Sophie Parsons

Menton

Social Media and Engagement Editor at The National (Scotland)

English teacher in France 🇫🇷 Prev @ScotNational / Newsquest Scotland/ Bauer Media

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Articles

Il est or c’est: how to remember when to use the right expression in French

1 month ago | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

All French learners understand the pain of French grammar and the seemingly endless rules and caveats. One of the most common challenges is knowing when to use ‘il est’ and ‘c’est’. Both phrases have the meaning “it is” or “he/she is,” but they are used in different contexts. However, the simple phrases are used dozens of times a day (just as you say he/she/it is in English) so it can be important to learn the correct usBelow, we cover the rules for when each one is used.
Top French Films and TV Shows to Watch in March 2025 for Language Learning

1 month ago | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

France has a strong cinematic tradition, with the nation being one of the forerunners of film-making. This has continued into the 21st century and widened to include TV shows, including new series on streaming sites. Every month we recommend films and TV series to help improve your French. Watching TV is one of the simplest ways to elevate your language skills - and it has the added benefit of helping to immerse the viewer in French culture they may otherwise not come across in daily life.
10 idiomatic French expressions about your health

2 months ago | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Winter and spring can become synonymous with illness, particularly during cold spells or persistent rainy conditions. Whether you feel a cold coming on or you are finally getting back on your feet, there is no shortage of expressions in French you can use to sound like a native speaker (even if you say them with a blocked nose). Below are some expressions you can use to describe your symptoms or recovery.
Films and series to watch in February to improve your French

2 months ago | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Watching TV and films in French is one of the most engaging and effective ways for language learners to improve their skills. It not only exposes authentic language use, including natural pronunciation, colloquial expressions, and cultural nuances that are absent from textbooks, but it also hones your listening skills, one of the most neglected during other study methods.
5 French film and TV shows for learners this month

2 months ago | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Watching TV and films in French is one of the most engaging and effective ways for language learners to improve their skills. It not only exposes authentic language use, including natural pronunciation, colloquial expressions, and cultural nuances that are absent from textbooks, but it also hones your listening skills, one of the most neglected during other study methods.
What are the most useful mobile apps for getting by in France?

Nov 18, 2024 | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Jump to main content Mobile phone apps can be incredibly useful for life in France, whether as a guide to restaurants, culture, travel or for everyday living. Here are our picks of some of the best. Step The Step app is designed for food and travel lovers, providing personalised recommendations and an organised way to share and discover restaurants, cafes, and other notable spots.
Understanding Language Proficiency and Cultural Connection

Nov 18, 2024 | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Fluent and bilingual are often used interchangeably but it can signify different levels of language proficiency and cultural connection. Understanding the nuances can shed light on what it means to know a language, beyond simply speaking it well. FluencyBeing fluent in a language typically means one can speak, read, write, and understand it at an advanced level with ease.
Improve your language skills with these five French tongue twisters

Nov 15, 2024 | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Pronunciation and speaking fluidly can be one of the most difficult aspects of mastering the French language. A good way to practise different sounds is with French tongue twisters, or virelangues. As well as being difficult to get your head - and tongue - around, they are also an insight into French culture, with many having been passed down through generations.
French films and TV shows to improve your language in November

Oct 31, 2024 | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

Learning French through films and TV shows exposes you to real-life conversations, accents, slang, and cultural nuances that can be hard to capture with traditional study methods. Films and TV shows also allow you to hear French in context, which helps with comprehension and retention. Here at The Connexion we often recommend using TV shows and films as an additional learning method, that can be undertaken with as much or as little effort as you wish to put in.
Nine French false friends that appear in everyday conversation

Oct 24, 2024 | connexionfrance.com | Sophie Parsons

False friends are words that look or sound similar in English and French but have completely different meanings, and they can cause considerable confusion. . Some just have subtle differences in meaning, but this can change the significance behind the entire phrase. The best way to avoid falling for false friends is simply to learn them. A good tip when learning new vocabulary is to learn the word in context, for example, by putting it in a sentence.