Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK
Paywall free

TALKING FRANCE

PODCAST: Will riots change anything in France and how quickly can your kids learn French in school?

After the wave of violence, riots and looting that has swept the country, the latest Talking France episode takes an in-depth look at what really happened, why there is so much anger in France's suburbs and what this all means for the future of the country - as well as what to expect in France this summer and how quickly kids really learn French.

Published: 4 July 2023 17:29 CEST
Updated: 8 July 2023 09:30 CEST
PODCAST: Will riots change anything in France and how quickly can your kids learn French in school?

Host Ben McPartland is joined by The Local France editor Emma Pearson, journalist Genevieve Mansfield and politics expert John Lichfield – and of course the first talking point is the riots that have engulfed France since the shooting of a teenager at the hands of police.

You can listen to Talking France on Spotify, Apple or Google podcasts, download it here or listen on the link below

We’re looking at exactly what happened, what it means for the weeks ahead, whether tourists should cancel their trip and what definitely didn’t happen (including the wild rumours circulating on social media).

And why did it happen? We’re getting some context from John Lichfield on the social issues behind the riots, the long history of tension between the police and inhabitants of the low-income, multi-racial banlieues and why this crisis could end up becoming France’s (and Emmanuel Macron’s) most dangerous in decades. 

If you’re planning to be in France this summer we’re taking a look at what to expect – from social unrest and strikes to the weather forecast, the risk of wildfires to finding the least crowded tourist spots.

And is it true that kids ‘just pick up’ speaking French? We’ve been hearing from parents who have put their non-French speaking children into French schools about what you should realistically expect and what support is available to help them learn the language.

Talking France is now – like many French people – taking a summer break and heading to the beach. The podcast will return in September, but the team at The Local will be updating the website all summer long with the latest news and practical information from France.

You can also find the entire podcast back catalogue here, with episodes dedicated to nudism, how living in France changes you, French music suggestions and tips for saving money in France.  

Further reading:

OPINION: €1.3 million fund for accused police officer reveals deep divides in France

Riots could become France’s most dangerous crisis in decades

Beat the crowds: 19 alternative places in France to visit this summer

MAP: Where in France are water restrictions in place?

Parents reveal: What to expect when your non-French speaking child starts school in France

For these links for all the latest on the riots in France and all the latest on any strikes in France this summer

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
Paywall free

TALKING FRANCE

PODCAST: What are real French values and does France care about its troubled far-away territories?

The Talking France podcast is back looking at the big issues in France - from deadly rioting in New Caledonia to the threat of Olympic strike chaos, via 'French values' and France's most overrated tourist sites.

Published: 22 May 2024 17:04 CEST
PODCAST: What are real French values and does France care about its troubled far-away territories?

Host Ben McPartland is back with The Local France’s Emma Pearson and John Lichfield to discuss all the latest news and talking points from France – plus what we think are the most overrated (and underrated) tourist sites in France.

Starting with strikes in Paris – is this just pre-Games posturing or is there a real threat of strike chaos during the Olympics this summer? And is it really true that the French want to ban people from speaking English during the Games?

You can find the Talking France podcast on Spotify or Apple, download it here or read on the link below.

From imagined future chaos to current actual chaos – the French islands of Nouvelle-Calédonie have been engulfed in rioting that has left six people dead. We dig into the politics behind the violence, the special status of the islands and the reason that France has a presence in the Pacific in the first place.

France’s most famous person? Perhaps. You’d certainly struggle to find a French person who doesn’t know his name. As Kylian Mbappé prepares to leave Paris-Saint-Germain we look at just why he is so famous and what his status tells us about France today.

And what exactly are ‘French values’? It’s a pertinent question for foreigners living in France and those hoping to move here someday, who will soon be expected to sign a contract agreeing to respect the ‘values of the French republic’ – we take a look at exactly what those values are and what foreigners will be expected to demonstrate.

Talking France is a free podcast made possible by the support of subscribers to The Local France – you can find all previous episodes here and find out more about supporting The Local here. If you like what you hear, please consider liking or sharing the podcast, or leave us a nice review – these all help other listeners to find the podcast.

Further reading:

SHOW COMMENTS