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Learning French: A Rendezvous with French-Speaking Cultures

Series: Great Courses

4.2

(221)

Episodes

Rating

TVPG

Year

2017

Language

English

Publisher

The Great Courses

About

In Learning French: A Rendezvous with French-Speaking Cultures, you will gain a practical, in-depth introduction to a beautiful language. 30 step-by-step lectures provide you with an effective and engaging means to grasp the core building blocks of French, while adding insight into the relationship between language and culture. Perfect for an upcoming trip or an armchair tourist.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. Welcome to the French-Speaking World

45m

Bonjour! Begin your voyage with a global look at the French language and French-speaking countries around the world. Learning a new language is an active process, and language is deeply connected to the cultures where it is spoken. In this first lecture, you will survey a few patterns and rules to jump-start your understanding of French.

2. Ici, On Parle Français

45m

One important facet of the French-speaking world is that manners and politeness still matter. Discover a few essential phrases that will ensure you don't commit any faux pas before you've even had a chance to open your mouth. Then survey the basics of numbers, definite and indefinite articles, the alphabet, and geography.

3. French around the World

45m

Continue your exploration of French manners and culture and build on the phrases from the first lecture. Then reflect on several "word families" that will help you build your vocabulary and make connections across the language. Along the way, you'll also pick up a few common verb forms, adjectives, and adverbs.

4. Francophone Towns and Villages

45m

When traveling in French-speaking countries, the verb aller - "to go" - is one of the most useful. Get to know this verb along with important question words such as "How much?" "Why?" and "When?" This lecture also gives you a chance to listen to a great deal of spoken French to help you practice your de-coding skills.

5. Weather, Seasons, and Some Geography

45m

Find out how to discuss the weather, as well as what the weather is like in different parts of France. Then shift your attention to times of year - seasons, months, and dates. While you learn about the weather and time, Professor Williams also introduces you to a few new verb forms to help you talk about preferences and things to do.

6. La Vie en France

45m

Continue your study of time by examining the days of the week, times of day, and typical French routines throughout the day. More verb forms will help you express what you want to do, what you can do, and what you have to do. And of course, you'll also gain plenty of practice speaking and listening.

7. Vacations and Leisure Activities

45m

In addition to teaching you the language, this course also serves as a cultural toolkit. You may know that the French enjoy their leisure time, so here you will discover the language of vacation and leisure, including the major French holidays. You'll also get your first glimpse of the "imperative mood."

8. À Table

45m

You won't get far in a French-speaking country without being able to talk about food and drink, particularly given that mealtime is often sacred in the French culture. This lecture takes you through breakfast and lunch, showing you how to express hunger and thirst, how to order, and the necessary vocabulary to enjoy your meal.

9. Buying Groceries

45m

Shift your attention from ordering food in restaurants to buying food (and other items) from the store. Find out how to count and calculate totals, and review the language and cultural considerations of making a purchase. Then tackle a few more regular and irregular verb forms to help you build your communications skills.

10. Where to Eat

45m

Going to a market or restaurant is a culinary adventure. Here, you will put together several things you've learned from previous lectures and take a virtual trip to a restaurant. Professor Williams walks you through a typical dialogue with a waiter. You'll also begin to examine different verb "moods" - the conditional, the indicative, and the imperative.

Extended Details

SeriesGreat Courses

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

Ann WilliamsWriter

Ann WilliamsActor