Listening activity - short story

Ready to work on your listening comprehension?

Many people have been asking for a practice video to help them with their listening skills.

So, as always to help you learn, pronounce, and remember, I made you ANOTHER mini-lesson!

Here's what you will be focusing on :

• Your listening skills in a story at intermediate level
• Use it for comprehension, dictation or for pronunciation practice 

Listen to the pronunciation and read along.

It's always easier when you have the text in front of you. What you could do is have a look at the transcript at the bottom of this mini-lesson and listen to the video at the same time.

That way, you can not only refer to the text but you can also pay attention to the pronunciation. 

Feel free to add your own notes concerning the pronunciation like liaisons or silent letters and other intricacies of the French language.

Use this listening exercise in French as a dictation.

If you haven't had a look at the transcript, watch the video, just listening first, then again, trying to note everything you can. Repeat it as many times as you like. You can even slow it down and use it for pronunciation practice. DON’T watch the video at first or you will see the text. 

Don’t despair if you don’t recognise all the words! This is the best exercise you can do because the more you practise dictations, the easier it gets to understand French.

My goal this year is to help you with your listening comprehension and offer you various listening activities during the year.

If you struggle with your listening skills and are looking to have more fluid conversations with like minded people at your level of French, then check out how having a teacher support in small groups could make a massive difference to your spontaneous listening skills.

Here’s how joining Conversation Café can help you understand spontaneous spoken French more easily.

Click here to check out our Conversation Café sample.

Transcript and the Translation. Don't peep if you don't want to see it yet.

Section 1 La Disparition de Belleneige

Au cœur de l'hiver, pendant la saison festive de Belleneige, un mystère glacial frappa la ville. Samuel, le décorateur joyeux, disparut sans laisser de trace. 

Les rues couvertes de neige murmuraient son nom, et l'inquiétude se répandait parmi les habitants de la ville.

And here’s the English . . .

In the heart of winter, during Snowridge's festive holiday season, a chilling mystery befell the town. Samuel, the cheerful decorator, vanished without a trace. 

Snow-covered streets whispered his name, and worry spread like wildfire among the townsfolk.

Section 2 La Disparition de Belleneige

Emma, Liam et Mia, amis inséparables, bravèrent le froid glacial pour rechercher Samuel. Suivant des empreintes mystérieuses menant dans la forêt, ils tombèrent sur une grotte ancienne. 

À l'intérieur, ils trouvèrent Samuel, retenu captif par un gardien éthéré..

And here’s the English . . .

Emma, Liam, and Mia, inseparable friends, braved the bitter cold to search for Samuel. Following mysterious footprints leading into the forest, they stumbled upon an ancient cave. 

Inside, they found Samuel, held captive by an ethereal guardian.

Section 3 La Disparition de Belleneige

À travers des histoires partagées sur les traditions festives de Belleneige, ils réchauffèrent le cœur du gardien, libérant Samuel et gagnant un pendentif magique en forme de flocon de neige, symbole de leur unité.
 

And here’s the English . . .

Through shared stories of Snowridge's holiday traditions, they thawed the guardian's heart, releasing Samuel and earning a magical snowflake pendant, a symbol of their unity.

Section 4 La Disparition de Belleneige

De retour en ville, ils découvrirent que leur brève aventure avait non seulement sauvé Samuel, mais avait également rallumé l'esprit festif à Belleneige. 

Les décorations de Samuel, inspirées par leur voyage, transformèrent la ville en un éblouissant pays des merveilles hivernal.

And here’s the English . . .

Returning to town, they discovered that their brief adventure had not only saved Samuel but also rekindled the holiday spirit in Snowridge. 

Samuel's decorations, inspired by their journey, transformed the town into a dazzling winter wonderland.

Section 5 La Disparition de Belleneige

Alors que les flocons de neige tombaient doucement, le trio et toute la ville célébrèrent le retour de leur ami et la magie des fêtes d'hiver.

And here’s the English . . .

As the snowflakes fell softly, the trio and the entire town celebrated the return of their friend and the magic of the winter holidays.
  

So, how did it go? I hope you've enjoyed this listening activity. What other topics would you like to work on? I'd love to know!