Gemma Arterton is one of Britain’s most recognised actresses, known worldwide for her role as Agent Fields opposite Daniel Craig in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace (2008). When she was cast as the lead in the French-language film Gemma Bovery (2014, directed by Anne Fontaine), she needed to speak convincing French on screen, and she needed to learn fast. She chose Real French and spent 10 days in one-on-one phonetic ear training with Bernard Henusse in Kerfiac, Brittany, France.
How Did Gemma Arterton Learn French So Quickly?
Gemma Arterton completed a 10-day intensive one-on-one immersion programme with Bernard Henusse at Real French in Kerfiac, Brittany. She arrived with, in her own words, “just a smattering of terms”, and left prepared to film an entire movie in French.
The method that made this possible is phonetic ear training. French has 14 distinct vowel sounds, but English speakers can only hear about 6 of them without targeted training. Bernard works one-on-one with each student to retrain the ear first, then builds speaking fluency on that foundation. The same approach that works for diplomats, UN officials, and Alliance Française teachers worked for one of Britain’s leading actresses.
What Did Gemma Arterton Say About Real French?
“Geared up to embrace the French realm”
“Just wrapped up my intensive ten-day session. Every moment was delightful. Beginning with just a smattering of terms, I certainly believe I’m far better prepared now. I feel like I’ve crossed the initial (and often toughest) hurdle of mastering French. With my pair of Phrases-clés CDs, I’m set to face the world!
— Gemma Arterton
“A completely new teaching method”
“Bernard’s teaching method was an eye-opener. He teaches in a fluid manner, fostering plenty of discussions (which I prioritized) and emphasizes on equipping me with usable phrases tailored to my needs. His never-ending patience is remarkable. It’s evident he’s passionate about his work, and it genuinely inspired me. Our sessions were filled with amusement and chuckles. I sense this is just the start of our educational bond: Bernard has promised that I can reach out anytime, be it for queries or merely a friendly conversation (in French, naturally).”
— Gemma Arterton
“Welcoming ambiance and kindheartedness”
“Speaking of my time at chez Henusse – oh, it was enchanting from the instant I set foot in their quaint rural abode. Instantly feeling like home, I was greeted heartily by the elegant Veronique and their gifted child, Theo. My time during the Immersion Course was made unforgettable because of the affection and big-heartedness showered upon me by this amazing family.
“And the homemade dishes… Oh, heavens.”
— Gemma Arterton
Talk to Bernard
The same one-on-one phonetic ear training that prepared Gemma Arterton for a French-language film is available to you. Bernard Henusse has been training students from 30+ countries since 2008. Book a free 15-minute consultation.