Improve your French listening skills with this practice exercise from Inner French podcast. It’s 75 words in 34 seconds. How many can you hear in our listening quiz?
This clip is from the Inner French podcast Episode 001. Listen and fill in what you hear below. Read more and find a translation below. Find the full podcast here.
Press play and take the transcription quiz to practice your French listening comprehension.
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The above audio sample and transcription is from the Inner French podcast episode 001. We do not own the content. Listen to the entire episode here.
By magic
Sometimes it feels like I’m living my life in hopes that by magic everything I want to happen will happen. Isn’t that what that book the Secret was about? I’m in marketing and sales. If I can just get x in front of this person, then boom, by magic, it’ll happen. Success!
But success, or at least the success I dream of, remains elusive. Don’t get me wrong, I love my life, but sometimes I want more. How much is luck? How much will just be “by magic-ed” to me? Verdict is still out.
This snippet echos my thoughts from yesterday’s clip. We stress about the keywords and vocab to know, the irregular verbs, the grammar rules, when really all that language is about is listening and opening your mouth. Mistakes will happen, but the point is communication. And that happens between two people, not in a textbook.
What’s opening up for you in this clip? I’m open to any and all feedback, as always. Let me know.
The snippet in English
Find a translation of this snippet here, how much of this did you hear?
Mais Stephen Krashen, il pense que quand on apprend une langue de cette façon à l’école, quand on apprend les règles de grammaire, on ne peut pas utiliser la langue pour communiquer. Et ça, moi je l’ai vu très, très souvent quand j’étais à l’école. Par exemple, en anglais, on doit apprendre tous les verbes irréguliers, et on pense que, quand on connaîtra tous les verbes irréguliers, par magie, on sera capable de parler anglais.
But Stephen Krashen, he thinks that when you learn a language this way in school, when you learn the rules of grammar, you can’t use the language to communicate. And I’ve seen that very, very often when I was in school. For example, in English, we have to learn all the irregular verbs, and we think that when we know all the irregular verbs, by magic, we will be able to speak English.
The above translation from Deepl. Source
What does “par magie” mean?
“Par magie” is a French phrase that translates to “by magic” in English. It is typically used to describe something that appears to happen mysteriously or without any apparent explanation.
The phrase “par magie” can be used in various contexts, from everyday conversation to literature and the arts. For example, it may be used to describe a situation where something unexpected happens, such as a difficult problem being solved with seemingly no effort. It can also be used to describe a performance or work of art that is so captivating or moving that it seems almost magical in its effect.
In literature and storytelling, “par magie” is often used as a plot device to add an element of mystery or intrigue. For example, a character may suddenly disappear “par magie,” leaving the other characters and the reader wondering what happened and how it was possible.
In popular culture, “par magie” is often associated with the world of fantasy and magic. It may be used to describe the actions of wizards, sorcerers, or other magical beings who are able to perform incredible feats that defy explanation.
Overall, “par magie” is a phrase that conveys a sense of wonder and mystery, and is often used to describe events or experiences that are difficult to explain or understand.
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