French Experience and Enthusiastic Learning

Allo! In case some of you still follow me here...

I am looking for French Artisans, Artists (or French Inspired) to fill a beautiful convivial and dedicated tent at Le Festival - Brisbane French Festival

I am sure you have this friend who knows someone who knows someone who have some French background or is a francophile so please make sure you tag them here or share with them my funny face hihi

They can also send their interest straight away here...
https://lefestival.com.au/le-festival-2025-pre-registration/

Sadia | Artists & Artisans Lead | Le Festival 2025

🙏🙏🙏The feedback I was looking forward to share with you...

This year, when Ellen, my last student, decided to take a break, I wasn't sad or surprised. I could feel it was time for me too and that I was holding the fort for her. I didn't take any students after her so my effort were dedicated to her and I also found a job at the same right time so didn't want to spread my time and energy.

Our relationship grew into a friendship that I cherish even if we met two times only in person. Indeed we were having our weekly chat online, her from Melbourne, me from Brisbane.

I am so proud of the level she reached and as she said the way she gained in confidence, in her speaking but also in her attitude. That might sound funny but it was as if she became French, the depth of her thoughts, her elegance, her dreams (goals), she was going somewhere, close to a new her...

Ellen is also the best student ever, so committed and willing to immerse herself. She is also a very funny cheeky lady who might have bent a bit of reality in her identity (see signature) ;)

Here is the long version of her precious words: “Sadia gave me the confidence to speak French regardless of how good (or bad) I felt about my abilities. And I did. With Sadia, as well as any other French-speaking person who came my way. I spoke French with shop assistant in some random Melbourne boutique, with a stranger at a party, with my business partners. I did so not because I was exceptionally good at it but because Sadia made me feel that I was capable. Sadia! Thank you for your trust in me, for your patience, acceptance and encouragement. It was a joy to study French with you. I am grateful to have you as my tutor.” - Ellen D, business woman and goddess,Ukrainian, 35years old.

MERCI Ellen! Merci mille fois pour TA confiance et ces mots

Ok I am making two big exceptions here! 🙈
One, I am sharing again on this account I told I was going to close and two there is still a little bit of teaching happening...

Sooo... no I am not reopening bookings to teach but made an exception for a student I used to teach to. She is traveling to France. I am just so glad for her and that's an honour to help her to feel ready and at ease for this project 🇫🇷 😍

She picked this place for our meeting yesterday. It's name is Old 7 at Camp Hill. They serve cheeses and wine and that opened a whole new world to me! Can't wait to bring friends and suggest it to francophile.

Lately, I wondered if I couldn't bet on what I invested on this account and slightly move my focus on French Experience for this account which I always wanted to but never fully done because teaching was a pleasure but also a necessity.

Since I said I would close this account, I have been waiting for a feedback from my last student [I received it and I will share this niiice feedback soon] and I was going to say fully AU REVOIR on this note.

Then the French Festival happened... I was not ready to feel what I felt. I became very nostalgic of a France I knew. I really always made sure that my students had a fair look at France and not romantise everything.

Oh yes I have been part of committee these last 2years. I used this account to promote it way before I was involved in it and the French Film Festival. This was important for me to share with you how you could experience the French culture in Brisbane and how it can give you a sense of immersion.

I feel that I am now being kind of adopted by a new French Family in Brisbane. This is a nice feeling and I think I will have more opportunity to share with you my own immersion with French Culture in Brisbane. I won't make it as something regular, just when it comes, in an organic way, just because I like it.

Oh by the way before I forget... South Bank is Parisian at the moment and for a few months! Tell me you saw the Eiffel tower! 🗼

My last recommendation for the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival ...

It's going to be a short post!
If there is a movie I have seen, loved and recommended you to watch, this is 'All your faces'.

I watched it in Paris in April 2023 and wanted a good, deep French movie.
What a beautiful story based on a real rehabilitation program proposed to prisoners and victims.

The actors are AMAZING, the stories are touching.
One room 10 characters.
Please go!

Bonjour tout le monde!

I haven't been using this account a lot.
I was trying to share fun and practical ways to be in touch with the French culture via French sayings, vocabulary and events in Brisbane.
Indeed, I think you should find your way to explore the language (you want to learn) culture and the French one is vast enough for you to pick: music, cinema, Art, poetry, cuisine...

I also never wanted to attract more people as being a tutor never has been my plan A when I arrived in Australia. I was promoting my classes on other platforms at the start but I always been referred and luckily have been found by you.
I enjoyed it and met and helped a big bunch of people from different backgrounds. Yet, I don't think I achieved what I wanted with this account as I couldn't find the space to commit to it. I guess I never wanted to fully dive into teaching as a full-time and got a bit more successful when I was finding other ways to support myself financially too.

In real life, I also missed some things.
*I wanted to connect people and create a relaxed and safe environment for my students and new guests to chat and improve their interest for the French culture and their speaking.
*I wanted to be a link sometimes missing and give access to opportunities in Brisbane.
*I think I am being tough on myself because I do it but at a very small scale when I meet someone with interest in French learning and with my student(s).

If you wondered, I still have one student at the moment to whom I teach online and kept close to 2students who are now friends.
*One made his dream true and bought a house in France! I am just so happy for him! We met a few weeks ago for me to check with him if papers (in French) with his bank were clear. He doesn't leave in Brisbane anymore but half in US and half in UK. After 7 years I have been in touch with him, he didn't give up!
*The second one retired and is fulfilling a debut Artist carrier, when we meet we now talk about art and social media. I proposed her to keep it in French, it happens sometimes hihi
*My current student is a wonderful freshly graduated psychologist, she invited me to her ceremony and I felt honoured to be next to her 🎓
..

*** Le 14 juillet... ***

The 14th of July, commonly called Bastille day.

I saw a beautiful video today dated from the 14th of July 2014, check my stories for it 😉

Now that I live in a different country, I tend to forget this day, probably because unfortunately it can't be a public holiday all around the world and maybe also because the seasons are inverted.

July in France means summer and music festivals! Beach on Sundays and we half way of the longest school holidays of the year.

We might not feel the exact thing but if you want a taste of the French culture, don't forget that the French Festival is happening in a week in Brisbane!

Check and follow !

*** Jamais trop t**d... ***

Never too late...

There are always movies I can't watch at the French Film Festival, because there are many to choose from, the timing, because I am not around. Well, did you know, Australian bases followers, that SBS has a selection of French movies?

I found Big Hit > Un triomphe, very randomly this afternoon and I am so glad I watched it!

What is the last French movie you watched?

In Lille in 2019...

I had the chance to finally go back to France this year! I has been 4 years.

What about you?
When was the last time you have been to France?
Where exactly?

:)

*** Le retour du Festival du Film Français! ***

The come back of the French Film Festival with Alliance Francaise French Film Festival !

2 months to wait in Brisbane! Who is planning to go?

AF FFF 2023 OFFICIAL FESTIVAL TRAILER The official Alliance Française French Film Festival trailer is HERE!Have a peak at some of the utterly captivating French films that will be hitting cinemas...