Learn French by Podcast

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Learn French by Podcast is an exciting series of French lessons for everybody. Work with high-quality audio podcasts in your own time and at your own pace. Want to clarify some details? Something you couldn't quite understand? Then download comprehensive PDF Guides which elucidate all the finer points. Learn French the fun way.

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211: Les rénovations se pai...

10.31.2023

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

Learn French by Podcast episodes:

10.31.2023 211: Les rénovations se paient cher … à moins que l’on ne les fasse soi-même! This time, our lesson relates to a DIY job that frightens off a lot people, that is, laying tiles. Let’s start with a dialogue.
06.08.2023 210: ‘Que penses-tu de chatGPT? Faut-il en avoir peur?’ Since the launch of chatGPT in November 2022, everyone is talking about it. Some are in awe of its potential while others go so far as to say that it represents an existential threat. Let’s talk about this technological evolution ...
10.08.2022 209 : Vers une société sans argent liquide It seems we are inexorably headed towards a cashless society. It is not uncommon now for some retailers to even refuse cash payments. What are the consequences of this development? Let’s talk about it.
08.01.2022 208 : ‘Les garçons ne pleurent pas’ In this lesson, we will hear Bertrand’s thoughts on a book he has just finished reading. But we are going to discover that the book’s title isn’t really true.
07.16.2022 207: J'ai eu le covid. People were starting to feel invincible. After over two year’s of covid, they were saying to themselves: ‘it’s over – we can get back to normality’. But covid is still circulating. Let’s start with a conversation.
03.05.2022 206: De retour au bureau - à temps partiel After nearly two years, we are seeing a gradual return to the workplace. Working from home – travailler de sa maison – has presented both advantages and disadvantages.
12.17.2021 205: Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt! Some people are early-risers while others are night owls. In this lesson, we discuss an adage which makes the bold claim that people who fall into the first category are at an advantage.
07.24.2021 204: Prendre - un verbe polyvalent One of our Beginner listeners asked about the English verb ‘to get’ which made us think about prendre. ‘Get’ is just one of the many meanings of this multipurpose French verb, depending on the context.
03.10.2021 203: L'indice de réparabilité - un petit pas dans la bonne direction This lesson centres on an interesting initiative which should see manufacturers pull up their socks when it comes to environmentally-friendly products. Let's start with a conversation!
08.27.2020 202: Ça pousse, ton jardin?! One of our listeners asked that we would prepare a lesson with some gardening vocabulary and that’s what we did, over WhatsApp! We have lots of interesting vocabulary to learn – let’s start with a conversation.
06.02.2020 201: La covid-19 - une crise inédite Our conversation this time is about something which has been central to our lives around the world since the beginning of the year. We are speaking, of course, about the coronavirus pandemic. Let's get started with a conversation.
10.23.2019 200: La crise des opioïdes The subject of this - our 200th lesson! - is the opioids crisis in the U.S. which has reached quite shocking proportions. But how did it come to this? Let’s start with a conversation.
07.20.2019 199: ‘Les décroissants’, c’est qui? Our conversation this time focuses on people who are referred to as ‘les décroissants’. But who exactly are ‘les décroissants’? To find out, let’s start with a conversation.
04.19.2019 198: Je viens chercher mon fils! One of our listeners was taking up a position as a teacher in a pre-school in France and asked if we would put together some expressions and vocabulary that might be used in a dialogue between the teacher and a ...
03.12.2019 197: Quand l’Afrique a gagné la Coupe du Monde Our lesson this time goes back to a joke made by chat-show host Trevor Noah last summer, following the World cup. The only thing is, some people didn’t find his joke funny at all, not least the French ambassador in ...
02.28.2019 196: Le Président Macron réinstaurera le Service national Our conversation this time focuses on President Macron's plan to reintroduce national service in France. Some people are wondering if he is the right man to decide on such matters, given that he himself is the first French president not ...
07.27.2018 195: La présidence Trump approche des élections de mi-mandat The Trump presidency is nearing the mid-term elections in November. Mr Trump – arguably more than any other American president – has polarised opinions. Let’s talk about the first half of his mandate and what has being going on in ...
06.25.2018 194: France: la réforme de l'accès à l'université Traditionally, French high school graduates have been guaranteed public university places, regardless of the grades achieved in their baccalauréat. This, however, has resulted in very high drop-out rates. It is hoped that, from 2018, proposed reforms will result in a ...
04.04.2018 193: "Que penses-tu du Brexit?" Britain’s vote to withdraw from the European Union was widely controversial and continues to be so. Brexit – from a French perspective – is at the centre of our conversation this time.
12.22.2017 192: Le transfer de Neymar : comment expliquer une telle outrance ? The transfer of Brazilian footballer, Neymar, smashed all records in terms of the colossal sums of money involved. Are such sporting investments really justified? Let’s talk about that.
12.02.2017 191: “Je vais m’offrir un téléphone basique” Our lesson this time was inspired by a recent article entitled “Have smartphones destroyed a generation?” A provocative title indeed, but one that got us thinking. C’est parti!
07.11.2017 190: Le phénomène Macron ... en marche! Our lesson this time - for Advanced learners – focuses on the stunning rise to the French presidency of the youthful Emmanuel Macron at just 39 years of age. How, exactly, did he manage to pull off such a victory? ...
06.26.2017 189: Comment parler d’un accident de la route? A listener wondered if we could do a lesson on the basis of a traffic accident. So that’s what we’ve done : we’ve simulated a discussion on the basis of a minor accident that did actually occur recently at our ...
06.15.2017 188: Le retrait des États-Unis de l’Accord de Paris sur le changement climatique The withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Accord on climate change caused consternation worldwide, not least as almost all countries signed up to its terms in 2016. Let’s talk about the decision of the U.S. administration to withdraw. We’ll ...
04.21.2017 187: Un diplôme universitaire, cela en vaut-il la peine? In some countries, particularly the U.S., a university education has become so expensive that some wonder if it is even worth going to college at all, any more. Let’s start with a conversation. Then we’ll come back and look more ...
12.21.2016 186: "Est-ce que tu regardes quelque chose d'intéressant à la télé?" It’s holiday season, a time of year when we might discuss a film or TV series we’ve seen. That’s the subject of our conversation this time. First, let’s talk about a French production called ‘Spiral’.
11.04.2016 185: Les récifs coralliens menacés de disparition The coral reefs of the world’s oceans are in mortal danger but, as is often the case with environmental concerns, few people seem to appreciate that the dangers are imminent. That is the focus of our lesson this time.
10.25.2016 184: Les tablettes tactiles en classe: un 'canular' coûteux? Digital tablets in the classroom were recently described as a 60 billion dollar hoax. Despite these strong words, it seems we’re on an inexorable drive to place a screen in front of every child in the classroom. But to whose ...
10.06.2016 183: La Norvège : 'un pays de cocagne' This lesson is inspired by our having heard about Norway in Michael Moore’s latest satirical documentary. Now, no country is perfect but Norway certainly seems to have a lot going for it. Let’s start with a conversation.
07.29.2016 182: Les centres d’appel: ‘les ateliers de misère du 21e siècle’? The title of this Advanced lesson may be controversial. After all, it is a fact that tens of thousands of people – some of whom have been lifted out of abject poverty – work in call centres around the world. ...
07.21.2016 181: ‘Tu’ or ‘vous’? A listener asked about ‘tu’ and ‘vous’. In English, we simply use the pronoun ‘you’ but, in French, things are more complicated. In this conversation, we talk about when to use ‘tu’ and ‘vous’… and how to ‘make the switch’ ...
06.24.2016 180: ‘Tu as l’air stressé aujourd’hui!…’ A listener asked said he had recently been in France and had heard a few slang words used frequently. In this lesson, our dialogue makes use of a variety of slang words, some of which are very common. Let’s listen.
06.17.2016 179: "La Loi travail: une réforme controversée" This time, our lesson centres on the social tensions in France, arising from the proposed introduction of new work laws. The main protagonists are, on the one hand, the CGT - a very powerful union - and, on the other, ...
06.10.2016 178: "Mohammed Ali: une personnalité exceptionnelle" He was the world’s most famous boxer. But, to many, he represented much more than a particular sport. In this lesson, let’s talk about Mohammed Ali.
06.03.2016 177: "Que penses-tu d'AirBnB? Est-ce sérieux?" AirBnB has rocked the hospitality industry. For holiday-makers it has proved a boon but hoteliers are up in arms. On the other hand, hoteliers are up in arms, citing 'wild-west' practices and a lack of regulation, not to mention depleted ...
12.19.2015 176: "Sur le chemin de l'école", un documentaire émouvant What exactly does the word ‘education’ mean to you ? Sur le chemin de l’école is a provocative and inspiring documentary from Pascal Plisson. It depicts vividly the insatiable thirst for learning of children in some of the world’s most ...
08.10.2015 175: "Have you heard about these 'superfoods'?" This Advanced lesson (all in French) arises from a recent documentary relating to so-called 'superfoods'. Do humble foods like broccoli and quinoa deserve such an impressive label? Let's hear a conversation about them. C'est parti!
08.07.2015 174: "C'est un peu trop, là, quand même!" Several listeners have asked about the expression 'quand même'. In fact, it is extremely common in French and has a wide variety of meanings. A minor change in intonation can sometimes alter its meaning. Let's hear this expression used in ...
06.16.2015 173: "Les migrants en Méditerranée, y a-t-il une solution?" This Advanced lesson focuses on the plight of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, from North Africa to the European mainland, often with disastrous consequences.
04.10.2015 172: "J'ai vu un excellent film il y a quelques jours" "Still Alice", the story of a university professor afflicted with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, won an Oscar for Julianne Moore in the starring role. This film is the focus of our attention in this Advanced lesson, entirely in French. If you've ...
03.11.2015 171: "Les attentats terroristes de Paris soulèvent une foule de questions" The attacks on the Charlie Hebdo headquarters raised many questions. How far does freedom of speech go? Can we simply say whatever we like, whenever we wish? Let's hear a conversation, to start...
01.02.2015 170: "Faire du ski?... Allons-y, en piste!" (part II) This second part of our two-part lesson focuses on other skiing activities including 'snowboarding' and, of course, the very important social aspect of a skiing trip. Let's listen.
12.26.2014 169: "Faire du ski?... Allons-y, en piste!" (part I) One of our listeners asked for a lesson that would include skiing-related vocabulary. In this two-part lesson, Bertrand plays the role of an experienced skiier while I'm a beginner. I'll soon be joining my friend, Damien for a week in ...
11.16.2014 168: "Bonjour, pouvons-nous nous installer à une table, s'il vous plaît?" In this lesson, we take a look at some essential tourist vocabulary that just about everybody needs on a holiday to France. Our conversation is a typical one where a family arrives on the terrasse of a café. It’s very ...
07.18.2014 167: "As-tu suivi les événements récents en Ukraine?" Little did we know when we were preparing this lesson in recent days that the situation in Ukraine would become even more fragile with the shooting down of a civilian airliner. Bertrand gives his views on why the impasse with ...
06.06.2014 166: "C'est confirmé... t'es atteint d'APC!" The focus of our lesson this time is something which could be described as a modern-day disorder, afflicting a huge number of people. We're not talking about a physical disorder, per se... more of a social one. Béatrix and I ...
05.23.2014 165: "Hier, j'ai assisté à un concert éblouissant!" Our lesson this time focuses on a concert Béatrix attended, a classical concert. Bertrand wonders what makes the difference between a concerto on the one hand and a symphony on the other. Béatrix gives him a very basic music lesson. ...
05.14.2014 164: "As-tu vu 'Dallas Buyers' Club'?" Our lesson this time centres around a film called "Dallas Buyers' Club", the story of a Texan cowboy who contracted AIDS at a time when most people had not yet heard of the disease. Let's listen. Then we'll take a ...
02.22.2014 163. "Nelson Mandela: comment se fait-il que l'on parle autant de lui?" If ever the term 'great statesman' were relevant, it could surely be attributed to Nelson Mandela. In our conversation this time, Bertrand puts some questions to Béatrix to discover why, exactly, Mandela became such an icon. Let's listen.
01.24.2014 162: "As-tu entendu parler des ouvriers népalais au Qatar?" Our conversation this time focuses on working conditions as Qatar develops its infrastructure for the football World Cup in 2022. The tournament is some years away but the controversies surrounding the plight of workers is current, and real. Let’s listen ...

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