Learn French by Podcast

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

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

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

Published: 17 March 2025

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

Published: 10 August 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 10 August 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2024

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

Transcribed - Published: 15 June 2024

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

Published: 15 June 2024

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.

Published: 31 October 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.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2023

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

Transcribed - Published: 8 June 2023

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

Published: 8 June 2023

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.

Published: 8 October 2022

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.

Transcribed - Published: 8 October 2022

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.

Published: 1 August 2022

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.

Transcribed - Published: 1 August 2022

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.

Published: 16 July 2022

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.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2022

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.

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2022

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.

Published: 5 March 2022

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.

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2021

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.

Published: 17 December 2021

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.

Transcribed - Published: 24 July 2021

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!

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2021

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!

Published: 10 March 2021

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.

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2020

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.

Published: 27 August 2020

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.

Transcribed - Published: 2 June 2020

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.

Published: 2 June 2020

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.

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2019

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.

Published: 23 October 2019

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.

Transcribed - Published: 20 July 2019

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.

Published: 20 July 2019

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 parent. Let’s consider one such conversation.

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2019

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 Washington. So what was it all about, again? Let’s start, as usual, with a conversation to put things in context.

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2019

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 Washington. So what was it all about, again? Let's start, as usual, with a conversation to put things in context.

Published: 12 March 2019

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 to have done military service.

Published: 28 February 2019

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 to have done military service.

Transcribed - Published: 28 February 2019

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 recent weeks.

Published: 27 July 2018

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 recent weeks.

Transcribed - Published: 27 July 2018

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 more efficient means of access to university. Let’s talk about all this. C’est parti!

Transcribed - Published: 25 June 2018

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 more efficient means of access to university. Let's talk about all this. C'est parti!

Published: 25 June 2018

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. 

Published: 4 April 2018

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.

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2018

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.

Transcribed - Published: 22 December 2017

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.

Published: 22 December 2017

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!

Transcribed - Published: 2 December 2017

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!

Published: 2 December 2017

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? Let's discuss.

Published: 11 July 2017

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? Let’s discuss.

Transcribed - Published: 11 July 2017

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 end. Let's start with a conversation: then we'll look closely at the vocabulary.

Published: 26 June 2017