Writing in french on word - Word и Excel - помощь в работе с программами

Many students who need to write French assignments have asked me how to type French accents on Word. I have already written an article about How to Type French accents on an Apple iPhone / iPad, which you can read here.

I’ve asked my husband to write a post about it as he is the one who helps me out with all the tech parts! (For myself, I use a French keyboard.)

Here’s the easiest way to type French accents on Word

With the following method, you won’t need to memorise a heap of random numbers to use ALT key “shortcuts”, and you won’t need to change your keyboard to a French AZERTY keyboard and then have to learn where all the keys are again. (Yay!)

The only catch is that it only works in Microsoft Word, but you can then copy and paste your text and use it in the application you want. We have only used it in Windows, and have not tested it on a Apple Mac, but the process might be similar (leave a comment below if you’ve tested in on an Mac!)

Basic Recipe

The basic recipe for each accent is as follows:

Hold down the “CTRL” key and keep it held down.
Tap and release the punctuation mark which looks the most like the accent you need.
Tap and release the letter which will have the accent.
Let go of the “CTRL” key.

Each of the punctuation marks looks very similar to the accent that it represents so that should make it very easy to remember off the top of your head! 😉

Examples

If you want an “é” with a accent aigu, in Word:

Hold down the “CTRL” key and keep it held down
tap on ‘
tap on e
let go of the “CTRL” key

If you want an “è” with a accent grave, in Word

Hold down the “CTRL” key and keep it held down
tap on ` (It’s next to the number 1 key on your keyboard)
tap on e
let go of the “CTRL” key

If you want a “ç” with the cédille, in Word

Hold down the “CTRL” key and keep it held down
tap on ,
tap on c
let go of the “CTRL” key

If you want a “â” with the accent circonflexe, in Word

Hold down the “CTRL” key and keep it held down
tap on ^ (You need to hold down “SHIFT” while tapping on the number “6“)
tap on a
let go of the “CTRL” key

If you want a “ë” with the tréma, in Word

Hold down the “CTRL” key and keep it held down
tap on : (to do this one you need hold down “SHIFT” while tapping on the semi-colon 😉
tap on e
let go of the “CTRL” key

How to type French accents on Word AND double-check your spelling!

The other thing that you can do is to set your language in Word to French so that you get the additional benefit of spell check!

Hope this helps you with your typing in French! Leave a comment in section below to let us know if you tried ! 🙂

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Accent marks are a required part of writing in French. Many English-speaking beginners’ reactions to them are along the lines of, “Do they really matter?”

They do!

However, learning how to read and write French accent marks is only part of the battle. Since we live in the twenty-first century, it’s important to know how to type them too.

Here’s the problem: French accent marks don’t appear on most US English keyboards. Never fear! Typing French accents is easier than it looks, and you don’t even need a French keyboard.

This guide will cover how to type French accent marks on English keyboards for PC, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices. This information will help you whether you’re taking French tutoring or a class, organizing a trip to Paris, or just learning the basics.

What are French accent marks?

Visit our incredible guide to French pronunciation to read more about all the accent marks, their French names, and explanations of how they alter the letter’s pronunciation. Here’s a brief overview:

É – Accent aigu

The accent aigu only appears above the letter E. Pronounced like -ay.

Examples of words that include it: desolé, médicin.

È – Accent grave

Accent grave usually appears above the letter E, but can appear above any vowel. Pronounced like the E in the English word “get.”

Examples of words that include accent grave: problème, deuxième

Ç – Accent cedille

The cedille appears under the letter C, and makes the sound soft, like an S, as opposed to hard, like a K.

Examples of words that include accent cedille: français, garçon

Ö – Accent trema

The trema can appear over any vowel. It makes the second vowel in a pair voiced, and is often used with names and places.

Examples of words that include it : coïncidence, Zoë

Ô – Circonflexe

The circonflexe can appear over any vowel. It does not significantly alter the pronunciation. There is a movement to remove it from the language, but it is still important to recognize it and know which words include it.

Examples of words that include it: être, hôtel

Inserting French accent marks in word processors

Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Mac computers all have features that allow you to insert special characters that don’t appear on the keys. This is the most intuitive way to type French accent marks.

GoogleDocs

In Google Docs, start by clicking “Insert”, then “Special Characters.” Two drop-down menus and a grid of symbols will pop up. Select “Latin” from the first drop-down menu, and then select the accented letter you want to type from the grid. Easy!

Microsoft Word

In Microsoft Word, also start by clicking “Insert.” Next, click “Symbol.” A grid of symbols will pop up. If the one you’re looking for is not on there, click “More Symbols” at the bottom. You’ll see two drop-down menus and a grid. Select “Basic Latin” from the second drop-down menu, select the accented letter you want to type from the grid, and click “Insert.”

Mac

On a Mac, start by clicking “Edit” in the menu bar. Then choose “Special Characters” and select “Roman” from the drop-down menu. Next, select the “Accented Latin” character palette. Then, click the character you want to type, and hit “Insert”.

Of course, word processors are far from the only place where people type!

Accent mark shortcuts for PC

To enter these codes for French accent marks, use a sustained key press – press each key one at a time, and hold it down until all the keys in the sequence are pressed down (note: don’t type the “+” symbol).

Accent aïgue (é): Press CTRL+‘ (apostrophe), followed by the letter
Accent grave (à, è, ù): Press CTRL+` (the key to the left of “1”), followed by the letter
Accent circonflèxe (â, ê, î, ô, û): Press CTRL+Shift-6 followed by the letter
Trëma (ë, ï, ü): Press CTRL+Shift+; followed by the letter
Cédille (ç): Press CTRL+ followed by the letter

If these codes don’t work on your computer, don’t fret. Try these Windows ALT codes for French accent marks by just using your number pad:

Alt+0233 (é)
Alt+0224 (à)
Alt+0232 (è)
Alt+0249 (ù)
Alt+0226 (â)
Alt+0234 (ê)
Alt+0238 (î)
Alt+0244 (ô)
Alt+0251 (û)
Alt+0235 (ë)
Alt+0239 (ï)
Alt+0252 (ü)
Alt+0231 (ç)

French accent mark shortcuts for Mac

You can type French accents on an Apple device with Option Key Accents codes and KeyCaps.

Option Key Accents codes

The modern Mac OS offers an exceptionally fast method of typing French accents, and it’s easy to use:

Accent aïgue (é): Press Option + E
Accent grave (à, è, ù): Press Option + ` followed by the letter
Accent circonflèxe (â, ê, î, ô, û): Press Option + I followed by the letter
Trëma (ë, ï, ü): Press Option+u followed by the letter
Cédille (ç): Press Option + C

KeyCaps

To use KeyCaps to type French accent marks, click on the little Apple logo on the top left side of your screen.

Next, open KeyCaps. A little keyboard will appear on the screen. Hold down the Option key until a series of accent marks appears. Click on the French accent mark you wish to type, then type the letter that it modifies.

For example, if you wanted to type é, click `, and then type the E. Et voila.

Accent mark shortcuts for mobile devices

For iPhone, Android, and tablet keyboards, hold down any letter, and French accent options will appear (with other non-French accents, as well). In a nutshell, if you want to type “e” with an accent, hold down the “E” key, and you’ll instantly see these options pop up: è é ê ë ē ĕ ė ę ě and ə. Just click the one you’re looking for, and keep on writing.

Typing French accent marks in Linux

There are two options for typing accent marks in a Linux operating system: Character Palette and Compose Key.

Character Palette

To use the character palette, right-click on the top bar and choose “Add to Panel”. Then, click “Character Palette”. To insert the accent mark you’re looking for, left-click it, which will copy the accent mark to your clipboard. Just use Ctrl + V (Paste) to place it in a word or sentence

Compose Key

To use the Compose Key, you have to first designate an unused key as the Compose Key by following this click sequence:

Control Center > Accessibility Options > Keyboard Properties > Options > Compose Key option

Once it’s designated, hold down your Compose Key, followed by the letter and the accent mark, to place the symbol.

Here are some examples:

To type é, the sequence is: compose key, E, ‘.
To type è, the sequence is: compose key, E, `.
To type ö, the sequence is: compose key, O, “.

Windows International Keyboard add-ons

Another option for typing French accents in Windows is to add an alternate keyboard layout. The options available for typing in French are International Keyboard, French Keyboard, and Canadian French Keyboard.

The International Keyboard is the most user-friendly to US-based users who are used to a QWERTY-style layout. The French Keyboard is AZERTY and has several keys in different places than a US English keyboard. That makes switching back and forth confusing. The Canadian French keyboard has all the un-modified letters in the same spots, but has some additional characters.

However, the typing of the accents themselves is easier on the French and Canadian French Keyboards. On the French keyboard, most accent marks are available as keys. On the Canadian French, however, fewer are available as keys, but the codes are simpler.

International Keyboard accent codes

When you use the International Keyboard, you have to watch out when typing quotation marks and apostrophes before letters that accents aigu, cédilles, and trémas typically modify. If you do not put an extra space between the punctuation and the letter, it will assume that you want the accent mark. For example, for c’est not to become cést, you would have to type it as “c’ est” and then go back and remove the space.

To type accent grave (à, è, etc), type ` (to the left of 1) then the vowel.
For Accent aigu (é), type ‘ (single quote) then E.
To type cédille (ç), type ‘ then C.
To enter a **circonflexe **(ê), type ^ (shift + 6) then E.
To use tréma (ö), type “ (shift + ‘) then O.

French Keyboard Accent Codes

To type anything with a circumflex (â, ê, etc), type ^ then the vowel
For a tréma, (ä, ë, etc), type ¨ and the vowel

Canadian French Keyboard Accent Codes

For an aigu accent (é), type ´ (next to the right-hand shift key) and then e
For a grave accent (à, è, ù), type ‘ (apostrophe / single quote) then the vowel
The circumflex ˆ and tréma ¨ are in the upper-right corner, side by side next to the Enter key
For cédille (ç), type ¸ (left of the “Enter” key) and then C

Once you decide which keyboard add-on you want to use, here are the instructions for enabling it:

Open Control Panel
Under “Clock, Language, and Region,” click “Change input methods”
Click “Options” to the right of your language
Click “Add an Input Method”
Scroll down to the language you want to add, click + next to it, then select the layout*
Click OK in each dialog window.

No matter which method you like the best, you’ll be ready to type in French whether it’s in present, past, or future tense. Don’t forget to make the most of your learning by booking a French tutor.

To learn everything you need to start learning French, check out our indispensable guide.

Lauren Harsh

Lauren Harsh is a French tutor and content writer based in Chicago. They have a dual BA in International Studies and French and Francophone Studies from the University of Michigan and ten years of French experience. Request Tutoring From Lauren

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January 2, 2023

How to Tone Your Writing in French: 3 Elements for Advanced Learners

Have you noticed that your writing in French is missing that je ne sais quoi ?

After all, it’s one thing to understand what someone is saying, another to be able to communicate back, and yet another to communicate with the same facility as you would in your native language.

Lucky for you, there are quite a few tips and tricks we can share to help you elevate your French writing from pure translation to true innovation in French on the page.

Let’s take a look at three elements of writing style and structure that often pose problems for non-native speakers.

1. Structure
- Thesis, antithesis, synthesis
- Dissertation
2. Sentence Structure
- Nominalization
- Appropriate sentence length
3. Flow
- Coordinating conjunctions
- Connectors of causality
- Introduction and conclusion words

Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)

1. Structure

Structuring a French text can be a bit off-putting for a native English speaker, because a text—in this case, we’ll talk about essays—won’t be structured the same way in French as it would be in English.

If you attended school in English, you likely learned to structure your ideas in a five-part essay. The five-part essay is made up of an introduction, three thematic parts and a conclusion. The introduction presents your ideas and thesis statement, the three parts provide three different pieces of evidence proving your thesis statement, and your conclusion rounds everything out.

Thesis, antithesis, synthesis

In French, a different structure is used, called thèse-antithèse-synthèse or thesis-antithesis-synthesis. This explanation in French is a great way to get a handle on it. Basically, the thesis-antithesis-synthesis model asks you to approach your argument in four parts, not five.

As in English, you begin with an introduction, but the introduction does not present your thesis statement. Rather, it presents context for your argument, which will follow.

Next, you have the thesis portion. This is where you not only present your thesis statement, but you also defend it. In other words, what an English writer would do over the course of three and a half parts of an essay is done in one part.

Following the thesis is the antithesis. This is the point in the essay where you present contrary evidence; you explain possible alternatives to your thesis. In other words, you play devil’s advocate.

The synthesis portion is kind of your conclusion, but you have one important task: You must explain and prove why your thesis still holds, even in the face of evidence to the contrary, presented in the antithesis portion of the essay.

This model is typically used by the very young, in middle school or high school.

Dissertation

A second model exists in French, one that is used once students are a bit older. In fact, a dissertation is the same model—albeit shorter—that French master’s and doctorate students are expected to use for their mémoire (master’s thesis) or thèse (doctoral dissertation). It’s no wonder there’s a link between the French word dissertation and the English word “dissertation”!

The dissertation resembles the more typical English three-part structure much more closely, with one big difference: Instead of putting a thesis statement at the end of your introduction, as you would in English, you poser un problématique (ask a question).

Let’s say you are writing an English essay about authentic language videos, using native French videos on the FluentU language program as an example.

To indicate that they’re useful for reaching fluency, your thesis statement might look something like this:

Watching FluentU videos is an effective way to learn and achieve fluency in a foreign language.

In French, however, you would write the following:

Les vidéos de FluentU constituent-elles l’outil le plus efficace pour parler couramment une langue étrangère ?
(Are FluentU videos the most effective tool to become fluent in a foreign language?)

In the next parts of your essay, you would seek to answer this question, only typing out your thesis statement in the conclusion of your essay. This sort of logic is called Cartesian logic and stems from French philosopher Descartes, who approached philosophy from a very scientific angle.

2. Sentence Structure

Once you’ve gotten the structure of your essay squared away, the next problem you might encounter is sentence structure. French sentences and English sentences are not necessarily structured the same way, at least not ideally. While it’s possible to calque English sentence structure directly into French, there are a few techniques to make your sentences—for lack of a better term—more French.

Nominalization

Nominalization is an important technique for making your sentences sound more French. The word nominalization basically means “noun-ing.” In short, French sentences use more powerful nouns than English ones do; where English would use a powerful, meaningful verb, French uses a powerful, meaningful noun.

Let’s take a look at some examples:

In English, you might say:

Going to school is important.

In French, you could say, “Aller à l’école, c’est important,” or even, “C’est important d’aller à l’école.”

But you would be far more likely to see something like:

L’assiduité à l’école est importante.
(Attendance at school is important.)

Here’s another example. In English, you might read “He published the book in 1944” or “The book was published in 1994.” In French, you’d be more likely to write, “L’édition du livre s’est faite en 1944″ (The publication of the book was done in 1944) or “L’édition du livre a eu lieu en 1944″ (The publication of the book occurred in 1944).

Here are some great exercises for practicing nominalization of adjectives and verbs.

Appropriate sentence length

The abundance of conjunctions in French make it quite easy to go on and on. However, although long sentences seem very French, they’re best reserved for established writers or literary legends like Proust. The more modest among us should probably stick to shorter sentences that get our point across more readily.

A good rule of thumb is to limit your use of conjunctions in French to the bare minimum, thus having a greater number of shorter sentences.

3. Flow

Are your sentences are looking good? Great. Now let’s make them look even better!

With all of the short sentences that you have in French, you need to have good ways of linking them, and linking words are something that French is definitely not poor in.

Connecting words can be broken into several categories.

Coordinating conjunctions

The simplest connecting words to use are coordinating conjunctions, words that simply show a relation between two ideas. There’s an easy mnemonic used to remember the coordinating conjunctions in French:

Mais où est donc Ornicar ? (But where, therefore, is Ornicar?)

And the coordinating conjunctions it reminds you of are:

mais (but)
ou (or)
et (and)
donc (so, therefore)
or (yet, well)
ni (neither)
car (since, because)

This page gives you some great exercises for practicing use of coordinating conjunctions.

Connectors of causality

Other connectors show causality, words like puisque (because, since) and lorsque (when). These words are often used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a link between two ideas that will follow, whereas in English, similar words are usually used in the middle of a sentence, after the first idea has already been introduced.

Her mother picked her up because her car had broken down.

Puisque ma voiture était en panne, ma mère est venue me chercher.
(Since my car was broken down, my mom came to pick me up.)

Introduction and conclusion words

The last category of words to encourage flow are words that introduce or conclude a part of your written work:

tout d’abord (firstly)
premièrement (firstly)
deuxièmement (secondly)
ensuite (then)
enfin (finally)
finalement (finally)
pour conclure (to conclude)

These words are usually used in the first sentence of a paragraph that begins a new part of your essay or dissertation. The use of these words signals to your reader that they’re about to encounter a new thought or part of your argumentative process.

Still feel like you’re missing that missing that je ne sais quoi ? These tips for how to write in French should give your written language just what it needs.

Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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Improve Your Written French Today

Whether you want to pen a love letter or submit an essay in France, you need to know how to write in French. Luckily, learning how to write in French is fairly straightforward. Since French uses the Latin Alphabet, you’re already ahead of the game. Improve your writing in French fast with these easy steps.

The Basics of French Writing for Beginners

When it comes to French writing, it’s a little different than speaking French. But, if you know how to read French well, you shouldn’t have a lot of problems.

Before you read the 8 easy steps of learning to write in French, there’s one important factor in mastering French writing: practice. The only way you can truly improve your French writing skills is with a lot of practice. Make sure you write a little bit in French every day. Soon, you’ll find that writing in French is like second nature.

1. Watch Out for French Spelling

One of the biggest obstacles that throws French learners off is spelling. Unfortunately, those silent letters that you don’t pronounce are very much there in writing. Be careful how you spell certain complicated words. You need to master all parts of French grammar to write French correctly.

2. Genders Influence Grammar in French

You may already know that nouns have genders in French. They can either be masculine or feminine. And depending on the gender, different parts of a French sentence need to be conjugated.

articles: French articles need to be conjugated to reflect the gender and the number of the noun. These can be ‘le’, ‘la’, ‘l”, and ‘les’ for definite articles, and ‘un’ and ‘une’ for indefinite articles.
pronouns: Pronouns in French are the words that replace the name of the subject in a sentence. ‘He’, ‘she’, and ‘them’ are some examples of pronouns in English. In French, you need to use different forms of pronouns depending on the gender of the subject.
adjectives: When you’re describing a noun, you use an adjective. And since the noun is the only reason the adjective’s there in the sentence, you need to make the adjective fit the noun in French. There are various ways to conjugate French adjectives depending on the gender and the number of the noun, so make sure you brush up on that knowledge before you write in French.

3. Careful with French Accent Marks

French accent marks also don’t do us any favors. While they’re extremely useful when it comes to French pronunciation, their writing isn’t as straightforward. Try to associate the sound with the written French word. There are only 5 accent marks in French. One is the cedilla (ç), which only works with the letter “c”, and another is the acute accent (é), which only sits on top of the letter “e”. So in practice, there are only 3 different kinds of accents you should look out for in French.

4. Follow the French Sentence Structures

English and French sentence structures are similar in many ways. Both follow the SVO (subject-verb-object) structure, which makes writing in French much easier. And just like in English, the French sentence structure is also flexible. You can switch the words around to emphasize a part of a sentence, but still have the same meaning.

Tomorrow, I’m going to work. Demain je vais travailler.
I’m going to work tomorrow. Je vais travailler demain.

The most important part of the first sentence is the time the speaker goes to work. The second sentence focuses on the subject, the speaker instead. Still, both sentences convey the same meaning of going to work.

If you want to ask a question in French, you can do so by putting a question word at the beginning of the sentence. Common question words are:

How Comment
What Que / Qu’est-ce que queue
What kind Quel genre
When Quand
Where Où
Who Qui
Why Pourquoi

You can also ask a question by switching the order of the verb and the pronoun around, and connecting them with a hyphen:

Do you speak English? Parlez-vous anglais ?

It’s important to remember these basic rules of French sentence structure before you start writing in French. If you want to learn how to write in French effectively, practice these 4 steps a lot.

Psst! Did you know we have a language learning app?

You’re only one click away!

How to Write in French for Intermediate Students

If you’re an intermediate French learner you’re familiar with basic French grammar, and you’re confident in writing in French. But, there’s always room to improve. Once you know the basic steps of how to write in French, it’s time to make your writing even better. You can start paying attention to style, flow, and structure. The tips below will benefit your French writing practice.

5. Try Nominalization

This useful technique will make your sentences better. Nominalization means that you make nouns in the sentence more dominant. While in English, the dominant words are verbs, in French, you can write with the focus of the noun instead, making them more meaningful. Here’s an example to demonstrate.

Normal sentence: The ice cream is cold. – La glace est froide.
Nominalized sentence: The ice cream is cold. – La glace, c’est droid.

6. Use French Conjunctions

Conjunctions are the tools to write complex French sentences. Without them, you’re limited to simple and boring sentence structures. As an intermediate student, you can start connecting two equal or unequal sentences to make an even more interesting phrase. Here are the different kinds of French conjunctions you can use to write better in French:

Coordinating Conjunctions:

You use these kinds of conjunctions to connect two equal sentences. The most common coordinating conjunctions in French are:

French conjunctions	English translation
et	and
parce que	because
puis	then
ou	or
mais	but

Subordinating Conjunctions:

If one of the sentences in unequal or dependent on the other, you need to use subordinating conjunctions. These connectors often show causality. The most common conjunctions in French for this category are:

French conjunctions	English translation
si	if
quand	when
comme	since
que	that

7. Style and Flow

Now that you wield the power of conjunctions, you have to be careful with it. As fun as it is to write long and complicated sentences in French, it doesn’t sound good. Make sure you use appropriate sentence lengths as you’re writing in French.

Aim for shorter sentences. Make them explain your point well. But, feel free to mix the flow up with the occasional longer sentences. That’s how you write in French with a nice and smooth flow. And that’s how you perfect your French writing too. It will be a pleasure to read your work.

Writing in French for Advanced Learners

Once you mastered all of the French writing rules, you’re officially an advanced French learner. But, there may still be room to improve your French writing. If you’re looking to kick your projects up a notch, you can learn how to write essays and dissertations in French. These pointers will be useful if you ever attend school or university in France, or you want to take a language exam.

8. Get Familiar with French Essay Structure

When you’re writing an essay, you have to structure it for readability. If you want to learn how French high schoolers are taught to write their essays, this is the structure they follow: thèse-antithèse-synthèse (thesis-antithesis-synthesis). Learn how to write French essays using a traditional French essay structure.

Introduction: You begin your essay by having an introduction, which is a context for argument.
Thesis: In this section, you present and defend the statement of your thesis. You need to write everything that supports the topic of your essay.
Antithesis: The antithesis follows the thesis. This is where you state conflicting evidence and explain other potential substitutes for your essay. Including an antithesis doesn’t mean that you disagree with your original thesis. You just need to show that you thought of all possibilities before arriving to your conclusion.
Synthesis: This is your conclusion. This is where you summarize your arguments, and explain why you still stand by your original thesis despite the antithesis.

9. Use Introduction and Conclusion Vocabulary

Certain words can encourage sentence flow by introducing or concluding some parts of your work.

tout d’abord (firstly)
premièrement (firstly)
deuxièmement (secondly)
ensuite (then)
enfin (finally)
finalement (finally)
pour conclure (to conclude)

You can use these words when introducing a new idea to your dissertation or essay. These words will signal the readers that they are encountering a new part or thought of your writing process.

10. Writing a Dissertation in French

This is the form of writing you encounter in French higher education. It’s a very complex form of French writing, only the most advanced and fluent French learners should attempt it. It’s also a longer piece of academic writing. It may take you weeks to complete research and write your French dissertation.

The French dissertation is similar to essay structure. But, there’s one main difference: your thesis isn’t a statement, but rather a question. It’s your job in the dissertation to take the reader through your thought process and research to answer your question. This logic is known as “Cartesian logic.” It comes from Descartes, who was a well known French philosopher.

History of Written French

French was used in Strasbourg Oaths, and it first appeared in writing in 842 AD. Before then, Latin was the only language used for literature in Europe. However, in the 10th and 11th centuries, French appeared in some religious writings and documents but was not used up to the late 12th century or early 13th century. The first greatest French Literature work, the Song of Roland (Chanson de Roland), was published around the year 1200.

Writing in French Alone Won’t Make You Fluent

You need to learn how to write in French to be proficient in the language. But, it won’t make you fluent. The only way to become fluent is to practice speaking French. While it’s crucial to develop every area of your French knowledge, if you want to be fluent in French, you need a reliable language learning method like OptiLingo.

OptiLingo is an app that gets you speaking, not typing a language. It gives you the most common French words and phrases, so you’re guaranteed to learn the most useful vocabulary. Don’t waste time trying to learn French you’ll never use. Complement your French writing practice with fun speaking exercises when you download OptiLingo!

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James Silverton

I had occasion to want to use French quotation marks several times and
I found that they were available in Insert Symbols as ALT-0171 and
ALT-0187. There is a minor problem in that I am told that the left
quote should be followed by one *non-breaking* space and the right
preceded by one. I can figure out how to achieve the first with
autocorrect but not the second. I suppose I could write macros and
assign buttons to them but that takes up space on the bars for
something that I won’t use a lot. I can also see how to get what I
want with Edit…Replace.

Has anyone any ideas for getting a properly space right guillemet with
autocorrect?
Forgive me if this puzzle has been solved many times. I assume the
correct spacing is taken care of automatically in the French language
version of Word.

James Silverton

James Silverton said:

I had occasion to want to use French quotation marks several times and
I found that they were available in Insert Symbols as ALT-0171 and
ALT-0187. There is a minor problem in that I am told that the left
quote should be followed by one *non-breaking* space and the right
preceded by one. I can figure out how to achieve the first with
autocorrect but not the second. I suppose I could write macros and
assign buttons to them but that takes up space on the bars for
something that I won’t use a lot. I can also see how to get what I
want with Edit…Replace.

Has anyone any ideas for getting a properly space right guillemet with
autocorrect?
Forgive me if this puzzle has been solved many times. I assume the
correct spacing is taken care of automatically in the French language
version of Word.

Sorry, replying to my own post, I managed to use the correct words in
a Google search and I guess I have a partial answer

«In Microsoft Word 97 the non-breaking space U+00A0 is automatically
inserted when the French language is selected and a guillemet is
typed. …
www.microsoft.com/typography/ developers/fdsspec/punc.htm «

I am still intrigued by the problem of dealing with the right
guillemet using autocorrect but it is probably of no great practical
value.

Herb Tyson [MVP]

Are you using Word 97?

Using Word 2003, I have no problem creating autocorrect entries for both
left and right (I like to use << and >> as the triggers). What difficulty
are you encountering?

James Silverton

Herb Tyson said:

Are you using Word 97?

Using Word 2003, I have no problem creating autocorrect entries for both
left and right (I like to use << and >> as the triggers). What difficulty
are you encountering?

That’s interesting! What I really wanted was a right guillemet, »,
attached to the last word by a non-breaking space. I used the
unlikely alphabetic combination, raq. This is not corrected unless
there is a space in front of it and I could not think how to change an
ordinary space into a non-breaking space so that the guillemet was
attached to the last word. I had not thought of using the two greater
than signs which *does* work even in the Word XP that I use.

Thanks again!

Herb Tyson [MVP]

….and has the added advantage, perhaps, of actually looking somewhat like »
<grin>.

James Silverton

Herb Tyson said:

…and has the added advantage, perhaps, of actually looking somewhat like ;
<grin>.

There is still another advantage: if I ever want to use French
quotation marks in posting to this newsgroup, << and >> will survive
the posting process unlike » (ALT-0187) and probably « (ALT-0171).

Thanks again,

Herb Tyson [MVP]

BTW, a shorter «long» way of typing them is Alt+174 and Alt+175 (don’t type
the 0’s). Personally, I could never remember Alt+0187 and ALT+0171.

James Silverton

Herb Tyson said:

BTW, a shorter «long» way of typing them is Alt+174 and Alt+175 (don’t type
the 0’s). Personally, I could never remember Alt+0187 and ALT+0171.

Thanks; just for interest where are the shorter codes documented? I
have happily set up and will continue use your autocorrect with << andsince, as I mentioned, true guillemets don’t always appear in the
posted message if ALT+0187 or 171 are used.

Many thanks,

Jim.

Herb Tyson [MVP]

Documented, schmocumented <grin>. Heck if I know. All I know is that I’ve
been using Alt+174/5 since the 1980s, before Windows, when I need to use
them in writing about XyWrite (which uses something that looks like them to
enclose formatting commands, and other things). I *think* they were that
when chr$(128) thorugh chr$(255) were referred to as «extended ASCII», and
the Alt+0### versions came in when folks started talking about ANSI,
instead. But, I’m old, and my memory could be failing.

Carey N.

James Silverton said:

Thanks; just for interest where are the shorter codes documented? I
have happily set up and will continue use your autocorrect with << andsince, as I mentioned, true guillemets don’t always appear in the
posted message if ALT+0187 or 171 are used.

Many thanks,

Jim.

You might take a look here; might be useful as a code chart:
http://www.cdrummond.qc.ca/cegep/informat/Professeurs/Alain/files/ascii.htm

(I found this by a search for «extended ASCII character chart» in IE
provided by Verizon Online.)

[fading back into Lurkdom. . . ]

James Silverton

Carey N. said:

Thanks very much; it’s quite intriguing. What puzzles me is the
difference between ALT+(3 digit number) which is what is tabulated in
your reference and ALT+(four digit number preceded by 0). For example,
ALT + 128 gives capital C cedilla, Ã‡, and ALT + 0128 gives the Euro
symbol, â‚¬. I can’t guarantee that these will appear when posted tho’
they are fine as I compose this note. What I’d really like to know is
where are the differences documented. Just furthering my education

When I tried to send this post, IE asked me whether I wanted to send
the post as Unicode so I’ll post it with and without.

James Silverton

Carey N. said:

You might take a look here; might be useful as a code chart:
http://www.cdrummond.qc.ca/cegep/informat/Professeurs/Alain/files/ascii.htm

(I found this by a search for «extended ASCII character chart» in IE
provided by Verizon Online.)

When I tried to send this post, IE asked me whether I wanted to send
the post as Unicode so I’ll post it with and without.

James Silverton

Carey N. said:

James Silverton said:

ALT+0171.

Thanks; just for interest where are the shorter codes documented? I
have happily set up and will continue use your autocorrect with << and
since, as I mentioned, true guillemets don’t always appear in the
posted message if ALT+0187 or 171 are used.

Many thanks,

Jim.

You might take a look here; might be useful as a code chart:
http://www.cdrummond.qc.ca/cegep/informat/Professeurs/Alain/files/ascii.htm

(I found this by a search for «extended ASCII character chart» in IE
provided by Verizon Online.)

[fading back into Lurkdom. . . ]

Thanks very much; it’s quite intriguing. What puzzles me is the
difference between ALT+(3 digit number) which is what is tabulated in
your reference and ALT+(four digit number preceded by 0). For example,
ALT + 128 gives capital C cedilla, Ç, and ALT + 0128 gives the Euro
symbol, ?. I can’t guarantee that these will appear when posted tho’
they are fine as I compose this note. What I’d really like to know is
where are the differences documented. Just furthering my education

When I tried to send this post, IE asked me whether I wanted to send
the post as Unicode so I’ll post it with and without.

Bob Buckland ?:-)

Hi James,

You didn’t mention the version of Word you’re using but basically
if you have inserted into your document the non-break-space from
Insert=>Symbol=>Special Characters follwed by the printable character
you want you should be able to put it in Autocorrect by this method.

1. Turn on the view of nonprinting characters
(pilcrow/paragraph mark icon on the toolbar).

2. Select only the printable character you want and used Ctrl+C
to put it on the clipboard.

3. Select (highlight) the non-break-space plus the following
character that you inserted and use Tools=>Autocorrect.

4. In Tools=>Autocorrect select (o) Formatted text and you
should see the non-breakspace + character combination
in the ‘replace with’ box.

5. In the ‘replace what box’ use Ctrl+V to copy your single
character entry from the clipboard.

=======
I had occasion to want to use French quotation marks several times and
I found that they were available in Insert Symbols as ALT-0171 and
ALT-0187. There is a minor problem in that I am told that the left
quote should be followed by one *non-breaking* space and the right
preceded by one. I can figure out how to achieve the first with
autocorrect but not the second. I suppose I could write macros and
assign buttons to them but that takes up space on the bars for
something that I won’t use a lot. I can also see how to get what I
want with Edit…Replace.

James V. Silverton>>
—
I hope this helps you,

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

Office 2003 explained
http://microsoft.com/uk/office/editions.asp

James Silverton

Bob Buckland ?:-) said:

Hi James,

You didn’t mention the version of Word you’re using but basically
if you have inserted into your document the non-break-space from
Insert=>Symbol=>Special Characters follwed by the printable character
you want you should be able to put it in Autocorrect by this method.

1. Turn on the view of nonprinting characters
(pilcrow/paragraph mark icon on the toolbar).

2. Select only the printable character you want and used Ctrl+C
to put it on the clipboard.

3. Select (highlight) the non-break-space plus the following
character that you inserted and use Tools=>Autocorrect.

4. In Tools=>Autocorrect select (o) Formatted text and you
should see the non-breakspace + character combination
in the ‘replace with’ box.

5. In the ‘replace what box’ use Ctrl+V to copy your single
character entry from the clipboard.

=======
I had occasion to want to use French quotation marks several times

and

I am grateful to both you and Herb Tyson for your replies and
especially to you for sending the very complete instructions. I was
able to set up the autocorrect as Herb suggested using Word XP (2002,
I suppose). The non-breaking space is available as a special character
under the Insert…Symbol menu.

Thanks again!

Источник

Writing letters can be stressful to a lot of people…. and even more so when you have to do it in French! Today we will make writing letters in French a lot easier with this simple guide on how to write a letter in French.

In this lesson, you’ll learn the words, phrases, and expressions for starting and ending your letter plus tips and examples.

You get an extra lesson on how to write emails in French, too!

I. Greetings/ Salutations for French Letters

To start writing a letter in French, you need the proper salutation and the correct title of the person you are writing to.

Salutations for French Personal Letters

For personal correspondence, you can choose between the following scenarios and salutations.

If you know the person, you can use the following:

Cher Monsieur	Dear Sir
Cher Monsieur ______	Dear Mr. ______
Chère Madame	Dear Ma’am
Chère Madame ______	Dear Mrs. _______
Chère Mademoiselle	Dear Miss
Chers amis	Dear friends
Mon cher Pierre	My dear Pierre
Ma très chère Louise	My dearest Louise

For personal correspondence where you do not know the person you are writing to, you can choose from the following:

Monsieur	Sir
Monsieur ______	Mr. ______
Madame	Ma’am
Madame ______	Mrs. _______
Mademoiselle	Miss
Messieurs	Sirs

Salutations for French Formal Letters

For business letters, salutations are very formal and include the recipient’s title as needed. You may use the following salutations:

Monsieur, Madame	Sir, ma’am
Messieurs	Sirs
Monsieur	Sir
Madame	Ma’am
Mademoiselle	Miss
Monsieur le Directeur	Director
Monsieur le Ministre	Minister

Quick reminder

Take note of proper spacing when writing punctuations in French. When writing a sentence with a question mark or an exclamation point, there should be a space before and after it. For example: Bonjour ! Ça va ?

The same applies to writing colons and semi-colons, as well as quotation marks.

II. How to close your letter

Just like the salutations, you will also need to use the correct closing at the end of your letter.

Closing Expressions for French Personal letters

For personal letters to acquaintances or friends that still require a level of formality, you may end it using the following French email closings:

Je vous envoie mes amicales pensées.	Works like «Best wishes» but literally means «sending my friendly thoughts to you»
Recevez, je vous prie, mes meilleures amitiés.	Yours sincerely.
Je vous adresse mon très amical souvenir.	Kindest regards.
Cordialement (à vous)	Cordially (yours)
Votre ami dévoué(e)	Your devoted friend
Chaleureusement	With warm regards; Warmly
Bien amicalement	Sincerely; In friendship
Amitiés	Best wishes, All the best
Bien à vous, Bien à toi	Best wishes
À bientôt !	See you soon!
Affectueusement	Fondly
affectueuses pensées	With fond thoughts

Please note that the translations are not exactly the same, but they more or less express the same thought.

For informal letters to close friends and family, you may be very liberal in showing your fondness to the person by using the following informal closing:

Bisous	Kisses
Grosses bises Gros bisous Je t’ embrasse (bien fort)	Big kisses
Bizoux	Kisses

Take note that the above closing expressions are similar to saying «hugs and kisses» or «XOXO» in English. You simply cannot use it to close a letter to, let’s say, your boss or the hiring manager in the job you’re eyeing.

See also: French text slang and instant messaging shortcuts

Closing Expressions for French Formal or Business Letters

Cordialement*	Cordially
Bien à vous*	Yours truly
Meilleures salutations	Best regards
Salutations distinguées	Sincerely
Je vous prie d’agréer, <insert the same title you used in your greetings> l’expression de mes sentiments distingués.	Please accept,______, the expression of my highest consideration.
Je vous prie d’agréer, <insert the same title you used in your greetings> l’expression de mes meilleures salutations.	Please accept,______ , the expression of my best regards.

*These two are not too formal, and could be used for less formal situations.

Again, please take note that the above translations are more or less the equivalent expressions in English.

Pin this image for later!

III. Some example French letters

Let’s take a look at two sample letters below. The first one is a personal letter and the second is a business letter.

Example 1: Personal Letter

Chère Mademoiselle,

C’est avec plaisir que je vous écris. L’envie me prend soudainement de vous conter l’une de mes nombreuses aventures…

Je vous envoie mes bien amicales pensées. À bientôt !

Dear Miss,

It is with pleasure that I’m writing to you. The urge suddenly takes me to tell you of one of my many adventures …

Best wishes. See you soon!

Example 2: Business Letter

Monsieur,

Je me permets de vous écrire concernant l’offre de poste…

Je vous prie d’agréer, Monsieur, l’expression de mes sentiments distingués.

Sir,

Allow me to write you about the job offer…

Please accept, sir, the expression of my highest consideration.

IV. Additional Tips in Letter-Writing

Of course, starting and ending a letter written in French is just the tip of the iceberg. Here are more tips in writing letters in French.

In writing formal letters, always use “vous” and never “tu”.
For personal letters, you may use “tu” but only with people you are in tu terms with.
A properly worded and formatted letter will make your content sound credible. So take note of the correct form.
Write the return address at the top left of the page. Start with your name followed by your organization (for business letters) and then your address.
The recipient’s address will be placed below it to the right side.
Under it, place the town or city where the letter is being sent followed by the date.

Bonus: How to write an email in French

Let’s face it, writing an email in French is another hurdle you must surpass. Whether you’re writing an email to your boss, a colleague, or someone you barely know, you gotta make sure everything’s in place before you hit the send button.

No worries to you because we’re going to discuss here how to write emails, too!

Always start your email with a greeting such as «bonjour» or «bonsoir». Unlike letters, you don’t need to use Cher / Chère, but if you know the person you’re writing to and feel comfortable, go ahead and use it.
You can say, «Bonjour monsieur /madame» when emailing someone you’re not yet acquainted with.
If you know the job title of the person you’re writing to, you can include it in your salutation. For example, Monsieur le Directeur (Mr. Director) or Madame la Directrice (Madam Director).
When emailing someone you are in informal terms with, you can simply start your email with «Salut + the name» followed by some pleasantries. For example: Salut, Marianne ! J’espère que tu vas bien (Hello, Marianne! I hope you’re doing well.)
Be mindful of the correct usage of tu and vous.

Did you know?

La nétiquette refers to the French practice of writing good online correspondence especially emails.

How to end formal emails

Like in English, there are also a set of email phrases and expressions commonly used when signing off in formal emails. Aside from the usual «merci» or «merci beaucoup», here are some ways on how to sign off an email in French:

Bien cordialement	kind regards
Cordialement	Cordially, used like «best regards»
Bien à vous	Yours truly, yours sincerely
Merci par avance	Thanks in advance
Merci par avance pour votre compréhension	Thanks in advance for your understanding
Je reste à votre disposition pour tout renseignement complémentaire	Feel free to contact me for any further information

Download a PDF format of this article!

Want to save a copy of this article on your device? Easy! Simply sign up to the Talk in French newsletter by clicking the download button below. You’ll get a copy of this article in PDF format as part of the French Learning Package!

Conclusion

Letter-writing is still a necessary skill despite the many new forms of communication available today. I hope this short guide will help solve your woes on how to write letters in French. Hopefully, you learned something about writing emails in French, too!

For the complete lesson on French letters including audio guides and exercises, grab your copy of My French Routine, a complete learning series that you could use to learn French independently from beginner level to advanced.

This particular lesson is part of the course Complete Advanced French Course. Check it out now on the Talk in French Store!

Here are some FAQs about Letter in French

How to close a letter in French

1. Je vous envoie mes amicales pensées. – This means “best wishes” but the literal translation is “sending my friendly thoughts to you.”
2. Recevez, je vous prie, mes meilleures amitiés, – Yours sincerely,
3. “Meilleures salutations,” – Best regards,
4. À bientôt! – See you later
5. Bisous – Kisses

How to address a letter in French

To address a letter in French, The first line will be the recipient’s full name. Do not forget to add Monsieur, Madame or Mademoiselle before the name.

The second line will be the recipient’s street address and next is the city or town, followed by the state name and zip code in the third line.

How to write a formal letter in French

Sender
First is to write down the sender’s details at the top left of the letter. Start with your name or a company name and include your address, with the country name in French under the postal code.

Addressee
Second is the addressee information. This is where you will write the name and address of the recipient. Remember to write place names with capital letters.

Subject
In French, instead of writing ‘Subject’, ‘Objet’ or ‘Concerne’ are used. This is where you indicate the purpose of the letter.

Place and date
After the subject in the upper right corner of the letter, write down the place and date and separate them with a comma. The name of the month is written with lowercase letters.

Example:
Los Angeles, le 1er février 2021
Florida, le 5 juin 2020

Salutation
French letter salutations do not mention the name of the addressee. You will only write, ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Madame’. Do not forget to the salutation with a comma.

Example:
Monsieur,

Message
The body of your letter consists of three parts:
Opening paragraph
The reason why you are writing the letter
Closing paragraph

Your Signature
Sign your letter above your printed name on the right hand side. Also, add your job position or department in the line below your full name.

Источник

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Tom is telling us about his day at the beach.

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Baby at the beach

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Between neighbours

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Pierre wants to book a room in a hotel.

Can I come?

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Marie chats with her roommate’s friend Damien.

Clara’s list to Santa

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Julien’s daughter is quite exhaustive in her list to Santa this year!

Colourful animals

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Corsica is beautiful!

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Hanukkah with my family

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Rachelle celebrates Hanukkah with her family every year.

Happy New Year!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectif

Paul loves celebrating the New Year.

Healthcare in France

PrépositionPronom sujetLe Présent (Indicatif)

Learn about France’s healthcare system.

Hello, my name is France!

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPlurielPolitics, History & Economics

The country France introduces itself.

Hello! I’m Mario!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom sujetPronomFamous PeopleSports & Leisure

The famous plumber introduces himself.

Helping my neighbourhood

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERTroisième personneFamily & Relationships

Noémie likes helping her neighbours after school.

Helping the planet

Le Présent (Indicatif)ArticlePrépositionTechnology & Science

François does his best to help the planet in his everyday life.

How to make a cake

PrépositionArticleFutur

Brigitte is going to make a cake today.

How to stay healthy

Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeArticleFood & DrinkSports & Leisure

Matthieu tells us about his healthy habits.

How to vote at a polling station in France?

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierPolitics, History & Economics

Learn how to vote in a French election.

Hurray for football [US:soccer]!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPréposition

Annie’s brother is a big fan of football [US:soccer].

Hurray for snow!

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Léo loves snow.

Hurray for the city centre!

PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Article

Julien tells us why he loves living in the city centre [US: downtown].

Hurray for the internet!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectif

Amir and Chloë talk about why they love the internet.

I hate the rain!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbeSports & Leisure

Annie stays in on rainy days

I love camping!

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifGenre masculin

Anissa goes camping in the summer.

I love Hallowe’en!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbe

Gabriel tells us why he loves Hallowe’en.

I, Louis XIV

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectifFamous PeoplePolitics, History & EconomicsFamily & Relationships

The French king Louis XIV tells us about himself.

I’m hot!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbe irrégulierFamily & Relationships

Marc offers tips for dealing with the heat.

I’m Jean Valjean

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulier

At the beginning of Victor Hugo’s «Les Misérables», our hero Jean Valjean knocks at a bishop’s door.

In French class

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom sujetPrépositionLanguage & Education

Marc explains what his French lessons consist of.

In science class

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielArticle définiLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships

Jérôme’s favorite subject is science!

In the bathroom

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPluriel

Adrien describes his bathroom.

Job: Veterinarian

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeArticle

What does being a veterinarian entail?

Juliette Binoche

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERArticleFamous PeopleFilm & TV

The famous French actress tells us about herself.

Learning the guitar

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre masculinArticle définiMusicSports & Leisure

Stéphane tells us about his guitar lessons.

Mimi the mermaid

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticleFamily & Relationships

Mimi the mermaid introduces herself.

Money and me

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbe irrégulierPolitics, History & Economics

Thibault and Flora are complete opposite when it comes to money!

Montpellier Hérault Rugby club

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdjectif possessifSports & Leisure

Martin tells us about his favourite rugby club, the MHR.

Moods and colours

AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)AccordLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships

Martin likes different colours depending on his mood.

Mrs Durand’s Menagerie

AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PlurielFamily & Relationships

Mrs Durand loves her many animals.

My afternoons with my friend Lise

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPréposition

Nora and her friend Lise have a nice Saturday afternoon routine.

My astronaut costume

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielAdverbeCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure

This year, Hugo is dressing up as an astronaut for Mardi Gras.

My basketball team

Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Quentin loves his basketball team!

My bicycle ride Free

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectif possessif

Bastien loves his weekend ride in the woods.

My children’s Hallowe’en

Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifAdjectifSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Luc’s children are all ready for Hallowe’en.

My cousin Benjamin

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectifFamily & Relationships

Jonathan talks about his favourite cousin.

My daughter and books

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielGenre masculinLiterature, Poetry, TheatreSports & Leisure

Patrick’s daughter has a passion for books !

My daughter’s birthday

AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PlurielFamily & Relationships

David’s daughter Émilie is turning seven today!

My dog’s birthday

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Every year, Florian celebrates his dog Max’s birthday.

My eco-friendly habits

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Marc tries to help the planet in his everyday life.

My favourite instrument

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Marc and Véronique tell Sabrina what their favourite musical instruments are.

My favourite season

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticle défini

Bertrand tells us why he prefers fall to other seasons.

My favourite summer fruit

Le Présent (Indicatif)ArticlePluriel

Lucas tells what fruit he loves eating in the summer.

My favourite superheroes

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Thomas talks about his favourite superheroes.

My favourite winter drink

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectifFood & Drink

Find out what Coline’s favourite winter drink is!

My grandson

Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifVerbe irrégulier

Raymond is completely gaga over his first grandson.

My little sister

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre fémininGenre masculinFamily & Relationships

Damien’s little sister can be pretty annoying.

My neighbourhood Free

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre masculinGenre fémininFamily & Relationships

Antoine tells us about his neighbourhood’s best features.

My New Year’s resolutions

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielAdjectif possessifCelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Thierry makes a list of good resolutions for the new year 2020.

My shopping list

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielArticleFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Bertrand is getting his shopping list ready.

My sister the nurse

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre masculinVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Laure tells us about her sister’s job.

My three children

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes avec -OIR

Justine tells us about her three beloved children.

My turtle Caroline

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionGenre fémininFamily & Relationships

Daniel tells us about his favourite pet.

My twin daughters

AdjectifPlurielLe Présent (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Philippe tells us about his lovely identical twins Ella and Emma.

My typical snowy day

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom réfléchiSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Pauline tells us what she likes to do when it snows outside.

My week of activities

Le Présent (Indicatif)Article définiVerbes réguliers avec -ERSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Julien’s week is full on activities!

Night routine before a test

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifGenre fémininLanguage & EducationTechnology & Science

Antoine’s night-before-a-test routine is all about reducing stress.

No chores for me!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre masculinVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Teenager Lise hates doing chores.

Opposite siblings

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifGenre fémininFamily & Relationships

Élodie tells us how different she is from her brother Thomas.

Portrait of a cat

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERArticle définiFamily & Relationships

Marcel the cat is talking about himself.

Profession: Journalist

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPluriel

José tells us about his job as a journalist.

Quebec City

AdjectifGenre fémininAdjectif possessif

Olivia loves living in Quebec City.

Radio news bulletin

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticle définiPolitics, History & Economics

Here is a short news broadcast.

Speed dating

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Claudine and Marc get acquainted during a speed dating session.

Summer food and drinks

AdjectifArticle définiPlurielFood & Drink

Léa asks her friends what they like to eat and drink in the summer.

Thanksgiving with family

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPrépositionFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

James tells us about his Thanksgiving traditions.

The driving licence test

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionLanguage & EducationTechnology & Science

Véronique is taking her driving licence exam.

The Hobbies Family

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielDeuxième personneSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

In Raphaël’s family, everyone has a different hobby!

The woman on the train

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionFamily & Relationships

Every morning, Lisa sees this woman on her commuter train.

Tips to fight the cold

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre masculinGenre féminin

Barnabé is very sensitive to cold, but luckily, he has lots of coping mechanisms!

To buy a train ticket

Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativePronom sujetFamily & Relationships

Thomas is buying a train ticket at a French train station.

Toulouse’s specialties

AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Marius and Anaïs talk about the Southern city’s delicious specialties.

Visit to A&E [US: the ER]

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre fémininAdjectifEmploymentTechnology & Science

Lucie talks to a doctor at the hospital.

What is Francophonie?

ArticleArticle définiLe Présent (Indicatif)Language & Education

Damien explains what francophonie is.

What’s your favourite artistic activity?

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Nora and Lucien share their favourite artistic activities.

When I’m sick

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiVerbe irrégulier

Julien tells us what he does when he’s ill.

Where is the town hall?

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionL’Impératif Présent

James asks Mélanie for directions.

Which French king am I?

Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifGenre féminin

This mysterious French king tells us about himself… do you recognise him?

A Creole picnic

AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

During a visit to La Réunion, Julie and Léo went for a typical Creole meal.

A day with Grandad

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Présent (Indicatif)

Bastien went to visit his granddad at his retirement home.

A family of dog lovers

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Anthony had many dogs growing up, but Pip was special.

A few days in Dordogne Free

Pronom d’objet directAdjectifPronom d’objet indirectMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Monique tells Patrick about her coming holiday [US: vacation].

A football accident

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Anthony had his friend Bruno over to play…

A great weekend

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliairePréposition

Henri had a lovely weekend.

A Hallowe’en party

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/Interrogative

Amélie’s guests are having a Hallowe’en blast!

A holiday [US:vacation] letter

AdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Jacqueline writes about her holiday [US: vacation] to her friend Patricia.

A love for teaching

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PlurielLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Damien’s passion for teaching started early.

A new mother

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adverbe

Rachelle and her boyfriend had to learn how to take care of their baby.

A new TV

AdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)

Sébastien tells Yvan about the TV he just bought.

A nice train journey

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Lucie and her boyfriend Marc went to the countryside by train this weekend.

A noisy hotel room

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Bertrand complains to the hotel reception about noises during the night.

A nostalgic walk

AdjectifAdjectif possessifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)

Bernard’s neighbourhood has changed a lot over the years.

A romantic trip to Paris

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Anna took her boyfriend on a romantic trip to Paris.

A romantic weekend away

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Aline and her boyfriend went away for a relaxing weekend.

A sleeper’s story

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchi

Amélie used to be a real sleepyhead.

A Thanksgiving gift

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Tammy’s family prepared a Thanksgiving meal for a less fortunate family.

A week of beach activities

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe auxiliaireVerbe irrégulier

Oriane spent the week enjoying beach sports and activities.

A weekend of chores

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Participe passé

Romain and his wife Sabine spent the weekend doing chores.

Afternoon ice cream Free

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierVerbes avec -OIRFood & Drink

Lucie and Greg feel like an ice cream this afternoon.

An Italian holiday [US: vacation]

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Préposition

Julia’s girlfriends went on an Italian holiday [US: vacation].

Apple tart

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Bruno helped his aunt make her famous apple tart.

At a Fatals Picards concert

Adjectif possessifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adverbe

Julien and his friend Matthieu went to see the French band Les Fatals Picards on stage.

At my best friend’s wedding

Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Patrick gives a toast at Stéphane’s wedding.

At the allergist’s

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -EREmploymentTechnology & Science

Pierre went to the allergist to get a diagnosis.

At the bar

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeFood & Drink

Au bar Patricia and Samuel discuss what drinks they want to order.

At the Chinese restaurant

Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeArticleFood & Drink

James is ordering food in a Chinese restaurant.

At the cinema

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeGenre féminin

Thibault and Aïssa enjoy an evening at the movies.

At the grocery store

Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativePrépositionEmploymentFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Julie and Frank need some things from the grocery store.

At the gym

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulier

Hélène is looking to join some classes at her gym.

At the mountain restaurant

Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativePronom d’objet indirectFood & Drink

Gérard and Sylvie stop for lunch after their mountain hike.

At the nail salon

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectif

Barbara is at the nail salon.

At the post office

Le Présent (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifInfinitifFamily & Relationships

Christophe has a few errands to run at the post office.

At the shoe store

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directQuestion/InterrogativeFamily & Relationships

Christine is looking for a pair of shoes with the help of a nice sales assistant.

At the till [US: cash register]

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbe

A customer is offered the shop’s loyalty card.

Bastille Day in the South of France

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important Dates

Bernard tells us about celebrating Bastille Day last summer.

Bedtime stories

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifPremière personneLiterature, Poetry, TheatreFamily & Relationships

Florian remembers the bedtime ritual he had with his daughter.

Breakfast in the sun

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes réguliers avec -ERFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Sabrina surprised Thomas with a nice breakfast on the balcony.

Calling the hotel’s room service

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Valérie calls room service from her hotel room.

Camille Cottin

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes avec être comme auxiliaire

The French actress introduces herself.

Chocolate mousse cooking tips!

Mode impératifLe Présent (Indicatif)L’Impératif PrésentFood & Drink

André gives us some tips to make the perfect chocolate mousse.

Chocolatier Amaury Guichon

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulier

Inès introduces Thibault to the famous pastry chef and chocolatier.

Conversation on the plane

Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativeAdjectif possessifMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Pascal and Julie get acquainted on a flight to Montpellier.

Dividing the restaurant bill

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierVerbes réguliers avec -ERFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Isabelle and her friends are splitting the bill at the restaurant.

Do you have any dirty clothes?

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directQuestion/InterrogativeFamily & Relationships

Bastien and his mother debate the need for a dirty laundry basket.

Drawing a face

AdjectifL’Impératif PrésentMode impératif

Teacher François asks his pupils to draw a face.

Easter in France

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionArticle défini

Learn more about how French people celebrate Easter.

Finding a Father’s Day present

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifPréposition

Louna and her brother Nassim went shopping for Father’s Day.

Fireworks

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeParticipe passéCelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Juliette went to watch New Year’s fireworks yesterday.

First Christmas

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectif

This year was baby Tristan’s first Christmas.

First visit to the vet

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre masculin

Sébastien’s cat just gave birth to four little kittens!

Fishing with Dad

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PlurielParticipe passéSports & Leisure

Benjamin went fishing with his father last Sunday.

From the city to the countryside

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireL’Imparfait (Indicatif)

Marie decided to leave Paris to live in the countryside.

Gardening : yes or no?

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectif

Thibault and Cécile gives their differing opinions on gardening.

Giving up tobacco

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Amélie has stopped smoking and she’s so happy about it!

Gwoka: Guadeloupe’s music

Le Présent (Indicatif)ArticleArticle défini

Learn about Guadeloupe’s traditional music.

Holiday by the sea

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPlurielMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Édouard remembers his childhood seaside holidays in the south of France.

I love autumn!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionFood & DrinkSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Jacqueline tells us what she loves to do in the fall.

I love my grandmother!

Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PlurielFamily & Relationships

Lucas tells us about his lovely grandmother.

I love the mountains!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Adverbe

Gilles shares why he loves going to the mountains more than going to the seaside.

I prefer going skiing

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifComparatifSports & Leisure

Pierre tells us why he prefers going skiing rather than beach holidays.

In a taxi

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFamily & Relationships

Magalie needs her taxi to take her for a few errands.

In the changing rooms

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPronom d’objet directSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Mélanie is trying on a dress… and testing Pierre’s patience!

Instagram love

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science

Julien and Sandra became famous thanks to their Instagram account.

Instructions for a test

L’Impératif PrésentMode impératifPrépositionLanguage & Education

Teacher Marc read out the instructions for today’s French test.

It’s not my fault!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre masculinGenre féminin

Teacher Émilie lists her students’ funny excuses.

Jacques Brel

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet direct

Gaston is a big fan of the Belgian singer-songwriter.

Jojo is such a joker!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PlurielParticipe passéFamily & Relationships

Thomas talks about his school friend Jojo, who loves a joke.

Last night’s party

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Pauline and Adrien discuss yesterday’s party at Thomas’s house.

Lockdown solidarity Free

Adjectif possessifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Genre fémininFamily & Relationships

Clément and his neighbours organised to help each other.

Mister Snowman

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Mister Snowman was born this morning.

Mother’s Day presents

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet direct

Eve and Ornella compare their Mother’s Day presents.

Movie Date

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireFilm & TVFamily & Relationships

Luc was nervous for his first date with Belinda.

Movie night at home

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Film & TVFood & Drink

Pauline and Alex are getting ready to watch a movie at home.

Moving in: Calling the electric company

Adjectif possessifLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Bruno sets up the electricity account for his new place.

Muscle ache

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Viviane tells her friend Jérôme how going back to the gym left her pretty sore!

My afternoon at the funfair

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERSports & Leisure

Sébastien spent last Saturday afternoon at the funfair with his friend Matthieu.

My breakfast habits

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre fémininFood & Drink

Sophie’s breakfast habits have changed quite a lot over time.

My cousin and her accordion

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLanguage & EducationMusic

Aurélie’s cousin Lyse plays the accordion.

My dad is the best!

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectVerbes réguliers avec -ERCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Colette talks about her father and how kind he is.

My driving licence [US: driver’s license]

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Jean-Pierre is taking his driving test tomorrow.

My electric car

AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)

François is really happy to have bought an electric car, despite a few disadvantages.

My favourite team won!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifGenre féminin

Yesterday, Anna celebrated her team’s victory.

My favourite work of art

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERArt & Design

Stéphane asks Isabelle, Clémence and Benjamin about their favourite works of art.

My gratitude journal

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre masculinAdjectif

Benoît gets a lot out of his gratitude journal.

My Hallowe’en costume

AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre masculin

Daniel tells us how hard it can be to pick one’s Hallowe’en costume.

My head in the stars

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionGenre masculinSports & LeisureFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science

Thomas has always had one passion: the stars.

My kids’ letter to Santa

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéPlurielCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Julia’s twins wrote their first letter to Santa.

My name is Tintin!

Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Language & EducationLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Famous reporter Tintin introduces himself.

My trips to the swimming pool with my daughter

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Brigitte fondly remembers her weekly trips to the swimming pool with her young daughter.

My weekend with Mum [US: Mom] Free

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifParticipe passéFamily & Relationships

Claire spent quality time with her mother last weekend.

My weekend’s activities

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierConcordance des TempsSports & Leisure

Éric tells us how the weather affected his weekend’s activities.

My weekends with Dad

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPlurielSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Alexandre remembers the getaway weekends he used to spend with his father.

My work experience placement

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ER

Thomas worked in an office as part of his work experience placement.

Napoleon, a Corsican emperor

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionGenreFamous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics

Did you know that French emperor Napoleon was from Corsica?

New Year’s celebrations in Belgium

AdjectifPrépositionAdverbeFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates

Magalie discovered a few Belgian traditions when she spent New Year’s there.

New Year’s plans

Le Présent (Indicatif)FuturLe Futur Proche (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important Dates

Yann and Paul are discussing their plans for New Year’s Eve.

On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/Interrogative

Visitors Jenny and Sam chat on the first floor of the famous Eiffel tower.

One day in Father Christmas’s workshop

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Let’s peek through the window to see what the elves are doing.

Organising my desk

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeAdjectifLanguage & Education

Julie got her desk ready to go back to school.

Our new family member

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifAdjectif possessifFamily & Relationships

The family is growing bigger with the arrival of Minette, our new cat.

Paying bills

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectVerbe irrégulier

Roommates Émilie and Judith discuss bills.

Phone call from the bank

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directAdjectifFamily & Relationships

Mr Dupuy gets a phone call from his bank.

Picking an outfit

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPronom d’objet indirect

Emma is choosing an outfit with the help of her friend Lucie.

Postcard from Vendée

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Juliette writes a postcard from the Vendée region in France to her best friend Matt.

Reading «The Lord of the Rings»

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Baptiste remembers the first time he read Tolkien’s masterpiece.

Saïd Taghmaoui

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Famous PeopleFilm & TV

Learn about this famous French-Moroccan-American actor.

Salad Niçoise recipe

L’Impératif PrésentMode impératifPrépositionFood & Drink

Babette teaches us how to make a salad Niçoise.

Segway in the park

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)

Noémie and her friend Manon went for a Segway ride in Versailles’s royal gardens.

Studying abroad

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionLanguage & Education

Daniela shares her experience studying abroad for a year.

Switzerland

AdjectifArticle définiGenre

Learn more about this Francophone country.

Taking Grandma phone shopping

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectFamily & Relationships

Marielle took her grandmother to buy a mobile phone.

The birth of my son

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif

Geoffrey remembers the first time he saw his son.

The Grund neighbourhood in Luxembourg City

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

Joséphine tells us about her favourite area in Luxembourg City.

The LU Tower in Nantes

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom sujetVerbes réguliers avec -ERFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Romain visited the famous former biscuit [US: cookie] factory in Nantes.

The perfect couple

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Marielle tells us why she thinks that Marc and Julien are the perfect couple.

Tom’s first day back to school

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireReflexive verbs

Émilie tells us about her son Tom’s first day of school.

Visit of Marseille

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireL’Imparfait (Indicatif)

Gaspard spent the weekend in Marseille, France.

Visiting Toulouse

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Bastien and Léa enjoyed their visit of Toulouse’s historical centre.

Weather forecast

PrépositionFuturArticleTechnology & Science

Here’s a French weather forecast.

Weekend in Lyon Free

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Vincent tells us about the weekend he spent in Lyon with his cousin.

Welcome to the Sticks

AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Film & TV

Mickaël learned a lot from this funny French comedy.

What a change!

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Sports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Émilie moved from a small village to Paris, and that’s a big change!

What do you want to watch?

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet direct

Grégoire and Inès decide what they want to watch on TV.

When I became a vegetarian

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativePronom d’objet indirectFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Geoffrey tells us about his journey becoming a vegetarian.

Who am I?

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Famous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics

Guess who this important figure of the French Resistance is.

Who is this writer ?

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifParticipe passéFamous PeopleLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Guess who this (male) French writer is!

Why I learned German

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessif

Sabrina tells us why she first decided to learn German.

Why study French?

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLanguage & Education

Hugo gives us his reasons to pick up French again.

Working from home — an opinion

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirect

Patrick tells us about trying WFH a few months ago.

A childhood passion

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Vincent and his brother loved video games growing up.

A dinner invitation

Le Conditionnel PrésentPrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)

Sabrina invites her friends Louise and Manon to dinner.

A family day at the park

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionFood & DrinkSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Benoît will spend this Saturday at the park with his daughter Mia.

A friend’s apology

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeVerbe irrégulier

Gaston apologises for hurting his friend Miriam.

A game of hide and seek

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Linda and Christian are watching from afar a game of hide and seek between the children.

A gem of a restaurant

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeL’Imparfait (Indicatif)

Gilles and his wife Martine discovered a little Italian restaurant in town last weekend.

A greener future

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -IRVerbes réguliers avec -ERTechnology & Science

Julien is seeing a future where people are more eco-conscious.

A Horror Story

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

On a dark October night, Emma received a disturbing call…

A luxury holiday [US: vacation] with friends

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -IRVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Alain has the perfect luxury holiday [US: vacation] planned for when he wins the lottery!

A special Monday

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Anna is looking forward to a lazy Easter Monday!

A strange encounter

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPronom d’objet directLiterature, Poetry, TheatreFamily & Relationships

Yoann had the strangest encounter in the Broceliande forest!

A weekend in Montpellier

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Présent (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

Élise and Lucas plan their weekend in the southern French city.

A wonderful job

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPronom relatif

Guillaume loves his job as an A&E [US: ER] doctor.

An afternoon in the fall

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectAdjectif

Zoë is planning to meet her friend Quentin for a nice October afternoon.

An amazing New Year’s Eve meal

Pronom d’objet directPrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Food & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates

Henriette is planning a dazzling meal for New Year!

An annoying cat allergy

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Genre fémininGenre masculinFamily & Relationships

Éloïse suffers from an annoying cat allergy.

An awful new boyfriend

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adverbe

Grégory finds his aunt’s new boyfriend quite repulsive!

An old scary tradition

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates

Yoann recalls celebrating the old Celtic tradition of Samhain with his Gran.

An opinion on football [US:soccer]

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Théo has a nuanced take on football [US:soccer].

Anger management

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbe

Lucie talks about her techniques to manage her anger.

Animal emergency

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Julien’s cat is stuck in the tree!

Around the world by motorcycle

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Joël would love to travel the world on his motorcycle.

Asking about a hotel room

Adjectif possessifVerbe irrégulierLe Conditionnel PrésentMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Catherine has a few questions about the hotel room she’s booked.

At the amusement park

Verbe irrégulierLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Sports & Leisure

Thomas will go to the amusement park with his friend Samia for their birthday this year.

At the coffee machine

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeVerbe irrégulier

Cyril, Pauline and Eve catch up by the coffee machine on Monday morning.

At the doctor’s

Le Présent (Indicatif)Mode impératifL’Impératif PrésentFamily & Relationships

Robert goes to the doctor for a consultation.

At the patisserie

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Présent (Indicatif)

Daniel needs a special cake.

Back pain

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adverbe

Flora tells the doctor how she hurt her back.

Beatrice’s baby shower

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessif

Emma and her sister organised their cousin’s baby shower.

Becoming an astronaut

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPronom d’objet indirect

Élodie dreams of becoming an astronaut.

Belgian food facts

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifArticle

Discover some interesting food-related facts about Belgium.

Birthday makeover

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PlurielAdjectif possessifFamily & Relationships

«New year, new me» Julia thought on her 20th birthday.

Busy Schedule

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierIdioms about TimeFamily & Relationships

Isabelle recaps what everyone will have to do on Saturday!

Cancelling a purchase

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Justin calls Bokado’s customer service to cancel his order.

Cathy’s future holiday [US: vacation] in Montpellier Free

PrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Learn about Cathy’s plan to spend her holiday [US: vacation] in Montpellier.

Choosing a travel pass in Paris

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet direct

Susan needs (travel) tickets to visit Paris.

Christmas at my parents’ house

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéVerbe irrégulier

Quentin spent a classic Christmas with his parents.

Christmas in the mountains

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Antoine will spend Christmas at his dad’s house in the Alps, if he can get there!

Christmas specialities

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionArticleFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates

Paul tells us about some traditional French Christmas dishes.

Conversation between the election’s two rounds

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliairePolitics, History & Economics

Marc explains the French presidential election process to his friend Alice.

Corsican polyphonic singing

AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & VacationsMusic

Do you know about this bewitchingly melodic tradition from Corsica?

Credit card fraud

Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessif

Josiane calls her bank about a suspicious transaction.

Cycling in Nantes

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Isabelle agrees with Nantes’s status as France’s «cycling capital».

Dalida

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre fémininAdjectif possessifFamous PeopleMusic

Learn about Dalida, an iconic French-speaking singer.

Dealing with your emotions

AdverbeL’Impératif PrésentMode impératifSports & LeisureTechnology & Science

Here’s a guide to keeping calm.

Discussing a ski weekend

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdjectifSports & Leisure

Laurent and his friend Matt are planning their ski weekend.

Dreaming of Paris

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Grégory imagines his ideal Valentine’s Day’s proposal.

Family holiday car trip

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Let the squabbles begin!

Flying anxiety

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Présent (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Jean-Luc has a plan to deal with his fear of flying.

François Damiens’s hidden camera videos

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)ArticleAdjectif possessif

Philippe and Anissa talk about their favourite hidden camera pranks by François Damiens.

Getting ready for autumn

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Rosalie won’t get caught out by the arrival of autumn this year.

Giving up smoking

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Forme négativeFamily & Relationships

François tells us how he managed to stop smoking.

Going back in time

Le Conditionnel PrésentVerbe irrégulierL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Politics, History & EconomicsFamily & Relationships

Marine asks Amanda, Bruno and Sébastien what they would do if they could go back in time.

Going to the bank

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)PlurielPrépositionFamily & Relationships

Flora and her father need to go to the bank.

Guadeloupe’s Carnival

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbe

Discover this colourful Guadeloupe tradition.

How do you like to keep up with the news?

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielPremière personne

Vanessa and Ludovic tell us how they stay informed.

How to share household chores equally

Mode impératifL’Impératif PrésentPronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Follow Céline’s tips to share household chores more equally.

I love swimming!

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Sports & Leisure

Thomas tells us about his love for swimming and his hope to one day dive from up high!

I miss French food!

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifPronom d’objet indirectFood & Drink

Hélène tells Betty how she’s coping with missing French food abroad.

I want to help!

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom relatifFamily & Relationships

Suzanne wishes she had more time to help others.

I, Lucky Luke

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdverbeLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Christophe imagines what he would do if he were the fastest shooter in the West.

I’ve always loved French

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Emily has always had a fascination for the French language.

If I could be a child again

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Genre masculin

Laurent would love to be 10 again.

If I could start over…

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectEmploymentLanguage & Education

Anne wishes she could do things differently.

If I were a chef

Le Conditionnel PrésentPronom relatifLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Food & Drink

Benjamin tells us of his dream of being a chef.

If I were Céline Dion

Le Conditionnel PrésentAdjectifPréposition

Ornella imagines what it would be like to be the French Canadian star.

If I were Wonder Woman

Le Conditionnel PrésentAdjectif possessifPronom indéfiniFilm & TVLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Annie imagines what it would be like to be Wonder Woman.

In the changing rooms [US: locker rooms]

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectForme négative

The guys are chatting after football [US: soccer] practice.

Interview with a jewellery creator

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielAdjectif possessifArt & Design

Hugo is interviewing Marie who creates her own jewellery.

Ivory Coast: a destination like no other

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectifMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Find out why Ivory Coast is such an amazing holiday [US:vacation] destination.

Learning to read in French

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLanguage & Education

David talks about how he learned to read fluently in French.

Let’s go back to the gym!

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbe

Olivier and Victoria discuss going back to the gym after the winter.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdjectifAdjectif possessif

Learn about the origin of the French Republic motto.

Lighthouses in Brittany

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics

Learn about the beautiful lighthouses you can find in Brittany.

Lockdown shopping

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbe

Marguerite’s Christmas shopping habits will be a bit disrupted this year.

Looking for a new house

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectLe Conditionnel Présent

Sébastien and Éric are looking at real-estate listings.

Looking for my phone

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFamily & Relationships

Jonathan lost his phone on the train…

Lyon saucisson

AdjectifIdioms about TimeGenre fémininFood & Drink

Learn about Lyon’s famous pork sausage and how best to enjoy it.

Marseille’s famous people

AdverbeLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Préposition

Louis and Emma talk about their favourite celebrities from Marseille.

My brother and his wife

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre masculinPronom réfléchiFamily & Relationships

Marielle tells us about her brother’s great relationship.

My European trip

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ERMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Jonathan is planning a mini tour of Europe for next year’s holiday [US: vacation].

My family’s breakfasts

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPlurielFood & Drink

Sébastien tells us about his family’s different breakfast routines.

My favourite things at Easter

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbes réguliers avec -ERCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Alain talks about the things he loves about this time of year.

My Hallowe’en

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbes réguliers avec -IR

Like every year, Bastien will spend Hallowe’en with his nephews.

My ideal day

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)PlurielSports & Leisure

Anna tells us how she would spend her ideal day.

My ideal garden

AdjectifVerbe irrégulierAdverbe

Flora imagines her perfect garden.

My neighbour from Hell

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Julie’s neighbour, Sonia, is pretty terrible!

My new flat [US: apartment]

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierFamily & Relationships

Franck is moving soon into a much nicer flat [US: apartment]

My next holiday [US: vacation]

PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ERLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

François has his holiday [US: vacation] to Canada well planned!

My post-university plans

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdverbeEmploymentLanguage & Education

Antony wants to move to Paris after his studies.

My Provence dream

Le Conditionnel PrésentVerbe irrégulierPronom relatif

Juliette dreams of what life would be like if she lived in Provence.

New in town

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdjectifVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Caroline writes in her diary about her plans to make new friends in a new town.

New recruit

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifLe Présent (Indicatif)EmploymentFamily & Relationships

Antoine sums up his first two months in the company.

New year, new resolutions

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)ComparatifVerbes avec -DRECelebrations & Important DatesSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Séverine and her friend Maya discuss their future New Year’s resolutions.

Next summer in Paris

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Sabrina will visit her friends in Paris next summer.

On the phone to Grandma

Pronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet directLe Présent (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Jeanne calls her grandmother to catch up.

Our next family reunion

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPréposition

Sophie can’t wait to see her family again.

Our Parisian holiday

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Anthony has his Paris holiday all planned out.

Our plans for Music Day

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierCelebrations & Important DatesMusic

Sabine and Thomas discuss their plans to celebrate Music Day on June 21.

Picking our wedding flowers

Adjectif possessifPlurielLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)

Perrine has opted for a country-style wedding, with matching flowers.

Police check

Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Janine is stopped for a routine police check.

Ready for Easter

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important Dates

Christine and Baptiste discuss their plans for Easter.

Ready for the zombie apocalypse

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbe irrégulier

Sébastien explains how he and his friends will deal with the imminent zombie apocalypse.

Rebooking a flight

Le Présent (Indicatif)Question/InterrogativeAdjectif possessifMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Patrice calls Easyplane to postpone his flight.

Sailing in the Caribbean

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Patrick and Sébastien are planning a sailing tour of some of Caribbean islands.

Selfies

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Family & RelationshipsTechnology & Science

Marc considers the photographic phenomenon of the selfie.

Selling stamps

Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulier

Christophe needs help to sell a stamp collection.

Spanish cooking

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierFood & Drink

Jean-Luc cooked a Spanish meal for his friends, with mixed results!

Splitting the bill

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes avec être comme auxiliaireFood & DrinkSports & Leisure

Lisa, Julien and Manon have to split the bill at the restaurant.

Studying abroad

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLe Présent (Indicatif)Language & Education

Louis decided to go study abroad next year.

Studying for an exam

Pronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulierLe Présent (Indicatif)Language & Education

Julie, Matthieu and Laurent discuss their revision strategies.

Studying programme

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbes réguliers avec -IRLanguage & Education

Jérôme and Thomas have a plan to study for their end-of-semester exams.

Synchronised swimming

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbeLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Frank would love to join a synchronised swimming team.

The 8 skittles game

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierSports & Leisure

Learn about this French version of a classic sport.

The best carnivals in the world

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdjectifCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure

Simon asks Mathieu and Lydia what carnival they’d love to go to.

The best concert ever!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifMusic

Laura tells us about the great concert she went to yesterday.

The brass band

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Music

Alice can’t wait to go and see the brass band on Sunday!

The Cirque of Mafate in La Réunion

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

Find out about an exceptional place to visit on Réunion island.

The manga phenomenon in France

AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)

Learn more about French people’s love for these Japanese comics.

The new dad

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Christophe wants to share so much with his newly born daughter.

The play

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet directLiterature, Poetry, TheatreSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Lucie just joined an after work drama class.

The pleasure of traditional mail

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbePluriel

Coralie has always loved sending and receiving letters.

The power of love

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adverbe

Gaspard became a new man when he fell in love.

The year of the Baccalauréat

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdverbeLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Language & Education

Laurent is planning the year ahead to prepare his end-of-high school exams.

Trip to Paris Free

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Mélanie’s sister and her husband went to Paris last year.

Trip to the theatre

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directAdverbe

Thierry went back to the theatre last weekend.

Two model daughters

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbes réguliers avec -IRFamily & Relationships

Marina and Louise are on their best behaviour to convince their parents to let them go out.

Visit to the Chocolate Fair

PrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERFood & Drink

Vincent and his familly will go to the Paris Chocolate Fair this year.

Watching the Olympic Games

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifIrregular

Bruno and Flora like following the Olympics.

What I love about my partner

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Adèle talks about her partner’s best features.

What literary hero would you be?

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdjectifLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Michel and Lisa discuss what character from a novel they’d like to be.

When I’m retired

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)AdjectifPlurielSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Bernard tells us what he’ll do once he retires.

Which band to see?

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet direct

Sabrina and Angélique are deciding which band they want to go see next.

Winter weather forecast

PrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierFilm & TVMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Tomorrow’s weather forecast is very wintery.

«Vernon Subutex» — an opinion

Le Présent (Indicatif)Genre fémininLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Carole tells us why she loves the first volume of Virginie Despentes’s trilogy.

(Scary) Bedtime stories

Le Subjonctif PrésentPronom d’objet indirectLe Présent (Indicatif)

Jasmine talks to her partner Nicolas about the type of bedtime stories he is telling their son.

A busy weekend ahead

Le Subjonctif PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifFamily & Relationships

Olivier sums up his busy schedule for the weekend.

A day in the countryside Free

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPrépositionSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Marie spent last weekend in the countryside with her daughters.

A great passion for reading

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectLiterature, Poetry, TheatreSports & Leisure

Florence talks about her grandmother’s passion for books.

A History of French TV

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Film & TV

Learn some interesting facts about the beginnings of French TV.

A little lost dog

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet direct

Sébastien helped a lost dog find his home.

A networking New Year’s Eve

Le Subjonctif PrésentAdjectif possessifMode subjonctif

Jacques has to go to a networking party for work on New Year’s Eve.

A nice morning surprise

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ERFood & Drink

Lucie will serve a delicious breakfast in bed to her fiancée on their anniversary.

A nice table «à la française»

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Subjonctif PrésentFood & Drink

Jacqueline explains the intricacies of setting the table the French way.

A nightmare journey Free

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Josiane and Robert explain why they’re an hour late to their friends’ place.

A perfect interview

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Employment

Léo’s just had the best job interview of his life!

A professional phone call

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirect

Sonia Martel is talking to M. Delarue’s executive assistant.

A slippery drive

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbeTechnology & Science

Richard struggled to get to work this morning: everything was frozen!

A surprise gift

PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif Présent

Gaspard remembers a special gift he made for his mother when he was a boy.

A year full of changes

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirect

Annette reflects back on the last year and its ups and downs.

Ahmed the elephant : an Ivory Coast story

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Discover the heartwarming true story of Ahmed the elephant.

At the dry cleaner’s

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directVerbe irrégulier

Eric brought his favourite suit jacket to the dry cleaner’s.

At the football [US: soccer] game

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéAdjectif possessifCelebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure

Henri took his dad to a football [US:soccer] game for Father’s Day.

At the garage sale

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Patrick explains to Amelle how to find bargains.

At the neighbours’ house

Pronom d’objet directLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Véronique and Bruno are at their neighbours’ house for an aperitif.

At the repair shop

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Sabrina needs help with her laptop.

At university

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre fémininPronom d’objet direct

Léa and Laura bump into each other at their new university.

Autumn/Winter 2020 trends

Verbe irrégulierAdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Discover the Autumn/Winter 2020 fashion trends.

Bad Movie Review

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Subjonctif PrésentFilm & TV

Bernadette delivers a scathing movie review.

Barbara

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifGenre fémininFamous PeopleMusic

Laëtitia talks about her passion for fascinating French singer Barbara.

Bastille Day in France

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom relatifAdjectif

Mathilde remembers how she used to celebrate Bastille Day with her family.

Bayonne, France’s chocolate capital

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifPrépositionFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Learn why Bayonne is considered the French capital of chocolate.

Bouldering in Fontainebleau

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionIdioms about Time

Irène loves spending the day rock-climbing in Fontainebleau.

Brasserie La Coupole

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionAdverbeFood & DrinkMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Vincent always eats here when he’s in Paris.

British National Museums

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directForme négativeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

National museums are free in the UK, as Paul happily found out.

Building a snowman

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierVerbes réguliers avec -ERSports & Leisure

Martine and Bastien enjoyed building a snowman.

Car breakdown

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliairePréposition

Julien’s car broke down at the most inconvenient time.

City vs dog poop

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPolitics, History & EconomicsFamily & Relationships

Alain and Pauline discuss the city’s measures to fight against dog waste.

Composting is awesome!

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom démonstratifTechnology & Science

Elsa explains composting to her friend Pierre.

Congratulations on your degree!

PlurielPronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships

Thomas’s aunt and uncle send him an email to congratulate him on getting his Master degree.

Conversation between friends

Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Friends Simon and Isabelle are catching up.

Couples’ annoying habits

Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Olivier gets so annoyed by the way couples behave sometimes!

DIY with Dad

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Genre fémininDeuxième personne

Émilie loved spending time in her father’s shed.

Extreme cosmetic surgery

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)

Anella had several operations to look like her idol, the Barbie doll.

Family Reunion

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

At a family reunion, Lea sees her aunt Patricia for the first time in years.

Fatherly pride

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet direct

Luc is so proud of his daughter’s stage debut.

Fighting lockdown blues

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPronom d’objet indirect

Samia did everything she could to cheer up her grandmother Janine during lockdown.

Finding the perfect anniversary gift

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectLe Présent (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Jean-Paul is listing his gift ideas for his wife on their anniversary.

First night out after Baby

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adverbe

Romane couldn’t wait to go out with her girlfriends again!

French Easter specialties

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom relatifCelebrations & Important Dates

Discover some of France’s regional Easter specialties.

French-style lemon tart recipe

Mode impératifL’Impératif PrésentPrépositionFood & Drink

Follow the recipe to make a delicious lemon tart.

Garip Ay’s amazing paintings

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERPronom relatifArt & Design

Jean-Pierre tells us about the work of this fascinating Turkish artist.

Getting ready for the holiday [US: vacation]

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

Bastien and Alicia are getting ready for tomorrow’s departure.

Giving back

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPronom relatifCelebrations & Important Dates

Especially during the holiday season, it’s good to give back to those less fortunate than us…

Going lily-of-the-valley picking

Adjectif possessifPronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet directSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Jean-Pierre’s family goes to pick lily-of-the-valley every year.

Happy Father’s Day!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbe

Sabrina has prepared the perfect Father’s Day for her dad.

Heatwave

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionMode impératifPolitics, History & EconomicsTechnology & Science

A weather forecast on one of the hottest days of the year.

High cost of cigarette packaging change

PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPolitics, History & Economics

Learn about the cost of the new policy on cigarette packaging in France.

Holiday [US: Vacation] in French-speaking Switzerland

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes avec être comme auxiliaire

Irène tells Jules how delighted she was by her trip to French-speaking Switzerland.

Holidaying abroad: pros and cons

AdverbeLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ER

Sébastien weighs up his pros and cons of going abroad for the holiday.

Horse riding on the beach

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adverbe

Iris discovered the joy of horse riding by the sea.

How I met your mother

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)

Julien tells his children how he met their mother Émilie.

How to become an official candidate in the French presidential election?

Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)

Learn about the French electoral process to become a presidential candidate.

I can’t find my shirt!

Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierFamily & Relationships

Claire and Julien are almost ready to go out…except for Julien’s missing shirt!

In a clothes store

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Sports & Leisure

Patrick complains to the sales assistant about a defective item.

In the woods with my dog Ulysse

Le Présent (Indicatif)InfinitifPronom relatif

Gaëlle enjoys her walks through the woods with her dog Ulysse.

Jean-Pierre Bacri

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectAdverbe

Yann and Élodie loved the great French actor who passed away in 2021.

Living abroad

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifAdverbe

Bastien thinks that living abroad can only enrich one’s life.

Lockdown letters

Pronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Alexandre has been sending letters to his grandmother during lockdown.

Long time no see!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeFamily & Relationships

Marina and her cousin Tom catch up after quite a while.

Louise Bourgeois

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionGenre fémininArt & DesignFamous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics

Marie-Claire tells us about her favourite French artist.

Mice invasion

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFamily & Relationships

Lisa and Paul are discussing options to get rid of Lisa’s mice.

My car is a real beater!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directForme négativeSports & LeisureTechnology & Science

Yann’s car has so many problems!

My chosen family

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Magalie found her own loving family.

My dream invention

Le Conditionnel PrésentVerbe irrégulierMode subjonctifTechnology & Science

Sonia asks Sylvie what invention she’d dream to see becoming a reality.

My first Easter memory

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Alexandre remembers the first time he went egg hunting.

My grandmother’s rosebushes

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Lucie tells us about her grandmother’s beloved and renowned rosebushes.

My kids’ back to school day

Le Subjonctif PrésentLe Présent (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships

Claire is getting ready for the kids’ first day back to school.

My life is a hashtag

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directParticipe passéFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science

Sébastien explains why hashtags are so important in his life.

My mother’s favourite singer

PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Conditionnel PrésentFamous PeopleMusic

Patricia tells us about her mum’s passion for French singer Serge Lama.

My passion for French cuisine

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifFood & Drink

James presents some of the reasons why he loves French cooking.

My plan for the day of my exam

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierAdverbeLanguage & EducationSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Viviane has perfectly planned for her exam day.

My sense of direction

Verbe irrégulierLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Joseph and Sabrina discuss their more or less deficient sense of direction.

My sister the future pianist

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierL’Imparfait (Indicatif)MusicSports & Leisure

Lucas’s sister has always dreamed of playing piano.

New vs old technologies

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Reflexive verbsTechnology & Science

Enzo asks retiree Gertrude her opinion on new technologies.

New wallpaper in the dining room

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet

Josiane explains her choice of new wallpaper for the dining room.

Nostalgia: pros and cons

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentPronom réfléchi

Noémie and Alain discuss the pros and cons of nostalgia.

Nudist beaches in France

PrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Discover some of France’s nudist beaches.

On the terrace of a fancy restaurant

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Jean-Luc and his fiancée are enjoying a meal on the terrace of a fancy restaurant.

On Valentine’s Day, beware of faux pas!

Mode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierFamily & Relationships

Henri gives us tips to pick the right Valentine’s Day’s present.

Our «grown-up» hobbies

Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionL’Imparfait (Indicatif)

Viviane and Luc tell us about their respective hobbies: adult colouring and homebrewing.

Our camper holiday [US: RV vacation]

Pronom d’objet directL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirect

Élodie and her cousin Sarah had the best time on their camper holiday [US: RV vacation].

Our holiday [US:vacation] in Wallonia

Verbes réguliers avec -ERPrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)

Daniel and Claire are planning their visit to Wallonia [re: French-speaking Belgium].

Our new house’s renovations

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)PrépositionFamily & Relationships

Jacques and his partner Louise are planning their new house’s renovations.

Our plans for Valentine’s Day

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectVerbe irrégulier

Barnabé and Samia discuss their Valentine’s Day plans.

Pears in red wine and cassis

Mode impératifL’Impératif PrésentPréposition

Here’s chef Paul Bocuse’s famous (and delicious) «Poires à la Beaujolaise» recipe.

Planning a camping trip

Verbe irrégulierLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom

Patricia and Alexandre are planning their camping weekend.

Playing video games

Pronom d’objet indirectLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directSports & Leisure

Quentin and Lise are playing a racing video game together.

Pre-date stress

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Forme négativePrépositionFamily & Relationships

Luc was really nervous last week ahead of his date with the amazing Olivia !

Public Transport

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

François discovered the joys of public transport when moving from a small village to Paris.

Robbery at the bakery

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbes avec être comme auxiliaireEmployment

Here’s a local news article about a robbery.

Saving up for Christmas

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Subjonctif PrésentPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates

Nadia has a plan to save money until the Holidays.

Sorting out my office

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Jean-Pascal’s office needed a good clean.

Stendhal syndrome

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéLe Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)

Learn more about this fascinating, if controversial, affliction.

Strasbourg’s Christmas Market

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERAdjectifMonuments, Tourism & VacationsCelebrations & Important Dates

Olivier tells us about one of the most magical Christmas markets in France.

Thanksgiving celebrations

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Adam and his friends are making their own Thanksgiving dinner this year.

The adventures of Fantômette

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Conditionnel PasséAdjectif possessifLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Nadia has always loved the character of Fantômette!

The Appeal of 18 June 1940

ArticleLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Article définiPolitics, History & EconomicsCelebrations & Important Dates

Discover the historical context around Charles de Gaulle’s most famous speech.

The benefits of yoga

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifPronom réfléchi

Discover a few of the many benefits yoga can bring into one’s life.

The best hotel booking

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Olivier had the most amazing hotel experience!

The mental load

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Emma explains how the bulk of household organisational tasks tends to fall on women’s shoulders.

The Nice Carnaval

PrépositionPronom relatifLe Présent (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesSports & Leisure

Guillaume plans on going to the famous Nice Carnaval this year.

The Paul Bocuse Institute in Lyon

AdverbeLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierFamous PeopleFood & DrinkLanguage & Education

Marie’s son dreams of studying at this world-renowned French cooking school.

The Ritz hotel in Paris

AdjectifPrépositionLe Présent (Indicatif)Famous PeopleMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Learn about one of the most iconic hotels in Paris.

The worst holiday [US: vacation] ever!

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Amandine tells us about her very disappointing holiday [US: vacation]!

Thomas Pesquet

PrépositionLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Famous PeopleTechnology & Science

Learn about France’s most famous astronaut.

Train mishap

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Genre fémininFamily & Relationships

Lisa missed her stop on her way to work!

Trouble on the way to holiday [US: vacation]

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

On the road to go on holiday [US: vacation], Christophe and Laure’s car engine overheated.

Two tourist destinations

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Subjonctif PrésentMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Béatrice and Simon are discussing two different places to visit in France.

Visit to Disneyland Paris

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Tristan can’t wait to visit the famous theme park for the first time!

Visiting my best friend

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentLe Présent (Indicatif)Sports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Juliette wants to visit her best friend Pierre who moved away last year.

Water damage

Le Présent (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentFamily & Relationships

Noémie and Samuel investigate a water leak in their flat [US: apartment].

Welcome to Bordeaux’s Tourist Office Free

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Présent (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

Bordeaux’s Tourist Office introduces us to the city’s best touristic attractions

What is joual?

AdjectifLe Présent (Indicatif)Article

Learn about this typical French Canadian way of speaking.

What monster would you be?

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionFamily & Relationships

Suzanne asks David, Agathe and Hugo what monsters they’d like to be.

What to get Mum [US Mom]?

Pronom d’objet indirectLe Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulier

Daniel and his girlfriend Olivia decide what to get his mother for her birthday.

Where to study

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifGenre

Italian student Mateo finally picked the country where he wants to study.

Women’s vote in France

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Genre masculinPolitics, History & Economics

Catherine and Blanche tell us about the first time they were allowed to vote in 1945.

Workaholic’s back to work

Le Présent (Indicatif)PlurielMode subjonctifEmployment

Arthur hates time off and can’t wait to be back at work!

A bad matchmaker

Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objetFamily & Relationships

Sophie tells us about her failed attempt at matchmaking.

A birthday party

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbe irrégulier

Nicolas has planned a birthday party full of games for his daughter Flora.

A chilling story

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom relatif

A young couple had just moved into a huge manor…

A couple’s ups and downs

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiFamily & Relationships

Hélène explains how she and her partner managed to navigate out of a rough patch.

A difficult sibling relationship

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom relatifPronom réfléchiFamily & Relationships

Yvan has always had a fraught relationship with his sister.

A dissatisfied customer

Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Monsieur Dubois writes to complain about not receiving an order.

A drunken evening

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Participe passéPronom d’objet direct

Christophe had quite an eventful evening!

A ghost story

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom relatifLe Passé Simple (Indicatif)Celebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Hugo is visiting his mother on All Saints’ Day.

A hard time at work

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Employment

Érica went through a rough time at work.

A last minute request

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)EmploymentFamily & Relationships

Isabelle’s colleague keeps making her miserable…

A lovely car

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PlurielTroisième personneTechnology & Science

Find out about Michel’s beloved 2CV car.

A lovely encounter

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Passé Simple (Indicatif)Sports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

On her daily walk, Audrey met a furry little friend in need of help…

A snow storm to remember

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeVerbes réguliers avec -ER

Lily recalls last year’s snow storm.

A special Christmas in Switzerland

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)PrépositionFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates

Damien recalls a wonderful family Christmas holiday in Switzerland.

A sudden reappearance

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectForme négativeFamily & Relationships

After years of disappearance, Olivia’s friend is back.

A wedding proposal

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirect

David tells us how he planned to propose to his girlfriend.

Advice for new pet owners

Pronom d’objetPronom d’objet indirectLe Subjonctif PrésentFamily & Relationships

Laurent asks people for their advice on welcoming a new pet at home.

Alberto Giacometti

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPréposition

Jean-Louis and Samuel discuss the famous Swiss artist.

Alice and the Caterpillar (Alice in Wonderland)

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Alice meets the mysterious Caterpillar in this adapted excerpt from «Alice in Wonderland»

An animal tale

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERLe Passé Simple (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

By a lovely winter morning, Henri the hare meets poorly Lili the rabbit.

An incredible trip on the Canal du Midi

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifPronom d’objet directMonuments, Tourism & VacationsSports & Leisure

Patrice recalls his trip along the Canal du Midi.

An upcycling tutorial

AdjectifPrépositionPronom d’objet directArt & DesignSports & LeisureTechnology & Science

Find out a few ideas for your upcycling projets.

Anna’s birthday party

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Clément discusses the organisation of his daughter’s birthday party with his friend Charlotte.

Anne of Brittany

Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierGenre féminin

Learn about the extraordinary woman who was crowned Queen of France twice.

At the psychiatrist’s

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentPronom d’objet directEmploymentFamily & Relationships

Mme Dupont is talking to her psychiatrist.

At the ski resort

Le Présent (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentSports & Leisure

Paul needs to get ski gear for himself and his family.

At the water park

Le Présent (Indicatif)Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif Présent

The whole family is having a good time at the water park.

At Uncle Robert’s 70th birthday

Verbe irrégulierLe Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifFamily & Relationships

Laura catches up with her cousin Charlotte at a family event.

Back to School shopping

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionLanguage & EducationFamily & Relationships

Viviane and Christian try and get everything on their children’s school supply list.

Bathroom chat

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Bruno and Sonia are having a chat in the bathroom.

Californian dream

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Olivia finally followed her dream to move to California.

Camping in the woods Free

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionLe Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)Monuments, Tourism & Vacations

Nathalie enjoys camping in the middle of the woods.

Coco Chanel

Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)ArticleVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics

Learn about this extraordinary woman who became a fashion icon.

Complaining about a hotel room

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Gérard complains to the receptionist about the state of his hotel room.

Coping with the heatwave

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifFamily & Relationships

Emma asks how Simon and his pregnant girlfriend Christelle coped with the extreme heat.

Deep-sea diving in Martinique

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPronom relatif

Léonard took his new wife Sophie deep-sea diving in Martinique.

Discovering Guadeloupe

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERVerbes réguliers avec -IR

Alicia takes us on a tour of some of Guadeloupe’s tourist spots.

Drôme provençale, a little piece of heaven

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom relatifAdjectif possessifMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics

Vincent tells us about this beautiful region in the South of France.

Easter plans

Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)

Julia hopes Easter will be nicer this year!

Édith Piaf

Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Genre masculinGenre fémininFamous PeopleMusic

Here’s a short biography of one of France’s most beloved singers.

Engagement dinner’s speech

PrépositionLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectFamily & Relationships

The bride’s father thanks the guests for attending and announces the evening programme.

Engagement surprise

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifFamily & Relationships

Louise enjoys an unexpected visit at her engagement party.

Family Zoom Call

Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)

Laurent tries to coordinate a Zoom call with his mother and grandparents.

Financial advice

Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentLe Présent (Indicatif)

Alicia had a meeting with her financial advisor.

Fireside memories

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionAdjectif possessifFamily & Relationships

Manuelle has warm memories of family times by the fireside.

First day back to school

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)PrépositionVerbe irrégulierFood & DrinkFamily & Relationships

Sabrina tells us what she’ll do on her children’s first day back to school.

Fishing with my father Free

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPronom relatif

Julien remembers going fishing with his dad when he was young.

French Mobile Phone Habits

AdverbePrépositionMode subjonctifPolitics, History & EconomicsTechnology & Science

We’re taking a look at the importance of mobile phones in French people’s lives.

Gardening weekend

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifParticipe passéSports & Leisure

Jean-Pierre had a busy weekend taking care of his garden.

Gastronomical review

Pronom relatifLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directFood & Drink

Discover a mouthwatering review of a French restaurant.

Gluten-free living

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectFood & Drink

Alexandre tells us how he dealt with his newly discovered gluten allergy.

Gustave Moreau Museum

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirectArt & Design

Claire tells us about her fascination for 19th-century symbolist painter Gustave Moreau.

Holidaying in July

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

July is a hard time to organise holiday [US: vacation] for, as Martine and Sam found out!

How to show your love?

Verbe irrégulierAdjectif possessifPrépositionFamily & Relationships

Marianne and her partner Adèle are making some changes to show their appreciation for each other more.

How to take the best portrait photos

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctif

Sylvie gives Jacques some tips to improve his portrait photos.

If only I’d won the lottery!

Le Conditionnel PasséPronom d’objet directVerbes avec être comme auxiliaire

Vincent shares what he would have done with the lottery money if he’d won.

If you could learn anything instantly…

Le Conditionnel PrésentLe Subjonctif PrésentLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)

Irène, Julien and Pascal answer the question.

In the Jura mountains with my dog

Pronom relatifLe Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Stéphane recommends going on a mountain holiday [US: vacation] with your dog.

In the lives of the writers of French romance novels

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifEmploymentLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Discover what the life of a French writer of romance novels looks like.

Jean-Marc Vallée

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Famous PeopleFilm & TV

Nathan and Florence discuss the late Quebecois director Jean-Marc Vallée.

La Petite France in Strasbourg

PrépositionAdjectifLe Futur Simple (Indicatif)Art & DesignMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Discover this unique area of Strasbourg, a UNESCO site and tourists’ favourite.

Last-minute hesitations

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdverbePronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

François is torn between his love for Marianne and his duty to the Duchess who he’s about to marry.

Letter to my daughter

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifFamily & Relationships

Marc writes a love letter to his newborn baby girl.

Letter to Santa

Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierLe Subjonctif PrésentCelebrations & Important Dates

Timothée writes to Santa, hoping he’s been good enough this year…

Long distance relationships

Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Here’s some advice on how to keep your long distance relation working.

Luxembourg: A bit of history

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom réfléchiPronom relatifPolitics, History & Economics

Learn about the early history of this interesting country.

Missed plane!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)AdverbePrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsFamily & Relationships

Bastien missed his morning flight to Paris!

Missing a friend’s Hen [US: Bachelorette] Party

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directAdverbe

Manquer l’EVJF d’une amie

Moana’s French voice-over’s interview

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Verbes réguliers avec -ERFilm & TV

Paul interviews Cerise Calixte, the French actress who gave her voice to Disney’s Moana (Vaiana in the French version).

Montpellier, city of street art

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifArt & DesignMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Valentin tells us why Montpellier is a great street art city.

My family’s Hallowe’en

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifGenre masculinCelebrations & Important DatesFamily & Relationships

Martin tells us about his family’s Hallowe’en traditions.

My life as a locavore

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeLe Subjonctif Présent

Sophie explains why she decided to become a locavore.

My son’s school trip transformation

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom relatifFamily & Relationships

Naomi wondered about her son’s strange behaviour after his school trip to France.

My trip to Lyon

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Yvan spent a few days exploring the French city.

Not the festival type

Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Jean-Marc discovered that outdoor festivals were really not his thing!

Ode to my favourite uncle

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirect

Simon writes a loving text to his favourite uncle.

Of the difficulties of learning French

Le Présent (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet direct

Mike and Jane discuss the challenges they encountered learning French.

On a desert island

Le Conditionnel PrésentL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Présent (Indicatif)Family & RelationshipsTechnology & Science

Pierre discusses his friend Yves’s choice of single item that he would take with him on a desert island.

Our baby’s progress

Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifLe Présent (Indicatif)

Christophe can’t believe how fast his baby daughter is growing up.

Paris Catacombs Visit: Juliette’s review

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Juliette reviews her visit of Paris’s Catacombs.

Paris’s Haussmannian revolution

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Le Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)Art & DesignMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

Learn about the architectural revolution that took place in Paris in the 19th century.

Planning mishap

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectSports & LeisureFamily & Relationships

Fabienne and Pascal were to meet Charlotte and Cyril to go to the cinema…except they showed up an hour late! What happened?

Playground battle

Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamily & Relationships

Thomas and Alex fought an epic battle in the school playground.

Police Station Dialogue

Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirectL’Imparfait (Indicatif)Family & Relationships

Detective Jacques Poireau is interviewing a murder suspect.

Pompidou Centre Free

Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Verbe irrégulierPrépositionMonuments, Tourism & VacationsPolitics, History & Economics

Learn about the history of this unique building in Paris.

Real daredevils!

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adverbe

Patricia’s twins have a loyalty card at the local hospital…

Results of the 2022 presidential election’s first round

Pronom relatifConjonction de subordinationVerbes réguliers avec -ERPolitics, History & Economics

Here’s a summary of the main results of the first round of France’s 2022 presidential elections.

Review of the iPhone 8 Plus

Forme négativeComparatifLe Subjonctif PrésentTechnology & Science

Christine reviews the disappointing new iPhone 8 Plus.

Roxy’s bath

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdverbeLe Subjonctif Présent

Giving a bath to her dog Roxy is really no picnic for Lisa!

Summer recipes

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctif

Marielle shares her favourite summer dishes with us.

Taking the children to the park

Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directFamily & Relationships

Overwhelmed dad Luc tells us about the challenge that is taking the kids to the park.

Taking the driving license test

Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentVerbe irrégulier

Irène is taking her driving license test.

The «Veuve Clicquot»

Le Passé Simple (Indicatif)Pronom relatifAdjectif possessifFood & DrinkPolitics, History & Economics

Here’s the story of how widow Barbe-Nicole Clicquot created one of the most famous champagne brands in the world.

The benefits of music

Pronom d’objet indirectPronom d’objet directLe Présent (Indicatif)Music

Mathieu tells us about the benefits of music.

The best house painting company

Adjectif possessifLe Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet indirect

You won’t find a better house painting company than Jean-Pierre’s!

The city of the future

Le Futur Simple (Indicatif)Pronom relatifVerbe irrégulierFamily & RelationshipsTechnology & Science

Yann asked people what they imagine cities will look like in the future.

The feminist revolutionary Olympe de Gouges

Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentVerbes réguliers avec -ERFamous PeoplePolitics, History & Economics

Bastien tells us about this extraordinary humanist writer from 18th century France.

The flower fair

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)AdjectifLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Damien and his family really enjoyed their visit to the flower fair.

The French language in the world

PrépositionAdjectifArticleEmploymentLanguage & Education

Find out about the impact of French in the world.

The King cake

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentMode subjonctifFood & DrinkCelebrations & Important Dates

Learn about the tradition around King cake.

The Lumberjack — Part 1

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)PrépositionPronom d’objet directCelebrations & Important DatesLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Here’s an original Christmas story about a lumberjack who lived in the North Pole…

The Lumberjack — Part 2

Le Présent (Indicatif)Forme négativeVerbes réguliers avec -ERCelebrations & Important DatesLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Who left those tiny footprints? Here’s the end of our original Christmas story!

The town of Gruyères

Mode subjonctifVerbes réguliers avec -ERLe Subjonctif Présent

Sébastien had a lovely time visiting the famous Swiss town.

To our adopted son

Pronom d’objet directLe Passé Composé (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifFamily & Relationships

Christian tells his son how wanted he was and still is.

Unicycle passion

Le Plus-que-Parfait (Indicatif)L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Passé Composé (Indicatif)

Yvette tells us about the day when her passion for unicycling was born.

Welcome to Lille

Le Présent (Indicatif)AdjectifAdverbeMonuments, Tourism & Vacations

The northern city has a lot to offer to visitors.

What’s a good mother?

Le Présent (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentPronom relatifFamily & Relationships

Julie has been getting much contradictory advice since she became a mother.

Who’s your favourite football [US:soccer] player?

Le Présent (Indicatif)Pronom d’objet directPronom d’objet indirect

Bertrand and Léa discuss their favourite French football [US:soccer] players.

Why did I become a vet?

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Adjectif possessifPréposition

Jean-Luc tells us what made him choose this profession.

Working as a PA

Mode subjonctifLe Subjonctif PrésentVerbe irrégulierEmployment

Sophie talks about her career as a personal assistant.

Writer’s Block

L’Imparfait (Indicatif)Le Subjonctif PrésentPrépositionLiterature, Poetry, Theatre

Lucille talks about coping mechanisms to circumvent the dreaded writer’s block.

Источник

5 Brilliant Workouts to Flex Your French Writing Muscles

Writing in French can seem like a difficult skill to learn. That’s why it’s important to practice your French writing.

After all, writing is one of the four essential language skills.

The path to polishing your French writing skills is simple but requires commitment.

I assure you that writing in French is only a matter of mental endurance. Stay focused, and you will learn to write in French.

I studied French in college, and I did it in the American South. My all-time favorite experiences were sitting in classrooms with students more skilled and less fearful than myself because I argue this is the best way to learn French.

When I took my first college-level French course, feedback from professors was also advantageous for my writing. Comments and notations from them on homework assignments seemed about as star-worthy as getting a book signed by my favorite author. My name on a paper returned to me smeared in red x’s, all the better if an entire sentence was scratched out with an incisive “I do not understand”﹣all welcomed criticism.

They were making me a better writer.

Four years went by. Receiving a scholarship to work in France at a digital media company stands out among the noteworthy moments. So when I finished college the natural question followed﹣Now what? I’m an American woman who reads and writes in French, but without the constant immersion from classroom discussion and professional work, it seemed like I’d be taking a giant step backward.

Here’s where I am today and why I want to give you practical strategies to nurture your second language: I read, write, and follow the book market in France. Even though I cannot speak and interact with the language as I’d like to every day, I have a vested interest in writing. I calculate the return on investment as immeasurable, by the way, because every time I pound out 300 words without stopping to check my spelling, I know I am growing as a writer.

Before I share the five strategies that enabled me to write more fluidly in French, I want to acknowledge the readers here who did not major in French or even enroll at college for that matter. If you’re a beginner who independently studies French while working a full-time job or raising kids, you can still benefit from these exercises. The gatekeepers of proper French usage, known as the Académie française, will not snub you for an incorrect article or adjective agreement.

You’re showing up to write because you know you make mistakes. And with each one you are turning into a more competent writer.

Alright French writers, let’s head to our notebooks and laptops for writing strategies that will set us up for success!

Strategy #1: Keep a Journal in French

If you haven’t started already, it’s time to hop on the journal train. I cannot stress enough how useful this is for writing commentary about daily life and conversations. Go out and buy yourself a journal, one that fits your personality and visual needs. If you want to write in French, you’ve got to handwrite in French. Later when you can type without fretting about setting off the grammar sirens on Google Docs or Word, you may work on a computer. But it’s best to fall back on pen to paper, because you’ll be less inclined to stop writing in French when you do question a grammar rule.

Are you a lined paper lover or does a blank page stir your creativity? It sounds like I’m asking you to decide if ivory white is better than eggshell white, but the details matter folks. Writing doesn’t work in uncoordinated conditions. Any writing is better writing than words that fly thoughtlessly onto pages in disarray. Do not let an inkless pen or a dingy notebook slow up inspiration. Set the mood, one that makes you feel like a writer with intention.

I recommend dating your entries. This comes in handy later when writer’s block hits. Being able to reference another day when writing ideas were more abundant is useful. Plus it’s always entertaining to read back and hear yourself going through a phase that seemed earth-shattering at the time (it wasn’t).

Now you may be asking yourself what to write about. You and your notebook are together, but making a connection is frightening. You’ve pulled away from the cushy grammar exercises your French teacher guided you through, as well as the language applications which clapped and sang when you tapped the right answer.

When journaling, especially when you’re doing it in French, it’s essential to write what you know. Talk about your mood, activities you enjoy (remember reflexive verbs), what you’re reading, or plans for the weekend (great for working on the futur proche!) Whatever it is, write from the heart and head. You don’t want to journal about topics that aren’t relevant to you.

This is not a graded exercise or a formal email.

Here’s a snippet from a French entry I journaled in 2018:

Caro m’as appris le mot “klaxonner” quand elle parlait des fêtes après le Coupe du Monde.

“Caro taught me the word for “honk” when she was talking about parties after the Word Cup.”

I noted a new word and referenced my friend Caro. Today, I make an association between the World Cup and Caro to remember klaxonner. Remember to journal about your life, interests, and thoughts. If you need to keep a French dictionary alongside you, you will work slower but expand your vocabulary.

Strategy #2: Use Simple French Vocabulary

Maybe you’re writing about how dreary your day turned out because of a snowstorm that swept through your city, and how a trip to the grocery store was the most disturbing scene you’d witnessed in ages. Tinkering with your knowledge of the passé composé and the plus-que-parfait, you manage to write about the snowstorm and the store visit, using action verbs. But say the situation led you to the sentence “The grandma made a mad dash for the milk like a football player’s urgency to the end zone.” Here you might fumble with “mad dash” and “football player’s urgency.”

I present this hypothetical situation to explain what retired French professor Dr. Harlan Patton calls circumlocution skills. These are strategies “you use to describe something when you don’t have the specific word and don’t feel like looking it up, or simply don’t have the chance to do so.”

So when we’re writing in French, instead of narrowing our French word choice to our native language equivalent, it is important to find synonyms.

Imagine that you’re surfing. You look for the best wave before paddling out to catch it, and when you do, the ride is seamless. But if you swim out too early or too late, the wave falls short of epic.

I think this applies to word choice when writing in French. Writers are paddling in uncharted waters, craning their necks for the best word (wave) to compose thoughtful sentences. More often than not, beginner French writers try and take on waves that are too big for them. With continued practice, it is possible to master complex vocabulary, but in the early stage, set your sights on simple adjectives and noun phrases.

Back to the grocery store example above, if I were new to journaling, I’d describe the grandma walking quickly/elle marchait vite for “mad dash,” and that the football player was in a hurry/le joueur de foot a été pressé for “football player’s urgency.” Again, keep it simple. Sophistication comes after discipline.

Strategy #3: The 5-Word Work Method

This strategy rests on writers being diligent readers. If you want to become a better writer, you must read. Nothing new there, but as you read in a foreign language, it can be frustrating to have to stop and start again when confronting unfamiliar words. You read three sentences and then resign yourself to a dictionary, but the back-and-forth eventually leads to distraction, and then the book is face down no longer in your hands. I’ve been there.

Let me suggest that you underline words you don’t know and keep reading. Set a timer or plan to read uninterrupted for 15 pages. You can jot down the underlined words after making progress in your reading.

I love the 5-word work method because it allows me to get to know new vocabulary on a more personal level. Here’s how it works: choose five words from your reading and write them at the top of the page. Learn their meaning and let them be your guide. Vary parts of speech so you feel challenged (try not to work only with adjectives.) How about adverbial phrases like d’une façon jubilant (“gleefully”) or conjunctions like tandis que (“whereas, while”)?

Now write a short paragraph using these new words. It can be about anything. The goal is to work with 5 new words, understand how they’re used, and develop a reservoir of vocabulary.

Strategy #4: Use the Internet Responsibly

I say responsibly because distractions are everywhere. Be mindful. However, if you’re journaling in a notebook, having your computer or phone near you gives you easy access to Wordreference. For those who aren’t familiar with it, Wordreference is a hero for quick word searches. Choose from dozens of language pairs and download the app. A bonus feature is their translator thread where professionals respond to language concerns. I can tell you that Wordreference has come in handy for me when I’m stumped between feminine and masculine articles.

Linguee is another resource for translating longer phrases. Simply type what you’re looking for in the search bar and the site scours the Internet for published articles, speeches, and other written material featuring your search. I like this one because it gives me different translations from varied sources. It’s also useful with understanding the context a word/phrase falls into.

The two sources are not an exhaustive list of French writing tools. They work for me, but if you know of others please feel free to share them.

Strategy #5: Write To-Do Lists, Book Reviews, and Goals in French

This last strategy reinforces the other four. Once you’ve started journaling, learning vocabulary, practicing the 5-word work method, and referencing online sources to amp up your French writing, I impart the importance of regular practice and discipline to you.

Take writing seriously and results will follow. Instead of writing a grocery list in your native language, why not do it in French? This is good practice with food vocabulary. Or read a book and critique it in French. Do it in first-person narration, then move up to third-person to remove yourself from the review. Again, this constant practice is like electrolytes for the muscles.

If there is an exercise worth trying, start by writing out your goals. They can speak to your writing, like what I wrote yesterday: Mon écriture progresse du jour au lendemain. Je lis comme une folle. Je me fixe un but de lire quatre bouquins par mois. (“Overnight there’s progress in my writing. I’m reading nonstop. I’m setting a goal to read four books a month.”)

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Country

Practice your French translation and writing skills with this B2-level writing challenge:

A Day in the Countryside

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

B2 — Upper-Intermediate French

Practice your French translation and writing skills with this A2-level writing challenge:

A Few Days in Dordogne

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

A2 — Low-Intermediate French

There’s a bit of debate with regard to accents on capital letters. Most everyone agrees that accents are required on lower case letters, but some French speakers claim that they are unneccessary or even incorrect on capital letters. Is this true? The answer depends in part on who you ask.

accents • spelling

Some French accents offer pronunciation clues, others refer back to old spellings, and still others differentiate between otherwise identically spelled words. For all of these reasons, accents matter and must be included when writing (or typing) in French — especially in the case of words that have different meanings with and without accents.

While French has the same alphabet as English, some of the letters have little decorations that can make them look and sound very different. In French, accents are essential: they’re there for a reason, so you must include them when writing.

A1 — Beginning French • accents • spelling

Practice your French translation and writing skills with this A2-level writing challenge:

Afternoon Ice Cream

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

A2 — Low-Intermediate French

If you want to read and write in French, one of the first things you should learn is the alphabet. If you’re wondering how many letters there are, you’re in luck: French has the same 26 letters as English. Unfortunately, most of the names of letters are pronounced differently, as are many of the sounds.

A1 — Beginning French • spelling

Pour traduire un texte, il faut évidemment une connaissance approfondie des deux langues, mais être bilingue est loin d’être le seul critère.

B1 — Intermediate French

Practice your French listening and writing skills with this A2-level dictée:

Au cirque

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

A2 — Low-Intermediate French

Practice your French listening comprehension with this B2-level dictée:

Au Restaurant de la plage

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

B2 — Upper-Intermediate French

Practice your French translation and writing skills with this beginning-level writing challenge:

Beach Kiosk

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

A1 — Beginning French

Helpful tips on getting the most out of a bilingual dictionary.

Camping

Practice your French translation and writing skills with this C1-level writing challenge:

Camping in the Woods

Note: You must be logged into your Progress with Lawless French account to do this exercise. If you don’t have one, sign up — it’s free!

C1 — Advanced French

The use of capital letters (les majuscules) is much less common in French than in English. Take a look at this summary of words that are capitalized in English but not in French.

B1 — Intermediate French

Unlike most areas of French grammar, the capitalization of French titles of books, movies, etc. does not follow a clearly defined set of rules. Instead, French title capitalization is inconsistent, with competing systems used by writers, publishers, and other authoritative sources.

B2 — Upper-Intermediate French

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This article is for anyone interested in French. This amazing, beautiful language is extremely demanding of those who learn it. We want to help you. Beginner or intermediate — here you will find tips on how to master langue française. Bon chance!

Features of the French language

Double trouble. There are only two genders in French: masculine and feminine. This is an advantage, because you don’t need to memorize the neutral one. The downside is that all adjectives, numerals, pronouns, verbs, and verbal forms agree in gender and number. At the same time, it is impossible to determine the gender of a noun without an article. You just need to know: male or female. Spoiler: nouns with the ending -tion are usually femininebut definitely not always (la révolution, l’inscription, la libération, etc.). An example of agreement of two words:
- Chapeau, m. — hat;
- Chemise, f. — shirt.

Part of speech	Word	Chapeau, masculine	Chemise, feminine
Adjective	Vert [green]	Vert chapeau	Verte chemise
Possessive pronoun	Mon [my]	Mon chapeau	Ma chemise
Demonstrative adjective	Ce [this]	Ce chapeau	Cette chemise

Agreement by the gender of the subject. In French, the possessive pronouns have gender, which is decided by the subject. For example, “my coat” would be son manteau — son is a masculine pronoun, and is used because the word manteau is masculine.
Bizzare numerals. In French, numericals are formed a bit differently than in English. We form them by essentially saying “so many tens and a number,” except for anything smaller than 13. Think about it — twenty-two (2×10+2), fifty-seven (5×10+7). In French, things are more complicated. For instance, the threshold for uniquely-named numbers is 16, not 12. Only then do the French switch to the “tens + another number” system, and it goes for round numbers as well. However, 80 is not “eight tens” — it’s “four twenties” for some reason, and there are many more surprises waiting for you. Overall, learning to count in French is an adventure in its own right — see the table below.

Number	Pronunciation	Translation
17	Dix-sept	Ten (plus) seven
18	Dix-huit	Ten (plus) eight
70	Soixante-dix	Sixty (plus) ten
80	Quatre-vingt	Four (times) twenty
90	Quatre-vingt-dix	Four (times) twenty (plus) ten
1998	Un mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix huit	One thousand nine hundred four (times) twenty (plus) ten (and) eight

French pronunciation. The phonetics of the French language gives it a special charm. Nasal vowels, grassed r, combinations of consonants and vowels — all this creates the beauty of de la langue française. Some even joke that in French, pronunciation is more important than meaning. At the same time, you will hear grumpy remarks from language learners about how the French are terribly distorting foreign words.
Merging. Another feature of French pronunciation is called liaison. This is a phonetic linking of consecutive words. It does not happen randomly, but according to rules. If a word ends in a consonant and the next begins with a vowel or a voiceless h, they are linked and read as one. For example, six heures sounds like a single word — [sisœ: r], and six hommes — [sisɔm].
Fixed stress. One of the clear advantages of the French language is its constant stress on the last syllable. Whichever word you choose, the rule is the same. Although sometimes the stress changes in colloquial speech — depending on intonation.
Lots of words for nothing. The French love their language, so they use as many words as possible, even where they are not needed. The most striking examples:
- Subject repetition — Moi, je pense, que (I, I think that);
- The word que in different variations — Qu‘est-ce que je dois faire? (What should I do?)
- Two negative particles ne and pas around the verbs — Je ne suis pas contente (I’m not happy).
Diacritical marks. The symbols over and under some of the French letters show how pronunciation changes. The word français itself has a diacritic mark. It means that the letter [c] is read as [s].

18 times is not the limit. If you thought that the twelveexcluding the passive voice tenses of the English language is a lot, get ready for a ride. There are more than eighteen of them in French (some count twenty-one). But even without an exact number, it is clear that agreeing verbs in every tense and mood is still highly enjoyable. There is even a form that is only used in literary language, such as magazine articles. It’s called the Passé Simple. You also need to be able to distinguish it in written speech.

How to learn French on your own?

French is not the most difficult language. It is quite possible to learn it on your own. Especially if you already speak English or Italian. With the latter, they share Latin roots, and in the former, there are many words borrowed from French. In this section, we will give you some tips on how to learn the perfect langue française.

Start with phonetics. Yes, just like in school. We ourselves do not like such methods, but they suit the French the best. You first need to understand the reading rules. Understand why beaucoup reads as [bo-koo], and qu’est-ce que ça as [kes-ke-sey]. And only then can you start learning French vocabulary. If you immediately start learning words by ear, there is a chance that you will face a problem: it will be difficult to match pronunciation with spelling. Nobody can just guess that [ohm] is written as homme.
Enjoy learning. The main secret in learning any language is to practice the way you like it. Bored of cramming grammar? Throw the blasted textbook aside and do something fun. Watch TV shows in French, listen to and memorize songs, read books or comics. If you are a full-fledged student, then grammatical constructions cannot be avoided, and Subjonctif will catch you, too. But after all, it can also be looked at through engaging examples.
Don’t be afraid of mistakes. It is impossible to learn a language without practice. Feel free to mispronounce words. No matter what jokes go about the French, no one will turn their backs on you because of an error in pronunciation. Most likely they will praise everyone who dares to learn their great and beautiful language.
Practice every day. Learning a foreign language is 20% understanding of grammatical concepts and 80% practice. Give French at least an hour every day. Or 30 minutes, or even 15. The main part is not to forget about it. It is enough to listen to an audio recording on the way home or rehearse out loud the recently learned phrases.
Surround yourself with French. Immersion in a language environment is the most effective way to learn a foreign language. Create your own French world: switch all your gadgets to it, change the keyboard layout, speak, listen and think in French.

Vocabulaire — How to learn French words?

We all know «merci» and “bonjour.” But it’s not enough to speak French. Once you’ve mastered the reading rules and the basics of grammar, it’s time to start building your vocabulary. The question arises: how to do this?

Look for familiar expressions

English has many words from French. Some of them have the same meaning, making them easier to remember. For example:

Facade — une façade;
Omelet — une omelette;
Mise-en-scène — une mise en scène;
Jacket — une jaquette.

A complete list of easy-to-remember French loanwords can be found here. But be careful. In addition to them, there are also false friends. For example, the word synthétiser means «to summarize,» not “synthesize”, and pain miraculously means “bread.”

Still, there are plenty of similar vocabulary and even grammatical forms.

French	English
Édition	Edition
Impression	Impression
Qualité	Quality
Raison	Reason
Univers	Universe

Learn the gender of words

It will protect your nerve cells in the future. To inflect words correctly in French, you need to know the genders of the nouns. Better to memorize them right away. Otherwise, later you will frantically try to recollect: is it sa maison or son maison, belle robe or beau robe.

Make texts

A great way not only to learn a foreign language, but also to urgently remember something. Let’s say you have 10 new words. Take them all and come up with a text or a couple of sentences. It doesn’t matter how usable they are, the point is to create a memorizable image. Let’s give an example:

Un chat — a cat;
Acheter — buy;
Des petit pois — peas;
Une tasse — cup;
Une aubergine — eggplant;
Rêver — to dream.

We make a sentence: Un chat rêve d’acheter une tasse de petits pois et d’aubergines — A cat dreams of buying a cup of peas and eggplants. Weird? Yes. But super picturesque.

For that method, you need to know grammar: how words are connected through prepositions, articles, and verb forms. It is better to both write and pronounce sentences.

Use new knowledge in speech

The fastest way to remember words is to say them out loud. So you do two things at the same time: you learn new things and add them to your active vocabulary. You can know 10,000 French words passively, not using them in real life. This is a bad school habit. There they gave us a list — we crammed it only to forget later. You have to do the opposite.

One of the variants of this method is retelling the texts based on new words. Let’s say you read the article, then wrote down and sorted the unfamiliar phrases. Now, instead of cramming, retell the text using each one. It is effective learning through the use of words in context.

Learn not words, but phrases

Because of the liveliness and fluidity of French speech, sentences merge into one. Native speakers muffle the beginning, middle, end, or even the whole word. Therefore, we advise you to learn not single words, but fixed expressions with them. There are enough of them in French. For example, n’importe quoi — anything (slang: «oh everything, no difference, some kind of nonsense») or je n’en sais rien — I don’t know. And it is better to learn verbs right away with prepositions of control à, de or without:

aider quelqu’un à faire quelque chose — to help someone do something;
avoir besoin de quelque chose — you need something;
vouloir faire quelque chose — to want to do something.

Phraseological units are loved in France, so learning the relevant ones is pivotal to success in mastering the language.

Memorize through pictures

This is a tip for visuals. If you quickly absorb information through external images, learn words from illustrated dictionaries or flashcards. You can buy them from a bookstore, find them online, or make your own. The latter option is more energy-intensive, but this way you will start learning words while creating cards.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specificities
Learning French	A1-A2	A vocabulary of essential French words from the BBC.
Language Guide	A1-B2	Site for learning words from pictures. You can also check your knowledge there.
Larousse	B1-C1	Explanatory dictionary with explanations in French. There is also a bilingual translation available.
Learn French with Vincent	B2-C1	YouTube channel for learning French. Over 6 hours of specialized words and expressions for the Advanced level.
Ikonet	A1-C1	Visual French dictionary.
Quizlet flashcards	A1-C1	Online resource for learning new words. You can use ready-made sets or create your own

Grammaire — How to learn French grammar?

French grammar scares beginners with its large number of tenses, the agreement between parts of speech, and simply with its existence. Of course, when you look at this «beauty» in textbooks, it invokes panic. But in fact, French grammar is extremely logical. It must be sorted out at the very beginning, along with the reading rules. Then you will have less desire to grab your head at the sight of Conditionnel.

Learn the conjugation of verbs

Unfortunately, there is no learning this language without them. Probably the most annoying part of French is its verb forms. They change by every tense and for every pronoun. There are three groups of verbs in total. Below is an example of the conjugations of group 1 and 2 in Présent simple de l’indicatif≈Present Simple. With these verbs, things are mostly understandable.

Pronoun	Parler — to speak, 1 group	Finir — to finish, 2 group
Je	Parl + e	Fin + is
Tu	Parl + es	Fin + is
Il / Elle	Parl + e	Fin + it
Nous	Parl + ons	Fin + issons
Vous	Parl + ez	Fin + issez
Ils / Elles	Parl + ent	Fin + issent

The third group of irregular verbs is troublesome. Here’s a small example of how the verb avoir — «to have» — conjugates in all its forms.

If you need French for everyday communication, then you can make do with just learning the most necessary verbs from a phrasebook. But you still have to learn their forms. Otherwise, you run the risk of speaking exclusively in infinitives: I want, he do, she be. And those who strive to truly master French are not afraid of Subjonctif.

Don’t suffer from grammar

Remember that any activity can be turned into something fun. Instead of just cramming, try memorizing verb forms like a song to a familiar tune. Another option is to create a visual association. So, the 29 verbs conjugated with a être are easy to remember by drawing a picture or making a story out of them.

Take your time

French grammar will not run away from you. Start learning from the basics: personal pronouns, gender of nouns, groups of verbs, conjugation of the key être, and more. Move gradually. Start by reading a textbook in English, where everything is explained clearly.

Also, be sure to pay attention to the little things. If your goal is to truly master French, understand each grammatical construct. There are many small details in this language. For example, parts of speech such as en, on, dont, que. And they are all used regularly.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specificities
Larousse	A1-C1	Search for verb conjugations.
La-conjugaison	A1-C1	Conjugation of verbs in all tense forms.
Tsedryk	A1-C1	Site with French grammar rules. There are video presentations and tasks to check yourself.
Tex’s French Grammar	A1-C1	French grammar rules by topic with assignments after.

Compréhension orale — What and how to listen to in French?

Understanding French by ear is not easy. And not at all because of the stereotypical «they speak too fast» routine. The main difficulty is the connection between words. Native speakers move from one phrase to another so masterfully that all sentences merge into one. There seem to be no pauses between them. How can this be overcome? Listen to French speech. Listen, even if you don’t understand anything — turn on the recording and immerse yourself in French. Without understanding the meaning of what has been said, you still get used to the intonation and rhythm of the language.

Listen to podcasts and radio

A great way to get used to the sound of French. You can listen to both regular radio and educational podcasts. For example, Coffee Break Languages was created specifically for those who are short on time. The entries are categorized according to difficulty levels, from A1 to C1. Another good podcast is News in slow French, which has trending news in French. Then there is French in 5 Minutes — small audios on various topics, from culture to language learning. French radio stations also offer great variety: France Info, Europe 1, RFM, France Culture and so on. Turn on any station and listen to programs or music. If you are interested not in France, but in other countries, find their stations. For example, Canadian 98.5 Montréal or Swiss RTS. Almost all of the listed radios have their own podcasts.

Watch TV shows and series

This method is the favorite of many foreign language learners. What could be nicer? You watch the show, enjoy your life and improve your French skills at once. But this also needs to be done correctly.

First, select the material according to your level. Start with kids’ shows or tutorials like Extra. There are simple and straightforward dialogues, especially useful to beginners. If you don’t like this, try looking at something you’ve seen before, but in French. Say you’re a fan of The Big Bang Theory and can retell any episode faster than Sheldon says «Bazinga.» Find it in French and go. It may not be easy to do this, though. Unfortunately, there are very few free resources for French films. The most convenient way is to use streaming services like Netflix or YouTube.

The second rule is to watch everything with French subtitles, not English. This makes it easier to remember vocabulary in context. Plus, you will immediately understand and think in another language. It will be difficult for a beginner to learn French from films, but for advanced students with a solid foundation, it is a great option.

Listen to lectures and audiobooks

They are suitable for advanced learners. Especially those planning to study in French. Audiobooks can be found on Audiolib or Audible. With lectures, it is a little more complicated. Try searching on Coursera. By the way, there are also French courses from various universities around the world.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specificities
Podcast Francais Facile	A1-B2	Dialogs in French for different language levels. Each is accompanied by a transcription.
French in 5 Minutes	A1-B2	Podcast for learners of French by a native speaker. Discussion of current topics.
News in slow French	A2-B2	News in French, but in an understandable format. Announcers speak more slowly and clearly.
Learn French with a French Dude	B1-B2	YouTube channel with short excerpts from films and TV series in French with parallel translation into English.
Inner French	B1-B2	A podcast for learning French without explaining the rules. Designed for the intermediate level.
Le rendez-vous Tech	C1	French podcast dedicated to modern technology and gadgets.
Change ma Vie	C1	French podcast from a professional coach that helps you understand emotions and change your life for the better.
Coffee Break Languages	A1-C1	Educational podcast for all levels of French.

Compréhension écrite — What and how to read in French?

Often people focus on speaking and underestimate reading. But all the elements of French are interconnected, and without developing this skill, others will also lag behind. Reading practice helps to build vocabulary and understand the internal logic of the language. The more you read, the easier it is for you to express yourself in French.

Start with easy texts

For beginners, we recommend short, easy texts designed especially for language learners. The resource Lingua has stories for A1-A2 levels.

When you get the vocabulary, move on to adapted books — simplified representations of original works. There aren’t many of them, but seek and ye shall find.

Read relevant press

Reading magazines and newspapers is a great and free way to improve your skills. This will help you learn modern vocabulary and slang expressions. And also immerse yourself in the political and cultural life of the country: you will understand how the French live and what is important to them. Fortunately, the French press offers a ton of options for all tastes: political Le Figaro, Le Monde, and Libération, the infamous Charlie Hebdo, the sporty L’Équipe, and so on.

Read fiction

There is no point in moving to this method before the level Intermediate. But even here you need to increase the degree gradually: from children’s books (B1) to professional literature (C1). Of the former, the most popular are The Little Prince, Little Nicolas and Arsene Lupine, as well as the series Découverte: Lecture en français facile from CLE International.

At the avancé level (B2), people start to feel the language. They can look at the constructs in the text and admire the skill of the writer. But don’t think that if you are learning French you have to love their classical literature. It’s hard to read it, and it’s even harder to understand. The Three Musketeers in French no longer seem so exciting.

Reading should be enjoyable. Don’t like classics? Well, okay. Look for detective stories or fantasy stories. For example, the thriller Nuitor the novel Une anglaise a bicyclette by contemporary French writers. The language in them is just as rich, but more relevant. If your goal is to work in a French-speaking country, read the professional literature right away. This will help you grasp the vocabulary you need faster.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specific
Irgol	A1-A2	Small texts in French for lower levels. Additionally, there is a video.
Lingua	A1-B1	French short texts sorted by language level.
Lingua Booster	B1-C1	Resource with books in various languages, including French. They can be read online or downloaded.
Wikisource	B2-C1	Library of public texts and classics from Wiki. You can even read Erasmus.

Expression écrite — How to write in French?

The spelling of French is difficult not only for foreigners, but also for the native speakers themselves. Even such simple words as beau [handsome] or beaucoup [many] cause errors. What to expect from something like immarcescible [unbreakable]. If you need French to communicate, you can take a breather and skip the writing part. But for those who study langue française for study or work, we advise you to be patient. Writing will have to be studied long and hard.

Find assistance

First, look for someone who will review what you have written and correct your mistakes. Ideally, they should be a native, but anyone who speaks French at a high level will do. Try HiNative for asking questions to native speakers, or LangCorrect. There they correct your texts. But keep in mind — the spelling in French is so difficult that even the French can have a hard time.

Therefore, do not neglect the self-tests. And use all the available technologies: auto-edits in Word, electronic dictionaries, resources like Bon Patron or Languagetool. Don’t neglect searching for every word. And do not forget about diacritics accent symbols: è, à, ù, They are not optional. Their absence is a spelling error. Also, always check the gender of nouns and the correctness of the declension.

Use simple sentences

This is a tip for beginners, but avancé can also use it. Literary French is characterized by long and tricky sentences. They sound beautiful within that style. You just can’t resist repeating after the native and wrap up something virtuoso. Do not hurry. At first, write simply, and then gradually move on to a truly literary French style. The time will come, and you will also write something like: «qu’il s’agisse d’un changement de région ou d’un retour en France depuis un pays étranger, une tolérance sera de mise pour les déplacements qui se feront durant ce week-end de Pâques«^[2].

Learn synonyms

Try to enrich your speech and make it more elegant. In a conversation, refined vocabulary is not needed, but in writing a well-chosen synonym will guarantee respect from your penpal. For example, it is better to replace the constructions [simple verb + adverb] with one word. Not «crier fortement,» but “hurler.” Not “très fatigué”, but “épuisé.” A good site for finding synonyms is Synonymo. Here are some common French words and their equivalents:

Spoken language	Written language	Translation
Quand	Lorsque	When
Aussi	Également	Also, as well
RéussirAchieve,	ParvenirAchieve	Succeed
On	Nous	We, us

Correspond in French

Language is a living structure. It is constantly changing, and communicating with a native is a great way to stay up to date with all the innovations. This will bring you closer to real life. You will understand how the French communicate with each other. Of particular interest are the slang phrases and abbreviations, like mdr, a +, biz, slt, etc. The textbooks won’t teach you that. Look for a conversation partner in the HelloTalk, Ablo, or Italki apps. The latter is designed specifically for learning. There you will find French teachers from different French-speaking countries.

If you’re not ready to have a conversation with another person just yet, start writing to yourself. For example, start a diary or a blog in French.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specificity
Bon Patron	A1-C1	A site where you can check the spelling and grammar of French texts.
Languagetool	A1-C1	Spelling and style checking software. But in French, it does not correct the declensions.
Interpals	A1-C1	A site for finding penpals.
Italki	A1-C1	Resource for finding a teacher among native French speakers.
LangCorrect	A1-C1	Native speakers’ connecting platform. They check each other’s texts and exchange tips for learning their native language.

Expression orale — How to speak French?

For some, speaking French is the most enjoyable part of learning a language, while for others it is the biggest stress of a lifetime. We will give you some tips on how to speak French.

Say it all out loud

That’s the universal rule for any language, but in French it is paramount. Don’t just read the texts, but retell them. Don’t just learn the words, but enunciate them. Start early. Learned your first five words? Make a sentence out of them. Let’s say you have je — me, aller — to go, cinéma— cinema, aujourd’hui — today. Now can you say «aujourd’hui, je vais au cinéma.» There, your first steps in spoken French. Of course, this is just the starting line. Getting beyond “I want sleep bed” takes a lot of exercise and grammar learning.

One way to practice is to say all your actions out loud. Start in the morning when you got up: «je me lave le visage, je me brosse les dents«I’m washing, I’m cleaning my teeth… or think out loud in French. You can even do it on the street.

Chat in French

Find someone to practice. It can be another French enthusiast, such as you, or a native. Communication with the latter is more effective in terms of understanding the language. Speaking with a French learner is just practice, but speaking with a native speaker is also a valuable experience. You will hear their accent, intonation, and learn slang. If there is still no opportunity to train with a francophonea French speaker, talk to yourself or find a conversation partner online. Try these platforms: Tandem, Speaky, or Easy Language Exchange.

Another popular practice option is attending conversation clubs. As a rule, they are organized by language schools.

Expand your active vocabulary

A sore spot for many French learners: «I know a word, but I can’t say it.» Why is this happening? Most likely, this person has been developing their passive vocabulary. It increases well through reading, listening, and watching movies. New phrases and expressions are remembered but do not become an asset. You can fix this by using them in speech. Learned a new word? Immediately use it in a conversation. Repeat it several times in a row to make it easier to remember.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specificity
Tandem	A1-C1	A video chat app, where you can find a French-speaking partner.
Easy Language Exchange	A1-C1	A platform for finding native speakers of another language for mutual teaching.
Speaky	A1-C1	Application for communicating with foreigners. There is video and audio chat.

Prononciation — How to master French pronunciation?

We advise you to give due attention to the correct pronunciation of french words. The difficulty is that some French sounds simply do not exist in our language. And some of those that do exist have different articulations. But learning to speak like a real Frenchman is possible. Here are some tips on how to improve your pronunciation.

Learn phonetics

We’ve already discussed how important it is to start French with the basics. Without understanding phonetics, pronunciation is impossible. The hardest thing for foreigners is with the «burry» r and the sounds [u], [ou], [œ]. In fact, you can read a separate lecture about each sound of this language. If you strive for the most correct pronunciation, analyze them all one by one. Preferably with a teacher. Those who want to come to France and pass for locals, cannot do without the help of a specialist. Otherwise, it is quite possible to study phonetics on your own. For example, TV5Monde offers a good beginner course.

Also, be sure to watch your articulation. The key to understanding French prononciation is the correct placement of the tongue in the mouth. Not only listen to what the person says but also watch how they do it.

Read tongue twisters

Advice for advanced language learners — take a chance. Grab a French tongue twister, read it in your head, and cry some in the corner. Then say it out loud several times, gradually increasing the speed. This is a great way to work out your articulation. Tongue twisters should be selected according to your level. Start with the simplest ones. For example, «douze douches douces.» The day will come and you will confidently say “les chaussettes de l’archiduchesse sont-elles sèches? Archi-sèches?«.

Learn pronunciation by ear

Technique fit for all levels — listen to as much French as possible. Songs, movies, podcasts, street conversations — anything will do. Just be careful with intonation. There is a difference between how people communicate in everyday life, how announcers read the news, and the performers sing.

To master the pronunciation, repeat after the speakers. And try to convey not only the words but also the emotional coloring of their speech. You can even duplicate the facial expressions and gestures.

Resources

Resource	Level	Specificity
Apprendre le français	A1-C1	Phonetics course from TV5Monde.
Forvo	A1-C1	A French audio dictionary, where you can learn the pronunciation of words.
AUCP Legacy Blog	A1-C1	Collection of French tongue twisters.

Need to learn a language?

You have four main options for learning French:

Language schools (group lessons);
Individual lessons with a tutor;
Language courses abroad;
Self-study.

Here are several lists of different resources for studying French and getting extra materials.

French courses abroad

Country	Standard course20 hours/week price per week.	Intensive course30-40 hours/week price per week.
France	217 USD	322 USD
Canada	358 USD	410 USD
Switzerland	482 USD	577 USD
Tunisia	190 USDbusiness French	252 USDbusiness French

Learn More

Resources for self-studying French

Resource	Specificities
Memrise	A website for language self-study. There are courses for beginners. Grammar exercises only work in the app on the phone.
Duolingo A	A platform for learning foreign languages. Lots of gamified tests and assignments. Little time is devoted to speaking.
Français avec Pierre	YouTube channel in English for learning French.
Podcast Francais Facile	Website for self-studies of the language. It is divided into levels, there are explanations, but there are few tasks for self-evaluation.
BBC Learning	A website for French learners. There are sections on vocabulary and grammar, but there are not so many study materials.
Comme une Française	YouTube channel hosted by a woman named Géraldine. She explains the different elements of the language from the point of view of a Frenchwoman.

French-games	Games for French learners: connect pictures with words, choose the correct option, etc. Only useful for testing purposes.
TV5Monde	Resource from a French TV channel. Lessons are topical and adapted for different levels — from Beginner to B2.

Why learn French?

In terms of the number of native speakers, French is inferior to English and Chinese. It is spoken by 267 million people, making it the seventh most widespread language in the world^[1]. At the same time, langue française is placed second, right after English, among the languages that people learn or want to learn^[3]. Maybe not everyone achieves mastery in it, but the interest is clearly there. French attracts people for a variety of reasons: study, career, travel, the desire to migrate, or simply its eternal beauty.

French for study

France has a relatively inexpensive and high-quality education. A year in a Bachelor’s degree program for foreign students costs 3,076 USD, and in a Master’s — 4,186 USD. It is cheaper than in, for example, the Netherlands and the UK. With the knowledge of a français, it is possible to study not only in France, but also in Canadain Quebec, Switzerland, or Belgiumin Wallonia. Though, in these countries, the variety of programs in French is much smaller.

Proof of language proficiency is required to enroll in a French-taught program. You can get it by passing DELF, DALF, or TCF. Preparing for them is not easy, so we advise you to do it with a tutor, preferably — one who has already passed them. Preparing for the exams on your own is also absolutely possible. The fundamental issue is to find the right study materials and train the right skills. Many language schools organize courses specifically for DELF preparation.

French for work

If you are going to work in France, you can’t do it without knowing the language. The employers expect you to be at least B2C1-C2 for medicine, law, linguistics and journalism. There is a stereotype that the French do not like English. It is not true. The bottom line is different: they do not understand it. Did you know that in terms of English proficiency, France is below Greece and Romania?^[4] Therefore, do not think that you can easily find a job in Paris by showing your C1 English certificate. But in Canada, there are chances. Of course, this additionally requires other competencies, a quality education, and work experience.

It is not so easy to get settled in France. The unemployment rate among foreigners is 13% — the highest among French-speaking countries. In Belgium, it’s 10%, in Switzerland — 7.3%, and in Canada — 6.3%^[5].

The French language is generally appreciated abroad. With him you can find work in one of the large companies: L’Oreal, Renault, Auchan, Total, BNP Paribas, Dior and others. Plus it is the official language of international organizations: UN, Red Cross, Olympic Committee, etc. So for those wishing to work in the field of international relations, knowledge of French is a must.

French for immigration

French-speaking countries rank high among the most popular destinations for immigration. France is seventh, followed by Canada. Switzerland is in the 24th place because it is expensive^[6].

If your goal is France, you must be fluent in the language. Without French, life will not be nice there. We have already talked about the difficult relationship of citizens of the Republic with the English language. The situation is no better with other languages. Do you want to live in France? Speak and act like a Frenchman. And to become a fully accepted member of society, you need to know the language. It serves not only as a means of communication, but also brings people closer culturally.

Acquiring French citizenship is a quest. You need to live in the country for 5 years. Graduates of French universities — 2 years. It is also necessary to demonstrate the B1 level of language proficiency, which is not so high. To confirm it, you take an exam. It evaluates your speaking and listening skills, and, since 2020, also covers writing. So you have to learn it.

A few words for those wishing to move to red-and-white Canada. If you are aiming for an English-speaking province, knowledge of French will earn you extra points in the Express Entry system when you receive a visa. And with two languages, it will be easier for you to find a job.

Country	Living expenses per monthnot accounting for accommodation	Average monthly salary, net
France	901 USD	2,306 USD
Canada	823 USD	2,487 USD
Switzerland	1,639 USD	6,336 USD
Belgium	875 USD	2,277 USD

French for travel

French may not be as common as English, but it will also come in handy when traveling. First, there are 29 countries in the world where French is recognized as an official language. Most of them are located in Africa. Want to visit Ivory Coast? Secondly, many people forget that France has overseas territories: New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and others. If you already know Europe inside and out, the French islands in the Pacific are awaiting you eagerly. In addition to the French-speaking countries, you will most likely be understood in Spain and Italy. These languages have similar words and constructions.

If you’re learning French for a tourist trip, don’t get too deep into the intricacies of the language. You don’t need them. Pay attention to common colloquial phrases. There are many compilations for tourists on the Internet. For example, here. Believe me, the French will appreciate your attempt to learn a few words in their langue belle avec des mots superbesa beautiful language with superb words.

French for yourself

You don’t have to look for a reason to learn French. It attracts many people not by its practicality, but by its beauty. Someone studies it to sing along to their favorite songs from Notre-dame de Paris. Other brave souls dream of reading untranslated Sartre. Finally, many are passionate about la cuisine française. And the last group just wants to impress their beloved ones. Yes, that happens too. «French is the language of love.» A stereotype? Maybe. But it’s hard to deny that it’s melodic, graceful, and pleasing to the ear. If you are learning French for yourself, just choose whichever method you like. You can start by memorizing songs, and then you’ll get more engaged and sign up for professional courses.

Find language courses

Exams in French

Unlike the huge variety of English exams, there are not as many options in French. Three main tests to determine the level of the language are:

DELF (A1-B2);
DALF (C1-C2);
TCF.

TCF is a generic name for all French language proficiency testsTest de Connaissance de Français. There are TCF Canada, TCF ANF (for citizenship), TCF Québec, and a few more in other countries. DELF and DALF consist of four sections:

Listening;
Reading;
Writing;
Speaking.

You can prepare for these exams yourself. But it is still better to find a tutor or an assistant, at least for the speaking part. To train it well, you need a conversation partner. Also, pay attention to writing. French essays have their own specificities, different from English.

More details

Источник

Here’s the easiest way to type French accents on Word

Basic Recipe

Examples

How to type French accents on Word AND double-check your spelling!

What are French accent marks?

É – Accent aigu

È – Accent grave

Ç – Accent cedille

Ö – Accent trema

Ô – Circonflexe

Inserting French accent marks in word processors

GoogleDocs

Microsoft Word

Mac

Accent mark shortcuts for PC

French accent mark shortcuts for Mac

Option Key Accents codes

KeyCaps

Accent mark shortcuts for mobile devices

Typing French accent marks in Linux

Character Palette

Compose Key

Windows International Keyboard add-ons

International Keyboard accent codes

French Keyboard Accent Codes

Canadian French Keyboard Accent Codes

How to Tone Your Writing in French: 3 Elements for Advanced Learners

Contents

1. Structure

Thesis, antithesis, synthesis

Dissertation

2. Sentence Structure

Nominalization

Appropriate sentence length

3. Flow

Coordinating conjunctions

Connectors of causality

Introduction and conclusion words

Improve Your Written French Today

The Basics of French Writing for Beginners

1. Watch Out for French Spelling

2. Genders Influence Grammar in French

3. Careful with French Accent Marks

4. Follow the French Sentence Structures

Psst! Did you know we have a language learning app?

How to Write in French for Intermediate Students

5. Try Nominalization

6. Use French Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions:

Subordinating Conjunctions:

7. Style and Flow

Writing in French for Advanced Learners

8. Get Familiar with French Essay Structure

9. Use Introduction and Conclusion Vocabulary

10. Writing a Dissertation in French

History of Written French

Writing in French Alone Won’t Make You Fluent

James Silverton

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Herb Tyson [MVP]

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Herb Tyson [MVP]

Carey N.

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Bob Buckland ?:-)

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I. Greetings/ Salutations for French Letters

Salutations for French Personal Letters

Salutations for French Formal Letters

II. How to close your letter