C'est francaise!

This is what our teacher tells us, when we don't understand something in French class. 'C'est francaise' she goes. Honestly, that does resolve our doubt. Because some things are so inherently french, you just cant question why!

So, i joined french at L'alliance francaise on the 14th of Feb. This is the French-initiation=course. and the class has a lot of students, like moi, who have learnt French either in school/ college.

Anyone who has learnt a foreign language in school/ college would know that we only learn to read/write the language. Speaking it is a far dream, since there are no marks awarded to that particular skill.

Like other foreign language institutes, the teaching methodology here relies on teaching the language using the language and no other. So 'non anglais' is the rule (No English).

First-time French learners seem a little lost sometimes but I think they are doing a great job at picking up the language.

Me and other prior-experienced learners are in fact a bit complexed, when these newbees rattle off un-vingt (1-20) after only 20 minutes of learning it.

Complexes apart, it is a lot of fun. we had a role-play exercise in class the other day. Where i was Madame Trouchet (Secretary to Prof. Lecouer) and my partner was Phillipe ( a student).

We had to practice salutations and farewells in a 2-minute role-play.

Phil: Bonjour Mme, T
Mme. T (Acting like she's typing): Oh, Philippe, Bonjour, Bonjour. Tu vas bien?
Phil: Je vais bien, et vous?
Mme. T (Still typing away): Ca va, Ca va. Bonne Soiree
Phil: Bonne Soiree

Teacher: Tres bien, Superb!

We set an example for the class. and were applauded for our efforts, with only 1 pronunciation mistake.

The day went well. Tres bien.

Au revoir!

Anya

Fun-school

Sunday noticed this green and yellow bus in Nirmal Lifestyle. Actually, noticed isn't the right word, it was standing right in the middle of the scenery.

It had a big board that screamt ' Fun Paatshaala' i.e.Fun-school translated in Marathi/ Hindi.

At first glance, i thought it to be a promotion of Fun-school, the children's' stationery and toys brand.

At 2nd glance, it turned out to be a mobile play-station; one of its firsts in India. The concept works in this way: The bus parks itself in the middle of a mall. It has a host of fun and games inside; e.g: trampolines, obstacle ropes, board-games etc. Parents park the kids in the bus and park themselves in stores around the mall. the kid gets taken care of by the 'Fun paatshala' while the parents continue shopping unhindered. Of course, this comes at a price of Rs. 100 for 30 minutes. An expensive tutorial, must say! But clearly it works, because there was actually a line of kids waiting to enter school.

New ideas for the new age.

Au revoir,
Anya