Role of Social Software as an Educational aid

This site is devoted to the learning of the French language and French culture. The intended audience includes people of all ages and levels of profiency in French. In order to promote the learning of various aspects of the French language and culture, the site uses a variety of social software components such as blogs, vodcasts, podcast and screencast. It should be noted that variety is the key to learning, especially in the case of young children who are curious by nature. All the social software enhancements serve a dual purpose. Firstly, they engage the audience more effectively by making the content more interesting. This aspect of learning is more pertinent for younger children who have a relatively smaller attention span. Secondly, the use of multimedia allows the point to be made more effectively. For instance, a lesson taught using a blackboard can be more effectively presented along with audio-visuals. Imagine trying to explain a class how a 4-stroke engine works without the help of graphics!

La fete des rois/ Kings Day

The French Cultural and Learning Center invites you to the grand celebration of "La fete des rois"!

When: January 6, 2009
Where: Le musee des rois, 215 St Catherine Street.

Come enjoy the "coronation of the king". A fun filled evening with, games, music "galette" and other sweet treats. The winner of the "Sweepstakes Royale" will get to dance with the king/queen. Admission is free.

What is "la fete des rois"?
Kings Day or "La fete des rois" takes place on January 6th to commemorate the day the Three Kings presented their gifts to Jesus.

In honor of this special day the French eat a special kind of cake known as "Galette des Rois" or Kings Cake. This cake is flat and round with an almondbutter filling called frangipane. The tradition is to place a flat bean inside the cake. It’s called la fève in French. Whoever gets the slice with la fève is King or Queen for the day. The king/queen wears a gold cardbord crown all day long.

Cool French game

Click here for a fun way to learn French!

Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur is a traditional French sandwich, served in French bistrots and cafes. Here's a short demo of how to make a quick Croque Monsieur:

Babylon translates French...

Babylon is a cool software package which can be used to translate from and into several different world languages! Let's find out how Babylon can be used for translation.

Babylon translation demo

French Impressionisme

Impressionism or French Impressionnisme, was a major movement, first in painting and later in music, that developed mainly in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The most important aspect of Impressionism was an attempt to accurately depict visual reality through transient effects of light and colour. The principal Impressionist painters include Claude Monet, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Alfred Sisley, Cezanne etc. Here's a virtual exhibit of some lovely Impressionist paintings.