Learn French by Podcast

215: Les EU et l'UE toujours amis mais plus alliés

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To say that relations between the U.S. and Europe have changed is an understatement. NATO is a major bone of contention and the introduction of tariff...

214: Les jeux d'argent ne sont pas que de simples jeux.

10 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Gambling is a colossal industry. Those with skin in the game say that it's 'just fun'. However, there are also those who say that gambling is addictiv...

213: Les Louisianais se battent pour la survie de leur patrimoine.

03 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The people of southern Louisiana are very proud of their French heritage and culture. They're fighting tooth and nail for the survival of French which...

212: Aux élections européennes le Président Macron prend une raclée

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our lesson this time relates to the European elections in which President Macron's party was subjected to a drubbing while support for parties of the ...

211: Les rénovations se paient cher … à moins que l'on ne les fasse soi-même!

31 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This 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?'

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since 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 ...

209 : Vers une société sans argent liquide

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It 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 con...

208 : 'Les garçons ne pleurent pas'

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In 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 real...

207: J'ai eu le covid.

16 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

People 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'....

206: De retour au bureau - à temps partiel

05 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After nearly two years, we are seeing a gradual return to the workplace. Working from home – travailler de sa maison – has presented both advantag...

205: Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt!

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some 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...

204: Prendre - un verbe polyvalent

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

One 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 ...

203: L'indice de réparabilité - un petit pas dans la bonne direction

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This lesson centres on an interesting initiative which should see manufacturers pull up their socks when it comes to environmentally-friendly products...

202: Ça pousse, ton jardin?!

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

One 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 intere...

201: La covid-19 - une crise inédite

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our 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, o...

200: La crise des opioïdes

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The 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?...

199: 'Les décroissants', c'est qui?

20 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our conversation this time focuses on people who are referred to as 'les décroissants'. But who exactly are 'les décroissants'? To find out, let's s...

198: Je viens chercher mon fils!

19 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One 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 vocabular...

197: Quand l'Afrique a gagné la Coupe du Monde

12 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our 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'...

196: Le Président Macron réinstaurera le Service national

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Our conversation this time focuses on President Macron's plan to reintroduce national service in France. Some people are wondering if he is the right ...

195: La présidence Trump approche des élections de mi-mandat

27 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Trump presidency is nearing the mid-term elections in November. Mr Trump – arguably more than any other American president – has polarised opi...

194: France: la réforme de l'accès à l'université

25 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Traditionally, French high school graduates have been guaranteed public university places, regardless of the grades achieved in their baccalauréat. T...

193: "Que penses-tu du Brexit?"

04 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Britain's vote to withdraw from the European Union was widely controversial and continues to be so. Brexit – from a French perspective – is at the...

192: Le transfer de Neymar : comment expliquer une telle outrance ?

22 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The transfer of Brazilian footballer, Neymar, smashed all records in terms of the colossal sums of money involved. Are such sporting investments reall...

191: "Je vais m'offrir un téléphone basique"

02 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Our lesson this time was inspired by a recent article entitled "Have smartphones destroyed a generation?" A provocative title indeed, but one that got...

190: Le phénomène Macron ... en marche!

11 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Our lesson this time - for Advanced learners – focuses on the stunning rise to the French presidency of the youthful Emmanuel Macron at just 39 year...

189: Comment parler d'un accident de la route?

26 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

A 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 ...

188: Le retrait des États-Unis de l'Accord de Paris sur le changement climatique

15 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

The 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 ...

187: Un diplôme universitaire, cela en vaut-il la peine?

21 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

186: "Est-ce que tu regardes quelque chose d'intéressant à la télé?"

21 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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...

185: Les récifs coralliens menacés de disparition

04 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

184: Les tablettes tactiles en classe: un 'canular' coûteux?

25 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 driv...

183: La Norvège : 'un pays de cocagne'

06 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This lesson is inspired by our having heard about Norway in Michael Moore's latest satirical documentary. Now, no country is perfect but Norway certai...

182: Les centres d'appel: 'les ateliers de misère du 21e siècle'?

29 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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...

181: 'Tu' or 'vous'?

21 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

180: 'Tu as l'air stressé aujourd'hui!…'

24 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 vari...

179: "La Loi travail: une réforme controversée"

17 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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...

178: "Mohammed Ali: une personnalité exceptionnelle"

10 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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?"

03 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

176: "Sur le chemin de l'école", un documentaire émouvant

19 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly does the word ‘education’ mean to you ? Sur le chemin de l’école is a provocative and inspiring documentary from Pascal Plisson. I...

175: "Have you heard about these 'superfoods'?"

10 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This Advanced lesson (all in French) arises from a recent documentary relating to so-called 'superfoods'. Do humble foods like broccoli and quinoa des...

174: "C'est un peu trop, là, quand même!"

07 Aug 2015

Contributed by Lukas

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...

173: "Les migrants en Méditerranée, y a-t-il une solution?"

16 Jun 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This Advanced lesson focuses on the plight of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean, from North Africa to the European mainland, often with d...

172: "J'ai vu un excellent film il y a quelques jours"

10 Apr 2015

Contributed by Lukas

"Still Alice", the story of a university professor afflicted with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, won an Oscar for Julianne Moore in the starring rol...

171: "Les attentats terroristes de Paris soulèvent une foule de questions"

11 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

170: "Faire du ski?... Allons-y, en piste!" (part II)

02 Jan 2015

Contributed by Lukas

This second part of our two-part lesson focuses on other skiing activities including 'snowboarding' and, of course, the very important social aspect ...

169: "Faire du ski?... Allons-y, en piste!" (part I)

26 Dec 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 experienc...

168: "Bonjour, pouvons-nous nous installer à une table, s'il vous plaît?"

16 Nov 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 typi...

167: "As-tu suivi les événements récents en Ukraine?"

18 Jul 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 do...

166: "C'est confirmé... t'es atteint d'APC!"

06 Jun 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 talkin...

165: "Hier, j'ai assisté à un concert éblouissant!"

23 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Our lesson this time focuses on a concert Béatrix attended, a classical concert. Bertrand wonders what makes the difference between a concerto on the...

164: "As-tu vu 'Dallas Buyers' Club'?"

14 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

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 ha...

163. "Nelson Mandela: comment se fait-il que l'on parle autant de lui?"

22 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

If ever the term 'great statesman' were relevant, it could surely be attributed to Nelson Mandela. In our conversation this time, Bertrand puts some q...

162: "As-tu entendu parler des ouvriers népalais au Qatar?"

24 Jan 2014

Contributed by Lukas

Our conversation this time focuses on working conditions as Qatar develops its infrastructure for the football World Cup in 2022. The tournament is s...

161: "Are you following the Snowden affair?"

03 Aug 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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...

160: "What do you think of the lottery?"

06 Jul 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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, Lucie...

159: "Are you on Twitter?"

11 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Today, several hundred million people around the world are ‘tweeting’. In this lesson, let’s hear a conversation between Bertrand and Amandine. ...

158: France at war in Mali

05 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

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 milita...

157: "Tell me what's wrong..."

15 Jan 2013

Contributed by Lukas

One of our listeners, a doctor working in a French-speaking community in New York, suggested that we devote a lesson to a dialogue between a doctor an...

156: "Would you please stop texting?!"

28 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

More than a few people seem to suffer from the modern-day 'affliction' of almost constant texting. That's the topic of conversation in this lesson. Al...

155: Mahler... interrupted!

25 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

We've all been there, in an auditorium, a church, a meeting where a phone has gone off. But few interruptions are as dramatic as a recent one in New Y...

154: The presidential elections

22 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Two men are at the forefront of the race to become the next president of the French republic. As is the case with all political battles, things often ...

153: "What are your thoughts on the Facebook flotation?"

13 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook is about to float on the stock market. In the business community, it has been one of the most talked-about events of recent years with its ma...

152: "The situation has changed on the Korean peninsula..."

01 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The situation on the Korean Peninsula changed dramatically in December 2011 with the death of Kim Jong Il. Our conversation in this lesson focuses on ...

151: "What are your thoughts on the monarchy?"

13 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The very existence of the monarchy is something which arouses strong feelings. Some think it is an institution to be cherished, others think it is an ...

150: "Do you know the Château of Versailles?"

06 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Paris boasts some wonderful sites for visitors but, surely, the Château of Versailles is the jewel in its crown. Even for visitors who don't get to s...

149: "Do you have information on the computer classes in town?"

22 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In this era of information technology, we’ll need to know some basic internet-related expressions. Those will be the basis of this Beginner lesson. ...

148: "Is this the end of the 'European Project'?"

20 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Europe is in crisis. The euro, too, is going through a turbulent phase. But are those who are predicting the end of the "European Project" simply bein...

147: Pronunciation: another look at the French alphabet

29 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

This lesson takes another look at the alphabet, and concentrates especially on the distinction between the letters 'E' and 'I', as well as between 'G'...

146: "It's really cold this morning!"

14 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Though the spring is still a long way off, we’ve already had some very cold weather in Europe. In this lesson – lesson 146 – let’s talk about ...

145: "Did you hear about the boys who survived in the Pacific?"

03 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

What an incredibly uplifting story it was to hear about the three boys rescued in the south Pacific. In case you didn’t hear about them, let’s lis...

144: "Do you know that President Sarkozy is on Facebook?"

30 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Since President Obama utilised modern technologies so cleverly en route to the White House, world leaders have come to appreciate the power of social ...

143: "What do you think about the expulsion of the Roma from France?"

21 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 143, we talk about the controversial expulsion of members of the Roma community from France. The tough stance taken by Presiden...

142: "Have you heard about the trapped miners?"

13 Sep 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Our lesson, this time, centres on an event that captured everyone's attention - the situation regarding the trapped miners in Chile. Let's begin with ...

141: "What's happening, then, in Greece?"

09 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The economic situation in Greece has slipped off the front pages of newspapers… for the moment. However, Greece's problems and those of Portugal, Ir...

140: "What do you think of the situation in the Gulf of Mexico?"

19 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The subject of this lesson - lesson 140 - is the oil spill which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. President Obama is adamant that B.P. will resolve the...

139: "Google is one of the great successes of the last ten years... what do you think?"

02 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 139, we are talking about the phenomenon that is Google. But people have mixed feelings about this commercial entity that has b...

138: "I'd like to send money to a friend who lives in Toulouse..."

20 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, our task is to find out how to transfer money to someone elsewhere in France. The Post Office can help us with this task but there are...

137: Back to Europe after 10 years in the U.S.

08 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 137, Paul and Julie are talking about Julie's friend, Anne, who has moved back to Europe having lived for a decade in the U.S. ...

136: "How did it come to happen that Haïti is 'the poorest country in the western hemisphere'?"

05 Feb 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The subject of this lesson, lesson 136, is Haïti. Not, in fact, the dreadful tragedy which befell the country in the form of an earthquake, but the r...

135: "I'm going to be late"

12 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The topic of this short lesson is how to explain that you're running late for an appointment. In our role-play, Mr. Morel is stuck in traffic. He has ...

134: "Have you heard of Valentina Lisitsa?"

04 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The subject of this lesson is a remarkable woman, born in the Ukraine but now a resident of the United States. Some say she has raised the bar of musi...

133: "What are your thoughts on the Polanski affair?"

07 Oct 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 133, we hear a discussion between Sonia and Frédéric about the Polanski affair. His recent arrest in Zurich was an outrage to...

132: "I've picked up a virus!"

24 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In recent weeks, just about every news bulletin has had a mention of swine flu. To pick up some relevant vocabulary, in this lesson, lesson 132, we’...

131: "I went to a great concert last night!"

16 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 131, we’ll discover how to talk about a concert we’ve been to. In this case, it’s a rock concert. Let’s get started wit...

130: "'The King of Pop' has died, aged 50"

26 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

The world of pop music lost one of its most famous exponents in Michael Jackson. His passing was a shock, not least because he was only fifty. In this...

129: "I've never heard such absurdities!"

12 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 129, we hear a role-play between Sandrine and Yann. They are discussing an article by a journalist who has made some rather unf...

128: "I'd like to open a bank account, please..."

30 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

One of our listeners asked that we would do a lesson on opening a bank account. That’s the topic of conversation in this lesson, lesson 128. In fact...

127: "Did you hear about the 'portraits' of Mr Cowen?"

21 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Though this lesson, lesson 127, has an Irish flavour, our dialogue relates to a quirky story which hit the headlines worldwide… at the expense of th...

126: Looking for an apartment...

04 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

One or our listeners asked that we would do a lesson on renting an apartment. It’s an activity which, as one might expect, has its own specific voca...

125: Lance Armstrong: the return!...

20 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

A new sporting chapter has opened for Lance Armstrong, 7-time winner of the Tour de France. This year, after 3 years of retirement, he plans a return ...

124: "Did you hear about Stéphane? He is going to be made redundant..."

16 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

As a consequence of the global financial crisis, unemployment is at the top of the agenda. Being made redundant is one of the themes of this lesson, l...

123: "I'd like to have these trousers cleaned, please..."

01 Feb 2009

Contributed by Lukas

One of our listeners asked that we would do a lesson focusing on a trip to the local dry-cleaner’s. That’s the topic of conversation in this lesso...

122: "Watch out for flying shoes, Mr President!"

28 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 122, we hear a conversation about the unexpected ‘goodbye kiss’ President Bush received in Iraq. The President brushed it o...

121: "Your car is ready to be collected..."

05 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

In our last lesson, we booked our car in to the local garage for a service. This time – in lesson 121 – the car is ready. Let’s hear the convers...

120: "I'd like to book my car in for a service, please..."

21 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

This lesson – lesson 120 – is a short one. We simply want to make an appointment to book our car into the local garage for a service. Let’s hear...

119: "I'd like to have a puncture repaired..."

14 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson, lesson 119, we need to have a specific service carried out, that is, to have a puncture repaired. But the expressions used could just ...

118: "Let's call a taxi!"

16 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

In this lesson - lesson 118 - we’ll deal with a common situation - calling for a taxi - not such an easy task when you can’t see the other person’...

117: The financial crisis: "how did it come to this?"

08 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

La crise financière a dominé la rentrée 2008. Les marchés ont vraiment été chahutés en ce mois de septembre. Certains jours, une psychose de ‘...

116: "Go and tidy your room!"

25 Sep 2008

Contributed by Lukas

One of our listeners, Corrine, asked that we would do a lesson on phrases a mum might need around the home with her children. So, in this lesson, let’...