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 the harsh communist regime of North Korea, long dominated by the 'personality cult' of its 'Dear Leader'.
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 151
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 absurdity. Arnaud, sees it from two points of view. Against the backdrop of the recent marriage of...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 150
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 see inside the castle, the majestic gardens won't disappoint. Let's hear a conversation - quite a...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 149
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. Let’s first listen to a short role-play between Jeanne and Gerard. Jeanne is looking for some...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 148
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 being pessimistic? Let's analyse a discussion on the matter. C'est parti!
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 147
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' and 'J'. There's a particular focus, too, on the 'u' sound in French which often poses problems for...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 146
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 cold weather, icy roads … and a way of guarding against a fall on...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 145
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 listen to Gabriel and Énora discussing them. We'll make use of a range of powerful...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 144
Since President Obama utilised modern technologies so cleverly en route to the White House, world leaders have come to appreciate the power of social networking sites and services. French President Nicolas Sarkozy is acutely aware of the advantages...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 143
In this lesson, lesson 143, we talk about the controversial expulsion of members of the Roma community from France. The tough stance taken by President Sarkozy's government on the matter has been sharply criticised in certain quarters. Let's begin with a...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 142
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 a converstation between Olivier and Beatrix. We'll meet the expressions 'tenir le coup', 'mettre tout en...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 141
The economic situation in Greece has slipped off the front pages of newspapers… for the moment. However, Greece's problems and those of Portugal, Ireland, Italy and Spain are largely responsible for recent instability in the Euro zone. In this...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 140
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 problem and pick up the bill. Nonetheless, it represents another environmental disaster. Let’s...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 139
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 become synonymous with searching for information on the Internet. Is it a monopolistic monster we should...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 138
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 different options available. Let’s study some of the key vocabulary. Let’s begin with a...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 137
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. We examine the verb "vivre" again and we practise using the expressions "s'adapter bien à",...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 136
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 reasons why Haïti continues to be such an impoverished country. The dialogue is a rather long...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 135
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 to pull over and make a quick call to say that he'll be a little late. Let's listen. We'll work with...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 134
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 musical performance higher than anyone so far. Whether that is indeed true or not, let's hear a role-play...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 133
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 some and long overdue to others. Discover useful words and expressions, including "clore", "extrader",...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 132
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?ll hear a role-play where Céline tells us how she picked up a virus. We'll discover some useful...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 131
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 with a role-play between Lucie and Étienne. We'll practice using a range of expressions: 'mettre des boules Quiès',...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 130
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 lesson, let?s talk about some of the things that made Jackson a larger-than-life figure... We?ll start...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 129
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 unflattering comments about the French on an English website. Though the comments may have been...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 128
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, opening an account is not so straightforward and sometimes even necessitates an appointment. In any...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 127
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 the Irish Prime Minister. Let?s listen to a role-play between Xavier and Amélie. We'll discover some very...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 126
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 vocabulary. In this lesson, lesson 126, let?s see if we can shed some light. We?ll hear a role-play between...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 125
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 to the world?s greatest cycling race. Surely it is a chapter which can only result in frustration for...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 124
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, lesson 124. We'll make use of the verbs 'licencier' and 'délocaliser', we'll examine the expressions...
Learn French by Podcast, Lesson 123
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 lesson, lesson 123. We'll discover lots of useful expressions and several versatile verbs, including 'détacher',...
