French A1 Lesson 10: Test Class & Comprehensive Review

Cultural: Discover the Charm of Occitanie Culture in France

Historical Overview

Occitanie was historically part of the region known as Languedoc, famous for its medieval cities and the Cathar castles. The region’s name comes from the Occitan language, which still influences the local cultural identity.

Festivals and Celebrations

The people of Occitanie are known for lively celebrations such as the Fête de la Saint-Jean on June 24th, which features bonfires, music, and dance, and the Carnaval de Limoux with its extravagant costumes and parades.

Fun Fact: Limoux claims to be the birthplace of sparkling wine; it produces Blanquette de Limoux, which predates Champagne.

Culinary Delights

Occitanie is a paradise for food lovers, with dishes like cassoulet, ratatouille, and panisse that highlight the region’s fresh Mediterranean ingredients.

Quick Tip: Try preparing a simple ratatouille at home to immerse yourself in Occitanian flavors.

Language and Expressions

Common phrases you might hear in Occitanie include: Bonjour, Merci, S'il vous plaît, C'est délicieux!, and Où est le marché?

The Landscapes of Occitanie

From the rugged Pyrenees to serene Mediterranean beaches and national parks like Parc National des Cévennes, Occitanie offers breathtaking views.

Exploring the Allure of Montpellier: A Gem in Occitanie

A Brief Historical Journey

Founded in the 10th century, Montpellier has long been a center of education and culture. The University of Montpellier (established in 1289) is among the oldest in the world.

Architectural Wonders

The city boasts a mix of architectural styles. Notable sites include the lively Place de la Comédie—with its Opéra Comédie—and the majestic Saint-Pierre Cathedral. Le Corum, a modern concert hall, adds to the dynamic cityscape.

Cultural Richness and Culinary Experience

Montpellier hosts festivals like the Montpellier Dance Festival and Fête de la Musique. Local specialties such as Tielle, Brandade de Morue, and Picholine Olives reflect the Mediterranean influence.

Local Language and Expressions

Useful expressions: Où se trouve...?, Je voudrais..., C'est magnifique!, and À quelle heure?

Lesson: Mastering the Pronunciation of the Letter "C" in French

The Two Main Sounds of "C"

Soft C: When C is followed by e, i, or y, it sounds like the English “s” (e.g., Céline, Cinq, Cycle).
Hard C: When C is followed by a, o, u, or a consonant, it sounds like the English “k” (e.g., Café, Corde, Culture).

Special Cases: When C is followed by h (as in Chocolat), it is pronounced hard; and ç (cédille) always produces the soft sound (e.g., Garçon).

Practice by repeating these words aloud: Soft C – Cité, Ciel, Cerceau; Hard C – Cousin, Crocodile, Coup.

Lesson: Getting Ready for the Future – The Futur Proche

The futur proche is used to express actions that are going to happen soon. Its structure is:

Subject + Conjugated form of aller + Infinitive Verb

For example: Je vais parler, Nous allons manger.

Fun Fact: The futur proche is very common in everyday conversation to express plans and intentions.

Lesson: Understanding the Prepositions "Chez" and "À"

Chez: Means “at the home of” or “at the place of” (e.g., Je vais chez ma mère.)
À: Means “to,” “at,” or “in” (e.g., Je vais à l'école.)

Key Difference: Chez implies a personal space, while à is used for general locations.

Lesson: Exploring Emotions and Feelings in French

Here are common emotions with examples:

• Heureux/Heureuse: I am happy. (Je suis heureux/heureuse.)
• Triste: Sad. (Elle est triste.)
• En colère: Angry. (Il est en colère.)
• Surpris/Surprise: Surprised. (Nous sommes surpris.)
• Nerveux/Nerveuse: Nervous. (Je suis nerveuse avant l'examen.)
• Excité/Excitée: Excited. (Ils sont excités pour le concert.)
• Fatigué/Fatiguée: Tired. (Je suis fatiguée après le travail.)
• Calme: Calm. (Elle reste calme.)
• Joyeux/Joyeuse: Joyful. (Nous avons une atmosphère joyeuse.)
• Amoureux/Amoureuse: In love. (Je suis amoureux/amoureuse.)

Use phrases like: Je me sens…, J'ai besoin de…, Ça me rend…, Je suis content(e) de….

Devoirs - Homeworks A1 Leçon 10

• Assignment 1: Vocabulary Practice – Emotions and Occitanie

  Write a short journal entry (4–7 sentences) about your feelings today using at least three new emotion words from the list.

• Assignment 2: Interactive Vocabulary Game

  Create flashcards for the emotions vocabulary as well as for the prepositions chez and à. Quiz yourself daily.

• Assignment 3: Pronunciation Practice

  Choose five words from today’s vocabulary (including examples with "C" and "G") and record yourself pronouncing them. Listen and note areas for improvement.

• Assignment 4: Creative Storytelling

  Write a short story (about 100 words) that uses at least three different emotions and includes one sentence with chez and one with à. Your story can be about a memorable day or an imaginary scenario.

• Assignment 5: Daily Vocabulary Review

  Each day, select one word from the vocabulary list, write it down, use it in a sentence, and practice its pronunciation.

• Assignment 6: Read Aloud Practice

  Read the following paragraph out loud, paying close attention to pronunciation. Record yourself if possible:

  Je suis allé chez ma mère aujourd'hui. J'étais un peu nerveux parce que j'avais besoin de lui parler de mes sentiments. Mais quand je suis arrivé, elle m'a accueilli avec un sourire. Je me sens heureux maintenant!

  (Translation: I went to my mother's house today. I was a bit nervous because I needed to talk to her about my feelings. But when I arrived, she welcomed me with a smile. I feel happy now!)

• Assignment 7: Duolingo Proof

  Complete at least 5 Duolingo lessons (Monday to Friday) and upload screenshots as proof before our next class.