No more excuses!
Lack of time and no access to authentic sources are two excuses commonly given for not improving a foreign language. So why not use otherwise unproductive commuting time to listen to French language radio programmes? "They speak too fast," you say. "Reception is terrible," you say. "Even though I understand the words I don't have a clue what they're talking about." With Champs-Elysées there is no excuse and none of this is a problem. You can even subscribe online now from this page.
Champs-Elysées, produced in France, is an hour-long compilation of news, music and general interest features including interviews with well-known French actors, musicians and sports stars. It is presented in the style of BBC talk radio programs by top-flight broadcaster, Georges Lang, one of France's best-known radio personalities. Choose to receive the monthly editions either on cassette or CD, with an accompanying magazine, which contains what you have just heard word for word. Not only that but you also get a glossary of the most difficult words and phrases and explanations of tricky grammar plus background notes in English to explain some of the more obscure references. So, just as references to Trevor MacDonald may be meaningless to the average French person, so we must expect a little help to find our way around the current crop of significant French politicians, TV hosts, music stars, scandals and issues.
Clarity is top quality and what you hear are native speakers. You should ideally listen without the transcript a couple of times first to get the gist of what is being talked about. So, yes, it is fast (read, normal speaking speed) but you can follow the text as you listen, as long as you're not driving! Then you can use the copious notes in English to fill in the background to what you are hearing. There are also web addresses to relevant French language sites if you want to follow up and learn more about what you have just heard. The more you hear and read, the more you learn and the better able you are to understand more of the next issue.
For example, the January 2001 issue included features on mad cow disease, a notorious unsolved murder case, an appreciation of former Prime Minister, Chaban-Delmas, an exploration of the Charente region and reviews of the latest Claude Chabrol film, a Manet exhibition and the latest play by Yasmina Reza. All in all, more than a baker's dozen of features. The level is intermediate to advanced. There are eleven new issues of Champs-Elysées a year, an average of one a month allowing time off for a holiday. For the really keen, there is the opportunity to pay a little more and get study supplements (with answers) based on the items included in each edition.
For an opportunity to practice your French as well as learning about what makes the Francophone world tick, this is the next best thing to chatting with a native speaker. Champs-Elysées can be delivered to practically anywhere in the world so, no more excuses! Subscribe today and you should have your first edition within a week.
