FLI-LNG8110 - Beginning Conversational French

Course Description

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!

Course Outline

1. Lesson 01 - 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.
2. Lesson 02 - 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.
3. Lesson 03 - 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!
4. Lesson 04 - 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!
5. Lesson 05 - 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.
6. Lesson 06 - 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.
7. Lesson 07 - 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.
8. Lesson 08 - 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.
9. Lesson 09 - 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.
10. Lesson 10 - 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.
11. Lesson 11 - 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!
12. Lesson 12 - 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.

Notes