In lesson 05 of One Minute Polish you’ll continue to impress your Polish-speaking friends by learning to say that you’re learning Polish. By the end of this lesson you’ll also be able to say that it’s quite difficult!
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In lesson 03 of One Minute Irish you’ll learn to say that you can speak a little Irish. This in itself will guarantee to impress native Irish speakers!
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We’re just back from Paris where we spent three days filming new episodes of the video extra for Coffee Break French. We’ll be publishing the video extras for lessons 6-9 in the coming weeks, along with the new episodes for lesson 11 onwards. We were also filming for our new French video podcast, Walk, Talk and Learn French. More about Walk, Talk and Learn soon, but in the meantime you may enjoy this video, complete with a seasonal song from Mark and Anna in the Parisian winter sunshine.
Having learned to say that you speak a little Polish in lesson 03, the chances are that Polish speakers will be so delighted to hear you speaking Polish they’ll start talking to you in fast Polish. In lesson 04 of One Minute Polish you’ll be learning the crucial phrase “I don’t understand”.
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The festive season is a time of joy and celebration around the world. In France, holidays are marked with special traditions and greetings. Let’s explore essential vocabulary and phrases for wishing happy holidays in French and sharing in the seasonal cheer.
Read now!
The French culture celebrates several key holidays with unique traditions and greetings. Here are some essential terms to talk about and wish happy holidays in French
In Lorraine, on December 6th, French children eagerly anticipate gifts from Saint Nicholas (Saint-Nicolas), a beloved figure who inspired the creation of Santa Claus (Père Noël). They leave out shoes to be filled with treats and surprises
Noël is one of the most beloved holidays in France, celebrated on December 25th. Families gather to exchange gifts and share festive meals. ‘Joyeux Noël‘ is how one would say ‘merry Christmas’ in French.
It is a very common way of greeting people during this joyful season.
Following Christmas, the French welcome the New Year with parties and fireworks. “Bonne Année” (Happy New Year) is the traditional greeting exchanged to wish prosperity and good fortune for the upcoming year.
For New Year’s and during the month of January, it’s customary to extend “meilleurs voeux” (best wishes) to friends, colleagues, and loved ones. This expression conveys goodwill and hopes for a wonderful year ahead.
Music plays a significant role in French holiday celebrations. Popular songs like “Vive le Vent” (Jingle Bells) and “Au Royaume du bonhomme hiver” evoke the spirit of winter and Christmas joy.
In regions where snowfall is common, the sight of snow (la neige) transforms landscapes into winter wonderlands. Children build un bonhomme de neige (snowman) and engage in des batailles de boules de neige (snowball fights).
During the holiday season, les cadeaux (gifts) are exchanged among family and friends. The tradition of le Réveillon involves a late-night feast on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, often featuring festive dishes and delicacies.
Would you like to learn the pronunciation of these phrases to wish happy holidays in French? In episode 10 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast, you can get more insight into the holiday traditions in France and hear traditional French Christmas songs. Listen to it now:
Understanding these holiday traditions enriches your appreciation of French culture. Whether you’re wishing happy holidays in French to someone “Joyeuses Fêtes !” or learning about local customs, each celebration offers a glimpse into French traditions and values.
The spirit of togetherness and joy (la joie) permeates French holiday gatherings. Whether you’re attending une fête de famille (family gathering) or une soirée entre amis (party with friends), the warmth of shared moments transcends language barriers.
As you continue to learn French, embracing these holiday greetings and customs will deepen your cultural understanding and language skills. Practice these phrases to confidently wish happy holidays in French and spread seasonal cheer wherever you go.
Do you want to keep improving your language skills and learn how to talk about languages in French? Then check the episode we prepared to teach you how to say which languages you speak and much more!
We were delighted to discover today that Coffee Break Spanish was listed in the “Best of 2007 Podcasts” on iTunes US and Canada. Many thanks to all our listeners for your support and ongoing interest in the show.
In lesson 02 of One Minute Irish you’ll be learning some useful words which will come in very handy when you’re trying out your Irish skills with Irish-speaking friends or in Ireland: firstly you’ll learn the natural answer to the phrase Dia Duit. You’ll also learn the words for “please” and “thank you”.
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Many people wonder, ” Is French hard to learn?” due to the language’s pronunciation and different rules. However, with the right approach and consistent practice, learning French can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
In this article, we will review some of the essential vocabulary and phrases we’ve learned so far, demonstrating that you can already maintain a conversation in the language. So, are you ready to understand once and for all if “is French hard to learn” or not?
To answer the question, “Is French hard to learn?” we need to have a look at the things you might already be familiar with if you have been following the Coffee Break French podcasts and blog articles. To do that, let’s start by revising how to greet someone and introduce yourself in French.
These basic phrases are the foundation of everyday conversations!
Have a look at this dialogue and try to figure out what Marie and Paul are saying.
Surely you don’t need it, but if you are still wondering, “Is French hard to learn?” have a look at the translation and see all that you understood.
Being able to say where you live and where you are from in French is another essential part of basic conversation in the language.
After reading this dialogue and determining how much of Marie and Paul’s discussion you can understand, you can start to answer the question, “Is French hard to learn?”.
Take a look at the translation and check that you are correct.
Next, let’s review how to talk about family members in French. Knowing these terms can help you share more about your personal life.
Again, have a look at this dialogue and try to figure out what Marie and Paul are saying.
So, how are you finding it? Is French hard to learn? We are sure you are finding your way so far!
Would you like to hear these phrases pronounced and used in context? For more insights and useful expressions, listen to Eric and Fiona in episode 9 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast.
Being able to talk about your profession in French is another essential skill in any language. Let’s review how to discuss jobs: .
Expressing what you like and don’t like in French is crucial for engaging in conversations about hobbies and interests.
Un petit dernier pour la route. A final one for the road. Have a look at this dialogue and try to figure out what Marie and Paul are saying.
As you can see, using the vocabulary and phrases we’ve learned, engaging in everyday conversations in French becomes manageable and even fun. So, is French hard to learn? With consistent practice and the right resources, the answer is no. French can be straightforward and enjoyable to master.
By revising these key phrases and dialogues, you’ll build a strong foundation and gain confidence in your ability to communicate and you can leave the doubt of “is French hard to learn?” in the past! Keep practising; remember, every step you take brings you closer to fluency.
Do you want to keep improving your skills and learn how to talk about holidays in French? Then check the episode and blog article we prepared to teach you that and much more!
In lesson 03 of One Minute Polish you’ll learn to say that you can speak a little Polish. This in itself will guarantee to impress native Polish speakers!
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In lesson 01 of One Minute Irish you’ll be learning how to say “hello” and “goodbye”, two very important phrases for any conversation!
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We are currently offering massive savings in the Radio Lingua store with 30% off all Season Passes including Coffee Break Spanish units 1-4, Coffee Break French unit 1 and My Daily Phrase Italian. This brings the cost for a single unit (10 lessons including pdf guides, enhanced podcasts and bonus listening material) down from £20.00 to £14.00. Simply use the coupon code holidays when you’re about to checkout. If you’re buying a Season Pass as a gift for someone, you can opt to add a Gift Certificate to your order. See the sample below for more information.
These offers will run until 31 December. Please note, however, that no Gift Certificates can be delivered after 22 December.
Following the success of our recently-launched One Minute Polish, we’ve added a second language to the series, this time Irish, or Gaeilge as it’s known in Ireland. Join teacher Eoin as he introduces the basics of Irish in ten weekly lessons of just a couple of minutes. Further languages will be made available after the holidays. Find out more at the One Minute Irish website.
Listen below, download lesson one or subscribe for free in iTunes.
Dia duit! Is mise Eoin – my name is Eoin and welcome to One Minute Irish. In this podcast I’m going to be teaching you Gaeilge, the Irish 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 Irish to help you get by in lots of situations either on holiday or on a business trip to Ireland, or just to impress your Irish-speaking friends and colleagues.
Our course will be starting very soon. In the meantime, for more information, you can visit our website on www.oneminutelanguages.com. Slán go fóill!
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In lesson 02 of One Minute Polish you’ll be learning four useful words which will come in very handy when you’re trying out your Polish skills with Polish-speaking friends or in Poland: “yes”, “no”, “please” and “thank you”.
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Learning how to express your likes and dislikes is essential to communicating in any language. The phrase j’aime in French is used to express what you love or like.
In this article, we’ll explore how to use j’aime and other related expressions to talk about your preferences in various aspects of life. Check it out!
Let’s start with the basics of expressing your likes in French:
These phrases are crucial for expressing your opinions and preferences. Here are some examples:
If you want to give more details and be more specific when using j’aime in French have a look at these following sentences. Let’s explore more specific likes using j’aime:
Mastering the use of j’aime in French and its variations allows you to express yourself fluently in the language. Whether you’re discussing your favourite activities, foods, or hobbies, these expressions will help you engage in meaningful conversations. Keep practising, and you’ll soon feel more confident and comfortable expressing your preferences in French.
Would you like to hear these phrases pronounced? Listen to episode 8 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast for more insights and useful phrases.
To inquire about someone else’s preferences, use the following questions:
These questions help initiate conversations and learn more about someone’s interests and hobbies.
Here are some examples of how you can use j’aime in French in conversations:
Conversation 1:
Conversation 2:
Keep practising, and you’ll find yourself more comfortable and fluent when discussing your opinions 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? Then check out the article we prepared to help you revise what you’ve learned so far and understand, once and for all, that French is not hard to learn!
In lesson 01 of One Minute Polish you’ll be learning how to say “hello” and “goodbye”, two very important phrases for any conversation!
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Do 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.
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.
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:
The term changes depending on gender: étudiant for males and étudiante for females.
The term is avocat for males and avocate for females.
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.
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.
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:
This is the informal way to ask someone what their job is.
This is the formal version, used in professional or polite settings.
This informal question is commonly used to ask about someone’s profession, meaning What do you do for a living?
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:
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:
When talking about jobs in French, you might want to express your feelings about your work. Here are some phrases to do so:
Use this phrase to express that you enjoy your work.
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. 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!
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Mark and Kara from Coffee Break Spanish were down in Cardiff yesterday to pick up a coveted European Award for Languages, presented by Isabella Moore, CEO of CILT, the National Centre of Languages on behalf of the European Commission. Watch the video of the proceedings below.
Coffee Break Languages is a product of Radio Lingua Ltd.
