The Leo & Marie Universe

Where Stories Teach French


Meet Leo and Marie - two teenagers living between Paris and London whose everyday lives bring French to life for learners. ​

Through songs, stories, dialogues, and cultural moments, students experience French the way it's meant to be learnt: naturally, visually, musically, and emotionally.​


French Made Simple uses Leo & Marie universe to create A1-A2 lessons that feel real, engaging, and memorable - all aligned with UK KS3 curriculum.​

 

Used in classrooms worldwide to build real comprehension - one story at a time.

Meet the characters

Marie
City: London
Personality: Creative, calm, a little chaotic in a charming way.
Role in the story: Marie is the bridge between English-speaking learners and French culture. Her perspective makes learners feel understood - she asks the questions students would ask.​

Why learners love her:
  • relatable, enthusiastic
  • shows real beginner struggles
  • mixes humour + sincerity
  • brings emotional depth to the songs
Léo
City: Paris
Personality: curious, musical, thoughtful, extraverted
Role in the story: Leo represents everyday French teenage life - school, hobbies, family, friendships, emotions. His world helps learners absorb authentic cultural references and natural language input.

Why learners love him: 
  • gentle, expressive personality
  • musically talented
  • represents a realistic French teen life
  • easy to identify with.

Together: Leo & Marie's Story World

Their friendship is the narrative thread that carries the lessons.​

Learners follow them through:
  • school days
  • music practice
  • family moments
  • text, calls, messages
  • emotions and opinions
  • small misunderstandings
  • celebrations and discoveries​

This narrative makes French meaningful, not mechanical.

Why stories?

Story-Based Comprehensible Input
Research shows learners acquire language best when input is:
  • meaningful
  • emotionally engaging
  • repetitive in context
  • visually supportedlow-stress

The Leo & Marie universe provides all of these.


How stories support acquisition
  • Vocabulary is introduced in context, not lists
  • Grammar emerges naturally (je joue / tu joues / j'adore / je veux...)
  • Students understand before producing
  • Emotional engagement increases retention
  • Characters create continuity across lessons


This mirrors core principles of SLA research:
  • Stephen Krashen (Input Hypothesis) - comprehensible input fuels acquisition
  • VanPattern (Processing Instruction) - learners notice form through meaning
  • Narrative Transportation Theory - stories increase memory + motivation


​In French Made Simple: Learners understand first, then speak.
Music for memory

Songs are woven into the Leo & Marie universe to reinforce grammar and vocabulary.​

Why it works:
  • Music activates long-term memory pathways
  • Rythm and melody support recall
  • Repetition feels natural, not forced
  • Students sing grammar without realising it
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Music turns input into retention.

Examples:
  • Au, à la, à l', aux song
  • Plurals songs
  • Jouer de + instrument
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Coming Soon: Leo & Marie for Primary (KS1-KS2)

A brand-new illustrated universe Leo & Marie will soon appear as animated cartoon characters for young learner.​

The primary version will include:
  • simplified A1 input
  • bright illustrations
  • phonic-friendly songs
  • short story episodes
  • flashcards & mini-games
  • character-based classroom routines​


This creates a seamless journey from age 6 to GCSE.
No other French resource offers this continuity.Coming 2026-2027!

Why Teachers Love the
Leo & Marie Universe

  • Human characters learners connect with
  • Genuine cultural context
  • A coherent storyline
  • A structure that supports real acquisition
  • Zero-prep lessons (Presentation lessons coming soon!)
  • Resources designed by a teacher, not a corporation

Start with the first story lesson
Watch the episodes

Download free worksheets
Free resources​

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