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    <product_title><![CDATA[French Dictée | Le feu]]></product_title>
    <product_content><![CDATA[# À vos stylos! French Dictée The Alliance Française invites you to take part in a French dictée this November, a cherished tradition for generations of students in France and across the Francophone world. In the days surrounding Remembrance Day on November 11, we will mark the anniversary of the Armistice with an excerpt from Le Feu by Henri Barbusse. Published in 1916 and awarded the Prix Goncourt, this searing novel, drawn from the author's own experience in the trenches, gives voice to the ordinary soldiers of the First World War. ### 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 aboveThis 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 feu by Henri Barbusse Le Feu (1916) is Henri Barbusse's unflinching novel of life in the trenches of the First World War. Barbusse wrote it after serving on the front lines and being wounded, and it follows a squad of ordinary French soldiers from different regions and walks of life as they endure mud, cold, exhaustion, and the constant presence of death. Rather than glorifying battle, Barbusse portrays the war through the eyes of the common infantryman, in a raw, realistic style that mixes vivid description with the earthy dialogue of the poilus themselves. First serialized in a newspaper and then published as a book, it won the Prix Goncourt in 1916 and was among the first major works to challenge official narratives about the war. 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 membersSpecial prize: One participant will be randomly selected to win a copy of Le feu! ✍️ À vos stylos!In partnership with [SCFD, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District](https://scfd.org/)Your participation in our events implies consent to our Photo & Media policy.]]></product_content>
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    <product_title><![CDATA[French Dictée | Le Horla]]></product_title>
    <product_content><![CDATA[# 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 aboveThis 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 membersSpecial 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](https://scfd.org/)Your participation in our events implies consent to our Photo & Media policy.]]></product_content>
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    <product_title><![CDATA[French Dictée | March 18]]></product_title>
    <product_content><![CDATA[# French Dictée at the AllianceAs part of the Month of Francophonie, the Alliance Française invites you to take part in a French dictation (dictée), a beloved tradition familiar to generations of students in France and across the Francophone world, featuring an excerpt from Petit Pays by Gaël Faye, a major voice in contemporary Francophone literature. ### 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 aboveThis event is designed for learners at a B1+ level who are comfortable working with authentic texts and looking to challenge themselves. Whether you are passionate about literature, curious about contemporary Francophone voices, 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 membersSpecial prize: One participant will be randomly selected to win a copy of Petit Pays! ✍️ À vos stylos!### About the Book: Petit Pays by Gaël Faye Petit Pays is the acclaimed debut novel by Gaël Faye, a Franco-Rwandan writer, musician, and poet. Set in Burundi during the 1990s, the story is told through the eyes of Gaby, a young boy growing up in a peaceful childhood that is suddenly disrupted by political unrest and the looming shadow of war. The novel explores themes of identity, childhood, family, and the fragility of innocence, while offering a poignant glimpse into the complexities of the Great Lakes region of Africa. Written in lyrical, evocative French, Petit Pays has been praised for its sensitivity, depth, and accessibility, making it an ideal text for language learners at the B1+ level. In partnership with [SCFD, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District](https://scfd.org/)Your participation in our events implies consent to our Photo & Media policy.]]></product_content>
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