French Your Way Podcast Archives - Page 3 of 14

FYW 112 : French books for babies / toddlers

March 29, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

You may want to speak to your little one in French, either because you're are in a mixed relationship with a French-speaking partner, or simply because you love French language and you want your child to be exposed to it! Here are some great French books for babies that I love reading with my daughter. There are so many talented new authors and beautiful books I haven't read yet, I'm sticking to books from newborn to toddler for now. So here are my personal recommendations for fun, animated, beautiful, sound or touch and feel picture books and for classic heroes that every French child … Read More →

FYW 111 : Questions in French (Part 1): The 3 Ways to Ask a Question

March 22, 2017 by Jessica 2 Comments

This episode is the first part of a series about how to ask questions in French. If you ever travel to France and engage in any interaction with a native French speaker, you'll definitely need to ask them questions in French! In order to give you the confidence to do so, this episode will focus on the 3 ways to ask a same question in French. All you need is to be aware of the 3 possible structures so you put words in the correct order! I'll cover both closed questions (also called Yes/No questions) and open questions. Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Tu … Read More →

FYW 110 : Animal Names in French

March 15, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

Here's an interesting question I got from a student of French: “I understand that animal names in French are generally masculine and feminine (eg. une girafe) but if I am talking about a male girafe, can I say ‘un girafe’? Now, dear listener, how would you answer this question? Listen to this episode to find out! LINKS and RESOURCES "French Animal Names: What to Call Your Dog if it’s a Female" My article: " Masculine or Feminine? Telling the Gender of French Nouns" French Your Way Podcast, Episode 32: "How to Tell if a French Noun is Masculine or Feminine (Part 1)" French Your … Read More →

FYW 109 : All about the old French Republican Calendar!

March 8, 2017 by Jessica 2 Comments

Did you know that France used a different calendar for a few years, after the French Revolution? This was called the French Republican Calendar and time had a whole different way of being divided (which is probably why it didn't last!). Find out more about the ideas behind the creation of the French Republican Calendar...and learn some vocabulary of course! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Le calendrier républicain / le calendrier révolutionnaire. Vendémiaire Vendanges: grape harvest Brumaire La brume = the mist Frimaire Nivôse Pluviôse Pluvieux = … Read More →

FYW 108 : The difference between “emmener”, “amener”, “emporter” and “apporter”

March 1, 2017 by Jessica 8 Comments

What’s the difference between "emmener", "amener", "emporter" and "apporter" in French? I find students are often confused with these four verbs so I’ll explain them in this episode. Actually, many French people will also use these verbs incorrectly… So, take your French to the next level and master the use of these four verbs better than a French person! This episode comes with a link to a free practice worksheet that I’ve designed for you. LINKS and RESOURCES My article "Emmener, amener, emporter, apporter" (+ free worksheet) Listen to « J't'emmène au vent » (Louise … Read More →

FYW 107 : How to Add French to Your Daily Life

February 22, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

It is generally agreed that if you want to practice a foreign language, the best thing you can do is to travel to a country where this language is spoken. But, what about the rest of the time? How do you stay motivated and how to practice when you’re not travelling? Here are simple tips on how you can add a bit of French language and culture outside formal lessons, tips to add French to your daily life! This episode is the audio version of an article I published some time ago on my website (www.frenchyourway.com.au ) and which has been helpful to many students of French – which is why I’ve … Read More →

FYW 106 : Je me lave, vous vous appelez, etc.: what are reflexive verbs ?

February 15, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

Why are there two "vous" in "Comment vous vous appelez"? What does "se promener" mean exactly and how to conjugate it properly ? This episode is a good introduction or brush up about reflexive verbs and pronouns. You’ll finally understand when and how to conjugate them – I bet you’ll even find that you know many more reflexive verbs than you thought you knew! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Appeler = to call S’appeler = to call oneself Je me Tu te Il/elle/on se Nous nous Vous vous Ils se Laver = to wash Je lave ma voiture, je lave mon chien Se … Read More →

FYW 105 : A must-see in Paris: le Panthéon

February 8, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

If you haven’t already done so, I strongly suggest you go check out the Panthéon on your next visit in Paris! Listen to why I loved it...and learn a few words and facts along the way! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Un mausolée = a mausoleum Aux Grands Hommes la Patrie Reconnaissante = For Great Men the Grateful Nation La patrie = homeland, motherland Etre reconnaissant,e = to be grateful Le Pendule de Foucault Emouvant,e = moving LINKS and RESOURCES http://www.pantheonparis.com Episode 33 : How to Tell if a French Noun is Masculine or … Read More →

FYW 104 : Why do you say “à l’est de l’Australie” but “l’Ambassade d’Australie”?

February 1, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

It can be hard to tell when to use the preposition DE by itself (as in: "l'Ambassade d’Australie") and when to use it with an article (à l'est de l’Australie). I’m will help you with it in this episode! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode De l’eau --> un verre d’eau Du champagne --> une coupe de champagne De la soupe --> un bol de soupe Du sucre --> 2 cuillères à soupe de sucre Des fraises (il y a des fraises dans le frigo) ?--> pas DE fraise L’Australie --> à l’est de l’Australie La France --> la Provence est dans le sud de la … Read More →

FYW 103 : PART 2 – 10 common false friends (= faux amis) in French and English

January 25, 2017 by Jessica Leave a Comment

Many words in French and English are similar or look similar. That’s lucky because it helps with learning vocabulary faster. However, these words sometimes means something very different in the two languages! In this case, they are called “faux amis”, false friends, or false cognates. Here’s a list of 10 common false friends so you don’t make the mistake! Vocabulary and Spelling of the French Words mentioned in this episode Bouton (nm) = button ; pimple ; button, knob, switch ; bud (plants) Monnaie (nf) = spare change, small change Argent (nm) = money Journée (nf) = day, daytime Voyage … Read More →