IT25 Biodiversité & impressions from french students

Biodiversity means the variety of all living things on Earth, like animals, plants, fungi, and microorganisms (slide 2). It also includes ecosystems and differences between species.

Biodiversity is important because it gives us food, clean water, fresh air, medicine, and helps the climate (slide 3).

But biodiversity is in danger because of pollution, deforestation, climate change, overfishing, and invasive species (slide 4).

Some places have amazing biodiversity, like the Amazon rainforest, coral reefs, the African savanna, and European forests (slide 5).

To protect biodiversity, we can recycle, plant trees, eat local or organic food, protect nature, and talk about it (slide 6).

Without biodiversity, ecosystems break down, species disappear, and our health and economy are in danger (slide 7).

In Palermo, Sicily, I saw olive trees, orange trees, birds, lizards, fish, sea urchins, and sea plants called seagrass (slide 9).

Protecting biodiversity means protecting life on Earth (slide 9).

PODCAST FRANCE

To start : What’s your name and where are you from? 

1-Can you tell us about the major events which have shaped the history of your country ?        

Pour le podcast, j’ai privilégié des phrases simples et courtes pour évoquer un maximum de périodes historiques :

The history of France is divided into several major periods :

During antiquity, Gaul is conquered by the Romans and becomes a part of the Roman Empire, which brings cities, roads and Latin.

After the fall of Rome, the Middle Ages saw France develop under the Merovingians, Charlemagne and the Capetians, with feudalism, wars and the influence of the Church.

The Renaissance (15th-16th centuries) was a period of cultural renewal, inspired by Italy, with Francis I supporting the arts despite religious conflicts.

In the 17th century, Louis XIV centralized power and made France a dominant European power under an absolute monarchy.

The 18th century, or Enlightenment, saw thinkers like Voltaire and Rousseau question political structures and advocate freedom and equality.

The French Revolution of 1789 ended the absolute monarchy, proclaimed human rights and founded the Republic.

The 19th century is a period of instability with regime changes and the industrial revolution, which transforms the economy and society.

The 20th century was marked by two world wars, followed by the reconstruction and modernization of France after 1945.

In 1968, May 68 triggered a major social movement, challenging authority and social norms, and bringing about cultural changes.

Finally, since the end of the 20th century, France has played a key role in the construction of the European Union, asserting its place in a united Europe.

2- Tell us about a tradition or a custom from your country that you would like to share with us.

CHANDELEUR – FEBRUARY 2nd : The “chandeleur” is known as the festival of pancakes. This tradition is an opportunity for friends and family to get together to prepare and eat pancakes. By popping the pancakes while holding a coin, originally a Louis d'or, in the left hand, you hope to attract prosperity for the coming year if the pancake lands perfectly flat in the pan. It was also customary to place the first crepe folded over a coin on top of the house cupboard to attract good fortune and bountiful harvests to the house. The previous year's pancake was then thrown away and the coin given to a beggar or needy person.

It is a traditional Christian festival celebrated on 2 February each year, 40 days after Christmas. It corresponds to the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem by Mary. Today, Christians who go to church to celebrate the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple by Mary in Jerusalem carry candles or tapers to be blessed. They are then taken home and placed lit on windowsills. This is also the date when the cot is put away.

It is also known as the Festival of Candles. It's a festival that celebrates light in all its forms, the light of day, the light of candles and the light of divine grace. The shape and blonde colour of the crepe are thought to represent the sun, the lengthening of the days leading to spring.

3- Can you tell us a popular saying in your own language and explain its meaning in English?

THE FRENCH SAYING “Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir” highlights the importance of prevention. It teaches us that acting early is often better than fixing problems later. In health, for instance, taking care of oneself avoids future illness. In daily life, being careful can help prevent accidents. This idea applies to work as well—planning ahead avoids mistakes. In school, studying regularly stops last-minute stress. The proverb also works in relationships: solving small issues early avoids bigger conflicts. It shows that being cautious is wise. This mindset saves time, energy, and resources. “Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir” is a timeless piece of advice