Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott

If you’ve ever wondered why Québec French sounds so different, or if someone’s ever told you it’s not “real” French, this episode is for you. To celebrate la Saint-Jean-Baptiste , Québec’s national holiday, we’re diving into: 2 grammar tips for Québec French What’s up with “Moving Day” in Québec on July 1st 8 phrases you'll use everyday that are specific to Québec. Whether you're planning...

You already know reflexive verbs like se lever , se laver , and se réveiller , but did you know there’s a whole world of reflexive verbs that have nothing to do with routine? In this episode, we go beyond brushing your teeth and dive into reflexive verbs you’ve probably seen before… but didn’t realize were reflexive — like se douter de, s’en vouloir, and se débrouiller. You’ll learn: The four cate...

How can you learn all the little phrases that don't translate exactly to English? And should you even be using these phrases? In this episode, you'll learn: 5 idioms that don't translate literally into English 6 idioms that are surprisingly similar to English Why storytelling and visualization help expressions stick Tes prochaines étapes (Your next steps) : 1️⃣ Review the idioms with t...

How long will it take to reach your goal in French? How long before you can do your daily life without too many hesitations in French? In today's conversation with Alice Crafford, you'll learn: The important distinction between fluency and proficiency About Alice's Fullbright studies in France How to better leverage Duolingo to learn more French How to overcome the intermediate plateau Tes prochai...

Should you pronounce the S in "PLUS" in French, or not? In this episode, we break down the four cases where you need to pronounce the S in PLUS and the 3 cases where the final S is silent in PLUS. You'll also learn what the meaning differences are! Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your intermediate French, you'll learn something new from this episode! Tes prochaines étapes: 1️⃣ View...

You'll use this verb in every day French conversation. We're breaking down 15 ways to use the verb TENIR to improve your intermediate French, including to talk about what you need and want and to check in on friends. Your action steps: 1️⃣ Take the TENIR verb quiz . 2️⃣ Tap "Subscribe" to make sure you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French! Looking for more daily French lessons? Follow Dr. N...

Can AI tools like ChatGPT actually help you speak better French, or will they just make you sound like a robot? In this episode, I’m diving into the research to uncover when AI tools do help with pronunciation, confidence, and grammar… and when they totally miss the mark. You’ll learn: 3 ways AI can support your French learning 3 times you should not rely on it Why you still need real human intera...

Intermediate French learner? Chances are you've heard of the subjunctive. And chances are you're avoiding it. In today's lesson, we break down: 3 reasons why you're avoiding the subjunctive (consciously or subconsciously) What the subjunctive is & why you need to use it How to start using it Your action steps: 1️⃣ Join the Subjunctive Workshop! Choose your date: May 12 or May 1...

Eva Wilson shares her journey from classroom French to real-life fluency as a TAPIF (Teaching Assistant Program in France) participant. Whether you're dreaming of living in France, curious about the TAPIF program, or just trying to get over your fear of speaking up in French, Eva's story is the perfect mix of relatable, inspiring, and practical. 🎧 In This Episode, You'll Hear: Why “go...

Communicate more naturally in French work and travel contexts with these 11 phrases. In this episode, you'll learn what phrases to expect in French work settings, as well as common phrases you'll hear at the hotel. Learn the phrases from this episode with the transcript here . Your next step: ✅ Get on the waitlist for the May 2025 workshop: Mastering the Subjunctive in Everyday French! Yo...

Real-life travel mishaps — flat tires, hotel mix-ups, and restaurant snaufs — and the exact French you’ll want in those moments. No fluff, just useful phrases and tips to help you stay calm and communicate clearly en français when things don’t go as planned. Whether you're heading to Paris, Québec, or anywhere in between, you’ll feel more prepared (and way less panicked) after this one. 🎁 Ready t...

Need to send emails in French for professional or personal life, but unsure how to sound polite, natural, and not too formal?  In this episode, you’ll learn the structure of a typical French email for France and for Québec, must-know phrases to start and end your message, and how to avoid common mistakes.  Whether you're writing to a coworker, Airbnb host, or someone you just met, you'll walk away...

What if the key to speaking French with confidence was… caring less? Follow along here with the French transcript for today’s episode.  I’m sitting down with French teacher and entrepreneur Jennie , who shares her top mindset shifts for learning French without stress or perfectionism getting in the way . 🔥 Why overthinking is the #1 thing slowing you down (and how to stop) 🔥 The surprising power...

Is a French word really feminine if it ends in -E? In this episode, we’re busting that myth and breaking down 11 essential rules to help you confidently determine if a French word is masculine or feminine (without just guessing!). 🔹 Learn the most common endings for masculine vs. feminine words 🔹 Discover key exceptions you need to know 🔹 Get a step-by-step strategy to memorize these rules easi...

Want to sound more like a local? French is full of filler words like tsé, genre, quoi, and du coup—small words that don’t change the meaning of a sentence but make your speech flow naturally.  In this episode, we’ll break down key filler words used in France and Québec so you can sound more fluid and confident when speaking French! 📩 Grab Your French Filler Word Guide - A handy PDF with all the w...

French lucky phrases and words of encouragement. From “bonne chance” to “merde” and “je touche du bois,” you’ll learn when and how to use these expressions like a native. Action Steps: ✅ Follow along with the transcript to reinforce what you learn. ✅ Add these expressions to your French Fluency Roadmap so you can start using them naturally. ✅ Try using at least one of these phrases in a convers...

A chat with Charlie Whitesides from Street French, who learned French from scratch and speaks with an unmistakable Parisian accent. We tackle: Are immersion experiences worth it? What should you do when you get stuck? What should you focus on to make real progress with your French, starting today? 

Are you really asking if that jam has preservatives, or did you just say something super embarrassing? Welcome to the word of les faux amis or false friends! In this episode of Let's Speak French!, we break down 21 words that sounds like an English counterpart but meaning something totally different, including le conservateur vs le préservatif and les stores vs les magasins. Here are your acti...

When should you use ne plus, ne jamais, ne guère, ne rien, personne ne vs. ne personne? We're breaking down 10 negation structures that go beyond ne...pas and will help you to communicate with more fluency at the B1 and B2 Intermediate levels. Your action steps: 1️⃣ Take the Negation Quiz 2️⃣ Check out the French transcript for this episode 3️⃣ Tap the "Follow" button where you'r...

Breaking down the hardest words to pronounce for intermediate learners, including the U vs. OU, U vs EU, and UI sounds. Your action steps: 1️⃣ Grab the 10 Intermediate Tongue Twisters to Improve Your Pronunciation 2️⃣ Tap the "Follow" button where you're listening to be in the loop for your weekly Let's Speak French! lesson. 3️⃣ Follow Dr. Natalie for more French lessons @elevate...

Boost your intermediate French by reading novels in French. In this episode, I chat with Frédéric Patenaude, founder of French with Frédéric and the podcast Learn Quebec French . We break down the best reading habits and strategies to learn more French. Follow along with the ⁠ transcript of our French conversation and the vocabulary lesson here⁠ . We break down: What book should you read in French...

Explore La Chandeleur , the delightful French holiday celebrated on February 2nd. Discover the history behind this tradition, why crêpes are the star of the day, and learn how to bring a little French culture into your kitchen. What You’ll Learn: The origins of La Chandeleur and its connection to light and prosperity. The difference between sweet crêpes and savory galettes. Essential French vocabu...

How to conjugate the most common irregular verbs in the present, passé composé, imparfait, futur, conditionnel, and subjonctif. Your action steps: 1. Choose your level 2. Sign up for Beginner French Foundations Reboot or Intermediate French Classes start soon and only open for enrollment twice per year!

Your action items to start thinking in French: 1️⃣ Enroll in the Intermediate French Class with Elevate French January-April 2025 cohort for the support and momentum you need with your French. 2️⃣ Let me know on Instagram which technique you're going to try out this week to think in French! I'm just @elevatefrench on Instagram and I can't wait to hear from you Bonne continuation, mon ami.e!

Today we're diving into everyday expressions that you won't typically find in a textbook or language learning app. The most common French slang expressions you'll hear everyday in France and Québec. Your action step: 1️⃣ Join the free masterclass - French Slang Made Simple: Speak French Like a Local . 2️⃣ Share the registration link with a friend so that you can learn to speak French more naturall...