Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
One might think that the push to remove anglicisms from the French language would be stronger in France, but the larger movement to "purify" French is actually happening in Quebec. Many Québécois worry that the French language is endangered in Canada, and the Quebec government has taken measures to preserve it by inventing new words instead of borrowing from English. That's why an email is still un email in France, but un courriel in Quebec.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
French Canada is a cultural mosaic that is still exploring its identity. Some French Canadians feel more American than French, while others feel more of an allegiance to their French roots. Somehow, a Quebecois nation is emerging out of all this, but not without some growing pains.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
In part 6 of Le Québec parle aux Français, the interviewees compare and contrast the immigrant situation in France and Quebec. France, being a smaller country, creates additional pressure for immigrants, while in Quebec, immigrants do rather well. Later, Olivier treats us to a little song he wrote himself.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
In part seven of this series on Quebec, Olivier focuses on something that is dear to the hearts of many Québécois: the majestic Saint Lawrence River. He also explores their relationship with money and the way they conduct business. Olivier asks whether it's easier to do business in Quebec or in France. Quebec, it seems, offers more opportunities for companies, with fewer regulations and restrictions, while France remains a very productive country despite the thirty-five-hour workweek.
Difficulty: Adv-Intermediate
Canada, France
In part 8 of Le Québec parle aux Français, Olivier discusses the cost of maintaining a high standard of living. Is France living beyond its means? Heavy taxation and full employment would go some way toward balancing the national budget and covering the cost of welfare programs.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec may never answer the vexing question: Should Quebec remain part of Canada or not? While opinions are divided, Quebecois don't necessarily show the same passion as the French when debating hot issues.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Quebec's current relationship with France is complex. French politicians tend to tread carefully regarding Quebec's sovereignty. For many years France adopted a policy of "neither indifference nor interference," a more neutral stance somewhere between a hands-off policy (which could be seen as complete abandonment) and an overly intrusive relationship. Sarkozy moved away from that policy, but his successor Hollande revived it.
Difficulty: Advanced
Canada, France
Oliver concludes this eleven-part series with a visit to Fort Chambry, where French and British armies fought over new Canadian territories. How did this affect the present? Olivier leaves us to draw our own conclusions and assures us that he is fond of the Québécois as much as they are fond of him. He shares his final impressions of Quebec in a lovely song at the end.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
The French love their cheese, and as this video demonstrates, their appreciation begins at a young age. In the Touraine region, a group of students taste an incredible variety of raw milk cheeses from the area and learn about the ways in which they differ from their "industrial" imitations. Who says that kids can't have refined palates?
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
A group of high school friends from the Haute-Savoie town of Scionzier are trying to stop the destruction of a small farm building they discovered and restored. One of their efforts is the organization of a community yard sale for the town.
Difficulty: Intermediate
France
The French equivalent of ESL (English as a Second Language) is known as FLE (Français langue étrangère, or "French as a Foreign Language"). FLE is what you're learning right now, and it's what one of the women in this video is learning to teach.
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