French Education Office UK

Who said you have to wait for the warm weather to return to enjoy a bit of sunshine? ☀️

Listen yo our new playlist with songs that evoke summer, holidays and trips to the seaside… This selection of French tracks is a real ray of sunshine to brighten up those grey days.

☔️Are you longing for the sun to return?🌞

Our new playlist of sunny French hits is online! So in the meantime, enjoy our favourite songs about the sun and chill!

▶️ https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/read-watch-listen-list/french-institutes-june-spotify-playlist/

🗺️ A new month = a new idiom

Ever heard the French expression “Avoir un chat dans la gorge” ? 🤔

Literally, it means "To have a cat in your throat" 🐱

Strange image, right? But don’t worry, no cats are involved!

This expression is used when your voice sounds hoarse, croaky, or like something is stuck in your throat. It’s exactly what you might say when you wake up with a rough voice, just before a big presentation when your voice isn’t cooperating… or even during springtime, when pollen and seasonal allergies can irritate your throat! 🌸

So next time you can’t sing or speak clearly… just blame the cat (or the pollen)!

Join us on 16 June 2026 (9:30am–4:45pm) at the University of Surrey for a new edition of our regional forum discussing the future of French and Francophone Studies in UK schools and universities.

Bringing together teachers, researchers, students, and sector leaders from across the UK around a key topic “Le français, langue d’avenir”, this will be a great opportunity to:

✨ Explore innovative projects
🎓 Gain new ideas for teaching and professional development
🌍 Discuss employability, international mobility, and the evolving place of French in higher education
🤝 Connect with colleagues and partners from leading UK universities and institutions

Free event - Lunch & refreshments included

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/le-francais-langue-davenir-tickets-1989393368117

Le Saviez Vous ? 🔎

In France, there’s a fun expression for turning a bank holiday into a longer weekend: “faire le pont”, literally, “to make the bridge.” 🌉
It happens when a bank holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday. People often take the day in between off, “bridging” the gap to the weekend.
It’s not an official holiday, but a clever way to enjoy an extra day for rest, family, or short trips! 🏖️

Unlike in France, where many May bank holidays fall on fixed dates and can land midweek, UK bank holidays are typically set on Mondays (like the first or last Monday of May), making long weekends more predictable.

Any nice plans for those long weekends in May? 🌞

✨ CALL FOR APPLICATIONS – Summer Schools in France ✨

Are you a primary or secondary French teacher in the UK?
Join us this summer in Rouen for an immersive week organised by the Alliance Française de Normandie and supported by the Institut français du Royaume-Uni

📍 Rouen, France
📅 2–9 August 2026
🏡 Accommodation, training fees, breakfast and dinner included.
⚠️ Limited places available – apply by 31 May 2026

PRIMARY TEACHERS
Improve your French language skills and build confidence in the classroom through general French classes and phonics workshops.

Fill out the application form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/idvM6TMksx

SECONDARY TEACHERS (KS3–KS5)
Explore innovative classroom practices with interactive workshops on creative grammar, phonics, vocabulary and intercultural approaches.

Fill out the application form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/xmQV59Q5iu

👉 For more information: https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/education-page/teaching-resources/ #/

🚨 7 DAYS TO GO! 🚨

One week left to submit your entry for the French Pop Video Competition 2026

Don’t forget to send us by 7 May: your final video, an entry form per submission & a signed consent form for each student.
Multiple entries allowed!

👉 Info & forms:
https://www.institut-francais.org.uk/french-pop-video-competition/ #/

Don’t wait! Send your projects as soon as they’re ready to: [email protected]

We can’t wait to see your students’ creativity!

Le Saviez Vous ? 🔎

In France, May 1st isn’t just about Labour Day, it’s also the day to give lily-of-the-valley (“muguet”) as a token of luck and happiness🌸
This tradition dates back to the Renaissance, when King Charles IX received a sprig of muguet in 1561 and decided to offer it annually to the ladies of his court.

Over time, it became a popular gesture across France: friends, family, and colleagues exchange tiny bouquets to wish each other happiness and good fortune.

Even today, streets and markets fill with vendors selling delicate white sprigs in the lead-up to May 1st, a charming way to celebrate spring and spread joy.

Have you ever received a muguet bouquet? Tell us in the comments.

🗺️ A new month = a new idiom

Ever heard the French expression “Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps”? 🤔
Literally, it means "One swallow does not make a spring"🌸

This idiom reminds us that one positive sign doesn’t mean everything is perfect yet. Imagine seeing a single beautiful day in February and thinking spring has arrived, that’s exactly the idea! French people use it to warn against jumping to conclusions too quickly.

🌍 March may be over… but Francophonie doesn’t stop there!

Why celebrate the French language and Francophone cultures for just one month, when it can be explored all year round? ✨

To keep the celebration going, we’ve created a brand-new Francophonie quiz, a fun and interactive way to test your knowledge and discover new facts.

This year, travel to Switzerland and beyond to explore the many facets of the Francophone world.

👉 Take the quiz here: https://form.typeform.com/to/DrxqdT35

Let’s keep the spirit of Francophonie alive all year long!