highlight or underline the most difficult parts.
Make flashcards or add these to your language journal.
Intermediate
🖋️ Write your own response to the dialogue question (the title of the post).
Extra tip: Post your paragraph in the comments to keep yourself honest and track your progress. You can also send your reply to the email edition (if you want a little more privacy but still some accountability). I read them all.
💬 Use the question as a topic with your tutor (online or in-person).
You can use some ideas or new expression from the dialogue in your conversation ! It allows you to study *before* a tutoring session so you can feel more confident and prepared.
🕵🏻 Identify the verbs in each sentence. Then write your own sentence using those verbs.
🏃♀️Identify each verb in the dialogue and list its conjugation and infinitives.
(a little more advanced)
Paid members can also try..
👄 Beginner ‘Shadowing’ - Listen to the recording and read the dialogue aloud at the same time.
Repeat this at least x3. You will be surprised at how you can self-detect mistakes. It’s the best way not only to master colloquial speech, but accent and intonation as well.
🥪 Listening sandwich - Listen to the recording x3 times, then read the dialogue and fill in your understanding, then listen again.
This is a great way for beginners to boost their oral comprehension in small helpful doses. Listening first exercises your brain, and listening again after studying allows you solidifying the connections. It’s also encouraging as you can see what you’ve learned !
Advanced
✍️ Write your own response to every other line of the dialogue.
Extra challenge: see if you can have it fit the line that follows.
Other Ideas? 🙋♀️
If you have another idea, or use them in a different way *let me know* below, reply to one of the editions, or email thefrenchdigest@substack.com.
I love hearing people’s unique creativity and practices - and it might benefit the whole community! Get in touch. ✨
You can do this using the Voice Memos app on your phone. Or (even better) a little voice recorder. I use one for language learning.