Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott

Dr. Natalie Amgott
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Welcome to Let’s Speak French! I’m your host, Dr. Natalie Amgott. My mission is to help you overcome your French learning jitters with step-by-step podcast lessons where we break down the structures, vocabulary, and cultural tidbits you’ll need to confidently speak French while traveling or working in France or Québec. Whether you’re an intermediate adult learner or feeling rusty with your with your high school French, you're in the right place, mon ami!

  1. 1d ago

    #104: Little French Words That Make a BIG Difference (with Dr. Hélène Blondeau)

    Do you need to use filler words in French? What is their scientific purpose? What is the number one discourse marker used in Québec French? In today's episode, I sat down with Dr. Hélène Blondeau, sociolinguist and professor of French at the University of Florida. She described the role that these little words play, and how FAQUE is replacing alternates like ALORS and DONC in Québec French. Listen to learn: What is sociolinguistic variety, and why is it important to you as a language learner?How to stop talking like a textbookWhat is a discourse markerHow faque (ça fait que) gets used in Montréal FrenchAs you're listening: 1. Follow along with the French transcript of our conversation 2. Download the French Filler Word Guide to speak more naturally and understand more French and Francophone media. After you listen: Tap "subscribe" or "follow" wherever you're listening to make sure you never miss an episode!Share this episode with your friend from French class, so that you have something to talk about during your next French chat en classeLeave a rating and review if you learned something new. It helps me to reach more French learners like you!Have a question or an idea for an episode that would be helpful for you? Shoot me an email at natalie@elevatefrench.com, or send me a message @elevatefrench on Facebook or Instagram Podcast created and produced by Natalie Amgott | Elevate French, LLC Podcast edited by Paroma Banerjee

  2. Oct 27

    #103: Faux Amis – 12 French False Friends That Trick Learners

    Think you know what sensible, rester, or une pièce mean in French? Think again! In episode 103 of Let's Speak French!, we're diving into 12 faux amis (French false friends) — words that look or sound familiar in English or Spanish but have completely different meanings in French! In this interactive French listening lesson, you'll: Discover 10 common French-English false friends (plus 2 bonus French-Spanish ones!). Test your French comprehension by guessing each word's meaning from context. Learn how to avoid common vocabulary mistakes and speak French more confidently. Understand why your brain mixes up words from different languages. 🎁 Get your FREE Faux Amis Flashcards to review these tricky words and learn even more false friends: https://elevatefrench.com/episode103 🎧 Want more faux amis? Listen to Episode 20, where we explore 13 more French false friends, including some that can lead to pretty embarrassing misunderstandings! https://elevatefrench.com/episode20 The main lesson is in French, with an English introduction and conclusion. Perfect for intermediate French learners (B1/B2) looking to improve their listening comprehension and expand their vocabulary. Bonne écoute ! P.S. Learn something new today? Consider leaving a rating and review! That helps this podcast to reach more intermediate learners like you. Created by Natalie Amgott, Elevate French LLC Edited by Paroma Banerjee

  3. Oct 20

    #102: Which French Books to Read for Every Level (And Which Ones are Overrated)

    Reading is one of the most important things you can do to improve your French vocabulary. In this episode, you'll receive a few book recommendations for each French level, as well as some strategies to help you read with more confidence. You'll also learn which books are overrated so that you can save time by focusing on books that will actually make you better at French. Voici tes prochaines étapes (Here are your next steps) 1. Access your reading list and the transcript of this episode. 2. Let me know which French book you're planning on reading, or let me know once you finish! Reading a book in French is a huge accomplishment and I can't wait to cheer you on. You can send me an email at natalie@elevatefrench.com 3. Reading with a friend can make it easier to get through your first French novels. Share this episode with a friend from French class so that you can pick a book to read and chat about together! As an Amazon Affiliate, I receive commission from qualifying purchases. Podcast created and produced by Dr. Natalie Amgott | Elevate French, LLC Edited by Paroma Banerjee

  4. Oct 13

    #101: Quand même: 3 Uses That Don’t Quite Translate

    Make your French sound a lot more natural with this phrase that can mean: anyway, wow, no way, seriously! "Quand même" means more than just one word in English, and it can be used to express surprise, frustration, or contrast, depending on the context. You'll hear it all the time while listening to the radio and communicating with French speakers. Voici tes prochaines étapes: 1. Check your understanding of each of the three uses with the transcript. 2. Try using quand même in your stories on Instagram or Facebook. Tag me @elevatefrench and I'll give you feedback on how you're using it, and personally will cheer you on! 3. For more lessons on these untranslatable, useful French phrases, make sure to tap "Follow" wherever you're listening, so that you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French! Produced by Natalie Amgott | Elevate French, LLC Edited by Paroma Banerjee

  5. Oct 6

    #100: 5 Weeks of French Immersion = 5 Years of French Classes?

    Can 5 weeks of French immersion really equal 5 years of French classes? For Episode 100, I’m joined by a very special guest: my husband, Ryan! 🇨🇦 He shares how he went from speaking zero French to using it confidently at work every day—and the unconventional strategies that helped him get there. We talk immersion, pronunciation, Québec French, building confidence, and why sometimes you just have to start speaking before you feel ready. Tes prochaines étapes: 1. Follow along with the French transcript of the episode here. 2. Share this episode with your friends learning French, so that you can talk or text about it next time you're chatting en français! 3. Tap "Follow" so that you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French! Podcast created and produced by Dr. Natalie Amgott | Elevate French, LLC Edited by Paroma Banerjee

  6. Sep 29

    #99: Aussi vs. Autant - A Simple Way to Remember the Difference

    Still mixing up aussi and autant? Both can translate to “as…as” in English, but they’re used differently in French. In this short lesson, you’ll learn when to use aussi with adjectives and adverbs, autant with verbs, and autant de with nouns. Then, test yourself with a quick quiz at the end of the episode! Once you've listened once through, check your understanding by listening through a second time with the transcript and English translations at elevatefrench.com/episode99. Have a friend learning French? Share this episode with them so that they know exactly when to use autant and aussi! Podcast created and produced by Dr. Natalie Amgott | Elevate French, LLC Edited by Paroma Banerjee

  7. Sep 22

    #98: "I feel" or "I smell?" - 3 French Verbs to Talk about Feelings

    Have you been telling people you smell bad, instead of that you feel bad?! In this lesson, you'll learn exactly how to use three French verbs to talk about feeling and smelling: sentir, se sentir, and ressentir Tes prochaines étapes: 1. Check your understanding and the English definitions with the transcript after listening. 2. Try using sentir, se sentir, and ressentir to talk about how you're feeling. Send it in a message to Dr. Natalie @elevatefrench on Instagram or Facebook. I LOVE hearing from you! 3. Learn something new? Share this episode with your French class pal! Podcast created and produced by Dr. Natalie Amgott, Elevate French LLC Edited by Paroma Banerjee

  8. Sep 15

    #97: How to Take Your French Offline and Practice with Real People

    What happens when you take your French practice offline? In this episode, I’m chatting en français with Benni Kunz, creator of TandemMate, a free app designed to help language learners find people nearby for in-person language exchanges. We talk about why real conversations are so important for improving your French, Benni’s favorite strategies for learning languages, and how to get more speaking practice with real people. Plus, you’ll get to listen to an authentic French conversation and hear all those little words like alors, du coup, en fait, and mais bon in action! Tes prochaines étapes: 1. Download the TandeMate app to get started finding other people who speak French near you. 2. Listen once without the transcript, then ⁠follow along with the transcript here⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, your rating and review are appreciated! Podcast created and produced by Dr. Natalie Amgott Edited by Paroma Banerjee

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About

Welcome to Let’s Speak French! I’m your host, Dr. Natalie Amgott. My mission is to help you overcome your French learning jitters with step-by-step podcast lessons where we break down the structures, vocabulary, and cultural tidbits you’ll need to confidently speak French while traveling or working in France or Québec. Whether you’re an intermediate adult learner or feeling rusty with your with your high school French, you're in the right place, mon ami!

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