bizzyliz

Here are a few links to articles on certain aspects of French grammar: Using the preposition de: http://www.helium.com/knowledge/129691-using-french-preposition The passive voice: http://www.helium.com/tm/806731/sentences-structure-subject-object Verbe avoir: http://www.helium.com/tm/806684/avoir-meaning-common-french Also one on French proverbs: http://www.helium.com/tm/805348/learning-foreign-language-understand

These are links to articles on some aspects of French grammar: Forming questions in French: http://www.helium.com/tm/798335/there-essentially-three-question Using the negative in French: http://www.helium.com/tm/798258/negative-means-saying-french The French pronouns y and en: http://www.helium.com/tm/802725/pronoun-pronoun-french-there

No idea about the Lyon one, but as for Agen, is pruneau slang for a bullet?

I took a guess on the drug addict one - hadn't come across it before!

I think you'll find, as Tourangelle pointed out, that -tion is a feminine ending; -ation is certainly feminine (nation, natation, etc.) Other endings usually feminine are -ade, -ance, ère, and erie (names of shops, such as la boulangerie, la charcuterie, l'épicerie, etc.) One or two other endings that are normally masculine are -eau (except for l'eau), -ier, -in (but not la fin) and -ing (le poing, etc.) But the only real answer is to learn the gender when you learn the word!

Sorry, I meant to give the web-page address. It's http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4338028.stm

The BBC news website currently has a French quiz complete with 'classroom-style' audio. (It apparently works without the audio too.) There are twelve questions, mostly on language. I got caught out on a question about the French Monopoly game.

I've only just discovered this thread and have never taught in France, but wondered if my experiences in the UK would be relevant at all. I have been able to earn a living through private tuition (in a small town) by offering more than one subject - French, English and Maths - and by teaching all ages, from four to sixty-four. I began several years ago by registering with three private tuition agencies, and later switched to advertising in the Yellow Pages, which is where most of my students now come from. Some students come through personal recommendations as well. It has been a gradual process and I did need to have a part-time job in the early stages to supplement my income. I remember reading about five months ago in 'Le Monde' that private tuition for schoolchildren in France was becoming increasingly in demand, and that families can claim tax relief if their children are having extra tuition. This makes it seem that there must be potential for earning a living in that way, but I have found that advertising is the key. The cost has proved well worth it for me.

Blistering barnacles, if my memory serves me correctly.

In answer to 'merci', you can say 'De rien' or 'Pas de quoi', as well as 'Je vous en prie'. (I have never heard 'pas rien'.) They are the French equivalents of 'Not at all', 'You're welcome', etc.

Thanks Julie for the feedback on B3. Even if it does just provide revision and further practice, it would be very useful for learners in the UK who don't have the opportunity to practise their French everyday. As far as more advanced books go, a few years ago I bought hugo's 'Advanced French Course' by Jacqueline Lecanuet and Ronald Overy, ISBN 0852853777. It is defined as 'bridging the gap between GCSE and A level'. There are apparently four audio cassettes that accompany the book, but I can't honestly remember seeing either the book or the cassettes in shops recently.

That is a pretty comprehensive list of learning materials, to which I would add 'La grammaire en clair' by Paul Rogers and Jeremy Long, published by Nelson, ISBN 0174444206. I have used it alongside 'The French Experience', which some people feel does not concentrate enough on grammar. The exercises in 'La grammaire...' are of varying difficulty on each topic, but the humour in them lightens things up. The vocabulary that is brought in differs quite a bit from the usual coursebook content, and tends to appeal to learners who already have a basic grounding in French. Some people shy away from 'La grammaire...' completely, but have found 'Learn French the Fast and Fun Way' a useful beginners' book. It has its failings and is very much geared towards the tourist, but learners have commented that they appreciate the fact that the pages are not dense and the grammar explanations are usually clear and straightforward. Unfortunately it does not give enough practice exercises. I have not used 'Breakthrough French' but have read good reviews of it. I have some students who are approaching the end of 'French Experience 2' and was wondering if 'Breakthrough French 3' would be a good follow-on course.

Could it be because 'Il fait meilleur qu'hier' is actually short for 'Il fait meilleur temps qu'hier'?

Yes, Christine, it's confusing! 'C'est mieux qu'hier' makes sense because 'est' is a verb, but 'Il fait meilleur qu'hier'........? That doesn't follow the rule. As you said, we need Vraititi. I haven't heard of 'Speaking Better French' before. Will have a look for that one.

I am sure I can't explain as well as Vraititi, but basically meilleur is an adjective (therefore used with nouns) and mieux is an adverb (used with verbs). So meilleur and mieux both mean better, and le meilleur and le mieux both mean the best. For example you would say 'Ce livre est meilleur que les autres' (because livre is a noun), but you would say 'Elle chante mieux que les autres' (because chante is a verb). Hope that helps!