In these unusual times of “new normal”, Almaje shares with you articles, Macron speeches or interviews that show French perspectives on the Coronavirus crisis. You can find in them a mix of concepts, vocabulary, grammar… We hope you enjoy the opportunity even if it challenges your French skills a little.
An Interesting Interview Of The French President
The Financial Times interviewed French President Emmanuel Macron a few days ago. In this 21 minutes video available on YouTube, the Président talks about what matters to him as President and personally.
This interview is worth watching as it offers a different focus compared to his formal speeches. Macron raises philosophical questions in ways that we rarely hear from our Australian politicians. Food for thought when you want to understand the world through a European lense (whether you agree with him or not).
Note: When speaking passionately, the President can speak fast! You can slow down the pace of the video. Simply click the gear icon at the bottom right of the video frame and choose the 0.75 speed. The English subtitles may also help.
Some Key Points Raised By Macron
Here he highlights how the human factor becoming suddenly more important than economy: one half of the planet has stopped to save lives, something unthinkable in the past. It had never been done before, even the environment crisis hasn’t done that to the same extent. This shift will change globalisation, as it shifts the value we place on many things, jobs and skills…
Macron also explains why the Covid-19 pandemic is testing how united the European Union really is; he calls it “an existential crisis for the European project”. He regrets the uneven level of solidarity so far and the importance of solidarity on the way out of the health crisis. In his mind EU members have no choice but set up a joint virus recovery fund, because “you can’t have a single market where some are sacrificed…. let’s not forget that economics is a moral science.”
Finally Macron talks about inventing something new for humanity; about being individually prepared to understand what used to be unthinkable; and accepting that this crisis is changing us personally even without knowing yet to what extent.
More Ways To Extend Your French Experience
Why not use this isolation time to improve your French, or participate in a conversation group? Almaje offers many options using the Zoom platform. Get in touch now
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