My method
French is my starting point because it is my own language. I test, check and correct. There is no miracle method here, just explanations that should still be useful after you close the page.
Main character // my universe
ETHEM
Code, travel and a few good stories.
My name is Ethem. I’m married to an Albanian woman, and I wanted to learn her language so I could speak with my family without relying on translations. Because I could not find simple, free resources designed for French speakers, I created Les Carnets de Léka, first for myself. The site follows the order that helped me: sounds, everyday words, then sentences and grammar, with videos to hear pronunciation clearly. There is also a mirror version for learning French from Albanian or English, with the same approach and room for French culture: its cities, history, food and expressions. Everything is free and will stay that way. I do not claim to have a miracle method. I’m building the tool I wish I had when I started, in both directions.
ClassCurious developer
BaseNantes
Active questLes Carnets de Léka
02
Skills
code & cybersecurityWeb development
HTML
CSS
JavaScript
PHP
Python
Security & privacy
Security
Privacy
Anti-spam
ethem@leka:~
$ configure --secure
✓ security headers enabled
$ enable --anti-spam
✓ form protection enabled
$ set --privacy first
✓ privacy by default
Share freely
03
Main quest
sharing freelyI’m building the tool I wish I had when I started: free, without ads, subscriptions or tracking. I begin with sounds and useful words, then bring in grammar when it actually helps.
- Free site
- No ads
- No subscription
- No tracking
- Resources to share
How I check things
I compare the Fjalori i Gjuhës Shqipe, Albanian-French dictionaries including Vedat Kokona’s work, and teaching resources such as Elementary Albanian. When a word looks right but sounds odd, I also check real usage.
04
Languages, culture & travel
change your viewpointExplore. Understand. Share.
A language quickly leads to everything around it. A phrase points to a habit, a dish to a region, a song to a piece of history. That is why the site also talks about culture, places, food and travel.
Open the travel pages →05
Player inventory
worlds that stayed with meFinal FantasyWorlds that make you want to stay a little longer.Official siteWorld of WarcraftEndless adventures and unlikely encounters.Official siteGuild Wars 2Explore, cooperate, move on somewhere new.Official siteLeague of LegendsStrategy, reflexes and a few evenings that went on far too long.Official site
Final FantasyWorlds that make you want to stay a little longer.
World of WarcraftEndless adventures and unlikely encounters.
Guild Wars 2Explore, cooperate, move on somewhere new.
League of LegendsStrategy, reflexes and a few evenings that went on far too long.06
Metal soundtrack
coding sessions & trails
These four tracks keep coming back. They fit a coding session that runs late, a trail where my legs start negotiating, or simply the moment when I need to put some energy back into the system.
Choose a track. The Spotify player loads only after your click.
07
Trail & endurance
keep going when it climbsRun farther to see farther.
Trail running resets the counters. Climbs do not negotiate, paths make you pay attention, and sometimes moving slower is part of moving forward. It is surprisingly close to debugging.
Memorable distance24.5 km
RaceLes Foulées de Vertou
Favourite trailProcé → Chézine → Gournerie
24.5 km completed
Nantes trails
Finisher mindset
08
Save the game?
stay in touchLeave a note in the guestbookA note, an idea, a bit of encouragement? I always enjoy reading them.›Buy me a coffeeThe site stays free, ad-free and without subscriptions. A coffee helps me keep writing, checking and improving the resources.›Where the project came fromA family story, scattered notes, then a website built by hand.›
