Rachel mais Rachelle en français

After a month of silence, I'm back — and I have a very good reason for disappearing. Instead of my usual self-study routine, I did something completely different: I enrolled in the Saturday Express course at Institut Français in South Kensington, London. Five full Saturdays. A real classroom. Real classmates. And a very honest wake-up call about where my French actually stands. In this episod...

In this episode, I reflect on a real classroom moment from my university years in Hong Kong and how learning French later helped me understand it differently. From French philosophy and education to the famous thèse, antithèse, synthèse structure, this is a story about how culture quietly shapes our voice. It’s not about one culture being better than another — it’s about understanding why silence...

In this episode, I share how I manifested my French fluency — not in a magical or unrealistic way, but through mindset shifts and real-life practices that genuinely worked for me and helped me build calm, confidence, and consistency in French. If you’re a French learner, a francophile, or someone who feels stuck despite years of learning, I hope this video gives you encouragement and a different w...

This gentle language learning meditation is for anyone who feels afraid, blocked, or hesitant about speaking French. If learning French has ever made you doubt yourself, feel behind, or feel “not good enough”, I hope this meditation helps you feel a little safer, a little softer, and a little more patient with yourself. Support the show - - -  🧡 Support the show Hosted by Rachel W. Mak — creator...

Have you ever felt like you’re not “qualified enough” to do the thing you love? In this episode, I share why I stopped waiting to be fluent, confident, or “ready” before talking about French — and how a quiet year without big milestones actually helped me grow more than expected. This episode is about manifestation in real life, not wishful thinking. About trusting the pause. About becoming — befo...

Whenever I tell people I love French culture, they assume it’s because of Paris, fashion, or luxury brands like Hermès and Chanel — but the truth goes so much deeper. In this episode, I share the meaningful side of French culture that I fell in love with: the real self-love and boundaries, the freedom of expression, the pride in traditions, art and cuisine, the magic of l’apéritif, and the everyda...

After four years of learning French, I’ve made every possible mistake — and learned what truly matters. In this honest reflection, I share what actually worked for me, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently if I could start again. You’ll hear:  📚 The methods that helped me make real progress (and the ones that wasted my time)  🗓 How I fit learning into a full-time job and family life  💬 Why yo...

Between school runs, work, and family life, it sometimes feels impossible to find time for French — or anything new, really. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I’ve managed to fit French learning into my busy life as a mum — without feeling guilty, overwhelmed, or burned out. You’ll hear: 🕐 How I weave French into everyday moments (instead of “study hours”) 💬 Why short, joyful learning wor...

For years, I was obsessed with sounding “perfect” in French — flawless pronunciation, perfect grammar, not a single mistake. But that mindset only made me anxious, self-conscious, and afraid to speak. In this episode, I’m sharing how I finally let go of perfectionism in my French learning journey — and why progress feels so much lighter, freer, and more joyful when you stop chasing perfection. You...

Do you ever feel like a different person when you switch languages?  In this episode, I reflect on how English , French , and Chinese each bring out a unique side of my personality. I share how moving to England changed my emotional expression, why French makes my voice softer and more poetic, and why Chinese keeps me honest and grounded. 💭 Because languages don’t just translate words — they tran...

Feeling like you’ve lost passion for the language you’re learning?  You’re not alone — every learner hits that moment where motivation fades. In this episode, I talk honestly about what to do instead of forcing passion: how to reconnect with your “why,” shift your mindset, and rediscover joy through curiosity, culture, and small consistent habits. 🎧 A gentle reminder that language learning isn’t...

Have you ever asked yourself why you’re learning a language — beyond the grammar and vocabulary? In this opening episode, I share the story behind Rachel mais Rachelle en français : how her multilingual upbringing, move to the UK, and lifelong love of languages inspired her to start this podcast. It’s about finding meaning, identity, and connection through language — and discovering how every lang...

You don’t need to live in France to speak French with confidence. In this first episode, I share how I improved my French speaking while living in England — from daily habits and mindset shifts to overcoming the fear of making mistakes. Whether you’re learning French or any language, this episode will remind you that fluency begins with courage, not perfection. Support the show - - -  🧡 Support t...