Sometimes, a small action on the part of one can instill a lifetime of pursuit and passion on the part of another. The occasion may come about as ordinarily as is passing of the hours in a day and this transformation of grand measures may be as transparent as shining glass between the two people in question. Yet the powerful impact of this small action is undiminished. The small action on my mind is my grandfather’s last conversations with me in Turkey and this gift of a lifetime was the transfer of his love of that most exquisite language of all, French, to me.
During Iran’s better days, I had been admitted to the École Française in Tehran at the ripe age of 3 but then the 1979 Iranian revolution came about and put a damper on my education by shutting down anything foreign, civilized and educational. Revolutions of this kind are a master at ruining dreams and plans. It is thus that my mom’s dream of me learning to speak French early on with a Parisienne accent went up in flames overnight.
She may have managed to get over it. I did not.
The Early Influence of Multiple Languages
When living in Turkey, I had to become fluent in Turkish fast (fluent enough to hold my own among students, translate for the parents AND get a passing grade in geography and other classes!), elementary German (Turkey has a disproportionately large German influence) and English (thankfully, this was also taught!), while we continued to speak and communicate in Farsi at home. Challenging yes but I still much preferred these to the difficulties of learning Arabic in Iran.
Languages seep in and out of your life at different rates. The learning – the seeping in – is painfully slow while the forgetting – the seeping out – is unfairly quick. Constant practice is the only way to retain the skills and yet hardly practical unless you live in the environment that demands it of you day in and day out. Today, I remember but a few words in Turkish and German and I have no recollection of Arabic but I managed to hold on with iron grips to the good old English and my Mother Tongue, Farsi, continues to thrive thanks to my renewed appreciation for it.
Whether I remember everything I learned or not is inconsequential to the larger change that was taking place. During our 3 year sojourn in Turkey, these exposures to various languages at such a young age created an affinity of languages in my mind that has grown stronger every passing year. I cannot begin to imagine being limited to one single language in the course of my life. Can you?
Even so, these languages were simple infatuations and just the start of a sweet journey. I had yet to fall in love.
Enter: My Grandfather and Le Français (French)
Winter 1986 - A time of sad remembrance and a lasting impression.
We welcomed my grandfather and grandmother, two most special people, into our home away from home in Ankara, Turkey. A highly educated man in physics, mathematics and the sciences from the best schools in Paris where he published text books, he was also superbly fluent in French. He had wanted the same French influence for my Mom who received a complete education in French in Iran and Paris. There used to be a large influence of French culture and language in Iran; I used to compare it to that of German in Turkey, neither of which I ever truly understood and both I found fascinating.
As always, he came prepared to his last visit with us. I have, in the photo above, the gift that he left behind for me: His 1952 French-English/English-French dictionary, badly torn and about to fall apart from years of over-use, and yet one of my most endeared possessions to this day.
With this dictionary, some paper and pencil, he taught me my first words in French. After each lesson, he would tell me to run off and show off my new phrases to my Mom and grandmother. He shared something he loved with me during this last visit and this something happened to sound exquisitely beautiful in my ears. All the other languages paled in comparison. They were tools; this was beauty and class, romance and style, a world of fantasy and royalty, to my 12 year old perception. This was perhaps a way to reclaim that which had been taken from me at 3; I had taken the first steps to resume my French again.
What’s more, I felt important when I spoke French, inexplicable as this may sound even to myself. I felt proud, I felt good, I felt feminine, and all this made my beautiful grandfather smile. He, who in his brilliance picked the queen of romance languages, managed to transfer this passion to me effortlessly. I remember the way he expressed his wish for me to learn French then. It was a matter of course, not a discussion, a family tradition more so than an education. That I should learn and speak and be fluent in French was implicit and obvious to him and that was reason enough for me then and it is enough now.
This small encouragement on his part, this sincere desire to please a grandfather I would never again see, this growing obsession with the most beautiful language of all, all of this is part of that crystalline transformation resulting from the small actions. Actions which have propelled me forward over the years to make room for French in my life. Actions which have played a part in the person I have become and in the choices I have made.
Why do I love French so? Is it because French is an innately beautiful language or is it the sweet tender way it made its entrance into my life and set up permanent home in my heart? And does the answer really change the bond and commitment I nurse for it? I cannot help but wonder at times what a solid education and unique experience I would have received as a little girl at the hands of the French Catholic nuns at École Française, how differently I would have learned, how fluent I would have been. Oh the longing for what would have been, what thoughts and reverie we entertain at times. All the same, I have made my peace with what would have been.
I believe with my heart and soul, departed as he may be from this earth, my grandfather just knows I stayed true to my French, that I continued to pursue it throughout my education and beyond, and that I practice and strengthen and reap pleasure from it every day. With that, I am at peace and to my genius grandfather, eternally grateful.
The opportunities for learning any language are abundant today and so I direct my energy to learn, to strengthen, to reinforce my French language skills every day. It is the ultimate fulfillment of a promise and a duty to myself – that I would indefinitely continue the passion transferred to me and perhaps today, I have transferred some of that passion – a passion to learn a new language, to rekindle an affair with an old one, or to do both – to you. Wait no longer! Learn a new language today!
“The sum of human wisdom is not contained in any one language.”
- Ezra Pound
This is the first post in a Language Series topic. The purpose of this series is to offer you a new perspective and compelling reasons to learn new languages by sharing my stories and the best practices in my experience.
To drive you to action, in the next post in the series, I will offer you a list of compelling reasons on why you cannot afford to live fully with exposure to only a single language in your life so stay tuned!
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{ 59 brilliant comments, Care to add another? }
You should learn Italian
Oscar,
On my list – but it’s after Japanese and right up there with Portuguese. My aunt is fluent from her years in Firenze……
Farnoosh,
With the passion that you wrote this post, I am sure your grandfather knows, beyond a shadow of doubt, that he has succeeded in passing on his love for French to his granddaughter.
Thank you, Abubakar, I like to believe the same. I really do. The love of French lives on in our family.
Farnoosh, you have made me want to return to my French-speaking ways. I took several years of French in high school and then, that was that. There was no one to speak it with, so I barely remember a word anymore. I would like to learn Italian too, as I have a yearning to visit there. Before language lessons, however, comes learning to play the guitar. So many passions, so little time
The guitar is a perfect choice. The only exception I am making above languages is for music – I never picked up an instrument seriously but I do live with a “piano man” – and my Dad played the guitar, Jean – It’s very beautiful. Go for it. French can wait for the guitar
!
Farnoosh,
This is very touching story of language with love of your grandparents. I can see, genuine love of your grandfather and French from your post! Thank you for sharing it.
I think learning various languages also teaches us lot more, I do not know more than 2 words on French but Zenguy have studied and used to be good, now he is out of practice. May be he can converse with you and other french speakers to keep his knowledge. I wish to learn more languages, I know a few but no where near to fluency.
Hi Preeti, thank you for coming back here. It is so easy and unfair how fast we forget what we do not use. I am sure your Zenguy can get right back into it with some practice. We both agree: Knowing more languages teaches us so much about the world and other cultures. And remember, it’s never ever too late not only to learn a new language but to also achieve fluency!
Farnoosh,
I love coming here and commenting more
See!
You are so right, learning should never stop. I am glad you have background of diverse culture and languages to share with us.
Can you read and write as well? I sometimes find learning to speak another language much easier compare to learning read in it.
Hi Preeti, yes I do read and write French as well. I learned it through high school, some in college and then self-continuing education. It is never sufficient enough for my desires so I am constantly improving it! But aren’t we all doing that at one thing or another in life?
Farnoosh,
What a beautiful post. I agree. I think your grandfather is well aware of how you didn’t forget the lessons he gave you and that you continued your studies of French. You may not be aware of him, but he knows.
I took French in school and loved and enjoyed it very much. I’m sorry to say I don’t remember much of it though.
I was raised speaking Greek and it was my first language. My parents insisted that I learn Greek before English, so that I would never forget it.
I’ve always wanted to learn Italian….you may be bringing one of my hidden desires to the surface Farnoosh. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Angela,
Greek, really? Do you know how much my Dad insisted that we visit Greece when living in Turkey? Did we listen to him? No!!! Now do I regret it ever.
Italiano! I will partner with you to learn – I was going to talk about all of the other languages in my next post series – and I am very happy to awaken a hidden desire, Angela, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Farnoosh, yes I am of Greek heritage –
I have thought for a long time about learning Italian, but now I am feeling a bit overwhelmed between my full time job, selling my home, blogging and my new responsibilities with The Daily Brainstorm. Sadly, I’m not going to have much time to devote to learning a new language in the foreseeable future. Don’t wait for me -
Angela, I won’t argue – I know how busy we all are – and I was going to mention all this in the next post series but have you heard of Radiolingua.com? I listened to 80 Coffee Break French podcasts just driving in my car every day – I did not take notes or review or look at any documents. I simply used the time driving to listen and I hardly drive much during my days – And…..They have Coffee Break Italian. Just a thought. All free. Google it and tell me what you think…..Even a little goes a long way!
Farnoosh,
My you are up early!
Radiolingua.com? No, I hadn’t heard of it. I will definitely Google it though.
Free? That’s an amazing resource…….
I just checked it out and downloaded 10 free mini-lessons of Greek to see how accurate it is. It was right on the money.
Thank you for introducing me to this. I’ll definitely go back for the Italian!
Are you kidding? I slept in til past 7 today but it’s because I am so sore I can hardly move and now I have to go get on a bike for a cause – but I digress
!
!
Yes it’s free although they have a paid version. The podcasts were all free. The French is accurate. I have gone through some of the Japanese and it’s very well-done and I did a few of the Italian but it’s time to pick it back up again. Angela, very proud of you for making time for this!!! Don’t you feel better already?
I have recently found this site but I feel I am not very stranger, I take the positive energy in readying the articles and the stories of Farnoosh and her face to face to comments and the feedback. It seems I know you guys for the long time. Yes ! During a few days visiting the site, I am feeling nice and I do remember many of you with many lovely memories . I know Angela and her hidden desires, the pretty girl Preeti who is like Indian cinematic stars beside the trees! Jean with her nice site, Oscar, Armen, Deana, Kostas, Jen, Phil, Megan,Lana, … and Travis with his good Iranian friends, the very funny and jovial man Abubakar and -of course- Naghmeh with her tears for movies! And……. I never forget Lance with his poetic sentence:” I just sense your own deep care for the people in our world. ”
I have recently found this site, nice to meet you all every day, I missed you…….and as you know I found you in Coffee Break French, so I realize why I love French so much..!
Hi Abbas, it is nice to hear of a silent reader always. I see you have been lurking around for a while and getting to know many of the other readers. Thank you for sharing your thoughts not just about the post but about the fellow readers. And yes, I just finished the 80th episode of Coffee Break French – I am sad they are not making any more at this time.
I thought you were on Pacific time? I’m on Eastern….
You speak Japanese too? You are a wonder!
I do feel better……thank you!
Enough Japanese to say delicious food, thank the waiter and the chef properly and do the formal greeting but I absolutely and positively LOVE the language. East Coast most of the time
!
Sushi wa oishii desu ka… anyone?
Many years ago I worked with a woman who had majored in Japanese in college – I found that fascinating.
Okay, East coast – I got it.
Enjoy the weekend.
Angela, Japanese IS fascinating and so is Japan – I might need to do a travel post on my travels outside of Tokyo.
Hey Farnoosh, it was pretty cool listening to your experience on how you got into learning French, especially at such a young age. I think depending on what country you live in in the world, you’ll be influenced by at least a second language. For example, if you are born in Taiwan, you most likely will be trialingual by the time you reach your twenties – Hokkien (Taiwense native language), Mandarin Chinese, and English is a required learning in schools. I had no idea that the French language had such a big influence in Iran. I learned something new today, and I think your effort here in learning the French language will still make your grandfather proud.
Hulbert, thank you for sharing something I did not know – There are so many languages in Asia and India, so many dialects of each, and yet English has such a prominent place, that yes, you grow up at the very least bilingual. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts (and your Japanese up above! Arigato
)!
Moi aussi, j’adore parler francais. J’ai ma licence en francais et j’ai vecu en France plusiers fois:) I like the middle east too. It’s fun to go to other countries (Tunisia and Laos for example) and be able to speak to the local people in French. They even sell baguettes (french sticks) in Laos. What a wonderful rich heritage you have, it’s a real gift for future generations to be able to read these stories. And us right not of course. Merci Farnoosh:)
Ah Annabel, salut – Je savais que vous avez vecu en France en écoutant votre interview avec Hulbert. Vous avez eu de la chance, non?
….
I could go on and on but I’d better stop!
Lovely to see you here, Annabel, and wonderful to find another French speaker. Thank you for your comment!
Hi Farnoosh
I know what you mean about French – it always sounds so suave and sophisticated.
The French monitor their language to try and keep it “pure” and avoid Franglais but they do use words and phrases such as…
Le picnique, le parking, le camping, le weekend, guess they don’t have equivalent words – must really annoy them!
I spent a few seasons in the French Alps and learnt a few bits and pieces but I was spoilt because my wife speaks good French and she always did all the talking.
Merci bien pour le message interessant, j’attends le prochain avec plaisir!
Keith, you are back! Very funny on those English words which all end up masculine over in French…..The list is long especially with the advent of technology. How nice to see you again! The French Alps ha? What wonderful time you must have passed.Et alors, je suis bien impressionée par ton francais! Pas mal du tout!
Oh Farnoosh, the story about your Grandfather shows how love really propels us into learning. Nothing more to get us into action than having love driving it.
I have been lucky to learn English, French, Spanish and German at high school, all compulsory in Holland. I was proud I could make sense of all the French words written here. Yes, languages are fun to learn but only when you can regularly use them.
Good reason to learn and travel. xox Wilma
Wilma, I am sure you have retained some of those languages somewhere – I like to think the same about my Turkish! I am so happy you enjoyed my story and good point, I learn and travel and take my French along! Lovely to see you back here!
Hi Farnoosh,
I love your writing style. (Teach personal essay writing, so I gravitate to heartfelt sentences.) It’s lovely. A few fav sentences:
Revolutions of this kind are a master at ruining dreams and plans. It is thus that my mom’s dream of me learning to speak French early on with a Parisienne accent went up in flames overnight.
Took Italian for several years. Need to return my attention to it. Looked into some Italian immersion programs in the ancestral homeland. Will recheck it out. Learning other languages gives our own lives more depth.
Thanks for the reminder. Giulietta
Hi Giulietta,
Thank you – I am so happy to get such kudos from a teacher! My English teacher in highschool would’ve been proud!
Italiano – another gorgeous language – and of course, from your beautiful name…yes by all means do return to it right away, a treasure to let go of those language skills. All the best!
Farnoosh, it is wise to fall in love with someone or something. It is good for you and for the world. It is what the heart is made for and thrives on. J’adore amour.
Thank you John – Great words on the heart’s mission in life!
Farnoosh, – I have extreme difficulty learning languages, but I love your passion for it.
there was a moment in this post when you pondered what would have been, “I cannot help but wonder at times what a solid education and unique experience I would have received as a little girl at the hands of the French Catholic nuns at École Française, how differently I would have learned, how fluent I would have been. ” – often times when given formal training the passion isn’t as deep as when we set out to learn & develop on our own. Maybe with the formal training your love for french would be the same as it is now, it’s possible – but I wonder, perhaps the love is most alive because of your Grandfather and your sheer desire to learn it on your own – re-commiting to the desire on a regular basis and seeking out deeper ‘mastery’ of it on a regular basis …. – rather than having it given to you in French School.
Dear Aileen, how wonderful to see a new face here and leaving us such thoughtful comments. Thank you so much! You are right about the passion. I never felt passionate about Electrical Engineering and I went for not one but two degrees there! I love your version and I will never wonder again about what would’ve been. Thank you for helping me see this so beautifully!
Lovely post, Farnoosh. I enjoyed learning about your history. I am sure you do your grandfather proud, every day.
I agree that learning a second language is incredibly important. I try to explain this constantly to my monolingual American friends, especially the ones who have children and are now deciding what those children will study. I cringe when language programs in this region are cut for lack of funding in the economic downturn. Such an incalculable loss! I’d rather they stripped the school of football teams anyday.
For me, learning languages opened up doors to other cultures… and opened up the doors of my mind to perceiving a wider reality than the narrow one I’d had growing up. Learning to speak another’s language is a way of getting inside her head, understanding the way her thoughts are structured. Yes, we find commonality everywhere — but also amazing and delightful differences! I was considered to have achieved “near-native” fluency in French a few years ago, living in a French-speaking country, and was routinely mistaken for a Frenchwoman, but I have fallen out of practice living here where it’s English only, sadly. (However, a few days ago I helped to translate for a family of new immigrants from Haiti at the optometrist’s office, and that made me feel I hadn’t really lost so much facility yet.
Maybe when you get up to a certain level and it has been part of your daily life for so long, it is hard to lose it, really.)
It’s my first time here. Can’t wait to read more of your series!
Hi Meredith, it is going to take a massive effort to make languages a priority here in the US – I only focus on mine and hope that I can inspire others in the process. I can completely relate to how pleasantly surprised you were when you translated for that family. I love how I store some of my language skills for a rainy day. It is a sweet sensation when it comes out and I just wish there were a million more opportunities where I could do this. Thank you for adding your voice here in the post. I hope you come back and share more of your thoughts soon!
Farnoosh: I really liked your first statement about the special people that are able to inspire us for a lifetime. What a great story about your grandfather. He sounds like an amazing person. I couldn’t agree more that learning another language is so important. It just opens you up to so many other experiences in life. I also thought that quote you shared from Ezra Pound was amazing. We really do have to explore as much as we can if want to gain all the insights and wisdom that is ours for the taking. Great post Farnoosh.
Hi Sibyl, I am sure you have stories like that knowing you and how much you value people in your own life! And yes, he was amazing in countless ways. I miss him so much. I can’t get credit for the quote from Ezra Pound of course but it is so true. So glad you enjoyed my story here and thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Farnoosh,
This is a very powerful post that gave me a greater appreciation for the art of learning different languages. I also have been on a pursuit to learn french but my motives were not a clear as yours. I wanted to learn it because I thought it was a cool language. Your story has moved me to look beyond foolish reasoning and focus on purpose. Thank you for sharing your journey.
Hi Frank, honestly, as long as you learn French or whatever language you enjoy, I think the reasons may not matter much – the only worry I would have is if your reasons would carry you through, way past the initial learning stage and the initial excitement! I hope that they do and I wish you lots of learning fun. You won’t regret the effort it takes to get there! Thanks for stopping by!
When choosing which language to learn in High School back in New York, I chose French though I never made it past remedial classes, I still retain basic sentences and can understand more than I speak. Now that I moved to Arizona, I wish I had learned Spanish as there are virtually no folks who speak French here.
Hey Justin, I hear that so often – that those 2 years in high school do not really do anyone any lasting good -It’s really a shame. It is in the way the language is taught as it leaves no lasting residue. So sad but you are not alone. Spanish is EASY! Just get some podcasts and go for it. I do not speak Spanish; it is lower on my list of languages but it is not a difficult one to learn and a pretty one to know! Thanks for your thoughts!
Once Upon A Time…30 years ago I was very young, I had fallen in love with a girl who left me because her family wanted to immigrate to France. It was a sad time so I flew to Paris for finding her, at that time I didn’t know French language at all, not even a word! After 3 months living in Paris, I knew many useful words and important sentences for communications. Then a bad event happened and we separated. She went to London and I came back to my country. During 28 years I neither talk nor read or hear French. 2 years ago when I went to Paris again during one week which I was walking and reviewing my memories, I found out the French words are coming back again in my mind . After coming back I started to read and listen again and at this time I am happy that I have fallen in love with my French again. It is – of course – the language of my best times the language of love and sadness….
Abbas, very bittersweet – more bitter than sweet – story – but I am so happy you fell in love with French again. Living in Paris for 3 months would be a dream to me, even though I know it was a time of drama in your life. Thank you for sharing the story so sincerely with us here. And of course for showing that languages endure in our mind, often times to our own surprise!
Hi Farnoosh, I enjoyed this! Have read here before but haven’t commented yet–I totally understand the love of French parce que j’adore la langue aussi et tout les chose francais, even if my grammar and spelling is getting terrible from disuse
.
I can’t imagine being limited to one language, either. French was my first love starting very young in school and then I added Spanish in college and German later and a sprinkling of a few others like Russian and Swedish…but just a sprinkling. When I worked for Rosetta Stone I studied some Chinese, Japanese, and Arabic…fun! So easy to learn with that software. I have the French and Spanish programs. Great for ongoing practice when there’s nobody to talk with! I also listen to some French bands like Les Rita Mitsouko, my favorite or read le Monde online. At least helps to keep the ear and reading skills sharp.
Cool to read someone else’s language love story.
Leah, toi aussi eh? Nous adorons la meme langue mais il faut qu’on pratique tout le temps……So very nice to hear your thoughts on Rosetta Stone – We have thought about getting it for Japanese and Italian but I couldn’t justify the cause because I was not sure about its effectiveness. And I love the exposure you have had, Leah, to so many languages. Thank you for the advice on keeping up the French for me, for you and for all others – and lovely to see you here, come back anytime! And for your comment, merci mille fois!
Farnoosh, I wouldn’t recommend working for Rosetta Stone but I recommend the product without hesitation. It’s truly good. Watch for the sales! Prices go up and down dramatically (and be sure to buy–if you do– from a reputable source; there’s some piracy going on).
Bonne journee!
Leah, no I wasn’t think about working for them
but my Gosh, I can’t believe the piracy bit. Why, thank you!!! I’ll just come straight to you for advice when I am ready to splurge! 
Et une tres bonne journeé a vous aussi!
Farnoosh – what a sweet dedication to your grandfather! I know he would be very proud of the woman you have become! I also took French in high school but was too young to appreciate it. I haven’t practiced in years and unfortunately have forgotten most of what I have learned. I would absolutely love to pick it up again. I will have to buy some CDs and pop them in my car! I, too, have gained a stronger appreciation for Farsi as I’ve grown older. I regret all those years of not talking to my parents in Farsi – I had them right at home! However, I still have them right at home
and thankfully have started speaking to them in Farsi (from time to time) now. That is a language I definitely never want to let go of… it is special to me in so many ways. Thanks for the post and reminder!
Negar, my dear, you don’t have to buy CDs, just go to Coffee Break French (Google Radiolingua or Coffeebreak French) and download free podcasts. This is all info I wanted to share in my *next* post in the series – but remember it will cost you nothing to listen to quality podcasts and pick up your French skills again. On Farsi, you know, it’s sometimes strange to talk to our own parents – what you need are Iranian friends! I bask in talking to my new found childhood friends in Farsi but it’s totally different from my parents. That said, do practice with them of course! And as long as you hold on to some part of the language, it will stay with you! So nice of you to share your thoughts here and so glad you are enjoying the blog!
Oh it’s thrilling :°)
Thanks for my language, It’s making me proud ! Here in France, especially in the media, in the streets, schools, everything is done to make the language easier, but unfortunately this is going empty by the same time. Perhaps the good will come from true lovers outside ?
Merci beaucoup ! Si vous aimez le français vous aimerez peut-être le tout petit livre d’Erik Orsenna, “la grammaire est une chanson douce” je l’ai adoré !
A bientôt, au plaisir de vous lire…
Ah bienvenue ici, Christel. Oui, j’adore votre langue. Ca me fait grand plaisir de faire votre connaissance ici…Ma mere aussi, elle adore le francais. Et je vais chercher le petit livre donc vous parlez. Je vous remercie mille fois et j’espere de vous voir ici a plus tard….a bientot.
Merci de votre accueil chaleureux !
Ce petit livre je l’ai reçu à sa sortie d’une amie enseignante, pour mon anniversaire. Quel merveilleux cadeau elle m’a fait là.
J’ai été ravie et triste à la fois qu’il se lise si vite…
Mais j’ai tout de même fait durer le plaisir autant que possible.
Bonne nuit, et bonne lecture :°)
Christel, que je suis en retard de vous repondre. Je m’excuse. Merci de votre message. Il faut que je lise ce livre, non? Merci encore….!!
Je suis tombé amoureux du français, moi aussi, après être tombé amoureux d’une Française que j’ai connue en Allemagne et en allemand! Je ne savais pas un mot de français, ses 8 ans d’anglais ne servaient à rien pour communiquer, nous avons donc parlé allemand ensemble, langue que nous apprenions tous les deux dans un Goethe-Institut. Elle s’est mise ensuite à m’apprendre des chansons françaises à la guitare, ensuite je me suis mis à lui écrire des lettres en français à l’aide d’un petit dico de poche allemand-français. Elle corrigeait les grosses fautes par retour de courrier. Trois ans plus tard nous nous sommes mariés en France—je parlais déjà couramment français—, et quelques années après j’ai été parachuté tout à fait par accident prof de français à la fac où je suis resté 41 ans!
J’ai une émission de radio, “French Toast” (wmbr.org) et un webcast 24h/24h, “L’Air du temps” (wumb.org), tous les deux portant sur la chanson de l’espace francophone et dispo à tout moment sur Internet. Je maintiens aussi un blog sur le français pour l’Association Américaine de Profs de Français (AATF), chapitre Eastern Massachusetts—j’habite à Cambridge—qui pourrait vous intéresser: aatf-emass.ning.com. Vive le français!
Last Fabulous Post by Brian Thompson was EVNews April 2011
J’ai compris tout et ca me fait tres, tres heureuse. Brian, que je suis enchantee de faire votre connaissance ici et de savoir votre histoire d’amour et de profession. Merci d’avoir toutes les deux partage ici avec nous. Votre histoire d’amour, je la trouve tres douce!! La vie est interessante, sans doute!
Merci encore. Votre message me donne beaucoup de plaisir…. A la prochain fois alors.
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