- unregelmäßigErscheinungsrhythmus
- 13 mintypische Länge
- 10. Aug.letzte Folge
Folgenzu den neuesten
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 closely at
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'.
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.
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 benefit ? That'
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.
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. However, questions one might ask
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' between the two w
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.
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, the government which i
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.
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 re
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 remo
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!
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 v
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.
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
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...
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.
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 the A
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 warm and everybody is
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 Russia is so v
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 are having a co
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. Let's l
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 closer look at the key voc
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.
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
161: "Are you following the Snowden affair?"
Just recently, Edward Snowden was living a normal life. Now, however, he is a hunted man with a future that is very uncertain. Once he revealed that U.S. authorities were monitoring the daily communications of ordinary citizens, his life ef
160: "What do you think of the lottery?"
Florida was home to a recent winner of the Powerball jackpot of around 400 million dollars. As always, there was a media frenzy. In this lesson, Lucien and Zara discuss lotteries in general. Zara thinks they’re scandalous. Lucien, on the ot
159: "Are you on Twitter?"
Today, several hundred million people around the world are ‘tweeting’. In this lesson, let’s hear a conversation between Bertrand and Amandine. Bertrand is a regular Twitter user, but Amandine is not. Let’s listen...
158: France at war in Mali
This lesson, which we recorded some time ago, focuses on the situation in Mali. In our role-play, Brendan asks Simone to shed some light on the military intervention of France in one of its former colonies. Let's listen. Then we'll come bac
