French now ranks 5th among the world's most-spoken languages.

Growth is concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa. Read the Quartz Africa article here

J'aime / j'aime pas

Great song that teaches how to say I like and  I don't like in French sign language
(N.B. "je n'aime pas" is the officially correct way to say I don't like, but folks say "j'aime pas" LOTS.)

Bonne rentrée! Welcome back!

I am SO excited to see everyone and for our new year together learning FRENCH! I spent a week this July in Danvers, Massachusetts at a spectacular language teachers's conference. In the mornings we were students in a Russian class and in the afternoons we learned how we could apply the skills used by our Russian teacher in our own teaching. I am SO jazzed to share.

My goal in class this year is to speak understandably in French and to do so for 90% of class time. The students's job is to

Listen with respect with the intent to understand.

Here's an adorable video of a two year old showing Dad his eyes, ears, nose etc. and counting.

Enjoy!

How to learn a new language: 7 secrets from TED Translators

Tips for learning a new language from the translators at TED

POLVORONES DE CANELA (Mexican Wedding Cookies)

POLVORONES DE CANELA

Ingredients

Cookie Dough:

• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour (all-purpose)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:

• 1 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prepare cookie sheet(s) with butter or non-stick cooking spray or parchment paper.

Cookie dough:

In a medium size bowl cream butter and powdered sugar until well blended and smooth, then add vanilla and stir until well blended. Next mix flour, salt and cinnamon together, then add to butter mixture – stir until well blended – do not over mix.  

Cinnamon Mixture:

In a small bowl, mix powdered sugar and cinnamon – mix well.

Form cookie dough into one inch balls, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture and place on cookie sheet (traditionally these cookies are rolled in sugar after baking but while still warm, they’re very fragile though). Bake on middle rack of oven for approximately 15 minutes. Cookies are ready when they turn a light golden brown. Be careful not to over bake. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.  Enjoy!

Makes 20-25 cookies. Store in a tightly sealed container (if you manage to have any left!).

Play quick draw in French!

Amusez-vous bien en dessinant!

Are your prejudices your own?

15 minute Canadian film that will make you rethink how you see others

Please share your thoughts about the experiences of the various characters in the comments section.