This course will teach you the proper pronunciation of French words that you can use in your travels and cultural tips about France and other French-speaking countries.
Think you need multiple classes to understand beginner French? Discover how easy learning simple words and phrases for leisure and business can be. The Beginning Conversational French course makes pronunciation simple, with phonetic spellings for every word and phrase you need to learn French. This online course even includes audio so that you can hear and practice the language with little more than a click of your mouse! You will also learn cultural tips in each lesson that will make you more comfortable in a foreign setting. The skills you obtain will not only allow you to carry on a French conversation with ease but become prepared to speak French in a wide variety of settings and situations.
Upon successful course completion, you will know useful basic French that you can confidently use when traveling. You will also understand important tips to help you blend in with and relate to foreign cultures. You will be amazed at how easy it is to speak a new language!
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
- You must have working speakers or headphones.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Proper pronunciation is essential for excellent communication. So, whether you intend to travel abroad or simply want to learn a fun new skill, the Beginning Conversational French course will help you master the basics of French pronunciation.
The first lesson introduces the basics needed for conversations and pronunciation. You will then learn conversation lessons to navigate transportation and talk to hotel and restaurant staff. From numbers to currency and communication and more, upon course completion, you will be ready to apply your new skills in the real world.
The entire course includes cultural tips for traveling in France and introduces unique aspects of other French-speaking countries. The lessons also provide audio examples of pronunciation and vocabulary words that are written out phonetically.
French Pronunciation
In this first lesson, you will learn the basics of pronunciation. Good pronunciation will help you communicate with native speakers. First, you will learn how to pronounce vowels. French uses the same alphabet as English, and the vowels are the same. Then we will move on to the consonants. After that, you will 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 will start with some basic information and a few rules. Then we will move quickly to frequently used words and some easy sentences. Finally, we will talk about essential phrases, and we will introduce numbers.
Culture, Conversation and Conjugation
The third lesson explores French culture from museums to cathedrals while helping you build your sentence structure skills. The lesson provides the foundation for your conjugation knowledge combined with sightseeing highlights!
Numbers
In the fourth lesson, you will learn numbers. We will start off by reviewing what you have already learned. Then we will move on to the teens and twenties. We will keep going all the way to a billion! You will also learn the days and months. Calendars are a little different in France, and you will learn how to read them. You will learn words for today and tomorrow. Next, you will learn how to tell the time in French. Time is important to travelers. You do not want to be late for the opera!
Travel Welcome to France!
We are finally getting to the exciting part! In this lesson, you will learn all about transportation. We will start out at the airport. Then you will learn words about taxis, buses, trains, and the subway. Knowing the weather is essential to travel, lesson 5 provides weather-related vocabulary and useful phrases, and a review of the metric system.
Accommodations
In this lesson, we are going to talk about lodging. You will learn vocabulary and dialogues for all sorts of lodging options, including hotels, youth hostels and even castles! You will also learn about requesting special items and information.
Bon Appetit
We are going to talk about food. First, you will learn about several types of French restaurants. Then you will learn general vocabulary about food and eating out. You will also learn words for various beverages and how to discuss dietary preferences.
Currency and Communication
In the eighth lesson, you will learn about currency and several types of communication. First, you will learn about money in France. Then we will move on to telephones, the mail, and technology.
Shopping
In this lesson, you are going to learn how to talk about shopping in French. First, you will learn words that are used in all stores. Then we will talk about souvenirs. You cannot go on a trip without buying souvenirs! Next, you will learn words for clothes and sizes. You will also learn names for colors and lots of various kinds of stores.
Entertainment
In Lesson 10, you are going to learn French for lots of different forms of entertainment. We will start with the movies and theatre. Then we will move on to music and sports. Then we will talk about sports from football to horseback riding. Finally, you will learn about beaches, gardens, and parks.
In Case of Emergency
In this lesson, you are going to learn about emergencies. Hopefully, you will never need to use this lesson. Life is unpredictable, though. It is helpful to familiarize yourself with these words. Lastly, you will learn exclamations!
Putting It All Together
In your final lesson, we will start our review. We will go over a few key points, such as pronunciation and linking words. You will even get a little more practice on those cumbersome nasal vowels. Then, you will learn how to make your own sentences. Next, you will learn how to ask questions, and we will cover a little sentence structure. Finally, you will learn some useful expressions.
What you will learn
- Learn common phrases that will make your trips to the many French-speaking regions of the world more pleasant
- Learn dialogue specific to various settings and situations
- Practice the best pronunciations of French words and phrases
- Pronunciation of French words and phrases
- Proper conjugation of French verbs
- Proper use of grammar and punctuation
- Learn how to write the date and time in French
- Learn how to discuss travel, transportation, and accommodations in French
- Learn how to discuss the weather and seasons in French
How you will benefit
- Travel with confidence as you learn how to effectively speak and comprehend French.
- Learn how to communicate easily with those who speak French
- Practice French pronunciation
Sara Hardin
Sara Hardin is an educator with a focus on special education and language studies. She has taught special education at the elementary level for over a decade. Sara holds a BA in French, and lived in France to study at the university level. In 2000, she earned her master's degree in special education.
