Learn French Through the Power of Story

An Innovative New Programme to Learn French With Confidence, Imagination & Flair!


Dear Friend,

When you first started learning French, you might have imagined yourself living some kind of "fairytale"...

And with good reason!

Who wouldn't be tempted to...

  • Buy a house in the South of France & enjoy relaxing conversations with friends and neighbours over a late-afternoon apéritif
  • Read European news in French, communicate with French-speaking patients & clients in their own language, or advance your career by applying for coveted Canadian government jobs
  • Enjoy cinema or music... even Proust in the original French & gain a deep understanding of French culture from a native perspective
  • Travel to former colonies, immerse yourself in the culture & communicate with the locals in effortless French

But if you've ever tried actually speaking French in the real world, your dreams may have quickly turned from "fairytale" to folie!

Here are just a few confessions I've received from French learners:

  • I've lived in France for 5 years, but am still too scared to say anything! I don't want to keep feeling stupid every time I make a silly mistake!
  • All my French friends speak perfect English, so it’s been difficult to make progress -- I feel like I’ve failed...despite living in France!
  • French people speak so fast! They blend their words together, swallow syllables... I feel lost at sea, trying to decode what's being said. I give up!
  • I know some French... but people don't understand me because I mispronounce words! It is so frustrating!
  • There are so many words that sound the same to my ear. Often, the words are the same, but they are spelled very differently & have completely different meanings.
  • Sentence structure & grammar differences are hard. It's so different from English... it's like learning three languages at once! And verb tenses can get pretty nasty!

Do any of these struggles sound familiar?

If they do, then read on.

I'd like to tell you about an innovative approach to learning French through the power of story, that can have you closer to living your "fairytale" than you may have thought possible...

I Didn't Have A Clue How To Learn French

My name is Olly Richards.

And perhaps the most interesting fact about me is that I’ve taught myself eight languages.

I’m also an author and teacher, and my learning methods have helped thousands of people around the world successfully learn a second language.




In fact, French was the very first foreign language I learned!

I was 19 years old...

But I didn't have a clue what I was doing!

All I knew was that I had dreams of strolling down the Champs-Élysées in Paris, exploring the streets of Montmartre, and buying as many pains au chocolat as I could lay my hands on...

So, I began learning French the only way I knew how:

I bought a textbook and signed up for French classes.

(After all, that's what people normally do, isn't it?)

After studying for a few months, I took a trip to Paris. I spoke French with real people for the first time and... I had the shock of my life!

The people I met didn't speak anything like they did in my textbook. I struggled to understand anything!

To make matters worse, when I tried to speak... c'était une catastrophe!

I was completely tongue-tied, and it felt like I hadn't learned a thing from my months of study. I felt ashamed at my failure to communicate.

Many years later, I discovered that I wasn't the only one to struggle like this with French!

"I Feel Tongue-Tied When I Speak French!"

You see, it turns out that most French students have a pretty hard time learning to speak French in the real world...

(Even those who have gone to live in France!)

It’s not uncommon to hear students say:

"I live in France, but I can't communicate with people or understand what they say... it puts me at a distinct disadvantage!"

Or...

"I'd just like to be able to hold a conversation without feeling stupid about making silly mistakes!"

What you've just read is the harsh reality of learning a new language.

And it's reflected in the statistics:


You've heard the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

But what if it is broke?

Well... then it must be fixed!

The brutal truth is that traditional language learning methods don't work well in the real world.

Here what "traditional" language study looks like:

  • Work through lessons in a textbook
  • Learn grammar rules
  • Memorise lists of words

Sound familiar?

These methods are great for passing grammar tests. They're also convenient for mass schooling, where tests are the mechanism for measuring progress.

But, I'm not interested in learning French in the school system.

I'm interested in learning French in the real world!

And when you're face-to-face with a native French speaker, guess what?

They don't care about your test results!

Here's the reality:

Traditional Methods Of Learning French Lead You To "Think In Rules" & Translate In Your Head, So You End Up Tongue-Tied When You Come Face-To-Face With Native Speakers

Look...

There's a reason you feel tongue-tied when you speak French... It's because you're "thinking in rules" and "translating in your head".

There's a reason you don't understand fast, spoken French... It's because you're spending all your time studying, rather than immersed in the language!

There's a reason you lose interest in studying French after a few months... It's because you're not using a method that entertains and inspires you!

So what should you do instead?

Quebec City, Canada

The Secrets of Fluent French Speakers

If traditional methods to learn French leave you tongue-tied...

Then the secret to speaking French fluently is to turn that method on its head!

Look...

Successful French learners start with the end in mind.

They learn in a way that helps them achieve the most important things of all:

  • Effortlessly understand fast, spoken French, so that you can take a full part in conversations, enjoy your travels to the full, or live a rewarding life in your local community
  • Master French phonetics so that you can accurately pronounce even the most difficult words, make a good impression on the people you meet & sound less "foreign" when you speak French.
  • Speak French with confidence, so that you can easily and warmly communicate with the people around you, without fear of making mistakes, and keep the conversation in French without the annoyance of reverting to English at every opportunity!
  • Enjoy the process of learning French, so it feels like less of a chore and more of a joy, so you can make faster progress towards your goals and enjoy the journey.

Now, doesn't that sound like a more appealing way to learn French?

Yes, I thought so too!

That's why I decided to develop an innovative new method to teach French that turns traditional learning on its head.

It's a method that I've created specifically to help you avoid the frustration associated with speaking a new language, so learning is more natural & fun...

This Method Helps You Communicate Effectively In French, Impress The Locals With Your Command Of The Language & Fully Integrate Into The Local Community.

This method is based on the power of story.

And in some ways, this method isn't anything new.

Stories, after all, are as old as time!

But when you apply this method to learning a language, it's anything but traditional!

In fact, this "story method" might not make any sense to you at first. But if you're serious about learning French, then what I'm about to show you is important...

And if you’re planning a trip to France, Belgium, Canada, or indeed any of the 29 French-speaking countries in the world...

And you’d like to elevate your experience from "tourist" to "insider"...

Then this will be the most important information about learning French that you'll read this year.

Here’s how this method works..

How To Learn French Through Immersion

You already know that traditional methods to learn French leave you tongue-tied and unable to understand fast French...

It's because you're "thinking in rules", rather than relaxing and thinking in French!

So how do you learn to think in French?

Well, you've heard of the concept of "immersion"....

And you probably share the intuition that immersion would be quite helpful for learning French...

When You Learn With Immersion, French "Learns Itself" In The Background, While You Relax & Surround Yourself In The Beautiful Sounds Of The Language!

Now, that sounds great...

And when you learn through immersion, great things happen...

Rather than struggling with grammar rules... you gradually learn rules naturally, from context.

Rather than memorising lists of vocabulary... you learn words organically, as they appear in context.

Rather than panicking when you hear fast French... you get used to spoken French from the beginning, by immersing yourself in the language.

But...

If you're like most people, you're probably not quite sure exactly how to make "immersion" work as a method...

After all, if you've ever tried watching French TV, or reading a book in French, you probably didn't learn very much!

The reason?

TV and book are far too hard for beginners!

The trick to getting immersion right is to use material that's at just the right level for you...

Because when your material is at the right level... then you can learn!

Are You Ready To Learn French Through Immersion?

If what you've just read about learning French through immersion sounds good...

Then you might be interested in my new French programme for beginners - French Uncovered.

I’ve “bottled up” everything I know about learning French and created an exciting online course that contains everything you need to learn and master French:

  • A complete curriculum for beginner French learners, with learning guidance throughout to make sure you learn the right way
  • All "immersion" material prepared for you, so you can begin enjoying reading and listening to French at the right level without wasting time searching for the right material
  • Full language instruction from world-class teachers, so you won't have to do any guess work - you'll learn the shortcuts that will have you speaking fluent French in no time!

I've worked hard to create the most exciting, fun and innovative French programme you’ll find anywhere.

Introducing...

 








French Uncovered










French Uncovered

Learn French Through The Power Of Story


French Uncovered is my newest contribution to the world, for independent language learners everywhere!

Combining my innovative method of immersion, with thrilling story-based content, French Uncovered is your complete solution to learn French to an intermediate level

You'll learn to:

  • Converse with people in confident French, deepen existing relationships and make new friends
  • Understand natural spoken French, so you can travel around the Francophone world as an “insider”... not just another tourist
  • Indulge your passion for the French way of life, and deepen your knowledge of French culture by reading in the original language
  • Start a new life in France, Canada, or other French-speaking country, apply for French-language jobs, and undertake any project that requires a good level of French
  • Keep your brain fit and agile, performing “mental pushups” while enjoying a method that puts fun and enjoyment at the centre of the learning process

Curious how the course works?

Who Is The Man In The Hat?

In order to understand how French Uncovered works, you need to know about the man in the hat.

Or L’Homme Au Chapeau in French.

You might have spotted him, heading down into the metro:


(He’s hiding for a reason. But you’ll have to read the story to find out why!)

You see, the French Uncovered course is built around a story - L’Homme Au Chapeau - and the story is the engine of the course.

L’Homme Au Chapeau is written over 20 chapters, and it's where you get the immersion you need for the method to work.

The story is written in simple French, so the immersion works at your level, right from the start...even as a complete beginner!

French Uncovered Gives You Immersion In French Through The Power Of Story, Even As A Complete Beginner, With No Previous Knowledge Of French


Stories are supposed to be fun, and the story at the centre of French Uncovered is no exception!

Three friends find a mysterious note left in a dusty library book, and set off to travel around France, following clues left by the man in the hat.

The story is full of suspense, and by following the method I teach in the course, you’ll be amazed how you can read and enjoy the story, even if you can’t imagine understanding anything in French right now!

You'll be impressed how learning through story keeps you motivated... especially if you've had trouble staying motivated with languages in the past.

French Uncovered is as comprehensive as any other French programme, but it won’t feel like study at all, because L’Homme Au Chapeau introduces French grammar and vocabulary naturally, as part of the story.


So why is this method so fun?

Science actually.

Here's what I mean...



The Science


The method behind French Uncovered is supported by decades of research into language acquisition.

This research shows how "input-based" methods (i.e. immersion) reliably outperform traditional study:

  • One 2014 study in Spain demonstrated that this style of teaching worked about six times faster than traditional instruction.
  • In Hungary, a 2007 study showed that students learning with stories can learn more vocabulary than students in regular classes… without any study at all!

Here's how Dr Stephen Krashen, professor emeritus at USC explains how the method works:


"As we get input through listening and reading, we ‘absorb’ the grammar and vocabulary of the second language.”

Notice the word absorb?

Wouldn’t you prefer to absorb French, rather than study it?

With French Uncovered, you can!

By learning French with stories, you can learn grammar and vocabulary naturally, and wave adieu to rote learning



Meet Your Course Tutors!

In French Uncovered, you'll learn from language experts with over 30 years of teaching experience between them. Both tutors share a passion for teaching languages through story, which is what brought them together to create French Uncovered!

Olly Richards, Coaching


Olly Richards is a language educator, author and polyglot from the UK, who speaks 8 languages. Through his popular blog and podcast, I Will Teach You A Language, Olly reaches 100,000s of language learners every month.

He has published a best-selling series of books in sixteen languages, consulted for major institutions across Europe, and is a regular speaker at international language events.One 2014 study in Spain demonstrated that this style of teaching worked about six times faster than traditional instruction.


Diane Sbihi, Course Tutor

Diane trained as a teacher with the Alliance Française in France over 10 years ago & has been teaching French professionally ever since!

She has taught French to people from all backgrounds, from children to CEOs, teachers to professional rugby players.

In her own words: "I love the process of learning and I enjoy helping others to learn too, that is why I love teaching."



The French Uncovered System

Here’s an overview of the 4-Step process you'll be using to learn French in the course:

  • Step 1: Immerse - Immerse yourself in French by reading and listening to the story
  • Step 2: Learn - Learn words, phrases & grammar from the story with our instructional videos that bring the story to life
  • Step 3: Consolidate - Internalise what you’ve learned with creative practice exercises
  • Step 4: Activate - Practise & master what you’ve learned with pronunciation and speaking exercises


You'll begin by reading the first chapter of L’Homme Au Chapeau story and listening to the accompanying audiobook.

This gives you a taste of immersion right from the start!

But unlike traditional methods, we don’t ask you to learn or memorise anything from the story! (I told you it was different!)

We don’t even ask you to understand everything you’re reading at first!

No...you simply enjoy immersing yourself in French … without feeling like you're studying at all!

An extract from Chapter 1 of the story.

This immersive experience builds your ability to cope with real French from the very first day.

Over time, this is what ultimately helps you speak French naturally. You build the well before you're thirsty!

Full English translations of the story are provided, so you can check your understanding and keep up with the story.

Each chapter features a short comprehension quiz like this one so you can check your understanding of the story.


Now comes the magic!

Imagine you had a French expert standing over your shoulder, pointing out useful words and explaining interesting sentences as you read the story:

  • Words explained
  • Sentences made clear
  • Questions answered

Well, that’s exactly what you get with French Uncovered!

In over 80 special video lessons, you'll feel like you're sitting with Diane one-on-one, as she brings the story to life on your screen, one sentence at a time!

Right before your eyes, Diane takes key French words, phrases and grammar from the story, and helps you understand them one by one.

In fact, the magic of French Uncovered is that we hardly have to "teach" at all -- we just help you notice the important words and phrases from the story, and give you a few little nudges to make sure you understand!

With our "story first" approach, you'll find that new words stick more easily and your brain learns grammar intuitively.

Video Preview...

(Click the images below to start the video previews!)

1) COGNATES

Grow your vocabulary instantly by identifying French words with a shared root in English...


2) VOCABULARY

"Unlock" the story by learning the key words you need to understand the plot:


3) GRAMMAR

Uncover grammar from the story naturally... instead of from rules:


After each lesson, there are worksheets with creative exercises to help you consolidate what you’ve learned from the story.

Unlike traditional methods, however, our activities don't aim to "teach"...

The activities and practice exercises in French Uncovered help you:

  • Review and practice French you’ve learned from the story, so you develop a strong memory through a process of review
  • Introduce new vocabulary, so you can expand your working vocabulary far beyond what you find in the story itself
  • Perform creative tasks with what you’ve learned, so you learn to actually usewhat you’ve learned in real situations, not just “collect new information”

A sneak peek inside the beautifully designed French Uncovered member area.

One of the vocabulary worksheets you'll use to internalise your French knowledge during the course.

You’ll love how fun learning is when you can easily memorise new things naturally, without any rote learning!


Learning to express yourself fully in French, without freezing up, forgetting words, or taking ages to form a sentence, is a central aim of this course.

That’s why, in French Uncovered, at the end of every module, we bridge the gap from the classroom to the real world with pronunciation training and speaking activities that take what you’ve learned from the story, and help you activate it through controlled speaking exercises you can use by yourself or with an French-speaking friend or tutor.

Pronunciation Training: Diane teaches you the sounds of French, step-by-step, in glorious HD video. After learning the basic sounds of the language, you’ll then embed the sounds in some of the tricky words and phrases from the story!

You’ll quickly reduce any foreign accent you may have and speak French with more confidence...

Diane teaching the nuances of French pronunciation

Speaking Packs: In each chapter, you'll find a set of speaking activities for two people. These packs are written in French, so you can literally hand the pack to an French-speaking friend, partner or tutor. They’ll read the instruction and instantly have a selection of exciting activities to help you practice what you’ve learned from the story.

(Since there is no “live” component to French Uncovered, you can study the course at a pace that suits you, so you can learn most effectively without falling behind.)

You'll immerse yourself in French through our compelling story.

And students love it...

"True Inspirational Material!"

What Students Are Saying About My Uncovered Courses...


"Olly's materials are astounding to me. In all my many years of frustrated foreign-language learning, I never before had access to such comprehensive materials, which in my book are truly inspirational!" - Michael

"Your Uncovered Resources Are Ridiculously Good!"

"You've been one of the more thorough language learning teachers on the internet. Not to diminish other language teachers but it seems like no one offers a lot of the resources that you offer. Your Uncovered resources are ridiculously good!" - Zak

"The Spanish Uncovered course is exceeding all my expectations. You make the grammar section so clear and easy to assimilate. Moving on effortlessly in the stories is pleasureable and quite exhilarating as I understand what I am hearing much more easily. These courses are worth every penny".

- David

"I Was Ahead Of My Peers"

"When I started German Uncovered, I was around A2 in German and needed something to solidify my knowledge of the basics. The idea of learning through stories is what interested me the most.

Even from the first lessons, I felt like I got a lot of value from the pronunciation tips and the cognates review. When I started my B1 courses I had a solid foundation and I was ahead of my peers on word recognition and pronunciation! German Uncovered was certainly part of my toolkit".

- Eloy from Peru

Is French Uncovered For You?

You might be asking yourself if French Uncovered is the right level for you.

Let's take a look:

French Uncovered is designed for complete beginners. It's everything you need to learn French from day one.

My goal is for this to be the last French programme you EVER need!


What if you’re not a complete beginner? Perhaps you've learned some French before, but never got very far?

If that's you, then French Uncovered is the best way to refresh your knowledge and keep learning!

The magic of learning through story is that you can both review what you...while learning new things!

You'll start the course in some familiar territory and quickly move on to new things as you progress towards intermediate French!


Are you an intermediate French learner?

Can you already speak French comfortably and understand most of what you hear?

Then sorry, but French Uncovered isn’t for you. Please drop me a line about my intermediate programmes and I'd be happy to recommend something more suitable for you.

Join French Uncovered Today!


So, let’s talk about the investment involved in enrolling in French Uncovered today.

While preparing this information, I had a look at fees for enrolling in the Alliance Française in London - a popular place to learn French here in the UK.

Their equivalent courses that take you from beginner to intermediate level in French cost US $2,400 (GBP £1,830).

Now, Alliance Francaise is excellent, and I have no doubt their courses are great. However, by working online, I’m able to offer my programmes at a fraction of the cost.

French Uncovered is a complete programme that will take you from your very first steps in French all the way to an intermediate speaker of French, able to travel to French-speaking countries, communicate confidently with locals, and gain a deeper appreciation of French culture.

And you can learn from anywhere...in your own time. (No late-night evening classes required!)

That’s why I’m happy to offer enrolment in French Uncovered for an investment of only US $297 (GBP £224).

Here's how to get started & enrol in the course:

Click the button below

You'll be taken to an order form

Enter your details at checkout

You'll get instant access to French Uncovered!

$397

Price today: Only $297 (USD)

100% SECURE CHECKOUT

Get started now!



Satisfaction Guaranteed!

I’m a big believer in fairness, which is why I offer a 100% money-back guarantee for French Uncovered.

Unlike your local language school, I’m able to literally guarantee your learning.

Join today and try out the course. If it’s not for you, you can email me any time within 30 days. I’ll refund every penny you paid for the course.

It's my cast-iron guarantee.

Sound fair?

Now, if you join French Uncovered and commit to the programme... and watch how quickly you learn when you do... I don’t think you’re going to want to take advantage of this guarantee!

But the guarantee is there nonetheless, for your peace of mind.

It's the right thing to do, and allows you to join with confidence today.

What Is Speaking Real French Worth To You?

If you’ve read this far, I know what you really care about is making French a part of your life, so you can travel to France, Canada, or another French-speaking country and communicate meaningfully with the people you meet.

  • Perhaps you've been putting off getting started with French?
  • Perhaps you've never found the right time?
  • Perhaps you've studied French before... but never found a method that excited you?

Either way, think about this:

If another year passes, and you still can't speak confident French with the people you meet… is that acceptable to you?

I know it wouldn't be for me. Not any more.

Now ask yourself how different your next trip to France will be when you can easily strike up a conversation in French, and understand what comes back at you!

In French Uncovered, Diane and I will help you:

  • Fully express yourself in French as an independent, confident speaker
  • Make the most of your next trip to France, able to speak at will with the people you meet
  • Transform your relationship with French speakers close to you, as you can communicate in their own language
  • Learn about French culture, watch our favourite movies, or read your favourite authors in the original French, and understand the true meaning of their words

I've created this programme so you can make French a reality in your life, and experience what it's like to find true joy in language learning.

As you will see below, my students all around the world are finding extraordinary success using my Uncovered courses and I'd love for you to be my next success story!

I'm excited to welcome you into French Uncovered!


$397

Price today: Only $297 (USD)

100% SECURE CHECKOUT


Get started now!



What Other Students Are Saying...


New Bonus Content...

New for French Uncovered, we've introduced a valuable set of material that will help you learn French even faster!

Canadian French Support

In French Uncovered, we include a Québécois version of the story (and audiobook), so if you plan to travel to Canada, we have you covered!

You’ll learn to understand authentic Québécois French, so you're prepared for can travel around French-speaking Canada and be ready for anything.

And if you live in Canada, you don't have to worry about learning the "wrong" French - you'll gain a command of both standard French and your local dialect!


Advanced Listening Training


Everyone knows that spoken French can be difficult to understand, so we wanted to go the extra mile to make sure you can understand French in the real world!

Our dedicated ear training lessons put you in common situations and asking you to identify what you hear:

  • Places
  • Names
  • Times

...so you can travel in French-speaking countries, able to understand the vital details you need to get by.


Pronunciation Primer


It's vital to master French pronunciation from the beginning, so you can pronounce new words confidently and avoid bad habits.

Now, French Uncovered contains pronunciation lessons in every module. But we didn't stop there.

We wanted to include a Pronunciation Primer right at the start of the course, that gives you a thorough overview of:

  • The most important sounds of the language
  • How sounds change in fast speech
  • Silent sounds & letter combinations

It's all the "need to know" info about French pronunciation, so you’re ready to start learning French without feeling intimidated by unfamiliar sounds.




How French Uncovered Was Made...
Olly and Diane spent months planning, researching, creating and recording French Uncovered to create an entirely new experience for learning French...



Learn In Your Own Time & Become Fluent Faster


French Uncovered is a self-study course that you take online.

As a self-study course, you learn at your own pace.

You also have lifetime access... so there's no risk of falling behind!

You’ll be pleased to know that French Uncovered is extremely easy to use, and has been designed with the "tech phobic" in mind!

So, even if you’re not great with technology or confident with computers, you'll be able to navigate the course with ease, on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet... or even your phone... so you can focus on learning French, not battling with your iPad!

But, in the unlikely event you do run into any tech trouble, our friendly customer support team are always available to help you out.

  • Easy-to-Use Member Area: Makes browsing the course and access the course materials a delight
  • Responsive Design: Access the course from any computer, table or mobile device
  • Fully Downloadable Materials: Download all course materials to your device, so you can study in places where your internet connection is unreliable!
  • Interactive Discussion Areas: within each lesson mean you can ask questions about anything you learn on the course and get a reply from myself or Diane
  • Free Lifetime Updates - Any improvements or additions that are made to the course in the future, you get FREE. So you can join French Uncovered today, safe in the knowledge that you'll always have the most up-to-date version!
  • World-Class Customer Support - I have a fantastic, dedicated customer support team who love helping you out. If you do run into any technical trouble, for whatever reason (however small!), you can rest assured there will be help at hand, and it won't stop you learning!

"When we wanted to create an online course on how to learn a language we asked Olly to write it with us. His experience as a language learner has been invaluable."

Dr. Tita Beaven, The Open University

"Olly’s top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work—and you will too!"

Dr. Barbara Oakley, NYT best-selling author & Instructor Of Learning How To Learn - The World’s Largest Massive Open Online Course

"Olly’s advice on language learning is the real deal, and I recommend you pay attention to what he has to say!"

Benny Lewis, Fluent in 3 Months

"Learning a language is challenging, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your brain and your learning skill set… Olly Richards is doing some seriously incredible work to empower more and more people to rise to the challenge."

Jonathan Levi, Entrepreneur & Eclectic

$397

Price today: Only $297 (USD)

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Get started now!



Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
I want you to be delighted with French Uncovered, so I offer a 100% money-back guarantee for the course. Join today & try out the programme... if it’s not for you, simply email us any time in the next 30 days. My friendly customer service team will promptly refund every penny you paid for the course.
I'm not a complete beginner. Is this course still relevant for me?
Yes, absolutely. Although you might be covering some familiar territory in the early lessons, many people find it helpful to go over the basics more than once. The main advantage of this course is that you will be listening and reading to the story that accompanies the course from the beginning, which you will be able to enjoy even more with your existing knowledge. The speaking lessons will also enable you to consolidate the French you already know, which all contributes to building a strong foundation and making fast progress in the language.
What variety of French do you teach in the course?
The course is based on standard French from France. However, you'll also get a complete Canadian French version of the story and audio narration! This will help you learn the differences between standard French and Québécois French, in terms of accent, vocabulary, and so on, so you can be confident speaking French wherever you may live or travel to. With a strong foundation in the language, which this course provides, you will have the knowledge and flexibility to adapt to whichever particular variety of French you wish. The most important thing is that you learn in the first place, and this beginner programme is the best possible place to do that.
How comprehensive is this course?
There are 20-course modules in French Uncovered. Each module contains 7-10 hours of study time (minimum), comprising: • Reading and listening to one chapter of the story • Cognates activity and lesson • Vocabulary and grammar lessons plus practice worksheets • Pronunciation training plus exercises • Speaking activities With French Uncovered we aim to take you through A1-A2 level, to the point where you’re ready to begin a B1 level intermediate course. As such the total study time on the course is 150-200 hours, which is plenty to get you to B1 level.
How long does the course take to complete?
The approximate study time of the course is 150-200 hours. (Although the study time could be significantly more depending on how much time you dedicate to the immersion practice.) If you decide to study two modules per week (a brisk pace), it would take you approximately 10 weeks to complete the course. At a more leisurely pace of one module per week, you would complete the course in 20 weeks.
Can I study at my own pace? Are there any live components to the course?
The course is designed for you to study at your own pace, is based on self-study and has no live components. This means you can study in a time and place that suits you and can make faster progress on your own terms! What's more, you get free updates to the course as they are released in the future, and the materials never expire. The course material is fully downloadable, so if you don’t have a good internet connection, you can download what you need, and access it any time, any place.
Why is the course in US Dollars?
I have students from many countries around the world, and the US Dollar is the most widely-accepted currency. But don't worry! You can purchase the course with any debit or credit card, no matter where you live, and your bank will automatically convert the USD to your local currency at the market rate.
How is French Uncovered different from the many other French courses out there?
When I set out to design French Uncovered, my main aim was to set it apart from every other French course. The way I've done that is to base the entire course around a story, and, in fact, the course syllabus itself emerges from the story. Let me explain... Most French courses are structured by taking a bunch of grammar rules, putting them together in a certain order, then teaching them to you one-by-one in a series of lessons. This is dull, and ineffective. In this course, we do things differently. In this course, your main focus is this: To read and enjoy the plot of the story! That's right - you concentrate on reading and understanding the story. The "formal study" happens another way! You learn through a process known as "Guided Discovery". What's guided discovery? Well, rather than teaching you a particular grammar rule in an abstract way, I first make sure you first see the grammar rule being used in the story itself - in context - so you get to learn how it works in a natural way. Doesn't that sound more exciting than your last textbook? You discover the rules by yourself (with help from me of course), which makes learning much more effective. This means you get to enjoy learning French first and foremost, rather than get bogged down in technicalities from the start. (Yes... it's fun!) At every stage of the course, you’ll be immersed in real French - both the written story and the audiobook. This means that by the time you finish the course, not only will you have read an entire book in French, but you’ll have a large vocabulary, so you can express yourself fully in conversation. You will also have had many hours of listening practice, so that following spoken French will be effortless.
What's the difference between French Uncovered and your Short Stories?
My books of French short stories are supplementary reading material for people who already have some foundation in the language. What you're seeing on this page is my complete beginner programme (a structured course), which is suitable for those who are complete beginners in French, just getting started, or wanting to revisit the basics. After completing this beginner course, you'll be ready for my books of short stories!