French Facts
From the 17th to 19th centuries, France was the leading power of Europe, and was the lingua franca (a language widely used beyond its native speakers) of educated Europe, especially when involving the arts, literature and diplomacy
Around 7 million Canadians are native French speakers, 6 million of whom live in Quebec
Unlike Latin (but much like most other Romance languages), French has only two grammatical genders (masculine and feminine), and uses auxiliary verbs to form some tenses
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L’idée de construire la Tour Eiffel est née à l’occasion de la préparation de l’Exposition Universelle de 1889, qui devait célébrer le centenaire de la révolution francaise.
Les deux principaux ingénieurs de l'entreprise Eiffel, Émile Nouguier et Maurice Koechlin, ont eu l'idée en juin 1884 d'une tour très haute, d’environ 300 mètres.
L’entreprise Eiffel est spécialisée dans les charpentes metalliques, et a été fondée par Gustave Eiffel, construteur français à qui l’on doit de nombreux ouvrages métalliques à travers le monde, notamment la Gare de Pest en Hongrie (1875), le viaduc de Porto sur le Douro au Portugal (1876) et l’ossature de la Statue de la Liberté aux Etats-Unis (1881).
Le projet de la tour débute en janvier 1887 et s’achève le 31 mars 1889. Il n’aura fallu que cinq mois pour construire les fondations et vingt-et-un mois pour réaliser le montage de la partie métallique de la tour, ce qui réprésente une vitesse record si l’on songe aux moyens rudimentaires de l’époque.
La Tour Eiffel devient, au cours du XX siècle, un véritable symbole de modernité et d’avant-garde, inspirant les plus grands poètes, peintres, photographes et cinéastes.
Aujourd’hui, le monument a conservé son attrait universel : avec plus de 6 millions de visiteurs par an et en tout plus de 200 millions de visiteurs depuis son existence, la Tour Eiffel est le monument touristique le plus visité au monde.
La Tour Eiffel, que l’on surnomme « la Dame de Fer », mesure 324 mètres (avec antenne), pèse plus de 10 000 tonnes, possède 1 665 marches et nécessite 60 tonnes de peinture tous les 7 ans et plus d’un an à une équipe de 25 peintres pour la peindre entièrement. Des chiffres indéniablement impressionnants !
You and your group can be trained by our native speaker qualified French teachers, and can meet at your place of work or home at a time convenient to you. Tutorials can take place any day of the week, including weekends, and can be scheduled for the morning, afternoon or evening. If your home or office is not suitable for you, you can attend the course at the teacher's offices. You will be provided with all relevant course materials.
Book now / EnquiryThese French courses are intended for people who really need to learn French to help make that difference in their work. For beginners, it will be useful to learn greetings and basic business etiquette, at higher levels reading and then writing become more important. Typical students include those involved in import/export, international negotiations and acquisitions, jobseekers in multinational companies where an additional language is required, and those working with international colleagues, academia and government. Even on our most basic course for Beginners, students should expect to end the course with basic Telephone French and e-mail French skills for communications as well as Survival French required for short visits to a country.
Book now / EnquiryThese French courses are more general in nature and are targeted at students with a whole range of different needs. While all beginners level students can expect to cover Survival French - required for short visits to a country where English may not be spoken and/or the intention is to make good contacts with the local population, students then generally progress in different directions depending on their needs. Typical students include those buying property overseas, spouses of overseas nationals, people about to set off on that long-awaited world trip, French culture enthusiasts and those who are keen to pass a particular French examination.
Book now / EnquiryThose wishing to learn French in groups of 2 or more together (Two-to-One French Courses or Small Group In-Company French Courses) can sign up for our group classes. All students must be at nearly the same level of French proficiency, must have the same needs from the language, and must be able to study at the same time and place as the others. Bookings must be made for all students simultaneously. Listen & Learn do not propose group sizes or more than 6-8 people, but In-Company Taster French Courses can occur with up to 12 people.
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Sheffield
Sheffield is a major city in the north of England, with a population of over 520,000. Sheffield became internationally famed in the 19th century for its steel production, and a major industrial centre during the Industrial Revolution. After the collapse of the coal industry, Sheffield has reinvented itself as a sporting and technology city, as well as a major retail centre. Home to the world's first ever football club, Sheffield F.C., as well as hosting the World Snooker Championships and the English Squash Open, Sheffield's sporting ties reverberate around the city. It has also been the home of many well-known bands and musicians.
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"Our native speaker qualified French language teachers can train you and your colleagues at your office or home at a time to suit you. Classes can be any day of the week (even weekends) in the morning."