Coffee Break French
Episodes
CBF 3:32 | Idiomatic expressions and grammar review
08 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to listen to the final section of Katie’s diary which she has kept throughout her time spent in Nice. In this week’s lesson we’ll be...
CBF 3:31 | Idiomatic expressions and grammar review
01 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this new edition of Coffee Break French we’ll be starting our farewells for Katie. We’ll cover the first part of her text in this lesson and th...
Radio Lingua is 5 years old – and we’re celebrating!
18 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It’s five years since we launched the first lesson of Coffee Break Spanish, and since then we’ve served up millions of language lessons to learner...
CBF 3:30 | Idiomatic expressions and grammar review
15 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for another lesson of Coffee Break French and this week we join Alf in his final text. He has been writing a diary over eight weeks while ...
CBF 3:29 | Idiomatic expressions and grammar review
15 Sep 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this latest lesson of Coffee Break French we’ll be joining Veronica and listening to her final text. She has been learning French in Nice along w...
CBF 3:28 | Idiomatic expressions and grammar review
31 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This week's lesson offers an analysis of the second part of Katie’s latest text. As usual, we’ll be covering a range of expressions and grammar po...
CBF 3:27 | Focus on the subjunctive and useful idiomatic phrases
21 Aug 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode we're looking at the first part of Katie’s latest text in which she updates us on what’s she’s been getting up to in Nice...
CBF 3:26 | Focus on the subjunctive and idiomatic expressions
10 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We return to Alf’s story this week on Coffee Break French and his wife, Jennifer, has finally arrived in France. Alf has been preparing for her arri...
CBF 3:25 | Focus on the conditional and idiomatic expressions
02 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Coffee Break French Veronica is feeling a bit down in the dumps: elle a le bourdon ce soir! She has been doing some thinking about her fu...
CBF 324 Free Bonus: Extended version
18 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re offering a special treat for our free subscribers: the extended version of our lessons is normally only available to subscribers, bu...
CBF 3:24 | Idiomatic expressions and focus on tenses
18 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson we’ll continue with Alf’s text from last week. There are some fantastic examples of preceding direct objects in this week’...
CBF 3:23 | Adjectives and idiomatic expressions
10 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is the first of two lessons which focus on Alf’s latest text which has lots of interesting language points to discuss. Alf has been ...
CBF 3:22 | Focus on the subjunctive and idiomatic expressions
01 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of Coffee Break French we hear about Veronica’s exciting weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix. We’ll be hearing about the party...
CBF 3:21 | The subjunctive and idiomatic expressions
23 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's lesson we’ll be hearing from Alf, one of our three students learning French in Nice. Alf will be telling us about a chance meeting he...
CBF 3:20 | Review of lessons 1-19
25 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re testing you on what you’ve learned in the first twenty episodes of season 3. We’re providing you with a series of sentences in E...
CBF 3:19 | Idiomatic expressions and the subjunctive
17 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We rejoin Veronica this week in our series of episodes coming from our featured learners in the south of France. “Veronica” has been getting to kn...
CBF 3:18 | The perfect and imperfect tenses
09 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We knew you’d be desperate to find out how Katie got on at the Cannes Film Festival with Jérôme, so we’re sticking with Katie’s diary entries ...
CBF 3:17 | Focus on the subjunctive and idiomatic expressions
28 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We’re returning to Katie’s texts this week and we’ll be hearing her exciting news about her forthcoming visit to the Cannes Film Festival, thank...
CBF 3:16 | Looking at triggers for the subjunctive
06 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re consolidating what we’ve learned so far about the subjunctive in French. We’ll categorise the examples we’ve heard so far in t...
CBF 3:15 | Focus on past tenses
26 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
This week's lesson focuses on Alf’s diary entry for this week in which he talks a little more about his former career as a teacher. He also shares w...
CBF 3:14 | Focus on the perfect, imperfect and pluperfect tenses
15 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to return to Veronica’s diary entries in today's lesson. We’ll be hearing about her recent visit to Italy, and she’ll also be telling ...
CBF 3:13 | Focus on tenses and idiomatic expressions
12 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson we rejoin Katie and hear her latest news. She’s working in the café and this week discovers that she has in fact met M. Gérard’s ...
CBF 3:12 | Focus on daily routine
25 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We’re with Veronica this week and she’ll be telling us about her daily routine and a little more about her work. We’ll also hear about her plans...
CBF 3:11 | Focus on perfect and imperfect tenses
20 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have another episode from Alf’s diary as he learns French in Nice. In this episode Alf talks about his family and about his daily routine. ...
CBF 3:10 | Grammar review and idiomatic expressions
31 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
… the episode in which we introduce the subjunctive! We’re returning to Katie’s texts this week and we’ll be hearing more about her search for...
CBF 3:09 | Focus on the future tense
23 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
This week we’re returning to Veronica’s texts and we’ll be finding out a bit more about why Veronica decided to learn French. Veronica also tell...
CBF 3:08 | Future tense with regular and irregular verbs
09 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson we’re continuing with Katie’s second text. We’ll be taking a closer look at direct object pronouns and some further exam...
CBF 3:07 | Focus on past tenses and idiomatic expressions
04 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is the first of two episodes which are based on Katie’s second text. In this first part we’ll be hearing about an unfortunate event w...
CBF 3:06 | The future tense
23 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode our course, we’re taking a break from our weekly texts from Alf, Katie and Veronica. Last week Alf mentioned that his teacher had be...
CBF 3:05 | Introduction to the future tense
16 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
This week's Coffee Break French episode features Alf once again. We’ll be finding out about his plans for the coming weekend, and this gives us an o...
CBF 3:04 | Preceding direct objects and idioms
10 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In the fourth episode of Coffee Break French Season 3 we meet Australian entrepreneur Veronica who, like Katie and Alf, is studying French in Nice. In...
CBF 3:03 | Idiomatic expressions and grammar review
02 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for our third episode of Coffee Break French Season 3 and this week we’re getting to know Alf a bit more. In the free version of the pod...
CBF 3:02 | Focus on adjectives and idiomatic expressions
26 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Our second episode of Coffee Break French Season 3 provides further details on Katie who has been writing her diary about her experience studying Fren...
CBF 3:01 | Introduction to the characters for this season and idiomatic expressions
18 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first lesson of Coffee Break French Season 3! In this episode listeners will meet American student Katie, Australian entrepreneur Veron...
Coffee Break French – Season 3
12 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Oui, c’est vrai! Nous sommes de retour! Coffee Break French is returning for a third season starting next Monday, 18th October. Season 3 will consis...
CBF 2:40 | Grammar review "a very pleasant evening"
11 May 2010
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve arrived at the final episode in our series of Coffee Break French. In lesson 40, we reach the end of the meal in which our friends Christina, ...
CBF 2:39 | Grammar review "we're not going to argue again"
05 May 2010
Contributed by Lukas
After an enjoyable meal our two couples are about to enjoy a coffee and un petit digeo. The conversation continues between David, Christina, Sophie an...
CBF 2:38 | The pluperfect tense "I had never tasted it"
25 Apr 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In the 38th episode of the course, we continue our radio play featuring David and Christina, who are having dinner with their new friends Sophie and J...
CBF 2:37 | The future tense "they're up to something"
25 Mar 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson our radio play continues and Sophie, Jean-Jacques, David and Christina are talking about what they will be doing in the coming days. We...
CBF 2:36 | The conditional "shall we use the tu form?"
10 Mar 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson of Coffee Break French, our radio play continues. Sometimes it’s difficult to know when to use tu and when to use vous when speaking ...
CBF 2:35 | Grammar review "we trust you!"
19 Feb 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Our radio play continues in this week's lesson as David and Christina get to know Jean-Jacques and Sophie a bit more. They talk about their children a...
CBF 2:34 | Grammar review "we're going to make some progress"
04 Feb 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of Coffee Break French David and Christina decide to join Jean-Jacques and Sophie for dinner in the latest instalment of our ‘...
CBF 2:33 | Grammar review "do you fancy eating with us?"
27 Jan 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coffee Break French our conversation between David, Christina and Jean-Jacques continues, and they are joined by Jean-Jacques’ wi...
CBF 2:32 | Grammar review
19 Jan 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Coffee Break French we’ll hear the next instalment of the conversation between David, Christina and Jean-Jacques. Please note tha...
CBF 2:31 | Formation of the imperfect tense
09 Jan 2010
Contributed by Lukas
One of the main things learners seem to be finding difficult is the idea of making conversation with people. It’s easy enough to order a coffee, or ...
CBF 2:30 | Making a phone call in French
15 Nov 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this 30th episode of Coffee Break French, Mark and Anna look at one activity which learners traditionally find difficult in a foreign language: usi...
CBF 2:29 | Hiring a car
27 Oct 2009
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s Coffee Break French deals with hiring a car in a French-speaking area. Like our last episode, this lesson focuses on using the language ...
CBF 2:28 | Getting a taxi
16 Oct 2009
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to put the language we’ve been learning into practice and return to some transactional situations, this time equipped with a thorough un...
CBF 2:27 | After having done something
30 Sep 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's lesson we’re building on the verbal constructions we’ve been learning over the past few weeks and introducing the phrase après avo...
CBF 2:26 | Avant de and venir de
12 Sep 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson we’re covering two constructions which will help to increase your range of expression: venir de faire quelque chose (to have just don...
CBF 2:25 | Relative pronouns qui and que
26 Aug 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson you’ll solve the mystery of qui or que. Please note that lesson 25 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 65 of Coffee Break Fren...
CBF 2:24 | Uses of the imperfect tense
16 Aug 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson you’ll find out exactly why Prince Philip changes his wig frequently… or at least when the imperfect tense is used in French! Pleas...
CBF 2:23 | More on the imperfect tense
08 Aug 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson we take a further look at the imperfect tense, this time looking at the formation of -re and -ir verbs. We also consider some verbs wit...
CBF 2:22 | Introducing the imperfect tense
01 Aug 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson we look at another tense used to talk about the past: the imperfect tense. We learn how to construct it and look at one of the...
CBF 2:21 | Looking at the pronouns y and en
25 Jul 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson we look at two tiny pronouns which can cause some confusion for French learners: y and en. Please note that lesson 21 of Seaso...
CBF 2:20 | Review of the perfect tense
19 Jul 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we check whether Anna has done her homework by taking a look at her diary entry using avoir verbs, être verbs and reflexive verbs. In...
CBF 2:19 | "this", "that", "these" and "those"
16 Jul 2009
Contributed by Lukas
This week we look at demonstrative adjectives: different ways of saying "this", "these", "that" and "those". We will also have the chance to practise ...
CBF 2:18 | Reflexive verbs in the perfect tense
06 Jul 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's lesson, we take our knowledge of the perfect tense a stage further by looking at reflexive verbs. Please note that lesson 18 of Season ...
CBF 2:17 | More verbs which form the perfect tense with être
20 Jun 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we look at the other verbs that take être as their auxiliary verb in the perfect tense and we consider a way to remember them. Please...
CBF 2:16 | Verbs which form the perfect tense with être as an auxiliary verb
13 Jun 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson we look at two verbs which take être as their auxiliary verb in the perfect tense, instead of avoir. Please note that lesson ...
CBF 2:15 | The perfect tense with irregular verbs
03 Jun 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's lesson, we take a look at some verbs which have irregular past participles and are therefore irregular in the perfect tense. Please not...
CBF 2:14 | The perfect tense continued
23 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson we continue looking at the perfect tense, this time using regular -re and -ir verbs. We also think about the different uses of...
CBF 2:13 | The perfect tense
16 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we introduce the perfect tense of regular -er verbs. Please note that lesson 13 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 53 of Coffe...
CBF 2:12 | The negative of the immediate future
09 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's lesson, we take a look at the negative form of the immediate future tense. We also look at the different ways to say 'some' in French, ...
CBF 2:11 | Talking about going to do something
02 May 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, we learn how to say 'going to do something' in French. This is a useful way of talking about the immediate future. Please note that le...
CBF 2:10 | End-of-unit quiz
28 Mar 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this lesson, Mark puts Anna to the test with an identity quiz. Please note that lesson 10 of Season 2 was originally known as lesson 50 of Coffee B...
CBF 2:09 | Adjectives which come before a noun
21 Mar 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson, we look at some adjectives that come before the noun instead of after. We also learn a way to remember which adjectives come ...
CBF 2:08 | Adjectives: Colours and nationalities
14 Mar 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we look at a different area of French grammar. We move on from verbs to adjectives and start by talking about colours and nationaliti...
CBF 2:07 | A review of regular and irregular verbs
07 Mar 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson, Mark puts Anna and our listeners to the test on the verbs we have been looking at in the past few lessons. Please note that l...
CBF 2:06 | Constructing questions and looking at avoir and être
28 Feb 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we check if Anna has done her homework from last week and take a look at the conversations she has come up with. We also look at the ...
CBF 2:05 | Saying what you are going to do
14 Feb 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson, Mark and Anna talk about the verb aller, meaning 'to go' and introduce the concept of irregular verbs in the context of makin...
CBF 2:04 | Using the present tense to make arrangements
07 Feb 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s lesson, Mark and Anna talk about making arrangements. By looking more closely at the grammar behind the French, we hope you will gain...
CBF 2:03 | Using reflexive verbs in the present tense
31 Jan 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we take a further look at daily routine, focusing particularly on reflexive verbs. We also look at time in more detail so we...
CBF 2:02 | Daily routine
24 Jan 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue to look at ER verbs in the present tense by talking about our daily routines.Please note that lesson 02 of Season 2 was o...
CBF 2:01 | The present tense
17 Jan 2009
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we move on from looking at particular words and phrases to constructing the language so you can say exactly what you want to say. We ...
CBF 1:40 | Linguistic diversity in France
07 Oct 2008
Contributed by Lukas
The last episode of Season 1, is based on another conversation we recorded on the beach in Sainte-Marie.This season of Coffee Break French featur...
CBF 1:39 | Language review in a party setting
02 Oct 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, we have a special dialogue for you. We’ll be listening to a conversation recorded on the beach in Sainte-Marie where Anna talked...
CBF 1:38 | Seeking help at the pharmacy
24 Sep 2008
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we are continuing our series of dialogues recorded in France. Anna is not feeling too well so we take a trip to the pharmacy to get somethi...
CBF 1:37 | Travelling by public transport
16 Sep 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark is asking the hotel receptionist for some information. Listen to the dialogue and the breakdown of the conversation in order to ...
CBF 1.36 | Shopping in France
10 Sep 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s show, we are continuing our series of dialogues recorded in Pornic and Sainte-Marie. We have 2 conversations recorded on shopping tri...
Season 1 – Lesson 36 – Coffee Break French
10 Sep 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Coming up in this lesson:In this week’s show, we are continuing our series of dialogues recorded in Pornic and Sainte-Marie. We have 2 conversations...
CBF 1:35 | At the tourist office
05 Sep 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, Mark and Anna are in the Tourist Information Office in Sainte-Marie, looking for some information about the area.This season o...
CBF 1:34 | Breakfast at the hotel
22 Aug 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, it’s breakfast time in Ste-Marie sur Mer. Mark and Anna are joined by Anna’s friend as they order breakfast. Having learned the c...
CBF 1:33 | Mix up at hotel check in
15 Aug 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, join Mark and Anna in France as they arrive at the hotel. Anna plays the role of Jane Johnson, a British tourist who is checking in a...
CBF 1:32 | Arrival in France
11 Aug 2008
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mark in this week’s episode as he arrives at Nantes Airport and asks for directions to get to Sainte-Marie. This gives you the chance to practi...
CBF 1:31 | Travelling to France
04 Aug 2008
Contributed by Lukas
This episode introduces Unit 4 which will feature dialogues recorded live in France. Join Mark and Anna en route to Brittany as Anna tries to remember...
CBF 1:30 | End-of-unit review
21 Jul 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, marking the end of Unit 3, we put Anna and you, the listeners, to the test. We cover all the topics included in Lessons 21 to 29 to s...
CBF 1:29 | More aches and complaints
14 Jul 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we continue with the theme of ‘feeling unwell’ but this time we head to the pharmacy to find a remedy for whatever is wr...
CBF 1:28 | Aches and pains
07 Jul 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we talk about different ways of saying you’re not feeling well and how to say different parts of the body are sore. If you...
CBF 1:27 | Exchanging money
01 Jul 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue our “transactional” theme. A very common situation while traveling is having to visit the bank so we take a look at s...
CBF 1:26 | Shopping at the deli
24 Jun 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, we continue the theme of shopping but this time in a market place. You’ll learn how to ask for different types and quantit...
CBF 1:25 | Shopping
17 Jun 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk about Anna’s favourite pastime: shopping! We also test your knowledge of the French alphabet by spelling out the names of s...
CBF 1:24 | At the campsite
10 Jun 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we continue the theme of accommodation, this time looking at the campsite. Even if camping is not your thing, the constructions cover...
CBF 1:23 | Problems with your stay at a hotel
30 May 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll learn how to make complaints about a hotel room in France – something which we hope you will never have to do!This season ...
CBF 1:22 | Checking in to a hotel
23 May 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll learn how to book into a hotel in France – something which is likely to be very useful when on holiday in France or any ot...
CBF 1:21 | Talking about the weather
16 May 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll learn how to talk about the weather, using both the present and the future tense.This season of Coffee Break French features...
CBF 1:20 | End-of-unit special
26 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Mark and Anna are joined by Pierre-Benoît from our forthcoming video podcast Walk, Talk and Learn French. Listeners can review the r...
CBF 1:19 | Unit review
18 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll check your knowledge of what you’ve learned in unit 2.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, a...
CBF 1:18 | Restaurant situations
08 Apr 2008
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, you’ll learn to deal with dietary requirements in the restaurant and complain about your food – or compliment the chef!This seaso...
CBF 1:17 | Ordering food in a restaurant
13 Mar 2008
Contributed by Lukas
It's time to learn how to order food in a French restaurant. You'll learn various words and phrases to help you get a table, ask for a menu, and of co...