LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 1

LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 2

LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 3

LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 4

LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 7

LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 5

LFBP Starter Pack, Lesson 6

After nearly two years, we are seeing a gradual return to the workplace. Working from home – travailler de sa maison – has presented both advantages and disadvantages.

Learn French by Podcast

206: De retour au bureau - à temps partiel

In this first lesson you'll find some very basic expressions, including how to say who you are, where you live and what you do. You'll also be introduced to three verbs. You can take a test, too, by downloading the accompanying PDF Lesson Guide from our website, www.learnfrenchbypodcast.com, which contains a complete transcript and lots of extra, useful information.

1. Introducing yourself

In this lesson, learn how to say you get on well with someone. Speak about things in general and talk about playing musical instruments. Learn about adjectives ending in '-if', as well as the key verb 'avoir'.

2. Discussing family

Saying where and for whom you work. Talking about colleagues. interesting french acronyms. Introduction to the adverbs 'bien' and 'mal'. Learn how to used the verb 'pouvoir' in a variety of situations. Are the french hard workers? Find out now.

3. Talking about work

Martin arrives in Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris. His luggage doesn't, however! Can you follow the directions he receives? Learn about 'devoir', the pronoun 'y',  'le passé composé', and more. It's all in this lesson.

4. Problem at the airport!

Whether you're opening a new bank account, or sending something by registered mail, chances are that someone is going to ask you to spell your name, your address, or whatever. But, how do you do that in French?! Let's find out.

5. A look at the alphabet!

In French, there are many ways of discussing the things that interest us. In this lesson, we'll meet a variety of verbs which will allow us to do that. We'll also look at 'faire', a key verb in a wide range of activities.

6. Discussing your interests

In our previous lessons, we've confined ourselves mainly to the present tense. But how do we talk about what we'll be doing next week, or for our summer vacation? We'll find out in this lesson.

7. Talking about the future

How do we propose going to the cinema, or the theatre? Or choosing between Thai or Chinese food? For that matter, how do we say 'I don't mind - that's up to you.' Let's find the answers and learn a few colloquial expressions, too.

8. Making a suggestion

You watched a match on TV last night with friends and everybody is talking about it today. Your team played well and deserved their victory. But how do we talk about it all in French? Let's learn how to describe last night's atmosphere as well as some sports-specific vocabulary.

9. Discussing a sports event

Learn how to talk about a movie you saw last night - what it was about, where it was filmed, some adjectives to describe the plot, the way in which it was filmed - it's all in this lesson. If you haven't seen a particular movie, study the questions you'll need to put to someone who has.

10. Discussing a movie you've seen

Wherever we are, whatever we're doing, the weather seems to have an effect on our general state of mind. In this short lesson, we'll meet some expressions which will provide the basics, whether it's a beautiful day or raining cats and dogs.

11. Talking about the weather

Type the word 'hangover' into google and it will return millions of hits. Remedies, cures, avoidance strategies, explanations - someone out there has all the answers. We can't pretend to have the ultimate cure, but we can, on the other hand, provide some vocabulary to discuss that unpleasant feeling in French.

12. I've got a hangover!

You're on vacation in France but, unfortunately, you develop an earache while you're there. There's nothing for it but a visit to the doctor. But how will you explain the problem? Furthermore, will you be able to understand what the doctor is saying to you?! Let's find out.

13. A visit to the doctor

Whether you're an avid creator of wonderful four-course dishes or incapable of boiling an egg, you'll find in this lesson a range of vocabulary which will take a meal through from preparation to completion. Don't worry - Amélie will tell us what to do!

14. Let's cook!

If you've been in France or another French-speaking country, chances are that you've found yourself asking for something in a shop, in French. It sounds so simple, but how, in fact, do we say 'I'll have that one... no, sorry... the one on the right...'? In this lesson, let's learn some of those essential phrases.

15. May I have one of those, please?

People are often very accommodating when we wish to take a photo with them in it. But it's usually advisable to ask first. Let's see how to do that in this lesson. We'll also see how to have them take our picture, using our camera.

16. Is it ok if I take your photo?

You make a phone call but the person you're looking for isn't there. Should you leave a message? Or maybe that's not necessary. Let's see, in this lesson, how the conversation might unravel.

17. She's not here right now - would you like to leave a message?

In this lesson, let's find out how to buy a train ticket. The vocabulary we'll meet will be just as useful when purchasing inter-city bus tickets, plane tickets, and so on. Let's see, also, how to say we'd prefer a window or aisle seat, or travel in the smoking or non-smoking section. Allons-y!

18. A return ticket to Toulouse, please...

It's a situation we regularly find ourselves in. We're in a bar or an auditorium looking for a seat. But, is the one we have our eye on actually free? How should we ask? Let's find out in this short - but practical - lesson.

24. Excuse me... Is this seat taken?

In this lesson, our goal is to find out how to ask someone to do a favour for us. We'll meet the expression 'rendre un service à quelqu'un'. We'll also re-visit the expression 'il y a' but in the immediate future form. Finally, we'll study how to deal with the english verb 'to get'.

26. Could you do me a favour?

People were starting to feel invincible. After over two year’s of covid, they were saying to themselves: ‘it’s over – we can get back to normality’. But covid is still circulating. Let’s start with a conversation.

207: J'ai eu le covid

In this lesson, we will hear Bertrand’s thoughts on a book he has just finished reading. But we are going to discover that the book’s title isn’t really true.

208: ‘Les garçons ne pleurent pas’

It seems we are inexorably headed towards a cashless society. It is not uncommon now for some retailers to even refuse cash payments. What are the consequences of this development? Let’s talk about it.

209 : Vers une société sans argent liquide

Since the launch of chatGPT in November 2022, everyone is talking about it. Some are in awe of its potential while others go so far as to say that it represents an existential threat. Let’s talk about this technological evolution in this lesson.

210: L'intelligence artificielle : faut-il en avoir peur?

This time, our lesson relates to a DIY job that frightens off a lot people, that is laying tiles. Let’s start with a dialogue.

211: Les rénovations se paient cher … à moins que l’on ne les fasse soi-même

Our lesson this time relates to the European elections in which President Macron’s party was subjected to a drubbing while support for parties of the right surged. A snap election, called by President Macron after the election results became known, is a high-risk strategy. Let’s discuss.

212: Aux élections européennes le Président Macron prend une raclée

The people of southern Louisiana are very proud of their French heritage and culture. They’re fighting tooth and nail for the survival of French which is struggling against the onslaught of English. In this lesson, let’s discuss some of the things that makes Louisiana different.

213: Les Louisianais se battent pour la survie de leur patrimoine.

Gambling is a colossal industry. Those with skin in the game say that it’s ‘just fun’. However, there are also those who say that gambling is addictive as a drug. Let’s discuss ‘les jeux d’argent’ in this lesson.

214: Les jeux d'argent ne sont pas que de simples jeux

To say that relations between the U.S. and Europe have changed is an understatement. NATO is a major bone of contention and the introduction of tariffs has caused turmoil in financial markets. Let’s talk about it.

215: Les EU et l’UE toujours amis mais plus alliés

Our conversation this time focuses on people who are referred to as ‘les décroissants’. But who exactly are ‘les décroissants’? To find out, let’s start with a conversation.

199: Les ‘décroissants’: c‘est qui?

Real-life French lessons for everyday conversation.

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