A song for Autumn

Colchiques dans les prés - Autumn crocuses in the fields

As autumn is approaching, I thought I would share, with you, one of my favorite French songs.

Though written in the 1940's, I learned it in secondary school and have always remembered the lyrics to this beautiful melody. 

When autumn can seem gloomy at times, it is so positive and uplifting.

 The essence of the lyrics:

the autumn crocuses are blooming 

It's the end of summer

the leaves fall,​ taken by the wind

the chestnuts in the woods break under our steps

the clouds in the sky spread their wings 

this song whispers in my heart calling happiness 

I also enjoyed singing it to the children, at the pre-school I was working at last year.

I was sharing my bilingual songs and stories with them and finding a new theme each week.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuS5QzzxHLo

Celebrating September!🎉

September for me is the start of the year. This is because it's when the school year started for 18 years of my life (and I never quite got out of that mode). 

Like most would celebrate the 'New Year' I have two reasons to celebrate in September.🎉

No, it is not to do with the fact that is the the start of Autumn and the bountiful crop of fruit and vegetables I have in my garden!

Firstly, September is when I started my health coaching business in 1993. It is still running, so there is plenty for me to celebrate, as many businesses do not make it to year 5.

Secondly because September has to do with languages. 

Language fascinates me for many reasons. 

I am puzzled by the nuances between different languages and how things might be expressed; such as 'I am hungry' in French is not 'je suis faim' but 'J'ai faim' which would be 'I have hungry' in English. 

There are also clues within each language as to the origins of words, sayings or expressions. 

Take the word 'douche' for example. It means shower in French and German. Yet in English it's only used as a medical term and in the US it means an unpleasant person. 

Another of my favorites is the fact that September, October,  November and December or septembre,  octobre, novembre et décembre in French  give us a clue to the fact that they were the seventh, eighth,  ninth  and tenth months of the year in Roman times. 

There are two events in September that celebrate languages.🎉

The European day of languages is on 26th Sept 2020

It has been celebrated every year since 2001.

There are activities, games, competitions and events going on around the world.

To find out more visit https://edl.ecml.at/

and/or https://www.twinkl.co.uk/event/european-day-of-languages-2020

The 30th Sept is International translation day 

I didn't realise there was such a thing, till I noticed an article about bilingual books. It is a tribute to the work of language professionals.

You can read a lot more about it on the following pages:

https://en.fit-ift.org/international-translation-day/

https://www.un.org/en/events/translationday/

What can you celebrate this September?

Let me know what it is and how you will celebrate, so we can share the joy.

Jean De La Fontaine

Though you might not know his name you probably do know, at least one of his fables, 'the hare and the tortoise' - 'le lievre et la tortue'.

La Fontaine celebrated!

Jean de la Fontaine died in Paris on the 13th April 1695.  2020 was to celebrate the 325 years since his death.  Any celebration of this writer and his work were completely eclipsed by the Corona virus so this is my contribution to celebrate him.


According to Wikipedia,  Jean de la Fontaine is one of the most widely read French poets of the 17th century. He is known above all for his Fables, which provided a model for subsequent fabulists across Europe and numerous alternative versions in France, as well as in French regional languages.

Other Fables include 'the ant and the cicada' - 'la cigale et la fourmi' and the 'oak and the reed' - 'le chene et le roseau'.

Discover his fables in English and French

There is a bilingual book where you can find 8 of his fables, including thee which I mention. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.” which means if you purchase from the link, you will not be charged any more, thought I will receive a small commission which helps keep these pages up to date. You can find other bilingual books on my books and reviews page

Here is 'The crow and the fox' - 'Le corbeau et le renard', which you can read the French version only by follwing this link.

https://www.iletaitunehistoire.com/genres/fables-et-poesies/lire/biblidpoe_001#histoire

For other stories have a look here:
https://www.iletaitunehistoire.com/genres/fables-poesies/lire/le-corbeau-et-le-renard-biblidpoe_001#ecouter

cartoon with a lesson

I discovered this French cartoon today.

Despite the weirdness of this group of Zebras that walk on 2 legs, I think is is a well constructed story.

I love a cartoon that helps children understand that even if you are friends,  everyone is different and has their own reason for doing or not doing something.

Understanding rather than judging and keeping the doors of communication open are the way forward.

Enjoy Zou; here is the link for more Dessin animé  Français

Family fun days with rhyme and story time

I am pleased to announce 2 free rhyme and story sessions coming up soon.

They will both be 30 min long and comprise of songs and stories in English immediately followed by the French version. Ideal for Children form 0 to 5 though older children are welcome to join in. 

The first will take place on the 19th May at 1.30pm till 2pm 

 I will be supporting a local Charity on their 10th birthday. As it is hosted in a farm, I will definitely be singing Old Mc Donald (with a twist) and other animal songs. My book will be available and profits from sales go to the charity. I have added the directions information I was sent at the bottom.

The second event will be at Marston's Whichelstowe pub, the Bayberry.  

They are hosting a family fun day on the 26th May. The details of the event have not yet been finalised but, nearer the time, you be able to find out more about what will be happening throughout the day, on their Facebook page.

As soon as I have more details about my time slot I will post it on my Bilingual Babies Facebook page Whatever you decide to do on those days, I hope you enjoy your weekends.

Here is a video I did as taster of what it will be like:

Songs, charities and learning what do they have in common?

Gloucester concert

Headway charity

As every year from November to January, since arriving in Swindon in 1993, I am exposed (even when I don't want to be) to Christmas carols and songs.

I do however, enjoy the Boxing day concert in Gloucester cathedral in aid of charity.

After singing some carols, I recalled some of the French Christmas songs I had learned as a child, such as 'Au grand St Nicolas' and 'Mon Beau Sapin.' I then I ended up pondering on how long it is taking me to learn the words of English carols. As children we absorb these songs effortlessly and remember them forever it seems. This is probably due to the fact they connect to the language as well as the music parts of the brain, rather than just one area.

Songs help us learn more than language.

You may realise the language used in the songs reflects culture, in this case the Christian faith. But children learn more than that. They pick up on the more subtle messages that come along with them. Their brain is not yet able to rationalise the message to decide if it is true or not.  Hence they believe in Farther Christmas.

In this one (Petit Papa Noel) the child feels he is to blame for making father Christmas go out in the cold.  In 'Au grand St Nicolas' mentioned earlier, you need to always be good to get presents. 

Like all children I wasn't always good.  I would worry that because, I had argued with my sister, I was not good enough to get treats. This was my overriding feeling and  though I was relieved to get a present, that was not enough to change the feeling of not being good enough.

This feeling is one that still hold me back, now and again, even though I realise it is only so, if I believed it is. So when I had my son, I was very conscious about the songs and language I used with him, hence the selection of songs that I then translated and which became my bilingual Nursery Rhyme book and CD.

More charity concerts

The charities I support are also chosen very carefully. They have to fit with my values of health, education, protect the environment and preferably help women.  Last year, I met Rosa Matherson, when she talked about her efforts to provide women, in Nepal, with reusable sanitary ware.

Julie Nicholls selling books at the Highworth concert 

This felt close to my heart and in November,  I decided to donate £3.50 from every book I sell to freedom Kit bags.  I sold enough before Christmas to be able to send one £25 bag.  One women in Nepal got a 'Christmas' present.

Rosa also organises regular concerts, in Highworth, to help an orphanage in Nepal. 
I will be at those to sell  book and raise more funds.  

If you enjoy music and would like to come along here are the details.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/70837733403/permalink/10155246763703404/

Whilst you wait for the concert, you might like this French rendition of jingle bells which I came across recently.

Christmas present that also gives to charity

Raising funds 

I use the sales of my book to help raise funds for schools and charities by donating around 25% of profits I make when working with them.

This year, I have decided that  I will donate 35% of private sales to a charity that has become close to my heart as it sits with my values and is organised by a wonderful local women Rosa Matherson.

Helping Women in Nepal

Ladies with their Kit bags

She is helping Women in Nepal by providing  environmentally friendly sanitary bags and education about menstruation. This has a huge effect on women's confidence and for the girls to be able to go to school and the women to work. You can read more about this wonderful work on their page

Christmas Presents

If you are looking for an educational Christmas present for children age 0 to 5 that will help them and others this might be just the right thing for you.

 You can order the book here on my shop page.  I will post how much has been raised in the new Year,

More about Kit Bags https://www.facebook.com/FreedomKitBags/videos/1952914804942956/

Fun French cartoons

Fun is the key to learning.

We all know it is hard to take in new information and concentrate when we are stressed, so it is not surprising to us the children are not thriving in schools.

We have been home educating our son for just over a year now.  It has taken a lot of the stress out of the leaning process (school runs, deadlines, the stress from the teachers of new targets, etc...not to mention bullying.)

We focus maths and English around his interests and he is so much more engaged and happy. This is because he sees it as fun, not a lesson, something he has to do and complete or else....  as it was in school.

As I know, no one can teach anyone anything, we all just learn things by being exposed to them or because we have an interest in them. We don't teach our babies to walk nor to talk they just learn to do it by exposure.  So I have always exposed my son to French, rather than teach it, and this is is how I ended up writing my bilingual book, so as a baby he  had the same nursery rhymes in English and French.

Super hero

More recently I have been reading some French children's magazines called Pomme D'api. My son has really taken to the adventures of a little super hero called Sam Sam.

After I noticed there was a link to one of songs in the story and seen seen the cartoons, he now wants to watch one every night, as part of his bed time routine. Along with the the other stories in the magazine of course. From my point of view the more he want the better, so I am happy.

This makes exposing him to French so easy and fun for both of us.

Here is a link to one of the many Sam Sam you can find on Youtube

I hope your little ones enjoy them too.

French film in Swindon

French film at Swindon Arts Centre 

This is organised by Swindon Film Society and this year, 2017 is their 70th anniversary.  

The French film is called Frantz will be on 20th Sept at 7.45pm

This is a period war drama, loosely based on the 1932 Ernst Lubitsch drama Broken Lullaby. It tells the story of a German woman grieving the death of her lover in World War I. She is shocked when his grave is visited by a Frenchman claiming he was friends with her beloved before the war.

You can get all the details about all the international films they will be showing this year, on their website, starting with a Spanish one on the 13th Sept 2017.   


Il y a un film Francais le 20 Sept a 7.45 Swindon Arts Centre Pour plus d'information sur les films internationaux: swindonfilm.org.uk

Practice your French in Swindon

French in Swindon 

I am so pleased that I have just come across a Swindon group that meet up regularly to speak French, or at least you can listen and practice.

 https://www.meetup.com/French-Language-Meetup-in-Swindon/

Understand first 

Listening and understanding is the first stage in being able to speak a language. This is how any child learns, yet when you learn in a school you have to be able to read, write and speak it grammatically correctly from day one. It is not surprising that so many people give up because they say it is hard.  It is, when you attempt to learn a language that way.

Have fun

Do something enjoyable, listen and forget about getting it right, you might just enjoy having a coffee and a cake.  It seems to be what is group is about. They have a list of meetings on different days and palaces so you can choose what suits you.

I have other opportunities to practice French listed on my links to other useful websites page 

A bientot

Bilingual sessions on BBC news

Did you see the BBC Oxford news last night 14th Dec 2016?

Two teachers in Oxford have started running French, Spanish and Mandarin classes for babies.

Young children can cope with learning up to four languages even before they speak English, research has shown.

The classes are full of songs, nursery rhymes and stories to stimulate their young minds.

This is the type of thing I have been doing with French, in Swindon since 2013 .

There are many benefits of learning a language early, some which may surprise you and which go beyond the use use of a second language.

Here are podcasts that explain more and about how children learn and benefits of learning other languages.

Episode one 27min   and Episode two 27min

Being bilingual, I very much relate to the descriptions given about how the brain works differently, I regularly experience this in everyday life activities.

FREE Christmas special event

Purton House Organic Farm have Christmas activities on Sat 10 and Sunday 11th Dec 2016  For all the details of this event see their page

At 2pm on Saturday there will be a special free Bilingual Rhyme and story time session lasting about 30 min followed by the opportunity to purchase my book at a reduced rate.

Here is one of the many the songs I use in these bilingual nursery rhyme sessions. 

If you would like to know about more events sign up or join my FB page .

Testimonial for my book

Counting Nursery Rhymes book reviews

Susan Jillian Walklate - Educator

 “This series of books has been cleverly developed by Julie K.Nicholls.

She has skilfully translated well known and well loved English nursery rhymes into French, while keeping rhythm, cadence and rhyme.

It combines the enjoyment of nursery rhymes with our first exploration into a new language. It introduces children to a foreign language in a natural and relaxed way.

This book has easy to read text with fun to follow actions, colourful illustrations and a CD so that you can Sing-Along with Julie.

This provides an essential learning experience as it has been proven that bilingual children achieve better results in their education”.

L age 9: “The book is good, because if you are French or English, you can read it. I think it is really good, because it has numbers in English and French for the different countries. The CD is a really good idea, because the French people may not know how to pronounce the English, nor the English the French.”

L’s parents about using the book and CD: “Clearly, the CD is the vital part.  It is really done well and the bilingual format gets across the point that languages are spoken at a certain pace and that you need to speak and listen at that pace. That’s probably the key feature and benefit of the book.  The fact that these are nursery rhymes, implies that they should be repeated time and again until second nature, very clever. The illustrations make more sense once you are listening and start singing along with the kids.”

“Using the book one appreciates the work that has gone in to making it. All round, a great job you should be proud of!”

Angela Atkinson AA Editorial Services
“This is a lovely and much-needed idea. Language teaching in our schools is pitiful: by and large too little too late. So every little helps and these rhymes are translated into French with great care.
I've bought this for my granddaughter who is approaching one year old. I've copied the CD into iTunes so I can easily access the tunes from my iPad and iphone.

If you want your child to start getting some early experience with another language, this a good way to start - and good value for money.” 

French fun event 6th Aug

Come and have some fun for 90 min . No French needed.


The session begins with some play time (approx 45min)- colouring, puzzles, watching a short cartoon in French if it is raining, followed by approx 40 min of bilingual songs and stories some taken from my book 

Though theses sessions are offered free, a donation would be appreciated
Places are limited so booking is essential please book seats per child. (You will not need to print the ticket, I will have your name on the list of attendees). 
 Booking is essential via this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/french-fun-sat-6th-aug-tickets-26718466653

Free parking in the street and surrounding ones.

Please ring the bell on the gate.

FREE, June, French fun time

Come and have some fun for 90 min . No French needed.

 Booking is essential via this link https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/french-fun-12th-june-tickets…

The session begins with some play time (approx 45min)- colouring, puzzles, watching a short cartoon in French if it is raining, followed by approx 40 min of bilingual songs and stories some taken from my book (see video below).

Though theses sessions are offered free, a donation would be appreciated
Places are limited so booking is essential please book seats per child. (You will not need to print the ticket, I will have your name on the list of attendees).
Free parking in the street and surrounding ones.

Please ring the bell on the gate.

In  April we had fun with dominos

This is one of the songs we sang- Frere Jaques

French spring song for children

Here is a fun French springtime song to get everyone in a good mood.
Spring is le printemps. C'est le printemps  means it's springtime.  Temps means time as in a duration (do we have time to do this) not a specific time (what time is it).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Robs0s4S-Yg

English-French Bilingual book and CD ready for Chrismas

After at least 4 years of writing, editing, drawing, singing, and much research, my bilingual counting nursery rhyme book with CD is now available in paper copy as a limited print version.  

The 28 page book can be signed and delivered for Christmas for £15.   

Designed to help babies become naturally bilingual and for the English speaking 2 to 5 year olds  lean French through nursery rhymes that keep the melody the rhyme and theme of the song in both languages.  So you know what you are singing about. 

It will also help French speakers learn English.
  

FREE French fun in November

5 little ducks went swimming one day 

French Fun Time

Come and have some fun play in the garden if it's nice weather, do some colouring, watch a French cartoon, listen to stories, sing and discover some well known English nursery rhymes and how you can sing them in French.

No knowledge of French necessary!

There will be time for colouring and puzzles and for parents to chat in French or listen for approx. 45 min followed by approx. 35 min songs and stories. Adults get to get conversation practice or improve their listening comprehension while the children are playing.

Venue: 5 Bibury Road, Old Walcot, SN3 1DD
Date:  Saturday 21st Nov 2015 4pm  to 5.30pm Book here
More dates will be available in 2016 (about once a month)
Cost: Free though a donation is appreciated

Paces are limited so please book so I know how many children to prepare for.   Thank you.

French Fun for all



Swing ball, football and tent building!

A good time was had by all!


As the children built a 'tent', I decided it would be good to read: 'Titou construit sa maison'.

Les enfants on construit une 'tent', alors j'ai lu 'Titou construit sa maison'.



Can I go in your tent!

We saw spiders in the garden so we sang incy wincy spider/ la toute petite araignée (my own translation of the song) and there's a spider on the floor/ il y a une araignée sur le sol (also my own translation)

Nous avons vu des araignée dans le jardin alors nous avons chanté incy wincy spider/ la toute petite araignée (ma traduction) and there's a spider on the floor/ il y a une araignée sur le sol (aussi ma traduction)

FREE French rhymes and story time

Special event at Liden Library,

FREE French rhymes and story time

Wednesday 22nd of October 2014,  2.00 to 2.30 pm.

Come and join the fun with Virginie to sing and copy actions of your traditional songs (head shoulder knees and toes; row row your boat, if you happy and you know and much more) in French.  All children 0-5 years old welcome!
Please book for this free event at virginie@fun-french-learning.fr or 07423065957