You’re Not Bad at French.
You’ve Just Been Learning It the Wrong Way.
Let me guess…
You’ve tried apps. You’ve memorized verb conjugations. You’ve done grammar drills until your eyes glazed over. Maybe you even took classes for years.
But when it’s time to actually understand French or speak it? Your mind goes blank. The words won’t come. You feel frustrated, embarrassed, maybe even a little hopeless.
Here’s what I want you to know: It’s not your fault.
Traditional methods don’t work for most people – especially if you’re learning as an adult, at your own pace, or just want French to feel joyful instead of like homework.
There’s a better way. And 15 years ago, I discovered it.
How I Went from Frustrated Teacher to Story Listening Advocate
Bonjour, I’m Alice Ayel 👋
For years, I taught French the “traditional” way – repeat after me, memorize these verbs, drill these dialogues. My students could parrot back phrases beautifully… but couldn’t have a real conversation. They were frustrated. I was frustrated.
Then, 15 years ago, everything changed.
I discovered Story Listening – a method based on how humans actually acquire language (hint: it’s not through grammar charts!). Instead of forcing students to produce French before they’re ready, I started giving them what their brains actually need: compelling, comprehensible stories they could understand and enjoy.
The transformation was immediate. Students who had struggled for years suddenly started getting French. The anxiety disappeared. The joy appeared. And I realized: this is how language is meant to be acquired, not learned.
Why Stories Change Everything
Think about how you learned your first language as a child. You didn’t study grammar rules. You didn’t do conjugation drills.
You just… listened. Your brain absorbed the patterns naturally, effortlessly, through hearing language used meaningfully around you.
That’s exactly what stories do for language learners.
When you listen to a compelling story in French:
- Your brain absorbs grammar structures without memorization
- Vocabulary sticks naturally
- Understanding brings joy (which makes you want more!)
- You bypass the anxiety that blocks traditional learning
No freezing up. No panic. Just… French, flowing into you the way nature intended.
Who This Is Really For
Over the years, I’ve discovered that seniors and homeschooling families especially thrive with this approach.
Seniors often come to me carrying decades of baggage: “I’m too old,” “I’m not good at languages,” “I tried before and failed.” Within weeks of Story Listening, those beliefs crumble. They discover they CAN acquire French – they just needed a method that honors how their brain actually works.
Homeschooling parents love that their children (and they themselves!) can learn French naturally, joyfully, without the stress of traditional curriculum. No tears over verb tables. Just families enjoying stories together and acquiring a beautiful language along the way.
But honestly? This works for anyone who’s tired of traditional methods and wants French to feel… good.
Meet Benjamin Bois: The Magic Behind the Scenes (and the Voice in Your Ears!) ✨
While I create the stories and guide the teaching approach, there’s someone equally important you should know about:
Benjamin Bois affectionately known around here as “the guy behind the scenes“.
But here’s the thing: Benjamin isn’t just behind the scenes. He’s also the voice you hear when you listen to stories on our site! 🎙️
That warm, clear, engaging French voice guiding you through tales and adventures? That’s Benjamin. He brings the stories to life with his natural delivery, making French accessible and enjoyable for learners at every level.
And when he’s not narrating stories, Benjamin is:
- Building and maintaining this entire website (no small feat!)
- Filming every video (yes, he’s the one saying “Alice, can you do that again but look at the camera this time?” 😄)
- Editing everything to make it beautiful and watchable
- Solving every technical issue that pops up (and trust me, there are many!)
- Keeping this whole operation running smoothly while I focus on creating content
Without Benjamin, none of this would exist. He’s patient, brilliant, and has an uncanny ability to fix things I didn’t even know were broken. If you’ve ever thought “wow, this website is easy to use,” “these videos look great,” or “I love listening to these stories” – that’s Benjamin’s magic at work. 🎥✨
We’re a team: I create the stories, he brings them to life with his voice and makes sure you can actually access and enjoy them. It’s a pretty good partnership, if I do say so myself!
What Makes Us Different
We’re not here to sell you a quick fix or promise fluency in 30 days.
Language acquisition is organic. It takes time, patience, and the right conditions.
What we do offer:
- Honesty: No gimmicks, no false promises, just a proven method that actually works
- Community: You’re not alone on this journey! Join hundreds of learners who support each other
- Joy: Learning French shouldn’t feel like punishment. It should feel like discovering a treasure
- Simplicity: No complicated curriculum, just clear stages and compelling stories
- Kindness: We teach you to be gentle with yourself through the messy, beautiful process of acquisition
- Human: We are real people — no bots, no AI, just genuine human care.
Ready to Finally Enjoy French?
If you’re tired of studying French without actually being able to use it…
If you want to understand, think, and speak French naturally…
If you’re ready to let go of the frustration and discover the joy…
We’re here for you 👉 Join us!
The journey is the reward. And it’s so much better when we walk it together.
À bientôt,
Alice & Benjamin 🇫🇷✨
Salut Alice,
eh ben ! tu t’éclates sur internet !!!
C’est Laure, de Paris, de l’Alma. Comment tu vas ? Alors, 3 enfants !!!
Moi aussi, 3 filles !!! maintenant on vit à Perpignan, ou plutôt dans un village à côté. Tout va bien, il fait beau, il fait chaud, si ça continue demain c’est plage !!!
Donnes-moi de tes nouvelles
Bises
Laure
Alice
Muchas gracias por compartir tu conocimiento acerca del IB Español B. Yo soy nativa de Honduras y español fue mi primer idioma hasta la edad de casi 7 años. Desde entonces Ingles tomo possession de mi.
Ahora vivo en China, soy bibliotecaria en una escuela internacional. Este es nuestro primer año aquí, me han pedido que enseñe IB Español B NS. Me gustan los retos así que accedí, pero muchas veces me siento que no se que es lo que estoy. He tomado un taller por medio del IB por internet pero fue mas perdida de tiempo y dinero.
Me gustaría poder comunicarme contigo acerca de como integrar literatura con los temas troncales.
Muchas gracias de antemano.. tu pagina la tengo en mis favoritos para obtener acceso inmediato.
sinceramente,
Dora