If you've ever done a group lesson here at Lingua Franca, you've probably come into contact with La Petite Histoire*. A tale with the very humblest of beginnings, it winds up becoming a rollicking schlockbuster as you move up the levels and your French improves enough to handle the outrageous (some would say impossible) turns of events of the six young friends. Far-fetched though the plot may be, La Petite Histoire nonetheless brings out some heated interpretations of the characters from our Chouchous*. Is Nicole really as naïve* as some say? Is Charles le rat* he appears to be and most importantly, is it possible that Stephanie is that much of a mégère*? Is anyone?

With our Chouchous crying out for more tales from La Petite Histoire we were very tempted to produce la suite* before realising of course that it would be the biggest spoiler ever for those who had not finished the first story. Instead, we're delving back into the past, to 1968, a time of revolution, passion and high drama in the streets of Paris and to the genesis of La Petite Histoire.

Here below, the very first instalment of La Petite Histoire - La Préquelle*. Enjoy!

As mentioned above, La Petite Histoire develops along with our students' skills. Starting at a level suitable for absolute beginners, each instalment becomes progressively more difficult, testing their comprehension at every plot twist.

Bonjour. Je m'appelle Jean-Louis et je suis marocain et français. J'habite à Paris avec ma femme, Leïla.

Bonjour, je m'appelle Leïla et je suis étudiante. J'habite à Paris et je suis mariée à Jean-Louis.

Salut ! Je suis Hervé. Je suis le frère de Leïla et je suis fort mais timide.

Bonjour, je suis Simon et je suis professeur à l'université de la Sorbonne à Paris. Je suis anglais et je parle français, anglais et un peu d'arabe.

Salut ! Je m'appelle Roger et je suis étudiant à l'université de la Sorbonne. Je suis français et j'aime la littérature et les femmes intelligentes.

Bonjour tout le monde. Je m'appelle Noëlle et je suis australienne mais j'habite à Paris. J’aime la littérature française. Je suis intelligente, passionnée et j'adore les hommes français.

Hello. My name is Jean-Louis and I am Moroccan and French. I live in Paris with my wife, Leïla.
Hello, my name is Leïla and I am a student. I live in Paris and I am married to Jean-Louis.
Hi! I'm Hervé. I am Leïla's brother and I am strong but shy.
Hello, I am Simon and I am a professor at Sorbonne University in Paris. I am English and I speak French, English and a bit of Arabic.
Hi! I'm Roger and I'm a student at the Sorbonne. I am French and I like literature and intelligent women.
Hello everyone. My name is Noëlle and I am Australian but I live in Paris. I like French literature. I am intelligent, passionate and I love French men.