FrenchPod101.com Blog

Today, classrooms are no longer the only or even best place to learn a new language like French. More and more people are finding that they can easily learn a language just about anywhere they have a few minutes of spare time, including their daily commute to work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends over 50 minutes a day commuting to and from work, or over 300 hours a year. Rethinking Your Daily Commute to Work But rather than simply sitting in traffic and wasting the time, you can instead use your daily commute to literally learn French in just a few short months! FrenchPod101 has developed specialized learning tools that you can use on your commute to work (and home again) to master the language in... Show more

We all know the importance of first impressions, but do you know how long it really takes for a person to make a judgement and put you in a mental box from which you might never get out? According to psychologists and communication experts, it's around five seconds, just enough time to walk down the hall and say “Hello” or “Good morning.” Hence, choosing the proper greeting is the best way to make you sound fun and engaging to your friends, or professional and trustworthy to your business partners. It’s even more important with French, as we can be pretty intense about manners and social "etiquette.” No wonder, we even invented the word. So, if you want to learn how to say hello in French as naturally as native speakers would and learn... Show more

Table of Contents Definition of the verb 'Monter' Which auxiliary verb to use with the verb 'Monter'? ÊTRE and AVOIR Conjugation in Indicative When it has a Direct Object Complement (DOC), the verb Monter necessarily conjugates with the auxiliary AVOIR. When the subject is a person To talk about a level or a price The verb 'Monter' conjugated 10 French expressions with 'Monter' When 'Monter' is a noun Hi everyone, in this article I share with you How to use the verb Monter. 1. Definition of the Verb Monter 1- Move up Example : Nous montons au sommet de la montagne. ? We climb to the top of the mountain. 2- Increase, grow Example : Le niveau du fleuve a monté. ? The level of the river has... Show more

There’s something so delightfully romantic about France—or at least the idea we have of it. Golden fields, beautiful Riviera, foods that enlighten the mind, wines of endless variety, farniente… But summer and August—in terms of France holidays, especially—make for a very different vibe in many aspects of life, and it’s important for people planning to visit France in August to know what the place is really like. In this article we’ll explain how Paris becomes a ghost town, see what types of weather you can expect in different parts of the country, and help you find the best destination according to what you like to do. In other terms, we’ll answer the question, of what France in August is really like. 1. The French During... Show more

Learning a new language can be increasingly challenging—especially if you’re learning a language that dates all the way back to the Roman Empire and has multiple variations all over the world. According to About-France.com, French is an official or second language in 55 countries worldwide and almost 300 million people speak French as their native or second language. My childhood friend’s grandfather was the French teacher at my high school, so instead of taking Spanish—which would have been a tad more useful in the United States—I chose French. (Not to mention my birthday is also Bastille Day, some would call it a sign.) I started taking French when I was 14 years old. From there, I took French 1, French 2 and Honors French 3... Show more

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day... Show more

So, you’ve been studying French for a year or two. You feel like you have a pretty good handle on the most romantic of the Romantic languages. So you buy a ticket to a French speaking country. You’re confident about your skills and expect to woo the natives with everything you’ve learned. Then you step off your flight and suddenly reality hits you right between the eyes… You’ve studied French but you can barely understand native speakers. If they were to write down what they said or simply said it slower you’d probably be fine. You know the vocabulary and grammar they’re using. For some reason when they speak at a faster speed you can’t keep track of what’s going on. You pick out the first word, a few in the middle, and a phrase at the... Show more

Learn all the French New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join FrenchPod101 for a special French New Year celebration! Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March - December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated. So, how do you say Happy New Year in... Show more

Christmas in France, known as Noël, is a festive season filled with lights, food traditions, music, and centuries-old customs. From the famous Strasbourg Christmas Market to elegant holiday streets in Paris, France offers visitors a warm and memorable December experience. This article introduces key traditions, foods, markets, language tips (such as how to say Merry Christmas in French), and useful insights for travelers. Table of Contents The Christmas Season in France Père Noël and Other Gift-Bringers Decorations and Holiday Atmosphere Christmas Markets in France French Christmas Music Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season Conclusion 1. The Christmas Season in France Christmas celebrations in France span several... Show more

In most cultures, it is custom to express gratitude in some way or another. The dictionary defines gratitude as follows: it is “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Giving a sincere, thankful response to someone’s actions or words is often the ‘glue’ that keeps relationships together. This is true in most societies! Doing so in a foreign country also shows your respect and appreciation for the culture. Words have great power - use these ones sincerely and often! Table of Contents 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in French Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes Infographic & Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases - Thank You Video Lesson: ‘Thank You’ in 31... Show more