You’ve learned that the final S is usually silent in French, but not always!

In this episode, you’ll learn 14 common French words where you SHOULD pronounce the final S, including ours, bus, vis, cactus, fils, and more. We’ll also look at a few words where both pronunciations are accepted.

These small pronunciation details can make a big difference in how natural and confident your French sounds.  Luckily, this is one list of exceptions that’s pretty easy to learn!

So if you're feeling burned out on conjugation tables or grammar rules, you'll love how easy it is to apply what you learn from this episode. 

Voici tes prochaines étapes (Here are your next steps): 

1️⃣ Listen once without the transcript, then listen again and follow along with the transcript to check your understanding and see the English translations of the words that end in -S.

2️⃣ Practice to make these words stick! I’ve also created a FREE flashcard set with all 14 words from today’s episode, plus a few bonus words. Access your flashcards here to hear the pronunciation and get comfortable with each word where you can pronounce the final -S.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend or classmate who’s learning French. Chances are, they’ve been silently dropping some of these final S sounds, too!

Podcast created by Dr. Natalie Amgott
Edited by Paroma Banerjee

What does "le bac" mean? When do you use "le collège," "l'université," and "le cégep?"

In this lesson, you'll learn how the school systems work in France and Québec, including the specific vocabulary for schooling from ages 2-22.

You'll also learn how the vocabulary differs for schooling in France vs. Québec!

Voici tes prochaines étapes:

1. Check out the comparison tables with all the vocabulary for the French, Québécois, and US / Canada systems.

2. Listen again and follow along with the French transcript.

3. Learning French for France or Québec? Join the waitlist for Elevate French group classes.

Podcast Credits

Podcast created and hosted by Dr. Natalie Amgott

Audio editing by Paroma Banerjee

If you're freezing up in conversation because you keep stopping to conjugate your verbs, then what you need is a grammar reset.

In this science-informed episode for A2, B1, and B2 intermediate French learners, you'll learn exactly what to do when it feels like you're hitting a wall with your French.

You'll learn why you sometimes forget verb conjugations while speaking and how to make them more automatic.

Tes prochaines étapes:

1. Download the French Grammar Reset that accompanies this episode.

2. Block out 60 minutes in your calendar for your French Grammar Reset.

3. Review the transcript of the French part of today's lesson for anything you may have missed.

Bonne continuation et à la prochaine!

Why does French feel so hard all of a sudden? Are you really getting worse at French? Why does it feel like you forgot all of the basics?

Today we're diving into the science behind the questions you're asking yourself about why you have some days where you feel like your French gets worse.

You'll learn six reasons that your French might feel worse as an intermediate learner and six easy things to do about it. If you're having a bad day with your French or want to be prepared for the next time it happens, this lesson is for you!

Tes prochaines étapes

1️⃣ Map out your goals and track your progress with the French Fluency Roadmap.

2️⃣ Review your understanding with the transcript for today's lesson, which includes English translations of some of the intermediate and advanced vocabulary in the lesson.

If you're loving the Let's Speak French! podcast, would you consider leaving a rating and review wherever you're listening? It helps to reach more intermediate learners like you!

If you've ever heard La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, you may have thought:

"Wait...did they really just sing that?"

In this episode, we're breaking down the history, vocabulary, and meaning behind one of France's most recognizable national symbols.

You'll learn:

• Why French people don't say "Happy Bastille Day!"
• How La Marseillaise got its name

• The story behind France's national anthem
• Why French songs sometimes pronounce silent e's

Vos prochaines étapes (Your next steps)

1️⃣ Episode transcript + English translations

Complete lyrics to La Marseillaise

3️⃣ Sing along to the lyrics video

4️⃣ Join my free weekly French email lessons

Are you telling people that you can or that you stink? One small sound can make all the difference!

In this episode, you'll discover minimal pairs—French words that differ by just one sound but have completely different meanings. You'll practice five of the most common sound pairs that English speakers struggle with, learn why your brain has trouble hearing these differences, and start training your ear to become a more confident French speaker.

Tes prochaines étapes: Your next steps

1. Practice the minimal pairs with the French Minimal Pairs Flashcards.

2. Listen to the episode a second time and repeat each minimal pair out loud.

3. Choose one of today's minimal pairs and use both words in your own French sentences this week.

Did you learn that "plutôt" means "rather?" OUI et NON.

Plutôt is one French verb that gets used all the time in conversation, but it doesn't only mean "rather." In today's lesson, you'll learn the five conversational contexts where you'd want to use plutôt, including how to use it as a strategy to elegantly correct yourself when you make a mistake speaking French. To get the most out of this lesson:

1. Write one sentence for each of the five uses of plutôt. Check out the uses and English translations to get you started.

2. Track your intermediate French with a customized playlist and tracker with the complementary Intermediate French Kit.

If you learned something new today, please leave a review or share with a friend! It helps this podcast to reach more intermediate French adult learners like you.

Did you know French in Canada extends beyond Québec? And that each variety brings a different history and different linguistic structures to the table?

Today, you'll learn all about Chiac and Acadian French from Janelle Poirier! To get the most out of this episode, listen once through and slow down the speed on your podcast player if needed. Then, follow these steps:

1. Check out the transcript to listen again and pick up any vocabulary you may have missed the first time.

2. Check out Janelle's social accounts on Instagram and TikTok.

3. Explore Acadian French and Chiac through Janelle's recommendations:

• Literature: Antonine Maillet & France Daigle
• Music: 1755 & Hay Babies

4. Share this episode with your friends learning French so that they learn more about the understudied Acadian French and Chiac!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Do you just repeat the same words in every French conversation? Although common words like "bon" and "très" get used all the time in French, it's helpful to know alternative so that you sound more like yourself and can express your personality in French!

Today, you'll learn alternatives to five overly used words by French learners: bon, très, chose, avoir, and dire.

To get the most out of today's lesson:

1. Listen once through to the lesson.

2. Check your understanding and the English translations in the transcript.

3. Download your Filler Word Guide to help you sound more natural in your next French conversations.

Merci d'être là, mon ami.e! To make sure you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French!, tap the "Follow" or "Subscribe" button wherever you're listening.

When you're short on time, how can you get the most bang for your buck with your French? In this episode, you'll learn 6 unusual but easy ways to improve your French that don't involve another workbook, class, or grammar lesson.

Your goal? Listen through and pick one or two of these new habits to add to your routine.

To get the most out of this episode, listen through the French lesson once en français. Then, check the transcript here to decide which one or two of the skills you're going to incorporate into your daily routine.

Useful resources:

• Line A Day Journal
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• The transcription of this episode
• Email me to let me know how your new habit is going! You can reach me at [email protected]

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.