This month’s blog is a piece about what can make a teacher inspirational; it is prompted by a letter sent to The Times some years ago (see Fun bite at the end of my writing) by a Mr Giles from Devon, then my letter response to the editor of The Times a few days later.

In my blog ‘offering’ this month, I commence with a well-known French poem by Paul Verlaine

[1844-1896] … I then go on to look at translation techniques for students and teachers alike.

This month’s piece is far shorter than previous blogs and features a few athletes (mostly from Team GB). What is, as the French state, the fils conducteurs [no, not ‘conducting sons’!]? What lessons can we draw from these traits and how might we apply them to our own life?

This is a short ‘in situ’ piece from the Olympic Village in Paris. It presents a miscellany of highlights, including the ambiance, linguistic aspects, observations, and my work in the VMC (Village Media Centre).

This blog highlights some personal reflections before I head to Paris this summer, as well as some focus on the core Olympic values.

Le grand Robert has translated this month’s blog from a FranceInfo article that looks into the work of dictionary compilation and new words in the French language.

This month’s topics are for 6th Form students and teachers on The Values of the French Republic and The Secular State in France; there is an introduction to each topic, some video and reading links, as well as some sample questions. Check out the two fun bite entries below too

The target language debate in the MFL classroom is longstanding … I offer ‘une optique’. Check out the fun bite that introduces ‘une approche lexicale farfelue’

This is not really a blog, simply a romantic poem ... because it's February (Valentine's month)

The blog this month is 'poetic',

Calming, not frenetic ... just enjoy; exophony is fun and beneficial

This month's topic looks at the influence of French on the English language - when, why, what

This month’s blog focusses on borrowings from ‘English’ into the French language. Are these ‘justified’, indeed needed? What are the alternatives? A vous de juger!

This second blog focuses on my experience as a foreign language teacher, in both university and secondary school settings. It highlights the perceived 'myth' of how difficult it is to learn a foreign language, the importance of acquiring knowledge of a foreign language, some amusing examples from the classroom, and the many advantages of some proficiency in a foreign language.

This, the first of a monthly blog, focuses on my experience as a translator/interpreter, a rewarding set of experiences in a number of settings. It highlights the varied work as an intermediary, the importance of a creative mind, some challenges, and the need to convey a ‘faithful’ message to connect with ones audience, interlocutor, listener, or reader.