May Roundup

Voltaire, Nuns Who Cook, Grammar Practice and What's Coming up in June

This is the first edition of a new monthly series where I round up what I've been reading, watching, and listening to as a language learner, plus resources and voices I think you'll love. These are my honest recommendations as a learner and teacher.

The past couple of weeks have been full of student oral exams. Which somehow made me want to practice my own languages more, not less. There's nothing like listening to someone else struggle with a verb tense to remind you that you're also struggling with verb tenses.

Here's what I've been reading, watching, and listening to.

What I’ve been reading:

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

This book has been on my to read list for a long time and a friend spotted a copy for me in one of those free little libraries. Heartbreaking and amazing. It’s taken over my life. (I’ve gone down some art history rabbit holes as well… Don’t check out the Mauritshuis museum link unless you have time to spare.)

It’s likely to be the last English language book I read for a while.

Candide by Voltaire

I’ve also been slowly reading Candide in French. About one chapter per week, with a language log and shadowing practice. I dedicate about a hour a week and enjoy it.

What I’ve been listening to:

If you’re a French speaker/learner and into history, this podcast might be life-changing. Hyper-produced episodes as part of a series. I’ve listened to the series on Napoléon, Molière and Simone de Beauvoir.

What I like most is the series explains the wider context these people lived in, so you get a sense of both how the world influenced them as well as how they influenced the world.

I’ve been watching:

On my work trip to Italy last year, we got into watching the Food Network on tv and came across some really curious and cute cooking shows. Our favorites are either monks or nuns cooking in their monasteries. A great way to practice listening in Italian, and get some good recipes.

Spanish learners might want to check out Karlos Arguiñano’s cooking show. It’s wholesome, relaxing, comfort-content, even if his recipes are slightly old-fashioned.

I also recently watched Se tiene que morir mucha gente in Spanish. It’s definitely “humor negro” but HILARIOUS (if that’s your sort of thing). I usually complain about the dialogues in Spanish cinema/series, but this is really well written.

Other resources:

Grammatica practica della lingua italiana

I’ve been using this grammar practice book as a supplement to my classes and self-study. Not only are the explanations really clear, the exercises are entertaining and plentiful—helping me gain confidence with tricky grammar points.

What’s coming in June

June is the first month the Foreign Language Department is up and running. I’m very excited about it (and so honored to be working with such amazing professionals!)

Here’s what’s in store for June:

1 June: Reading Guide Chapters 1-5 La Casa de los Espíritus sent to paid subscribers and members of the Lit Club

12 June 19:00 CET: Guest Lecture in Italian with Claudia - Italianoconlarte Brunelleschi e la cupola impossibile: la rivoluzione del Rinascimento.

19 June 19:00 CET: Cinema Club in French with Yann, French Teacher Tanguy (viewing guide to be sent to paid subscribers/Cinema Club members very soon)

30 June 19:00 CET: Lit Club Discussion Chapters 1-5 in Spanish with Bianca González

Once I've got a few months of this under my belt, I'd like to expand what's on offer. If there are Substack authors writing in other languages you'd love to hear from, send me a message. I'd love to reach out.

Paid membership gives you access to all of these events (annual membership is 50% off until 1 June…) but you’re also welcome to purchase access to individual events.

And a warm welcome to everyone who's joined the Foreign Language Department this month. Feel free to introduce yourself in the chat.

That’s all for this month.

Happy Language Learning! ♡