Certificate in Conversational French for Beginners Online Course

Introduction and Pronunciation

In 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.

Conversation Basics

In 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.

Numbers

Today 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!

Airport

Welcome 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.

In 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.

Restaurants

Today 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.

In 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.

Shopping

In 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.

In 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.

Culture

Today 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.

In 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.

Putting It All Together

In 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.