Posted by Aurélie Drouard

In: Reading A1, Listening or Seeing A1

Discussion of this exercise: 6

Practice listening and reading while learning about how Belgium proclaimed its independence. After you listen to the sound files, scroll down to the bilingual reader to check the French transcript and click any phrase for the translation and links to related grammar lessons.

Note: Some of the tenses in this French text and its English translation don't match! In French, we use the present tense to describe historical events like this to evoke a sense of immediacy, whereas in English, we commonly use the past tense - learn more about historical French tenses.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Learn More

• French vocabulary: kings and presidents
• Belgium's independence

• More French reading practice