Interesting... Interested...

French speakers often misuse the word interesting because it has two senses in French:

Definitions of intéressant

adjective

Digne d’intérêt.

Des lectures intéressantes .

Profitable.

Des profits intéressants .

In English we only use the word "interesting" to mean "digne d'intérêt". It is only about what your mind likes to think about. If you are talking about money you must always say profitable or advantageous in English.

Remember to say "I am interested in..." not "I am interesting in..." 

See this explanation.

Verbes essentiels pour les débutants

J'ai deux adultes qui apprennent à utiliser des verbes. C'est leur liste essentielle.

am / is / are

have / has

need / want (would like)

Can...?

Do...?

Go / Come

Look / Watch

Help

Call

Know

Start

Find

See

Speak

Take

Think

Il y a beaucoup de phrases que vous pouvez faire avec ces verbes.

Can you come today?

Yes, I can come today.

Can you help me?

Yes, I can help you?

Can you call me? 

Yes, I can call you.

Do you need help?

Yes, I need help.

Can you name...

these kitchen tools?


grater
plate
bowl
potato masher
fork 
oven mitt
cutting board
cup
scissors
hot pad
saucer
can opener
glass
soup ladle
bottle opener
flipper
wooden spoon
butter knife
dessert spoon
whisk

Preparing for a job interview

Kevin, this is your prep for Wednesday. Have fun!

You will have a
mock job interview
based on the London-based store you selected.







Here are the basic interview questions:

1. Why are you interested in working for us?

2. Can you describe how you see our brand?

3. Our retail store has a laid-back vibe but our sales are brisk and work on the floor is demanding. Do you have work experience in a similar environment? Can you describe this work experience?

4. How would you describe your approach to sales (that is, dealing with customers face-to-face)?

5. Imagine that you have a young customer (around 15 or 16) who is very indecisive and cannot choose between two kinds of jeans. How might you help that customer make a decision?

6. Do you believe that "The customer is always right"?

7. You have a customer who wants a new outfit for this spring. Something casual for Saturday afternoon going out with his girlfriend. What would you suggest from our new arrivals?

Now think of
3 questions
that you might like to ask your potential employer.

Flower Power Tower - the saga continues...

A&I are at it again, with their new series - Flower Power Tower! Stay tuned for all three episodes!

Flower Power Tower - Part 1

A is sad about her Flower Power sign, but I reminds her that they made plans for a more enduring way to celebrate Flower Power - with a monument! The Flower Power Tower!



Flower Power Tower - Part 2

Yes, Colleen has a new student over Skype today. She'll need her white board for sure. So A&I have to say good-bye to their Flower Power sign. But that's OK. Because they have a new Flower Power Tower! Peace! Love! Flower Power!!!



Flower Power Tower - Part 3

Oh oh. Guess who's coming to visit? Yes, The Tie Guy. Will he be nice? Will he like A&I's new Flower Power Tower?

How many? How much?

How many...?

compter les choses (pluriel) - mots avec "s"

cars do you own?

children in your family?

kilometers is it to Bagnoles de l'Orne?

apples are in that bag?

books are on the shelf?

people are in the room?

days until vacation?

hours does the trip take?

How much...

mots sans "s"

time do you have?

money do you have? 

does it cost? 

stuff is there?

gas do you need?

sugar do you take?

milk do we have? 

food does your cat eat? 
traffic was there?
paper do you need?

can you carry?

demander un prix

How much is it?
How much are they?
How much does it cost?
How much is a loaf of bread?

How much are the shoes? 

How much for the meal?

How much do you charge?

Asking questions - 6W + How?

Who? Qui?
What? Quelle?
When? Quand?
Where? Où?
Why? Pourquoi?

Listen to this great song!

Which? Lequel?

How? Comment?

How many? (number = le nombre) Combien?
How much? (quantity = quantité) Combien?

How old? Quel âge?
How far? À quelle distance?
How often? À quelle fréquence?
How big? De quelle taille?
How heavy? Comme c'est lourd?
How long? Combien de temps?
How high? Combien haut?
How deep? Quelle est la profondeur?
How useful? Comment utile?
How fast? À quelle vitesse?

Renting a car

Lorsque vous voyagez, il est souvent nécessaire de louer une voiture.
Voici quelques phrases utiles et exemples de dialogues.

Trouver une location de voiture à l'aéroport:

Where is the car rental booth?

Where can I rent a car?


Demander une voiture:

Can I rent a car?

I would like to rent a car.

Do you have cars available?


Si vous avez une réservation:

Hi. I reserved a rental for today.

I have a car reserved.


Ils peuvent dire:

Sorry, we have no cars available today.

What kind of car would you like?

What type of car do you need?

We have: 

Vous pourriez dire:

How much is the mid size SUV?

How many does the minivan seat?

I'll take the minivan.

Food allergens

There are 14 major allergens which need to be mentioned on a menu when they are used in a restaurant.
Il y a 14 allergènes majeurs qui doivent être mentionnés sur un menu quand ils sont utilisés dans un restaurant.

Here are the allergens and where they are found.

Voici les allergènes et où ils sont trouvés.

The 14 common food allergies:

1. Celery

This includes celery stalks, leaves, seeds and the root called celeriac. 

You can find celery in celery salt, salads, some meat products, soups and stock cubes.

2. Gluten

Wheat, rye, barley and oats (cross-contaminated).

Found in flour, some types of baking powder, batter, breadcrumbs, bread, cakes, couscous, meat products, pasta, pastry, sauces, soups.

3. Shellfish (Crustaceans)

Crabs, lobster, prawns and scampi are crustaceans. 

Shrimp paste is an allergen in this group.

4. Eggs

Eggs are often found in cakes, some meat products, mayonnaise, mousses, pasta, quiche, sauces and pastries or foods brushed or glazed with egg.

5. Fish
Fish dishes and sauces, pizzas, relishes, salad dressings, stock cubes and Worcestershire sauce.

6. Lupin

Lupin flour and seeds can be used in some types of bread, pastries and even in pasta.

7. Lactose
Lactose is found in butter, cheese, cream, milk powders and yoghurt. It can also be found in foods brushed or glazed with milk, and in powdered soups and sauces.

8. Molluscs
These include mussels, land snails, squid and whelks, but can also be commonly found in oyster sauce or as an ingredient in fish stews.

9. Mustard
Liquid mustard, mustard powder and mustard seeds. May be found in breads, curries, marinades, meat products, salad dressings, sauces and soups.

10. Nuts
Nuts grow on trees. Examples are cashew nuts, almonds and hazelnuts. You can find nuts in breads, biscuits, crackers, desserts, nut powders (often used in Asian curries), stir-fried dishes, ice cream, marzipan (almond paste), nut oils and sauces.

11. Peanuts
Peanuts are a legume and grow underground. Peanuts are often used as an ingredient in biscuits, cakes, curries, desserts, sauces (satay sauce), groundnut oil and peanut flour.

12. Sesame seeds
These seeds can be found in bread (on hamburger buns or bagels), breadsticks, hummous, sesame oil and tahini. Sometimes toasted and used in salads.

13. Soy / Soya
Found in oriental foods such as: bean curd, edamame beans, miso paste, textured soya protein, soya flour or tofu. It can be found in desserts, ice cream, meat products, sauces and vegetarian products.

14. Sulphites
Used in dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots and prunes. Sometimes found in meat products, soft drinks, and vegetables as well as in wine and beer. 

Norwegian menu

Voici un menu de Bergen, Norvège. Essayons de le traduire!

Menu

Allergens: 

1 - gluten, 2 - shellfish (crustaceans), 3 - egg, 4 - fish, 5 - peanuts, 6 - soya, 7 - lactose, 8 - nuts,
9 - celery, 10 - mustard, 11 - sesame seeds, 12 - sulphites, 13 - lupin, 14 - molluscs

Flatbread & Crispbread

40,-

(1 - wheat & oats, 7 - butter)

Bread & Butter

40,-

(1 - wheat & oats, 7 - butter)

Vegetarian

Turnip, radish & tarragon

115, -

(1 & 10)

Virgin Herring

Onion and potato

125,-

(1, 4, 7 - sour cream)

Lightly Smoked Fish

Cauliflower, dill & lemon

125,-

(4, 7 - sour cream)

Roast Beef

Herb salad, fresh cheese & walnuts

125,-

(8 - walnuts & 7 - fresh cheese)

Confit Chicken from Hornlagarden

Broccoli & lovage 

135,-

(7 - butter, cream & milk)

“Plukkfisk"

Pickled leeks and bacon

125,-

(4, 7 - butter)

Local Fish

Vegetable frikassé

125,-

(4 & 7 - butter)

Braised Lamb

Potato cake, onion & cabbage

145,-

(1 wheat & 7 - sour cream)

Neck of Pork

Grilled cabbage & watercress

145,-

(7 - butter)

Beer and Meat Stew

145,-

(1 barley & 7 - butter)

Local Bacon

10,-

(7 - butter)

Cheese Plate

Local cheeses

135,-

(1 wheat & oat, 7)

Sharing Many

The kitchen decides

LUNCH:

3 courses 275,-

4 courses 325,-

DINNER:

4 courses 325,-

6 courses 525,-

Prices per person.

(Suitable for parties over 2 persons.)

Beer pairing 6 courses

450.-

Price per person

Norwegian specialities

My student Lucie will be going to Norway soon to work as a waitress. I was doing some research into the items on the menu. One type of "Scandinavian tapas" is "virgin herring". Here is an explanation from the Nofirma research institute that developed this new treatment of herring.

Mon étudiante Lucie ira bientôt en Norvège pour travailler comme serveuse. Je faisais des recherches sur les éléments du menu. Un type de "tapas scandinaves" est le "hareng vierge". Voici une explication de l'institut de recherche "Nofirma" qui a développé ce nouveau traitement du hareng.

VIRGIN HERRING

Virgin herring is made from the same raw material as Matjessild. The Dutch word “Maatjes” means virginal. Herring used for matjessild and virgin herring are three year old mature herring that have not yet developed roe or milt. This herring contains a lot of healthy fat.

Only the best herring may be used as a raw material, and matjessild production has become a major industry in Norway. Every year around 140 million matjessild are produced along the Norwegian coast. It is important for the raw material that the herring is fat and that it has eaten copepod. Copepod ensures that the fish is full of enzymes. These ensure a fast tenderization process that has to be stopped at the right time by freezing the herring.

traduction:

HERRING VIERGE

"Hareng vierge" est fabriqué à partir de la même matière première que "Matjessild". Le mot néerlandais "Maatjes" signifie virginal. Le hareng utilisé pour le hareng maquereau et le hareng vierge sont des harengs matures de trois ans qui n'ont pas encore produit d'œufs ou de laitance. Ce hareng contient beaucoup de graisse saine.

Seul le meilleur hareng peut être utilisé comme matière première, et la production de matjessild est devenue une industrie majeure en Norvège. Chaque année, environ 140 millions de matjessild sont produites le long de la côte norvégienne. Il est important pour la matière première que le hareng soit gros et qu'il ait mangé du copépode. Copépode s'assure que le poisson est plein d'enzymes. Ceux-ci assurent un processus d'aération rapide qui doit être arrêté au bon moment en congelant le hareng.

Common greetings, pleasantries in English

Saying hello.

Hello - formal
Hi - informal
Hey - very informal - you have met before
Heyya - very informal - you have met before
Hiya - very informal - you have met before
Hey man - very very informal, usually just for guys who are friends
Good to see you - Good ta see ya.
Nice to see you. - Nice ta see ya.
Nice to meet you. (Formal. First time meeting).
Pleased to meet you. (Formal. First time meeting).
Good morning.
Morning. (informal)
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
Long time, no see. (Informal - they haven't seen you for a while.)
Hey. It's been a while. (Informal - they haven't seen you for a while.)

RESPONSE: Hello. Hi. Yeah, it's been a while. Etc.

Asking how someone is, how is their work, etc.

How are you? (Formal)
How do you do? (VERY formal)
How are you doing? ** sounds like ** Howya doin?
How have you been? ** sounds like ** Howya bin?
How are things? ** sounds like ** How'r things?
How is everything? ** sounds like ** Howz everything?
How's it going? ** sounds like ** Howzit goin?
How's life? ** sounds like ** Howz life?
How's work? ** sounds like ** Howz work?
How's school? ** sounds like ** Howz school?

RESPONSE: Fine. Fine, thanks. Good. Great. Super. OK. Not bad.

Asking in other ways...

What's new? ** often sounds like ** S'new?
What's up? ** often sounds like ** S'up?
What's going on? ** sounds like ** What's goin on? OR S'goin on?
How is your day? ** sounds like ** Howz yer day?
How is your day going? ** sounds like ** Howz yer day goin?

RESPONSE: Not much. The usual. Same old, same old. Nothing new.

Saying good-bye

Good-bye!
Good night!
Bye!
Bye-bye!
See ya!
Later!
See you later! See ya later!
See you soon! Hope to see you again soon! See ya soon! Hope ta see ya again soon!

RESPONSE: Good-bye. Good night! Etc.

Common expressions in a restaurant

1. The guest

• A table for two, please.
• May we sit at this table?
• The menu, please.
• What are today's specials?
• Is the curried chicken hot (that is - spicy!)?
• We're not ready to order yet.
• The steak for me, please.
• Can we have some ketchup?
• A salad, please.
• I'll have the same.
• That's all, thank you.
• Can I have the bill, please?
• I'm paying.
• Here you are.
• Keep the change.
• Do you have wine by the glass?
• I'd prefer red wine.
• Please bring us another beer.
• Could I have French fries instead of mashed potatoes?
• What would you recommend?
• Please bring me the bill with my coffee.
• I think you've made a mistake.

2. The waiter

• Hi, I'm Lucie, I'll be your waitress today.
• Can I help you?
• Can I take your coat?
• Have you booked a table?
• Do you have a reservation?
• How many in your party?
• Follow me, please.
• This way, please.
• Can I take your order, sir/madam?
• What would you like to start with?
• What would you like to drink?
• What would you like for dessert?
• How would you like your steak? (rare, medium, well done)
• Do you want a salad with it?
• What kind of dressing would you like? Italian, French, just olive oil and lemon.
• Anything to drink?
• Do you want a dessert?
• The burgers are very good.
• I would recommend the fish special. 
• Sorry, the fish is finished (sold out - no more left).
• Is everything all right?
• Did you enjoy your meal?
• Do you want separate bills?
• Do you want everything on one bill?
• May I show you to a table?
• Please wait, there'll be a table free in a few minutes.
• Do you want vegetables with it?
• Why don't you try the pizza?
• It'll take about 20 minutes.

It's Bedtime! Q&A for kids

This is a question and answer song or game to play with kids before bed.
Ceci est une question et une chanson ou un jeu pour jouer avec les enfants avant de se coucher.

© ME!

It's bedtime! Whatcha gonna do?

We are gonna put on PJs! 

Put on-put on-put on-put on-PJs!

It's bedtime! Whatcha gonna do?

We are gonna brush our teeth! 

Brush our-brush our-brush our-brush our-teeth!

It's bedtime! Whatcha gonna do? 

We are gonna drink some water! 

Drink some-drink some-drink some-drink some-water!

It's bedtime! Whatcha gonna do? 

We are gonna read a book! 

Read a-read a-read a-read a book!

It's bedtime! Whatcha gonna do?

We are gonna say "Good night!" 

Say good-say good-say good-Say "Good night!"

Bedtime! A lullaby

Une "berceuse" est une chanson pour enfants que vous chantez avant d'aller vous coucher. La berceuse la plus célèbre pour l'heure du coucher est "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

A "lullaby" is a song for children that you sing before they go to bed. The most famous lullaby for bedtime is Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.


Scintille, scintille, petite étoile,
Comment je me demande ce que vous êtes!
Au-dessus du monde si haut,

Comme un diamant dans le ciel.

**************************************

There is also a parody of this song written by Lewis Carroll.

Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!
Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea tray in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!



Scintille, scintille, petite chauve-souris!
Comme je me demande ce que tu es!
Au-dessus du monde que tu vole,
Comme un plateau de thé dans le ciel.
Scintille, scintille, petite chauve-souris!

Comme je me demande ce que tu es!

Essential adverbs

Voici quelques adverbes utiles.

Accidentally = Accidentellement

Afterwards = Ensuite

Almost = Presque

Always = Toujours

Angrily = Avec colère

Badly = Mal

Briefly = Brièvement

Calmly = Calmement 

Carefully = Soigneusement

Cheerfully = Gaiement

Clearly = Clairement

Correctly = Correctement

Daily = du quotidien

Easily = Facilement

Even = Même

Eventually = Finalement

Exactly = Exactement

Far = Loin

Fast = Vite

Fortunately = Heureusement

Gladly = Volontier

Happily = Heureusement

Honestly = Honnêtement

Hourly = Horaire

Kindly = Gentiment

Loudly = Bruyamment

Nearly = Presque

Never = Jamais

Not = ne pas

Often = Souvent

Only = Seulement

Perfectly = à la perfection

Politely = Poliment

Poorly = Pauvrement

Quickly = Rapidement

Quietly = Tranquillement

Rarely = Rarement

Really = Vraiment

Regularly = Régulièrement

Repeatedly = À plusieurs reprises

Rudely = Grossièrement

Sadly = Malheureusement

Safely = Prudemment

Seldom = Rarement

Slowly = Lentement

Sometimes = Parfois

Soon = Bientôt

Suddenly = Soudainement

Too Aussi

Very = Très

Well = bien

Yearly = Annuel

Essential adjectives

Voici des adjectifs communs et utiles:

Annoyed = Agacé

Anxious = Anxieux

Ashamed = Honteux

Attractive = Attrayant

Average = Moyenne

Bitter = Amer

Bland = Fade

Bored = Ennuyé

Brave = Courageux

Bright = Brillant

Charming = Charmant

Cheerful = De bonne humeur

Clean = Nettoyer

Clear = Clair

Cloudy = Nuageux

Clumsy = Maladroit

Colorful = Coloré

Confused = Confus

Courageous = Courageux

Dangerous = Dangereux

Deep = Profond

Delicious = Délicieux
Depressed = Déprimé

Determined = Déterminé

Dirty = Sale

Disgusted = Dégoûté

Disturbed = Perturbé

Dull = Terne

Eager = Désireux

Elegant = Élégant

Embarrassed = Embarrassé

Encouraging = Encourageant

Energetic = Énergique

Enormous = Énorme

Enthusiastic = Enthousiaste

Envious = Envieux

Excited = Excité

Expensive = Coûteux

Fancy = De luxe

Fantastic = Fantastique

Fine = Bien

Flat = Plat
Foolish = Insensé

Fresh = Frais

Friendly = Amical

Frightened = Effrayé

Funny = Drôle

Fuzzy = Crépu

Gentle = Doux

Glamorous = Glamour

Greasy = Graisseux

Great = Génial

Grumpy = Grincheux

Handsome = Beau

Happy = Content
Healthy = En bonne santé

Helpful = Utile

High = Haute

Hollow = Creux

Huge = Énorme

Hungry = Affamé

Hurt = Blesser

Icy = Glacé

Ideal = Idéal

Itchy = Qui démange

Jealous = Jaloux

Kind = Gentil

Large = Grand

Lazy = Paresseux

Little = Peu

Lonely = Solitaire

Lucky = Chanceux

Mistaken = Trompé

Moody = De mauvaise humeur

Muddy = Boueux

Mysterious = Mystérieux

Narrow = Étroit

Nasty = Méchant

Naughty = Vilain

Nervous = Nerveux

Nice = Agréable

Nonsensical = Absurde

Nutritious = Nutritif

Odd = Impair

Old-fashioned = Démodé

Perfect = Parfait

Plain = Simple

Pleasant = Agréable

Proud = Fier

Repulsive = Repoussant

Ripe = Mûr

Rotten = Pourri

Rough = Rugueux

Round = Rond

Salty = Salé

Scary = Effrayant

Selfish = Égoïste

Sharp = Tranchant

Shiny = Brillant

Short = Court

Silly = Idiot

Skinny = Maigre

Sleepy = Somnolent

Slippery = Glissant

Small = Petit

Smiling = Souriant

Smooth = Lisse

Solid = Solide

Sore = Douloureux
Sorry = Désolé

Sour = Acide

Sparkling = Pétillant

Spicy = Épicé

Square = Carré

Stormy = Orageux

Straight = Tout droit

Strange = Étrange

Strong = Fort

Successful = Réussi

Super = Super

Sweet = Sucré

Tasty = Délicieux

Tense = Tendu

Terrible = Terrible

Thankful = Reconnaissant

Thick = Épais

Thoughtful = Réfléchi

Tight = Serré

Tired = Fatigué

Upset = Dérangé

Wonderful = Formidable

Worried = Inquiet

Yummy = Délicieux