I'll admit...when I first clicked play on "Emily in Paris," I was just looking for a fun escape into the City of Lights. Little did I know, I'd end up with some valuable insights into learning French and a newfound appreciation for using TV as a language learning tool.
As someone who's been struggling with conjugations and pronunciation, I found Emily's journey both relatable and inspiring. And to be honest, her experiences mirror what many of us go through when learning a new language in a foreign country.
Don't believe me? Well in this post, I'll reveal five surprising lessons "Emily in Paris" can teach you about mastering French.
Nicole Baptista
Why Watch Emily In Paris If You're Learning French?
With the new season of "Emily in Paris" set to hit screens in August 2024, it's the perfect time to revisit why this show is a must-watch for any language learner.
Immersion Is Key
One of the first things Emily discovers upon touching down in Paris is that her high school French isn't going to cut it in the fast-paced world of Parisian marketing. While she makes an effort to improve - listening to language apps and even attending a few classes - Emily falls into a common trap that many expats encounter: relying too heavily on English.
It's comfortable, it's easy, and let's face it, when you're trying to nail that big marketing pitch, using your native language seems like the safest bet. But here's the thing: comfort zones don't expand your vocabulary.
Here are the lessons we can take from her experience in learning the French language:
- Push past the comfort zone: While Emily often reverts to English in high-pressure situations, the moments where she forces herself to use French (however imperfectly) are when she makes real progress.
- Seek out native speakers: Emily's friendship with Mindy is great, but to truly improve, she needs more interactions with native French speakers who won't switch to English at the first sign of struggle.
- Think in French: We don't see Emily doing this much, but trying to form thoughts in French, even in your head, can be great for language acquisition.
- Embrace the awkwardness: Those cringe-worthy moments when Emily mispronounces something? They're actually opportunities for native speakers to give feedback right away.
Embrace Your Mistakes
If there's one thing Emily does spectacularly well, it's turning her linguistic faux pas into opportunities. Remember her struggle with pronouncing De l'Heure? Or her bewilderment at the masculine gender of "vagina" in French? Emily's approach to mistakes is refreshingly positive, and here's why it matters:
- Persistence pays off: Emily doesn't let her initial mispronunciation of De l'Heure stop her. She keeps at it, repeating the word until she nails it. This persistence is key in mastering tricky French pronunciation.
- Turning blunders into breakthroughs: Emily's confusion about grammatical gender becomes the foundation for a successful marketing strategy. It's a perfect example of how language mishaps can lead to cultural insights and creative ideas.
- Maintaining a sense of humor: Emily's ability to laugh at her mistakes keeps her motivated. It's a reminder that language learning should be fun, not a source of stress.
Milena Andrade
Cultural Context Matters
Remember when Emily inadvertently offends her colleagues by arriving at work too early? Or her confusion over the French practice of "la bise"? These moments highlight how language and culture are inextricably linked. Here's why cultural context is so important:
- Grasping humor and sarcasm: Many of Emily's misunderstandings stem from missing the subtle humor or sarcasm in French conversations.
- Building genuine connections: When Emily starts to grasp cultural references and French slang, her relationships with French colleagues and friends deepen.
- Navigating professional settings: Emily's success at work improves as she learns to read between the lines of French business etiquette.
So if you're serious about connecting with the French people, you need to understand the cultural nuances, idiomatic expressions, and unwritten rules that shape daily interactions.
But how can you gain this cultural context without jetting off to Paris? This is where tools like Lingopie come in handy.
Lingopie allows you to learn French with Netflix Originals and other authentic French movies and TV shows. By watching shows in their original language, you're not just learning vocabulary and grammar - you're absorbing cultural cues, colloquialisms, and real-life usage of the language.
Investing Time To Learn French
One of the most relatable moments in Emily's Parisian journey is when she confesses to her new boss that her French isn't up to par, despite listening to some language-learning apps on the plane. It's a classic case of last-minute cramming that many of us can relate to!
This scene brilliantly illustrates a crucial lesson about language learning: it's not a one-and-done deal. Here's why Emily's experience matters:
- Consistency trumps intensity: Emily's crash course on the plane, while admirable, isn't enough to prepare her for real-life conversations. This highlights the importance of regular, consistent practice over sporadic intense sessions.
- Real-world application is key: Emily quickly realizes that textbook French and real-life French are two different beasts. This underscores the importance of practical application in language learning.
- Continuous investment yields returns: As Emily continues to invest time in her French, we see her skills improve. It's a testament to the "use it or lose it" nature of language learning.
Sofia Garcette
Language Learning Can Be Fun
If there's one thing Emily shows us, it's that learning French doesn't have to be all conjugation tables and vocabulary lists. While we don't all need to fall head over heels for a charming chef (though it certainly didn't hurt Emily's motivation!), we can definitely take a cue from her adventurous approach to language learning.
So, how can we inject some Emily-style fun into our French learning?
- Watch French movies and TV shows: Instead of dry grammar exercises, why not learn sentence structure and vocabulary through captivating French cinema? Platforms like Lingopie make this easy and interactive.
- Listen to French music: Create a playlist of French songs and try to understand the lyrics. It's a great way to improve your French listening skills and pick up colloquial expressions.
- Cook French recipes: Follow a French recipe in the original language. You'll learn food vocabulary and imperative forms while creating something delicious!
- Play language learning games: There are numerous apps and online games designed to make language learning fun and addictive.
- Join language exchange groups: Conversing with native speakers about topics you're passionate about can make learning feel less like work and more like socializing.
Learn French With Lingopie
If Emily's Parisian adventures have inspired you to take your French learning to the next level, it's time to discover Lingopie. This video-based language learning platform brings the best of Emily's experience right to your screen, minus the awkward office encounters!
With Lingopie, you can immerse yourself in authentic French content, watching popular TV shows, movies, and series all while learning the language in context. This context-based learning helps you understand not just the words, but how they're used in real conversations and situations – just like Emily does in her day-to-day Parisian life.
Ready to start your own French adventure? With Lingopie, you might just outpace Emily in your French fluency. Allez-y!
