Francophilia!

A new kind of wave is sweeping me these days. I remembered recently my first French teacher (who was a Filipina) telling us that the best way to acquire a new language is by learning it through songs. The tune of songs will help you remember and retain new vocabularies, as she told us. Guess what, it worked for me! Here are two songs by one French band, Archimède, and a French singer, Kenza Farah. I found six French music artists in total, but these three are my favorite! It does not just help me with vocabulary, but also in perfecting my pronunciation. If you're curious, I DON'T understand the entirety of the songs as I listen to them for my listening skills was just a flat B in my French 2 finals. I can just pick up a few verses. When I read the lyrics though that's when I pick up the "meat" of the song. If you don't know French at all just listen to the tune of it! Archimède is just like the French version of the once popular band Click 5.

(If you want to follow along, click on these links for the lyrics)

http://www.greatsong.net/PAROLES-ARCHIMEDE,AU-DIABLE-VAUVERT,106069870.html

http://lyricsv5.free.fr/index.php?ac=cha&lettre=A&ida=1301&idc=11059

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY0KxP9Ewgw]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77GCL2Wzv00&feature=channel]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT5xhgdgLDw&feature=related]

How'd it go? Just like how the Korean wave is affecting a crazy amount of people in the Philippines and in the whole world, Francophilia is affecting me like heck. My advise to Koreanophiles: don't just appreciate K-pop, learn the language. It's fun! And your listening experience will even be more fun if you know the message of the song you're listening to.

Learning a new language has many benefits. While the top reasons students say why they learn a foreign language are for economic gains and job opportunities, learning a foreign language enhances one's image and personality, opens one's door to other cultures, and helps to develop a listening ear. For many learning and acquiring a new language is a daunting task, but with practice, memorization and organization, one can learn another language in a breeze.

It does not need to be "what's practical" if you find it hard choosing which language to spend your time in learning. I chose French simply because I have long been convinced that it's the language with the most beautiful accent (And the accent indeed is gorgeous. I love flaunting my nasal and R sounds, haha). I chose French also because France is the world's largest maker of luxury goods and where most of all luxuries came from, things I aspire to have in the future. I find it funny how people OFTEN MISPRONOUNCE French luxury brands such as YSL, Yves Saint Laurent, and LV, Louis Vuitton. I didn't really see the practicality of learning French until recently (and there's tons of it). And practicality doesn't really work with everyone if you do not "feel" the language your learning. Learn a language if you like a country! Learn a language to know other cultures! Learn a language to meet new kinds of people! Learn a language to expand your horizons!

Ever since I started to have French as my elective in high school, I gained a deeper understanding of the language and the French culture. I have never been to Paris to describe its beauty, but the many accounts of the travelers I know who have been there describe it as arguably the most beautiful city in the world. I have seen Paris only on slideshows and the mini city tour videos shown to us in the classroom and upon seeing its beauty it struck me and I made it a promise to myself that I will go visit it someday. I'm now officially a Francophile.

After honors French 3 this upcoming school year, my next target language is German because I heard English is highly Germanic, so I hope its similarities with English will help me learn the language easier. Or perhaps Spanish because it is almost similar to French. Or maybe Chinese this time for practicality and challenge.

My Chinese friend's farewell message to me. Chinese is so astig!

If you love English, now is the time to learn French because 45% of the English vocabulary comes from French. It'll help you increase your vocabulary. It did to me, especially on the SATs.