French Dictée | Le Horla
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571 Galapago St, Denver, CO 80204 |
À vos stylos! French Dictée
The Alliance Française invites you to a spine-chilling evening this October! Join us for a French dictée, a cherished tradition for generations of students in France and across the Francophone world, with a Halloween twist. This year's text is an excerpt from Le Horla by Guy de Maupassant, the tale of a man haunted by an invisible presence.
What is a dictée?
The dictée is a classic French language exercise in which participants listen to a text read aloud and write it down as accurately as possible. Beyond spelling, it is a powerful way to improve listening comprehension, reinforce grammar and syntax, and engage deeply with the rhythm and nuance of the French language.
How will the event take place?
The event will begin with a brief introduction to the author and the selected excerpt. The text will then be read aloud several times: first at a natural pace, then more slowly to allow participants to write, and finally once more in full. The dictation will be followed by a correction, offering space to discuss challenging points, language choices, and the meaning of the text in a welcoming, judgment-free atmosphere.
📘 Recommended level: B1 and above
This event is designed for learners at a B1+ level who are comfortable working with authentic texts and looking to challenge
themselves.
About the Book: Le Horla by Guy de Maupassant
Le Horla (1887) is one of Guy de Maupassant's best-known works of fantastic and psychological horror. Told through the diary entries of a wealthy man living in Normandy, it follows his gradual descent into paranoia as he becomes convinced that an invisible being is living in his house, draining his energy, drinking his water and milk, and controlling his will. Maupassant leaves it deliberately ambiguous whether the Horla is a supernatural creature, a new form of life destined to replace humanity, or a product of the narrator's deteriorating mind. That ambiguity, along with the intimate diary format, makes the growing dread feel real. The story is often read alongside Maupassant's own struggles with illness and mental decline, and it remains a classic of the genre, admired for its atmosphere, its exploration of madness, and its unsettling suggestion that humans may not be the top of the natural order.
Whether you are passionate about literature, or simply looking to practice your French in a meaningful way, this dictation is an
invitation to listen closely, write carefully, and celebrate the richness of the French language together.
Cost: $5 for non-members, free for AFD members
Special prize: One participant will be randomly selected to win a copy of Le Horla!
✍️ À vos stylos!
In partnership with SCFD, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District
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