Beginning Conversational French
Description
About This CourseThis course will teach you how to communicate easily and
comfortably with those who speak French. You’ll learn practical,
common phrases that will make your trip to the many French-speaking
regions of the world more pleasant. You'll learn dialogue specific
to various settings, and you'll be surprised how easy it can be to
speak another language!
Each lesson introduces a scenario, presented in short dialogues.
You'll be able to practice and learn both sides of the
conversation, so you'll easily understand and expect common
responses. Every lesson also has cultural tips, which will make you
more comfortable in a foreign setting.
Since proper pronunciation is important to go…
Frequently asked questions
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This course will teach you how to communicate easily and
comfortably with those who speak French. You’ll learn practical,
common phrases that will make your trip to the many French-speaking
regions of the world more pleasant. You'll learn dialogue specific
to various settings, and you'll be surprised how easy it can be to
speak another language!
Each lesson introduces a scenario, presented in short dialogues.
You'll be able to practice and learn both sides of the
conversation, so you'll easily understand and expect common
responses. Every lesson also has cultural tips, which will make you
more comfortable in a foreign setting.
Since proper pronunciation is important to good communication, this
course will help you master the best pronunciations. Simply click
on each word to hear it spoken! Every word and sentence is also
written out phonetically using sounds that you are already very
familiar with from English words. This course has been carefully
crafted to ensure you will have no trouble pronouncing French words
correctly.
The first three lessons give you an introduction to the basics
you'll need for most conversations, such as "please" and "thank
you." You'll also learn numbers, days of the week, months of the
year, and telling time.
After the introduction and basic conversation lessons, you'll learn
what to say at the airport. Then, you'll need to get to your hotel,
so the next lesson teaches you about transportation. The following
lesson will show you how to talk to hotel employees. After you're
settled into your hotel, you'll probably be hungry, so next you'll
learn about restaurants. The entire course is structured in this
logical, systematic method. Since each lesson presents its own
setting, you will want to print your lessons and take them with you
on your trip for quick reference.
Each lesson also includes cultural tips. Hand and body gestures
mean different things in different cultures. For example, do you
know the proper way to point to avoid offending people? This course
will tell you. That tip and the many others that you will learn
will help you better blend in and avoid misunderstandings when you
travel.
This course makes learning French fun and surprisingly easy. You'll
be pleased with your quick progress, and you'll be prepared for
your next trip!
This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Amy Page.
Amy Page has been a translator and technical writer since the early '90s. She has a Bachelor's Degree in French, and she is one of a handful people in the United States who completed a special Translation minor. Amy has written and copy edited for large companies, and she enjoys translating for a variety of customers.
SyllabusA new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.
Week 1
Wednesday - Lesson 01In this first lesson, you’ll learn the basics of pronunciation. Good pronunciation will help you communicate with native speakers. First, you'll learn how to pronounce vowels. French uses the same alphabet as English, and the vowels are the same. Then we'll move on to the consonants. After that, you'll learn about stressing syllables and linking words together.
Friday - Lesson 02In your second lesson, you finally get to use all that pronunciation in some real sentences. We'll start with some basic information and a few rules. Then we'll move quickly to common words and some easy sentences. Finally, we'll talk about the weather and introduce numbers.
Week 2
Wednesday - Lesson 03Today you'll learn numbers. We'll start off by reviewing what you've already learned. Then we'll move on to the teens and twenties. We'll keep going all the way to a billion! You'll also learn the days and months. Calendars are a little different in France, and you'll learn how to read them. You'll learn words for today and tomorrow. Next, you'll learn how to tell time in French. Time is important to travelers. You don't want to be late for the opera!
Friday - Lesson 04Welcome to France! We're finally getting to the exciting part! In this lesson, you'll learn all about transportation. We'll start out at the airport. Then you'll learn words about taxis, buses, trains, and my favorite, the subway.
Week 3
Wednesday - Lesson 05In this lesson, you'll learn vocabulary and dialogues for all sorts of lodging options. Hotels are the most popular place for tourists to stay, so we'll spend the most time on them. Next, you'll find out how to talk about other places to stay. First, you'll learn about youth hostels. Then we'll move on to apartments, resorts, and castles. (No, I've never spent the night in a castle, but it would be fun!) You’ll also learn about requesting special items and information.
Friday - Lesson 06Today we're going to talk about food. First, you'll learn about different types of French restaurants. Then you'll learn general vocabulary about food and eating out. You'll also learn words for various beverages.
Week 4
Wednesday - Lesson 07In the seventh lesson, you’ll learn about currency and different types of communication. First, you'll learn about money in France. Then we’ll move on to telephones, the mail, and technology.
Friday - Lesson 08In this lesson, you’re going to learn how to talk about shopping in French. First, you’ll learn words that are used in all stores. Then we’ll talk about souvenirs. You can’t go on a trip without buying souvenirs!
Next, you’ll learn words for clothes. I’ll teach you a few tips for using French words, too. You’ll also learn names for colors and lots of different kinds of stores.
Week 5
Wednesday - Lesson 09In Lesson 9, you’re going to learn French for lots of different forms of entertainment. We’ll start with the radio. Then we’ll move on to television and movies. You’ll also learn about sports and beaches. Then we’ll talk about the circus and fairs. Finally, you’ll learn about zoos and amusement parks.
Friday - Lesson 10Today we’re going to talk about more entertainment options. We’ll focus on cultural tourist spots. We’ll start with museums and then move on to castles and cathedrals. France is famous for its castles, and everyone should see at least one. Then we’ll talk about the theater. You’ll learn words for plays, musicals, operas, and concerts.
Week 6
Wednesday - Lesson 11In this lesson, you’re going to learn about emergencies. I hope you’ll never need to use this lesson. Life is unpredictable, though. It’s helpful to familiarize yourself with these words. Then, to lighten things up a little, we’ll be talking about French phrases. You’ll learn exclamations, as well as a few French proverbs and idioms.
Friday - Lesson 12In your final lesson, we’ll start our review. We’ll go over a few key points, such as pronunciation and linking words. You’ll even get a little more practice on those cumbersome nasal vowels. Then, you’ll learn how to make your own sentences. I’ll teach you some simple sentences. All you have to do is plug in the word you need. Next, you’ll learn how to ask questions, and we'll cover a little sentence structure. Finally, you’ll learn some fun slang.
Requirements
Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader). and a computer equipped with working speakers or headphones.
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