Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott

#86: One Verb, Five Meanings - How to Use Plutôt to Sound Conversational 30.06.2026 15min

Did you learn that "plutôt" means "rather?" OUI et NON. Plutôt is one French verb that gets used all the time in conversation, but it doesn't only mean "rather." In today's lesson, you'll learn the five conversational contexts where you'd want to use plutôt, including how to use it as a strategy to elegantly correct yourself when you make a mistake speaking French. To get the most out of this lesson: 1. Write one sentence for each of the five uses of plutôt. Check out the uses and English translations to get you started.2. Track your intermediate French with a customized playlist and tracker with the complementary Intermediate French Kit.If you learned something new today, please leave a review or share with a friend! It helps this podcast to reach more intermediate French adult learners like you.

#85: Meet Chiac -- One of Canada's Most Fascinating French Varieties 23.06.2026 35min

Did you know French in Canada extends beyond Québec? And that each variety brings a different history and different linguistic structures to the table?Today, you'll learn all about Chiac and Acadian French from Janelle Poirier! To get the most out of this episode, listen once through and slow down the speed on your podcast player if needed. Then, follow these steps:1. Check out the transcript to listen again and pick up any vocabulary you may have missed the first time.2. Check out Janelle's social accounts on Instagram and TikTok.3. Explore Acadian French and Chiac through Janelle's recommendations:Literature: Antonine Maillet & France DaigleMusic: 1755 & Hay Babies4. Share this episode with your friends learning French so that they learn more about the understudied Acadian French and Chiac!As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

#84: 5 French Words You're Probably Overusing 15.06.2026 14min

Do you just repeat the same words in every French conversation? Although common words like "bon" and "très" get used all the time in French, it's helpful to know alternative so that you sound more like yourself and can express your personality in French!Today, you'll learn alternatives to five overly used words by French learners: bon, très, chose, avoir, and dire. To get the most out of today's lesson: 1. Listen once through to the lesson. 2. Check your understanding and the English translations in the transcript. 3. Download your Filler Word Guide to help you sound more natural in your next French conversations.Merci d'être là, mon ami.e! To make sure you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French!, tap the "Follow" or "Subscribe" button wherever you're listening.

#83: Random Free Things You Can Do to Learn French That Actually Work 09.06.2026 12min

When you're short on time, how can you get the most bang for your buck with your French? In this episode, you'll learn 6 unusual but easy ways to improve your French that don't involve another workbook, class, or grammar lesson. Your goal? Listen through and pick one or two of these new habits to add to your routine.To get the most out of this episode, listen through the French lesson once en français. Then, check the transcript here to decide which one or two of the skills you're going to incorporate into your daily routine. Useful resources: Line A Day JournalAtomic Habits by James ClearThe transcription of this episodeEmail me to let me know how your new habit is going! You can reach me at natalie@elevatefrench.comAs an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#82: Are You Overusing POUR in French? 26.05.2026 13min

As English speakers, we use the word "FOR" all the time. But that doesn't always translate to "POUR" en français. It often translates to a different preposition or nothing at all. In today's lesson, you'll learn cases where we do need to use POUR in French to talk about duration, gift giving, and purpose.Then you'll learn several cases where we can't use POUR in French, and what to say instead when you're talking about looking for something, waiting for someone, or asking for something. Voici tes prochaines étapes: 1️⃣ Practice writing one phrase for each of the phrases that do require pour and for those that do not require pour. Check out the transcript for inspiration and some English translations.2️⃣ Send me your sentences for feedback! I'll give feedback to the first 20 folks I hear from. You can send them to natalie@elevatefrench.com3️⃣ Learn something new today? Could you tap the "subscribe" button so that you never miss an episode or leave a rating and review? Merci d'être là, mon ami.e!

#81: French Words That Sound Feminine… But Are Actually Masculine 19.05.2026 15min

Why is it LE problème and LE pique-nique? Today you'll learn words that sound feminine in French, but are actually masculine. Plus, you'll learn about the "baguette trick" (and how to avoid it). Finally, I share my gift to you - the 11 Rules to Determine if French Words are Masculine or Feminine.Tes prochaines étapes (Your next steps)1️⃣ Check the English definitions of the words and make sure you know which ones are masculine by reviewing the transcript as you listen.2️⃣ Learn the 11 Rules to Determine if French Words are Masculine or Feminine. Add your exceptions to the guide as you go.3️⃣ Tap the "share" button to share this with a friend learning French so that they never have to wonder whether these everyday words are masculine or feminine.Bonne continuation et à la prochaine!

#80: 9 Hardest Words to Pronounce (That You’ll Actually Use in French Conversation) 12.05.2026 18min

You're spending too much time on the wrong words (l'écureuil). Today we break down the 9 words that are the hardest for my intermediate learners over the last decade of teaching. You'll walk away being able to use these 9 USEFUL words in everyday conversation, and will no longer avoid words just because the pronunciation is tricky.Here are your next steps to make it stick!1️⃣ Check the pronunciation breakdown and English definitions of each of the 9 words here.2️⃣ Download your 10 Intermediate Tongue Twisters to improve your pronunciation of vowels like U and OU.3️⃣ Next on your playlist: 4 Sounds to Improve your Intermediate FrenchLearn something new today? Rate and review the podcast to let me know. It's one of the most helpful things you can do to help podcast creators and to help me with my goal of reaching as many French learners as possible!

#79: Where Do Adverbs Go in French? 05.05.2026 9min

In this episode, you’ll learn a simple system to finally understand where adverbs go in French. You'll learn what to do with short (bien, mal, trop) vs long (lentement, facilement) adverbs, what happens in the passé composé, and why words like probablement don’t follow the “normal” rules.If you’ve ever second-guessed where to put bien, souvent, or probablement… this one’s for you.Tes prochaines étapes:1️⃣ Listen once. Then listen again while checking the English translations and the adverb rules with the lesson transcript.2️⃣ Start actively observing where adverbs go while you listen and read. 3️⃣ Tap "subscribe" so that you never miss a lesson!

#78: How to Use Reflexive Verbs in the Past in French (Passé Composé) 21.04.2026 16min

You know reflexive verbs like se lever, se réveiller, se laver, se coucher, but using them in the past tense can feel like a different story entirely.How do we say "I woke up"? Where does pas go in the negative? And why do so many learners freeze when they try to say these phrases out loud?In this episode, you’ll learn a simple framework for using everyday reflexive verbs naturally in the passé composé, so you can talk about your morning routine, last night, or what happened today with more confidence. We’ll cover affirmative and negative sentences, common speaking mistakes, and natural spoken French.How to build reflexive verbs in the passé composé with la formule magiqueHow to say phrases like I woke up, I got dressed, I went to bedHow negation works in spoken French The easiest way to make these structures automatic1️⃣ Review reflexive verbs with the transcript and download your free French Past Tense Cheat Sheet.2️⃣ Practice 3 phrases from today out loud until they feel automatic.3️⃣ Want more reflexive verbs beyond daily routine? Go back and listen to Episode #36: Douter ou Se Douter? The Reflexive Verbs Most Learners Skip.

#77: Stop Saying "Drôle" - Say "Fun" & "Funny" More Naturally 14.04.2026 11min

Does "drôle" actually mean funny? And what's the difference between "drôle," "rigolo," "marrant," and "amusant"?In this French lesson, you'll learn 7 ways to talk about "fun" and "funny" things in French, using the appropriate words for France or Québec. You'll learn exactly which expression to use when a person is being weird versus being funny. Tes prochaines étapes: 1️⃣ Check your understanding by reviewing the transcript for this episode.2️⃣ Join the weekly French lessons to get free French resources to your inbox every week.3️⃣ Learn something new? Share this episode with a friend learning French so that they never mix up "drôle" and "amusant" again!

#76: Should You Take the DELF? How to Pass B1 / B2 07.04.2026 31min

If you’ve ever thought about taking the DELF, you’ve probably wondered: Should I take it? What is it actually like? How do I prepare for B1 or B2?In this episode, I’m joined by one of my extraordinary students, Pami Banerjee, who recently passed the DELF B2. She shares her experience preparing for the exam, what surprised her on test day, and the strategies that helped her succeed.We also break down what examiners are really looking for at the B2 level, from using more varied grammar structures to sounding more natural and confident in your speaking.If the DELF is on your radar, this episode will give you a clear idea of what to expect and how to prepare effectively.Action steps:Check the transcript: Review the full transcript to reinforce your comprehension and notice useful vocabulary and structures for the B2 level.Learn to sound more natural with the French Filler Word Guide.

#75: The Simple System That Will Actually Improve Your French 31.03.2026 20min

Do you ever feel like you’re doing a lot in French… but not actually making progress?In this episode, I’m sharing the simple system I wish I had when I was learning French, and the exact one I’m using now to learn Italian faster and more effectively. If your French feels a little scattered, frustrating, or stuck, this will help you bring structure to what you’re already doing (without adding more to your plate).We’ll walk through 6 practical rules to help you focus on communication, retain more vocabulary, and stop second-guessing every step.Tes prochaines étapes:→ Listen to this episode twice: first for the gist, then again for deeper understanding→ Check the transcript to review new vocabulary (and apply rule #2 😉)→ Ready to put this system into practice? Grab your Intermediate French Kit.→ If this episode helped you, tap “follow” so you don’t miss next week’s Let's Speak French! lesson.

#74: Want to Sound Better in French This Week? Start Here 24.03.2026 16min

Want to sound better in French this week, without studying for hours?In this episode, I’m sharing 9 of the most common mistakes I hear from intermediate (and even advanced) French learners, and how to fix them quickly so that you sound more natural and confident in French.These aren’t big grammar lessons or complicated rules. They’re small, high-impact tweaks that you can notice, practice, and improve almost immediately.We’re talking:pronunciation mistakes that can completely change your meaningcommon verb errorsfaux amis that trip up even strong learnersand simple article mistakes that make your French sound offThink of this episode like a checklist. Spot your mistakes, practice them for a few minutes this week, and you’ll feel the difference within a week.Tes prochaines étapes:1️⃣ Read the transcript to check off which of the 9 most common errors you're making, and how to fix them.2️⃣ Stay in the loop for weekly French lessons: Join the newsletter.3️⃣ Tap “Follow” / “Subscribe” so you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French!

#73: Ça va-tu? - 10 Québec Expressions You Didn’t Learn in School 17.03.2026 16min

If you’ve ever arrived in Québec feeling confident in your French… and then heard people speaking and thought “Attends… c’est du français ça?” — this episode is for you.In this episode, you’ll learn 10 of the most common Québec French expressions you’ll actually hear in everyday life — whether you’re traveling, working, or chatting with Québécois friends and colleagues. From “Ça va-tu?” to “c’est pas pire” and “ben voyons!” these are the expressions that don’t always show up in traditional French classes but make a huge difference in real conversations.We’ll break them down by category so you can understand them, recognize them, and start using them with confidence.🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:How questions work in spoken Québec French (and what that little -tu really means)Common reactions and expressions to sound more natural in conversationEveryday vocabulary for shopping, food, and daily lifeKey differences between Québec French and French from FranceWhether you’re preparing for a trip to Montréal, working with Québécois colleagues, or just want to better understand different varieties of French, this episode will help you feel more confident right away.👉 Next steps:Read the full transcript + review all 10 expressions.Keep learning Québec French with more expressions.Want to go further with your Québec French? Check out my curated list of Québec French novels for intermediate + advanced learners.And if you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow/subscribe and leave a rating — it helps more intermediate French learners find the podcast

#72: French vs North American Conversation Styles - A French Man's Experience Working in the US 10.03.2026 26min

What's it like to work in the US, from a French perspective?In this episode, my guest, Denis Gras, shares the cultural surprises he experienced while working in an American environment, especially when it comes to communication styles. We talk about politeness, directness, small talk, and the subtle differences between French and North American conversation norms.To get the most out of this lesson: 1️⃣ Check your understanding of the episode with the transcript here.2️⃣ Tap the subscribe button to make sure you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French!3️⃣ Send Natalie a message @elevatefrench on Instagram or Facebook to let her know: What shocked you most about Denis's experience?

#71: 9 Uses of PASSER You Didn’t Learn in French Class (AVOIR or ÊTRE?) 03.03.2026 19min

The French verb PASSER doesn’t just mean “to pass.” In fact, it has so many meanings that it can completely change depending on context, and that’s exactly why it confuses intermediate learners.In this episode, you’ll learn 9 essential uses of PASSER, with clear examples and simple explanations (in French). Then we tackle the big grammar question: When does PASSER take AVOIR vs ÊTRE in the passé composé?If you’ve ever hesitated before saying j’ai passé or je suis passé, this episode will make it finally click.The most common meanings of PASSER in everyday FrenchHow the meaning changes depending on contextA simple way to know when to use AVOIR or ÊTRE in the past tenseTes prochaines étapes: 1️⃣ Check your understanding of the 9 meanings of passer with the English translations in the transcript.2️⃣ Say one example out loud using être and one using avoir in the passé composé.3️⃣ Share this episode with a fellow French learner - chances are they aren't learning this in class!

#70: How to Use Quelque Chose, Quelqu'un, and Quelque Part & Their Negative Forms 24.02.2026 10min

Learn exactly how to say "something, " someone," and "somewhere," and the grammar rules for quelque chose + de + adjectif. Voici tes prochaines étapes (Here are your next steps!):1️⃣ Make it stick by reviewing the transcript.2️⃣ Take the quiz to practice the negative forms of these words.3️⃣ Check out episode #19 to work on advanced negative forms. Bonne continuation et à la prochaine!P.S. Learn something new today? If so, would you mind leaving a review and rating of this podcast wherever you're listening? It will help this podcast reach other intermediate French learners like you!

#69: Why Isn't Vocabulary Sticking? Try These 4 Strategies 17.02.2026 20min

4 Strategies that take just 50 minutes per week to help you improve your vocabulary by leaps and bounds.To get the most out of this lesson: 1️⃣ Get your customized reading list here.2️⃣ Use the double-play method to check what you learned.3️⃣ Send a message to me (Natalie) @elevatefrench on Instagram or Facebook to let me know which book you're picking to implement these vocabulary strategies!Tu as appris quelque chose de nouveau aujourd'hui? Leave a rating and a review to help this podcast reach more intermediate learners like you - merci beaucoup!

#68: Intermediate French Enemy - How to Actually Use LA PLACE 10.02.2026 15min

And no, it doesn't mean "place" like you think it does!You'll learn 8 ways to use "la place" in your everyday conversation, and what to say when you're talking about the places that you go. 1. Access your Customizable Study Template to track the 8 uses of "la place" and all the vocabulary you're learning. 2. Check out the 8 uses and the examples (with English translations).3. Tap "Follow" so that you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French!

#67: Stop Being Scared of DONT: 3 Ways French Speakers Actually Use It 03.02.2026 10min

Have you been avoiding using DONT ? This lesson will hep you use it in your everyday speech to sound more natural and less repetitive. After you listen to the lesson, voici tes prochaines étapes:1. Check the transcript to review expressions with DE. 2. Take the DONT Quiz to make it stickIf you learned something new today, leave a rating or review to help this podcast reach more intermediate learners!