La classe

📚 Conversations Littéraires: Demain j’aurai vingt ans – Alain Mabanckou
On Friday 24th April, we will start Demain j’aurai vingt ans, a tender and vivid coming-of-age novel set in the Republic of Congo. Through the eyes of young Michel, Alain Mabanckou captures the world of childhood with humour, imagination, and sensitivity.
As we follow Michel’s daily life, his school experiences, his family, and his vivid inner world, the novel offers a nostalgic and poetic reflection on growing up, identity, and the small wonders of everyday life.
I have created a new session on Fridays for those who would still like to join our literary discussions in French as the first session on Fridays is full.
We read and explore contemporary francophone literature together, sharing ideas, interpretations, and reflections in a friendly atmosphere.
If you were thinking about joining, this is the perfect moment.




littératurefrançaise

📚 Conversations Littéraires: Kukum by Michel Jean

We have now started reading Kukum, a powerful and deeply moving novel inspired by the author’s own Innu heritage. Through simple yet evocative prose, Michel Jean tells the story of Almanda, a white woman who falls in love with an Innu man and chooses to live with his community in the Canadian wilderness.

As the story unfolds, we follow her journey of love, adaptation, and resilience.

💡 Did you know? Kukum is based on Michel Jean’s great-grandmother’s life.
The novel pays tribute to Innu culture, language, and traditions, while shedding light on a history that is often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Have you ever felt like you’re just not good at French?

Maybe you’ve tried before, struggled, and thought:
“I’ll never get this…”

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone and there’s a reason for it.

In my new blog post, I talk about learned helplessness and how it can affect language learning.
This is especially common if you had a difficult experience at school, particularly for learners with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences.

But here’s the encouraging part: 🌱
👉 This feeling is not permanent
👉 You can rebuild your confidence
👉 Small, regular practice really works

If you’ve been feeling stuck with your French, I hope this helps you see things differently 💙

I’d love to know — have you ever felt this way when learning a language?

Link in the first comment.

Designed for advanced intermediate to advanced learners (B2–C2), À vos Plumes helps you refine your French writing, expand your expressive range, and enjoy the art of crafting French prose and poetry in French.

Join À vos Plumes, and let your French writing take flight. Discover how stories, ideas, and words can inspire your imagination while connecting with fellow learners in a stimulating and supportive environment.

📚 Conversations Littéraires: Charlotte by David Foenkinos

We have now started reading Charlotte, a moving and poetic novel inspired by the life of the artist Charlotte Salomon. Through short, lyrical chapters, David Foenkinos retraces her extraordinary story : from her passion for painting to her tragic fate during the Second World War.

💡 Did you know? Charlotte Salomon created over 700 gouache paintings in less than two years, composing what she called Leben? oder Theater? (Life? or Theatre?). This remarkable autobiographical work blends art, text, and music, making it one of the most powerful artistic testaments of the 20th century.

📚 Conversations Littéraires: Au revoir là-haut by Pierre Lemaître.

We have now started reading Au revoir là-haut, which shines a light on the aftermath of the First World War for soldiers returning to civilian life.

💡 Did you know? The French infantrymen of WW1 were known as les Poilus, which literally means “the hairy ones.” At first, the name referred to their beards and unshaven appearance in the trenches, but it soon came to symbolise much more: courage, masculinity, and the idea of the citizen-soldier who embodied the values of the French Republic.

➡️ If you’re interested in joining our Conversations Littéraires, do get in touch. I’d love to welcome you! We will start our next book on Friday 31st October 2025.
Link in the first comment.

Do you find yourself making the same mistakes in French again and again? You’re not alone! In this post, I explore 8 common errors intermediate learners often repeat and share practical tips to fix them.

Common French Mistakes – Intermediate Learners — La Classe Discover 8 common mistakes intermediate French learners make and tips to fix them, improve accuracy, and speak more naturally

Joyeux 14 juillet !

Nous vous souhaitons à toutes et tous un beau et joyeux ! 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷

We wish you all a wonderful and joyful ! 🇫🇷 🇫🇷 🇫🇷

🎨 Dessin anonyme (entre 1889 et 1914) du fonds Gustave Eiffel.
31,5 x 24 cm
Don de Mme Bernard Granet et ses enfants et de Melle Solange Granet, 1981
© Musée d'Orsay, dist. GrandPalaisRmn / Hervé Lewandowski

📚 New Book for Our Conversations Littéraires: Neverland by Timothée de Fombelle

I'm excited to announce that our next book is Neverland by Timothée de Fombelle. It is a beautifully written, poetic reflection on childhood, imagination, and the search for lost time. This short yet powerful text invites us into a deeply personal and nostalgic journey, full of emotion and delicate observations.

If you have a B2 level or higher in French and love discussing literature, our conversations littéraires group is perfect for you!

🇫🇷 Invited to a French home? Here's what to bring.

Understanding French social etiquette can make a big difference when building relationships whether you’re an expat, a frequent visitor, or planning a move to France.
In my latest blog post, I explore the tradition of gift-giving when invited to someone’s home in France.

Invited to a French home? Here’s What to Bring — La Classe Discover what gifts to bring and whether to include a card when you're invited to a French home for a meal, an apéritif, a week-end or any special occasion.