About Us

The origins of Concorde French Language Publications

When I talk to our customers they often ask how I began as the publisher of educational French language magazines. They ask if I had previously been a teacher of French or whether my background had been in publishing. To which I have to reply "neither", adding that my entry into the edifice of French language publishing was rather more a case of forced entry through a basement window. I was an intruder who had next to nothing in the way of formal qualifications in French and no experience of publishing. But I was an armed intruder. I was armed with a clear idea of what I wanted to do.

My publishing business was born of a long-standing interest in learning French. Ever since leaving school at the age of 18, I had tried to improve my French. Sometimes I had the time and opportunity to attend classes but more often I had to rely on my own resources. At such times I would usually buy a French newspaper or magazine - Le Monde or Paris Match - and try to read it. You will immediately understand what an uphill struggle this must have been! The vocabulary was too difficult, the style too complex; the articles were too long and their content aimed at French readers... Very quickly the margins became full of translations lifted laboriously from a dictionary. Eventually I would give up... until the next time the urge to learn French gripped me!

After reaching middle age I decided to work for myself and, as I cast around for an idea for a business, I wondered about a magazine in French for people like me. That is to say, people who had some French, were keen to improve and wanted to enjoy using their French. The content would be mainly about France and would interest those who take an intelligent interest in events in that country. The articles in the magazine would be not too long and written in a clear, straightforward style. There would be help with the more difficult words and phrases to avoid the need for constant references to a dictionary. There would also be humour,
word games, short stories, etc. In short, it would be the magazine that I had always wanted
for myself but which nobody anywhere else in the world was publishing.

Thus, in 1990, La Vie Outre-Manche was born. As the title indicates, I had no idea at that time that the magazine would achieve the international success it has but, fortunately, people's language-learning needs and their interest in France are common throughout the English-speaking world.

From the beginning, I have depended on my team of skilled French nationals who do most of the writing and who handle the translating and proof-reading. Some also have the great advantage of having been teachers of French. Our commitment to quality products is matched by our desire to provide a high standard of service and, here, my wife, Margaret, and her customer support staff work hard to achieve this.

After its launch, La Vie Outre-Manche magazine quickly proved to be filling a clear need among those who wish to enjoy using and improving their French. Over the years we have added other publications that have the same aim. I hope they give you as much pleasure in reading and listening to them as they have given me in publishing them.

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Kenneth Murray
Publisher & Managing Editor
Concorde French Language Publications