Difficulty: Advanced
Canada
The situation of the French language in Quebec is controversial and complex. Montreal was an English-speaking city until 1920, and it wasn't until the passage of Law 101 in 1977 that French became the official language of Quebec. According to some of the interviewees in this video, Québécois French is in a precarious position once again, with municipal signage and corporate names in Montreal reverting to English, as well as shopkeepers who refuse to speak French.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada
In the second episode of Le Québec parle aux Français, we learn more about the complex relationship between the French and the Quebecois throughout history. We also learn about the evolution of the French language in Quebec—according to a former Prime Minister of Quebec, the province even "spoke French before France"!
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada
In the first episode of this documentary on Quebec, a young Frenchman shares his impressions on Canada. As the interviewees in the film demonstrate, the Quebecois have conflicting attitudes toward the French—some see them as "snobs," while others see them as just "polite."
Difficulty: Advanced
France, Morocco, West Africa
Our delightful young guide takes the opportunity to explain why she loves her neighborhood of Python-Duvernois. We meet some of the locals, including an aspiring Michael Schumacher and some young footballers.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Will the French have to dine on cod liver or other such delicacies during this coronavirus pandemic? Can the food industry cope with the extra demand in supermarkets? Watch this video to find out.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Lalhou talks about his life as a Muslim in France and how he enjoys celebrating New Year's with his four children.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Scientists around the world are working together to combat the coronavirus. With the help of big data and artificial intelligence, research should yield results more quickly.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Canada
This news clip explains how Québec is preparing for the coronavirus. Testing has come a long way since the SARS outbreak in 2003.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Lahlou discusses what it's like to be a Muslim in France. He normally prays five times a day and goes to the mosque on Friday. He distances himself completely from those who commit attacks in the name of Islam, which is a religion of peace.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Sophie and Patrice discuss the evolution of the word "handicap," from its origins as a horce racing term to its current usage in French. Rather than les handicapés (the handicapped), the French now say les personnes en situation de handicap (persons with disabilities).
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
We live in tumultuous times, but Patrice and Sophie are optimistic, excited even, about the changes that are happening around the world. They're referring specifically to the yellow vests movement (les gilets jaunes), a populist movement that began in France in 2018.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Patrice and Sophie have a conversation about the French language. They agree that French people speak too fast for the average learner, and abbreviations and contractions make it even more difficult to understand. Patrice has a few theories as to why Parisians in particular speak so fast.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Christmas is a time of celebrations and a showing of goodwill. This young man followed his heart and started giving out small gifts to the homeless. Find out what prompted him to do so at the end of this video.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
A group of people gathered in front of the SNCF (French National Railway Company) headquarters to claim the use of empty buildings owned by the latter. Many people who are homeless or live in unsanitary conditions could greatly benefit from those vacant buildings.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
France
Youssef Ben Amar is a rapper and political activist who is running for office in the fourth legislative district of the Sarthe department. He shares his views and urges people to take an interest in politics, which he believes is something that all people do every day.
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