Learn French by Podcast
214 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★ - 922 ratingsLearn 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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Episodes
211: Les rénovations se paient cher … à moins que l’on ne les fasse soi-même!
October 31, 2023 19:21 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MBThis time, our lesson relates to a DIY job that frightens off a lot people, that is, laying tiles. Let’s start with a dialogue.
210: ‘Que penses-tu de chatGPT? Faut-il en avoir peur?’
June 08, 2023 15:09 - 15 minutes - 21.2 MBSince 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.
209 : Vers une société sans argent liquide
October 08, 2022 14:30 - 13 minutes - 18.8 MBIt 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.
208 : ‘Les garçons ne pleurent pas’
August 01, 2022 16:50 - 14 minutes - 19.7 MBIn 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.
‘Les garçons ne pleurent pas’
August 01, 2022 16:50 - 14 minutes - 19.7 MBIn 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.
207: J'ai eu le covid.
July 16, 2022 14:39 - 12 minutes - 17.8 MBPeople 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.
206: De retour au bureau - à temps partiel
March 05, 2022 18:09 - 16 minutes - 23.3 MBAfter 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.
205: Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt!
December 17, 2021 16:02 - 16 minutes - 23.4 MBSome 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.
204: Prendre - un verbe polyvalent
July 24, 2021 10:40 - 7 minutes - 9.92 MBOne 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.
203: L'indice de réparabilité - un petit pas dans la bonne direction
March 10, 2021 17:46 - 17 minutes - 24.2 MBThis 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!
202: Ça pousse, ton jardin?!
August 27, 2020 09:46 - 15 minutes - 21.4 MBOne 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.
La covid-19 : une crise inédite
June 02, 2020 09:35 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBOur 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.
201: La covid-19 - une crise inédite
June 02, 2020 09:35 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBOur 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.
200: La crise des opioïdes
October 23, 2019 11:09 - 18 minutes - 25.9 MBThe 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.
199: ‘Les décroissants’, c’est qui?
July 20, 2019 06:21 - 10 minutes - 15.2 MBOur 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.
198: Je viens chercher mon fils!
April 19, 2019 16:04 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MBOne 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.
197: Quand l’Afrique a gagné la Coupe du Monde
March 12, 2019 15:18 - 18 minutes - 24.9 MBOur 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.
196: Le Président Macron réinstaurera le Service national
February 28, 2019 19:36 - 16 minutes - 23 MBOur 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.
195: La présidence Trump approche des élections de mi-mandat
July 27, 2018 19:10 - 18 minutes - 25.5 MBThe 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.
194: France: la réforme de l'accès à l'université
June 25, 2018 18:11 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBTraditionally, 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!
193: "Que penses-tu du Brexit?"
April 04, 2018 15:50 - 14 minutes - 19.9 MBBritain’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.
192: Le transfer de Neymar : comment expliquer une telle outrance ?
December 22, 2017 09:15 - 13 minutes - 9.46 MBThe 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.
191: “Je vais m’offrir un téléphone basique”
December 02, 2017 15:24 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBOur 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!
190: Le phénomène Macron ... en marche!
July 11, 2017 15:29 - 11 minutes - 8.1 MBOur 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.
189: Comment parler d’un accident de la route?
June 26, 2017 10:28 - 13 minutes - 9.53 MBA 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.
188: Le retrait des États-Unis de l’Accord de Paris sur le changement climatique
June 15, 2017 15:37 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBThe 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 discover how to make use of a whole range of interesting vocabulary. C’est parti!
187: Un diplôme universitaire, cela en vaut-il la peine?
April 21, 2017 16:16 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBIn 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 closely at some key vocabulary.
186: "Est-ce que tu regardes quelque chose d'intéressant à la télé?"
December 21, 2016 11:32 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBIt’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’.
185: Les récifs coralliens menacés de disparition
November 04, 2016 22:55 - 15 minutes - 21 MBThe 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.
184: Les tablettes tactiles en classe: un 'canular' coûteux?
October 25, 2016 11:22 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBDigital 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 benefit ? That’s the subject of our conversation in this lesson.
183: La Norvège : 'un pays de cocagne'
October 06, 2016 13:33 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBThis 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.
182: Les centres d’appel: ‘les ateliers de misère du 21e siècle’?
July 29, 2016 09:42 - 8 minutes - 11.6 MBThe 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. However, questions one might ask are: what kind of work do call centre workers actually do? What kind of career prospects can workers realistically expect from such work? Béatrix talks of her friend’s experience in one such call centre. Let’s listen.
181: ‘Tu’ or ‘vous’?
July 21, 2016 08:33 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBA 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’ between the two when our relationships have evolved over time. Let’s listen.
180: ‘Tu as l’air stressé aujourd’hui!…’
June 24, 2016 09:00 - 9 minutes - 13.6 MBA 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.
179: "La Loi travail: une réforme controversée"
June 17, 2016 11:26 - 10 minutes - 13.9 MBThis 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, the government which insists that there is no alternative to the new measures it is proposing.
178: "Mohammed Ali: une personnalité exceptionnelle"
June 10, 2016 11:35 - 12 minutes - 17.4 MBHe 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.
177: "Que penses-tu d'AirBnB? Est-ce sérieux?"
June 03, 2016 12:07 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBAirBnB 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 rental accommodation, as property owners turn to this new rental model instead of committing to longer-term tenants. We discuss the service provided by AirBnB in this lesson.
176: "Sur le chemin de l'école", un documentaire émouvant
December 19, 2015 16:48 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBWhat 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 remote corners. Let’s listen to a dialogue.
175: "Have you heard about these 'superfoods'?"
August 10, 2015 09:25 - 8 minutes - 11.3 MBThis 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!
174: "C'est un peu trop, là, quand même!"
August 07, 2015 08:14 - 4 minutes - 5.76 MBSeveral 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 various situations.
173: "Les migrants en Méditerranée, y a-t-il une solution?"
June 16, 2015 14:19 - 6 minutes - 8.75 MBThis Advanced lesson focuses on the plight of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, from North Africa to the European mainland, often with disastrous consequences.
172: "J'ai vu un excellent film il y a quelques jours"
April 10, 2015 14:25 - 8 minutes - 11.7 MB"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 been making progress with our Intermediate lessons, this lesson is for you.
171: "Les attentats terroristes de Paris soulèvent une foule de questions"
March 11, 2015 13:49 - 25 minutes - 35 MBThe 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...
170: "Faire du ski?... Allons-y, en piste!" (part II)
January 02, 2015 12:01 - 13 minutes - 18.4 MBThis 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.
169: "Faire du ski?... Allons-y, en piste!" (part I)
December 26, 2014 13:08 - 28 minutes - 38.8 MBOne 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 the Alps. Let's listen...
168: "Bonjour, pouvons-nous nous installer à une table, s'il vous plaît?"
November 16, 2014 21:31 - 11 minutes - 15.5 MBIn 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 warm and everybody is thirsty. Let’s see how the conversation unfolds with the waitress…
167: "As-tu suivi les événements récents en Ukraine?"
July 18, 2014 15:39 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MBLittle 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 Russia is so volatile. Let's listen first; then we'll look closely at the key vocabulary...
166: "C'est confirmé... t'es atteint d'APC!"
June 06, 2014 15:56 - 17 minutes - 23.7 MBThe 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 are having a coffee but Béatrix is getting frustrated at my inattention. Let's listen...
165: "Hier, j'ai assisté à un concert éblouissant!"
May 23, 2014 13:41 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MBOur 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. Let's listen. Then we'll come back and take a closer look at the key vocabulary.
164: "As-tu vu 'Dallas Buyers' Club'?"
May 14, 2014 11:17 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBOur 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 closer look at the key vocabulary.