New podcast launches: One Minute Polish

Omlpolish150Do you have a minute to spare? If so, then you can pick up a new language with our new podcast. Learn Polish in minutes with One Minute Polish. Join teacher Ania as she introduces the basics of Polish in ten weekly lessons of just a couple of minutes. One Minute Polish marks the first in a new series of language podcasts from the Radio Lingua Network and we look forward to producing further One Minute Languages programmes in the near future.

Listen below, download lesson one or subscribe for free in iTunes.

 

Taking about jobs in French: essential vocabulary and phrases

Learning how to talk about jobs in French is a crucial skill that will help you in both personal and professional contexts. Whether you’re discussing your career, asking about someone else’s profession in French, or describing different occupations, having a solid grasp of this vocabulary is essential. 

In this article, we’ll explore common jobs in French, phrases to describe your profession, and how to ask others about their work.

Common jobs in French

Knowing the names of common professions in French will enable you to discuss various occupations. The starting point for describing your job is using the term “Je suis, which means “I am” in French. 

With that in mind, here are some essential job terms to add to your vocabulary:

Pofesseur

  • Je suis professeur. I am a teacher.

Étudiant(e)

  • Je suis étudiant(e). I am a student. 

The term changes depending on gender: étudiant for males and étudiante for females.

Ingénieur

  • Je suis ingénieur. I am an engineer.

Comptable

  • Je suis comptable. I am an accountant.

Avocat

  • Je suis avocat(e). I am a lawyer

The term is avocat for males and avocate for females.

 Plombier

  • Je suis plombier. I am a plumber, male.
  • Je suis plombière. I am a plumber, female.

Alors moi …

This phrase is used to give personal information, often following a question about your profession: Alors moi, je suis professeur. Well, I am a teacher.

Je ne travaille pas

This phrase means I do not work and is used if you are currently unemployed or not working: Je ne travaille pas en ce moment. I am not working at the moment.

Asking about professions in French

To engage in conversations about jobs in French, it’s important to know how to ask about someone else’s profession. Here are key questions:

Quel est ton métier ? 

This is the informal way to ask someone what their job is. 

Quel est votre métier ? 

This is the formal version, used in professional or polite settings.

Qu’est-ce que tu fais dans la vie ? 

This informal question is commonly used to ask about someone’s profession, meaning What do you do for a living?

Qu’est-ce que vous faites dans la vie ? 

The formal version of this question.

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases? In episode 7 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into them and also learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Describing your job in French

When discussing jobs in French, you’ll also need to describe your work environment. You can use Je travaille, which means I work in French and can be used to specify where you work. 

Here are some useful phrases:

Un hôspital

  • Je travaille dans un hôpital. I work in a hospital.

Un magasin

  • Je travaille dans un magasin. I work in a store.

Un restaurant 

  • Je travaille dans un restaurant. I work in a restaurant.

Une usine

  • Je travaille dans une usine. I work in a factory.

Expressing Job Satisfaction in French

When talking about jobs in French, you might want to express your feelings about your work. Here are some phrases to do so:

J’aime mon travail 

Use this phrase to express that you enjoy your work.

Je n’aime pas mon travail 

If you are unhappy with your job, meaning ‘I do not like my job.’

By mastering these key phrases and vocabulary for talking about jobs in French, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss your profession in French. Whether you’re talking about your own career, asking about someone else’s job, or expressing your feelings about your work, these expressions will be invaluable.

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and talking in more detail about likes and dislikes? Then check the episode we prepared to teach you how to say ‘I love’ in French and much more!

Cześć – Hello, and welcome to One Minute Polish!

Cześć. Mam na imię Ania – my name is Ania and welcome to One Minute Polish. In this podcast I’m going to be teaching you język polski, the Polish language. The great thing about this language course is that you’ll be learning all you need to know in 60 seconds! Yes, each one-minute language lesson will equip you with just enough Polish to help you get by in lots of situations either on holiday or on a business trip to Poland.

Our course will be starting very soon. In the meantime, for more information, you can visit our website on www.oneminutelanguages.com. Do widzenia!

Download episode | Subscribe in iTunes | RSS Feed | Bonus Materials

The Power and Potential of Podcasting: Mark interviewed on “ICT in the MFL classroom” podcast

Radio Lingua Director, Mark Pentleton, was interviewed during PodcampUK by Joe Dale for his Integrating ICT into the MFL Classroom podcast. The interview outlined Mark’s background and how he got into podcasting, and gives an insight into the model behind the Radio Lingua Network.

Listen below or download the mp3 file.

Learn more family members and discover how to count from 1 to 10 in French

Learning a new language can be an exciting adventure, and mastering the basics is the first step. In this article and episode, we will continue the theme of family members and learn how to count from 1 to 10 in French. 

Understanding these essentials will help you in everyday conversations and build a strong foundation for further learning. Let’s dive in and explore these key elements of the French language!

Family Members in French

Having family members’ vocabulary in French is crucial for everyday conversations. Whether you are introducing your family or talking about them, these terms will come in handy. 

Let’s check out some of these terms!

La maman 

In French, maman means mom. This affectionate term is commonly used in everyday conversations and reflects warmth and familiarity. For example, you might say:

  • La maman cuisine le dîner. The mom is cooking dinner.

Le papa 

Similarly, le papa means dad. This term encapsulates paternal affection and authority. An example sentence would be:

  • Le papa aide les enfants avec leurs devoirs. The dad is helping the children with their homework.

Les parents 

To collectively address both parents, one would use parents in French. This term encompasses the roles of both the mother and father. For exampleÇ

  • Mes parents sont en vacances. My parents are on vacation.

Numbers 1 to 10 in French

Do you know how to say that in French if you have three children or two siblings? Numbers form the foundation of many aspects of life, from counting your family members to giving your phone number.

Learning how to count from 1 to 10 in French is an essential skill that will aid you in numerous situations. Let’s go through the numbers and their uses in daily conversations.

1 to 10 in French

  • 1 – un
  • 2 – deux
  • 3 – trois
  • 4 – quatre
  • 5 – cinq
  • 6 – six
  • 7 – sept
  • 8 – huit
  • 9 – neuf
  • 10 – dix 

Using family members and numbers from 1 to 10 in French in sentences

Let’s practice using family members and numbers from 1 to 10 in French in sentences:

  • J’ai une sœur et un frère. I have a sister and a brother.
  • J’ai deux filles. I have two daughters.
  • Tu as des enfants ? Do you have children? (informal)
  • Vous avez des enfants ? Do you have children? (formal)
  • Tu as une sœur ? Do you have a sister? (informal)
  • Vous avez une sœur ? Do you have a sister? (formal)

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases? In episode 6 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into them and also learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Asking for and Giving Phone Numbers in French

Now that you are familiar with how to count from 1 to 10 in French, more than talking about the number of family members, you can also give and ask for phone numbers.

Knowing how to ask for and give phone numbers is a practical skill that you’ll likely use often. Here are some essential phrases and examples to help you master this aspect of French communication.

Quel est ton numéro de téléphone ?

This phrase, Quel est ton numéro de téléphone ? is the informal way to ask someone for their phone number. For instance, Quel est ton numéro de téléphone, s’il te plaît ? What is your phone number, please?

Quel est votre numéro de téléphone ?

In formal contexts or when speaking to someone you don’t know well. An example sentence would be, Bonjour, quel est votre numéro de téléphone, s’il vous plaît ? Hello, what is your phone number, please?

Mon numéro de téléphone

To say my phone number, you would use mon numéro de téléphone. For example:

  • Mon numéro de téléphone est zéro, un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf. My phone number is 0123456789. 

In France, phone numbers are 10 digits long and usually when French people spell their numbers, they do to 2 by 2, so the correct way would be:

  • Mon numéro de téléphone est zéro un, vingt-trois, quarante-cinq, soixante-sept, quatre-vingt-neuf. My phone number is 0123456789.

By learning these essential family terms, numbers 1 to 10 in French, and useful phrases for exchanging phone numbers, you’ll be better equipped to engage in everyday conversations. Keep practising, and you’ll soon find yourself more comfortable and confident speaking French. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word brings you one step closer to fluency!

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn how to talk about your job? Then check out the episode we prepared, which will teach you how to say that and much more!

Learn to talk about family members in French: essential phrases and vocabulary

Understanding how to talk about family members in French is a fundamental part of learning the language. Whether you are introducing your family, talking about them, or simply learning new vocabulary, mastering these terms will help you engage in meaningful conversations.

In this article, we’ll explore key phrases and vocabulary related to family in French.

Basic family members in French

Let’s start with the basics. Here are the essential terms for family members in French:

  • la sœur the sister
  • le frère the brother
  • la mère the mother
  • le père the father
  • le mari the husband
  • la femme the wife
  • le fils the son
  • la fille the daughter
  • l’enfant the child
  • les enfants the children

Possessive adjectives in French

Knowing how to use possessive adjectives is crucial when talking about your family in French. These adjectives change depending on the gender and number of the noun they precede.

Mon 

For masculine nouns, use “mon”:

  • mon frère my brother
  • mon père my father
  • mon mari my husband

Ma

For feminine nouns, use “ma”:

  • a msœur my sister
  • ma mère my mother
  • ma femme my wife

Mes

For plural nouns, use “mes”:

  • mes enfants my children
  • mes frères my brothers
  • mes sœurs my sisters

Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases? In episode 5 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into them and also learn other useful phrases. Listen to it now:

Introducing family members in French

When introducing your family members, you can use these phrases to make a good impression:

Voici…

This phrase is used to introduce someone:

  • Voici mon frère. Here is my brother.
  • Voici ma sœur. Here is my sister.

Je te présente…

This informal phrase is used to introduce someone to a friend or peer:

  • Je te présente mon père. I introduce to you my father.
  • Je te présente ma mère. I introduce to you my mother.

Je vous présente…

Use this formal phrase when introducing someone to a group or someone you don’t know well:

  • Je vous présente mon mari. I introduce to you my husband.
  • Je vous présente ma femme. I introduce to you my wife.

Talking about your family members

You can describe your family members using the following phrases:

Il s’appelle…

Use this phrase to say the name of a male family member:

  • Il s’appelle Jean. His name is Jean.

Elle s’appelle…

Use this phrase to say the name of a female family member:

  • Elle s’appelle Marie. Her name is Marie.

Ils s’appellent…

Use this phrase to introduce multiple male or mixed-gender family members:

  • Ils s’appellent Jean et Paul. Their names are Jean and Paul.

Elles s’appellent…

Use this phrase to introduce multiple female family members:

  • Elles s’appellent Marie et Sophie. Their names are Marie and Sophie.

Examples of introducing and describing your family members in French

Putting everything together, here are some examples of how you might talk about your family members in French:

  • Voici ma sœur. Elle s’appelle Sophie. Here is my sister. Her name is Sophie.
  • Je te présente mon frère. Il s’appelle Marc. I introduce to you my brother. His name is Marc.
  • Je vous présente mes enfants. Ils s’appellent Luc et Anne. I introduce to you my children. Their names are Luc and Anne.
  • Ma mère s’appelle Claire et mon père s’appelle Pierre. My mother’s name is Claire and my father’s name is Pierre.

By mastering these essential phrases and vocabulary, you will be able to confidently talk about family members in French. These skills will help you engage in more personal and meaningful conversations.

Keep practising, and you’ll find yourself more comfortable and fluent when discussing your family in French. Remember, language learning is a journey, and every new word brings you one step closer to fluency.

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn more family members and numbers from 1 to 10? Then check the article we prepared to teach you how to say that and much more!