Synopsis
Learn French in coffee-break lessons from the Radio Lingua Network. In each lesson we'll focus on the language you need to know and before long you'll be making yourself understood with native French speakers. Season 1 lessons are for absolute beginners, and the courses increase in difficulty as the seasons progress.
Episodes
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CBF 4:36 | When to use the subjunctive
30/05/2015 Duration: 26minIn this latest episode of Coffee Break French, Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss Matthieu’s latest email reply to Gabrielle. As usual there are a number of interesting language points to be discussed including further examples of the subjunctive with triggers we have seen before, and a brand new situation when the subjunctive is used after a superlative.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like to find out wh
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CBF 4:35 | Useful idiomatic expressions
18/05/2015 Duration: 24minIn this episode of Coffee Break French, Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss the latest email from Gabrielle to Matthieu and look in particular at a number of interesting language points contained in the lesson. Expressions in this episode include the expressions ce n’est pas ton fort, prendre peur and rendre des comptes à quelqu’un.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like to find out what goes on beh
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CBF 4:34 | Placement of adjectives and idiomatic expressions
01/05/2015 Duration: 28minMark and Pierre-Benoît are back with another episode of our advanced French course. In this episode we’re focusing on the latest email from Sylvie in which she updates her mother on her date with Matthieu. As usual the episode is rich in interesting grammar points and idiomatic expressions and our two hosts are on hand to discuss the language used and to help listeners understand the content. Expressions in this episode include il devait y avoir, être désolé de + infinitive and the placement of adjectives in phrases such as il a de grands yeux bleus vraiment magnifiques.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language
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CBF 4:33 | Interesting idiomatic expressions
04/04/2015 Duration: 23minIt’s time for another episode in our series for advanced French learners. In this lesson we read the latest email from Monique to her daughter Sylvie. Monique is desperate to hear how Sylvie got on on her date with Matthieu, and as usual Pierre-Benoît and Mark are on hand to discuss the language points contained in the text. In this episode, expressions featured include tourner en rond, la curiosité est un vilain défaut, and lots more. This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidenc
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CBF 4:32 | Agreement of preceding direct objects
20/03/2015 Duration: 24minIt’s time for another episode in our series for advanced French learners. In this lesson Mark and Pierre-Benoît are discussing the latest email from Matthieu to Gabrielle. There are many interesting expressions and useful grammar points covered including agreement of preceding direct objects, rien que de + infinitive, en avoir l’eau à la bouche, and much more. This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like
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CBF 4:31 | Grammar review and idiomatic expressions
06/03/2015 Duration: 23minJoin Mark and Pierre-Benoît for another lesson of our advanced French course. In this episode they’re discussing Gabrielle’s revelations in her most recent email to Matthieu. As usual there are plenty of interesting grammar points and idiomatic expressions to study including the expressions prendre ses clics et ses clacs and aller en éclaireur. This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like to fi
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CBF 4:30 | New vocabulary and idiomatic phrases
20/02/2015 Duration: 20minIt’s time for another episode of Coffee Break French and this week Mark and Pierre-Benoît are discussing the latest email from Sylvie to her mother, Monique. There are lots of interesting language points to talk about including the expressions être pot de colle, faire poireauter quelqu’un and the wonderful word dorénavant. This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like to find out
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CBF 4:29 | Using the subjunctive with jusqu'á ce que
25/01/2015 Duration: 21minJoin Mark and Pierre-Benoît for another episode of Coffee Break French in which they discuss Monique’s latest email to her daughter Sylvie following Sylvie’s visit to Epinal. As usual the text is rich in complex grammatical points and interesting vocabulary and idiomatic expressions including piquer du nez, faire un tabac and how to use the subjunctive with jusqu’à ce que.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.I
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CBF 4:28 | More triggers for the subjunctive
11/01/2015 Duration: 25minMark and Pierre-Benoît are back with another episode of Coffee Break French, this time working through Matthieu’s latest email to Gabrielle. As usual the email is rich in complex grammatical structures and idiomatic expressions, and through further examples and clear explanations, our two hosts will help you understand everything. Points covered in this episode include using the subjunctive after avoir peur que and craindre que, and lots more. In the opening section, Mark also mentions his new year’s resolutions to learn Swedish and to record a song each day of the year and publish it on his personal blog.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook wh
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CBF 4:27 | The pluperfect tense
23/12/2014 Duration: 23minIn this latest episode of Coffee Break French, Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss Gabrielle’s most recent email to Matthieu. She’s giving Matthieu some advice on where he should take Sylvie on their first date, and she also reveals some news about her own love life! Language points covered include some interesting examples of the pluperfect tense, après avoir fait quelque chose, and the verb valoir.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Fa
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CBF 4:26 | Idiomatic expressions and interesting vocabulary
05/12/2014 Duration: 25minWe’re back with another episode of our advanced French course. In this episode Mark and Pierre-Benoît consider Sylvie’s latest email to her mother and, as usual there are lots of interesting grammar points and idiomatic expressions to discuss including se faire des films, faire un petit somme and the expression en dire long sur quelque chose.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like to find out what goes o
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CBF 4:25 | More on the subjunctive
21/11/2014 Duration: 27minIn this episode of our advanced series for learners of French, join Pierre-Benoît and Mark to look at Monique’s latest email to her daughter Sylvie. As usual there are lots of interesting grammar points and idiomatic expressions to be discovered in the episode including a number of subjunctives, the expression être partant(e) pour quelque chose and lots more.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d like to fin
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CBF 4:24 | Using the subjunctive after pour que and idiomatic phrases
05/11/2014 Duration: 18minIt’s time for Matthieu to respond to Gabrielle’s email and in this episode we’ll find out about the latest updates in our story. Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss the interesting language found in the lesson including the expression pour que which is followed by the subjunctive, avoir l’occasion de faire quelque chose and a couple of interesting examples of the word en.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Facebook page here.If you’d lik
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CBF 4:23 | Interesting verbs and idiomatic expressions
14/10/2014 Duration: 20minIn this latest episode of Coffee Break French, Gabrielle is writing to Matthieu to find out the latest in his developing relationship with Sylvie. As usual Pierre-Benoît and Mark are on hand to discuss the complex grammatical constructions and idiomatic vocabulary contained in the lesson which include proposer à quelqu’un de faire quelque chose, vivre au jour le jour and the verb chômer.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Break French Faceb
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CBF 4:22 | Uses of the subjunctive
01/10/2014 Duration: 19minIt’s time for another episode of Coffee Break French and for Sylvie to reply to her mother’s latest email. The key phrases discussed by Pierre-Benoît and Mark in this episode include le monde est petit, avoir la tête à quelque chose and a further example of the subjunctive in use. Rich with idiomatic expressions, tricky grammar points and interesting vocabulary, we’re sure you’ll enjoy this latest episode.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the language. Access the Coffee Brea
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CBF 4:21 | Using the subjunctive and other grammatical constructions
30/09/2014 Duration: 24minIn this latest episode of Coffee Break French, Monique is writing to her daughter Sylvie. As usual she uses some interesting expressions and tricky grammatical constructions and idiomatic expressions, including plenty of subjunctives and the expressions soi-disant, marquer un jour d’une pierre blanche and avoir pour projet de faire quelque chose. As usual, Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points, and enthuse about the wonders of the French language in general!This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to
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CBF 4:20 | Interesting idiomatic phrases and grammar points
28/08/2014 Duration: 20minIt’s time for another lesson of Coffee Break French and this week it’s the turn of Matthieu to reply to Gabrielle. The expressions discussed by Mark and Pierre-Benoît this week include je m’en doute, using the subjunctive after jusqu’à ce que, and ramasser quelqu’un à la petite cuillère. As usual Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points, and enthuse about the wonders of the French language in general!This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your
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CBF 4:19 | Idiomatic ways to say how long you have been doing something
10/08/2014 Duration: 19minIn this episode of Coffee Break French, Gabrielle is writing to Matthieu. There are some great expressions in this lesson’s text, including a few idiomatic ways of saying how long you’ve been doing something, how to talk about working hard – or “like a dog”, and we even manage to include some Disney references and a bit of Edith Piaf! As usual Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where we post language activities, cultural points and review materials to help you practise your French. Remember - a few minutes a day can help you build your confidence in the lang
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CBF 4:18 | Expressions with reflexive pronouns
22/07/2014 Duration: 22minIt’s time for a new episode of Coffee Break French. This week Sylvie is responding to her mother’s latest email as they’re both looking forward to spending a family weekend in Épinal. As usual Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points contained in the text, including the expressions se dépêcher de faire quelque chose, se faire des idées, and the very useful word sacré. Please note that lesson 18 of Season 4 was originally known as lesson 418 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Fac
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CBF 4:17 | More trigger expressions for the subjunctive
01/07/2014 Duration: 20minIn this episode of Coffee Break French Season 4, we consider Monique’s latest email as she looks forward to Sylvie’s visit this coming weekend. Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to discuss the idiomatic expressions and grammar points contained in the text, including the expression tous les quatre matins, ce n’est pas la porte à côté, l’essentiel c’est que + subjunctive and lots more. Please note that lesson 17 of Season 4 was originally known as lesson 417 of Coffee Break French. We have renumbered the lessons of each season as lessons 1-40 to make things more simple for our listeners.This season of Coffee Break French features a total of 40 lessons, all of which will be included in the podcast feed. Just stay subscribed to the podcast to enjoy each episode. If you’d like to benefit from video versions, lesson notes and bonus audio materials, you can access the premium version of Coffee Break French in the Coffee Break Academy.Don’t forget to follow Coffee Break French on Facebook where w