Posted on June 30, 2023 by Rosario Arán
July is a month that, for many countries, means celebrating the nation. The US is filled with flags and fireworks on the 4th of July, and Canada also celebrates its independence on July 1st. In Latin America, Peru celebrates its independence on July 28th, and I have to share my school knowledge here: Argentina’s official independence on July 9th. And of course, in Europe, we all know how big Bastille Day is for France.
Of course, we could celebrate all the Independence Days mentioned above, but today we want to focus on French culture and the celebration of Bastille Day. According to history, Bastille Day remembers the storming of the Bastille in 1789. The French people refer to it as Fête nationale française. The holiday is so well known that it is celebrated in some states in the US or even in countries like New Zealand.
Throughout humanity’s history, the role of French people in significant events that have shaped the world is impressive. From Joan of Arc to Napoleon and Charles de Gaulle, the French have inspired crowds everywhere. It’s no wonder why their culture is so admired worldwide. It also doesn’t come as a surprise that learning French was a symbol of good education and manners for many years. As we mentioned in our previous blog posts, French is still very important as one of the most spoken languages and one of the United Nations’ official languages.
If you are thinking about teaching your children French and being fully bilingual, you are preparing them for their future. French also has some key similarities with other Latin languages such as Spanish or Italian (yes, it’s an advantage to be prepared knowing that words have gender). The easiest way to start is to watch TV shows for free on Oznoz in French so they can get used to the sounds and repetition of the words. Here’s a list of excellent shows available in French to start celebrating Bastille Day at home!
My daughter is a Paw Patrol Fan but doesn’t watch in her native language. And guess what? She can now say some words in English while having a great time watching her favorite show. Paw Patrol is not only cute and fun for little children, but boasts tons of dialogues to help your children practice their listening skills.
Chico Chica Boumba Pepper School
If my daughter is a Paw Patrol fan, I am a Chico Chica Boumba Pepper School stan! I love this short show, and I watch it in French to remember words such as “gauche” and “droite” and have fun trying to learn the choreography.
Big Bad Boo’s ABC with Kenny G
The best way to start and practice is to sing with the glamorous and classy Kenny G. Your child will learn the alphabet.
If you prefer the classics and want to join your child while practicing French, go back to sweet Babar. It is available in French, and it is a delight to return to this story spoken in French.
Jamie’s Got Tentacles in French is on point for the older children in the house! The dialogues between these friends are rich in words and expressions that will help any bilingual child.
While you prepare your house for a French Kids TV show marathon, prepare some sweet treats, have a baguette and some cheeses and celebrate Bastille Day as if you were in France.