Interview with Louis-Jean Fesquet

Interview with Louis-Jean Fesquet, Professor at Cours de civilisation française de la Sorbonne

What is your professional background? I am a professor of practical courses and French civilization at the CCFS. A former student of the University of Paris IV Sorbonne, I initially pursued studies in history, then in literature. It was during my literature studies that I discovered a certificate in French grammar, which steered me towards teaching French. I have now been with the CCFS for 30 years. Tell us about a typical day: My day starts very early, at seven in the morning, at the Voguë hotel. I begin my classes which take place from 8 to 10 am, 10 am to noon, or 11 am to 1 pm. Thus, two distinct classes follow each other in the morning. In addition to these two-hour practical courses, I also conduct one-and-a-half-hour lectures twice a week on the Château de Versailles. What advice would you give to students who wish to learn French? My advice to students is to work regularly. As André Gide said, “genius is patience.” This is true for music, sports, and of course languages. Daily practice is essential for rapid progress.