Shows
Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#42: “Ça m’est égal”? My Host Bro Said “Non!” - 8 Must-Know French Expressions with ENThink “ça m’est égal” sounds natural? Pas vraiment. In this episode, you’ll learn 8 everyday French expressions with EN—including the ones that don’t translate literally.Spoiler: You’ll learn how to actually use Je m’en fiche (and even Je m’en fous!). Tes prochaines étapes [Your next steps]:Want to master how “EN” works ? Grab your free 8-Step Practical WorkbookFollow along with this episode’s transcript to review your favourite expressions with EN. Tap “Subscribe” so you never miss an episode! 2025-07-2917 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#41: 5 Must-Know French Verbs - Entendre, Écouter, Comprendre & MoreLearn when to use entendre, écouter, comprendre, and their pronominal forms like se comprendre and s’entendre — plus a quiz to test your understanding!Tes prochaines étapes [Your next steps]:Take the quiz: Do You Really Know How to Use Entendre, Écouter, Comprendre & Co? Check out the transcript. Tap “Subscribe” so you never miss an episode!2025-07-2314 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#40: French Small Talk – Describe Your Weekend with Passé Composé & ImparfaitLearn how to talk about your weekend using the right past tense, passé composé vs imparfait. We’ll go over useful phrases, sentence starters, and tips to avoid common mistakes. You’ll even get a chance to practice out loud!🎧 Perfect for intermediate learners who want to sound more natural in conversation.👉 Grab the transcript here. Ready to finally master the past in French? Join the Master the Past live workshop!Did you miss the 2025 dates? Drop an email to natalie@elevatefrench.com to get on the waitlist for next time!2025-07-1516 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#39: TOUT, TOUS, TOUTE, or TOUTES - Say It Right Every TimeIs it tout? tous? toute? toutes? And wait… do you pronounce the S or not?! 😵💫If these four little words have ever left you second-guessing in conversation, you're not alone. In this quick episode, you’ll finally learn how to use and pronounce all four forms of TOUT correctly, with simple examples you can actually remember.You’ll learn:The difference between tout, toute, tous, and toutesWhen to pronounce the final -s in tous (and when not to)How to use tout as an adjective, adverb, and in fixed e...2025-07-0806 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#38: Stuck on a Word Mid-Conversation? These Vocabulary Tricks HelpHave you ever found yourself mid-sentence in French… only to blank on the one word you need?In this short and actionable episode, you’ll learn:The key difference between recognition and recall when learning vocabularyWhy you can recognize words but struggle to use them in conversation2 research-backed strategies that will help you actually retain and use new vocabulary over timeA simple 1-month habit to boost your memory and make new French words stickWhether you're commuting, walking the dog, or sipp...2025-07-0109 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#37: Is Québec French Real French? Saint-Jean Baptiste + “Moving Day” ExplainedIf 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 FrenchWhat’s up with “Moving Day” in Québec on July 1st8 phrases you'll use everyday that are specific to Québec.Whether you're planning a trip to Québec, have Québécois friends, or are just curious about French in North America, you'll com...2025-06-2414 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#36: Douter ou Se Douter? The Reflexive Verbs Most Learners SkipYou 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 categories of non-routine reflexive verbsHow to use tricky verbs like se moquer and s’en vouloir in real-li...2025-06-1712 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#35: Bread on the Board: How to Make French Idioms StickHow 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 English6 idioms that are surprisingly similar to English Why storytelling and visualization help expressions stickTes prochaines étapes (Your next steps): 1️⃣ Review the idioms with the transcript of this lesson.2️⃣ Use the French Idiom Crossword Puzzle to help these 11 expressions stick in your memory.3️⃣ Tap "Subscrib...2025-06-1013 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#34: How Long Does It REALLY Take To Get Fluent? With Alice CraffordHow 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 proficiencyAbout Alice's Fullbright studies in FranceHow to better leverage Duolingo to learn more FrenchHow to overcome the intermediate plateauTes prochaines étapes: 1️⃣ Follow the transcript for this episode here.2️⃣ Why are you learning French? Share with Dr. Natalie @elevatefrench on Facebook or Instagram.3️⃣ Leave a rating and review to...2025-06-0331 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#33: When Should You Pronounce the S in PLUS?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 the transcript to anchor your learning2️⃣ Share this episode with a friend learning French!3️⃣ Take your pronunci...2025-05-2707 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#32: The Ultimate Guide to TENIR: 1 French Verb, 15+ UsesYou'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. Nat @elevatefrench on Instagram or Facebook!2025-05-2010 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#31: Does AI Really Help You Learn French? (+ How NOT to Use It)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 learning3 times you should not rely on itWhy you still need real human interaction (even if AI feels easier) Your Action Steps1️⃣ To help you practice more effic...2025-05-1313 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#30: 3 Signs You're Avoiding the Subjunctive - And How to Actually Use ItIntermediate 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 itHow to start using itYour action steps: 1️⃣ Join the Subjunctive Workshop!Choose your date: May 12 or May 14Replay, pre-workshop lesson, workbook, and activities are also included.2️⃣ Got a question about the subjunctive or the workshop? Drop me a note at natalie@elevatefrench.comBon...2025-05-0613 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#29: Out of Your Comfort Zone, Into French – TAPIF & Living in France with Eva WilsonEva 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 “good French” in the classroom doesn’t always feel like “enough” in real lifeHow Eva handled culture shock and linguistic discomfort as a TAPIF assistantA powerful remi...2025-04-2931 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#28: 11 French Phrases to Sound More Professional - For Work, Hotel, & Service EncountersCommunicate 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! You'll earn to express your opinions and emotions with the subjunctive in everyday conversation. As-tu appris quelque chose de nouveau au...2025-04-2213 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#27: Speak French When Travel Goes Wrong – Must-Know PhrasesReal-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 to go deeper? Sign up for my free class: French for Travel Mishaps You’ll learn what to say in tough situations before they happe...2025-04-1513 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#26: Write French Emails for Work & BeyondNeed 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 with tools to write with confidence and ease.Your action steps: 1️⃣ Grab the email template mentioned in the episode here. 2️⃣ Fo...2025-04-0814 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#25: The Art of “S’en Foutre” to Learn French without Stress - with Jennie DécimeWhat 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 of not caring about mistakes (and why it helps you learn faster) 🔥 How immersion works—even if you can’t travel to France or Québec ...2025-04-0132 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#24: 11 Rules to Determine if French Words are Masculine or FeminineIs 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 easily📖 Click to access the free guide and transcript for this lesson.2025-03-2515 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#23: Sound More Natural in French - The Filler Words You NeedWant 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 words from the episode, organized by region!Action Steps: ✅ Pick 3 filler words and start using them in...2025-03-1817 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#22: Why You Should Say “Merde” More Often – Surprising French Expressions You Need to KnowFrench 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 conversation or on social media today!👉 Love the episode? Share it with a friend who’s learning French! 💙2025-03-1113 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#21: Are immersion experiences worth it? - Charlie Whitesides from Street FrenchA 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? 2025-03-0423 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#20: Avoid Embarrassing French Mistakes - What These Words Really Mean!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 action steps: 1️⃣ Access your False Friends Flashcards to make sure these words stick2️⃣ Tap "Follow" where you're listening to make sure...2025-02-2516 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#19: Advanced French Negation - 10 Essential Structures For Your Next ConversationWhen 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 Quiz2️⃣ Check out the French transcript for this episode3️⃣ Tap the "Follow" button where you're listening to make sure you never miss an episode! Private French lessons are now open! Spaces are limited. Click here to apply...2025-02-1808 min
Quebec French PodcastWhy Americans learn FrenchAujourd’hui, je vous présente une entrevue avec Natalie Amgott (Ph.D.) une experte dans le domaine de l’apprentissage des langues étrangères et créatrice de cours pour apprendre ou améliorer son français.J’ai rencontré Natalie dans un café à Montréal alors qu’elle était de passage. J’espère que Natalie va vous inspirer de voir quel niveau il est possible d’atteindre en françaisTo get the written version and fully formatted version of this podcast, go to www.frenchwithfrederic.com (This section is for my paid members. Consider up...2025-02-1136 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#18: French Pronunciation Hacks for Intermediates - 4 Sounds to ImproveBreaking 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 the10 Intermediate Tongue Twisters to Improve Your Pronunciation2️⃣ Tap the "Follow" button where you're listening to be in the loop for your weeklyLet's Speak French! lesson. 3️⃣ Follow Dr. Natalie for more French lessons @elevatefrench on Instagram & Facebook2025-02-1117 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#17: French Reading Made Easy - Intermediate Tips with Frédéric PatenaudeBoost 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 first?
How many words should you look up per page?
What are good strategies for reading in French at the inte...2025-02-0435 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#16: Crêpes 101 - The French Holiday Tradition You Need to TryExplore 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 vocabulary related to crêpes and the holiday.
Action Items:
Try your hand at making crêpes! Download a free, easy crêpe recipe with step-by-step instructions at elevatefrench.com/epi...2025-01-2808 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#15: Irregular Verb Boot Camp - The Refresher You NeedHow 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!2025-01-2119 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#14: How to Think in French without TranslatingYour 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! 2025-01-1412 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#13: French Slang Expressions No One Taught Me (But Should Have)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 naturally together!
This workshop is your key to sounding more natural and conversation in French whether you're at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced French level. 2025-01-0713 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#12: Sound More Fluent with French Si PhrasesYour guide to knowing which verb to use with French Si Clauses.
Your action steps:
1️⃣ Listen to the episode and follow along with the French transcript.
2️⃣ Download your free guide: French 'If' Phrases Made Simple
Learn something new in today's episode? I'd be so grateful if you could leave a rating and review!
If you're feeling stumped with a particular aspect of intermediate French grammar, send me an email at natalie@elevatefrench.com and I'd love to turn it into a future episode! 2024-12-2414 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#11: From B1 to B2 - How to Nail French Prepositions À, DE & ENShould you be using à, de, or, en with that verb in French?
In this Intermediate French lesson, you’ll learn how to use 26 of the most common conversational verbs that require the prepositions à, de, or en.
Your action step: access your French flashcards to remember which preposition to use with these verbs.
If you learned something from today’s episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a rating and review to help me reach more French learners like you!
For more bite-sized French lessons, make sure to follow on Faceboo...2024-12-1714 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#10: 7 Ways to Use Chez in Everyday FrenchPrepositions are tricky at the intermediate French level! In this episode, we’re talking about the 7 different meanings of the sneaky preposition “chez.”
Follow along with the French transcript and take the quiz for this lesson!
In this lesson, you’ll learn how "chez" isn’t just about someone's home—it's used for artists, doctors, restaurants, and more!
Join the Conversation:
Instagram & Facebook: Find me @elevatefrench for more tips, quizzes, and updates.
DM me: Let me know what tricky words or verb conjugations you want to learn about next!
...2024-12-1013 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#9: Read Your First French Novels - Essential Idioms You'll NeedIn this episode of Let’s Speak French!, host Dr. Natalie Amgott shares 10 French expressions to improve your intermediate French. Specifically, you’ll learn French idioms that will help you to read your first French novels.
Check out the free guide to the passé simple and the transcript for this episode.
Hungry for more French? Get free weekly French lessons straight to your inbox.
2024-12-0315 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#8: Why Passé Composé v Imparfait is Still Hard (+ How to Fix It)Why is the passé composé vs. the imparfait still hard?
Today we tackle 3 reasons why your textbook or language learning app is slowing down your understanding of the passé composé vs. imparfait at the intermediate level.
This lesson also coincides with the launch of my brand new workshop: Master the Past in French!
To simplify the passé composé vs imparfait and finally master them once and for all, head to elevatefrench.com/past.
I can’t wait to see you at the workshop!
Access the transcript for this lesson at elevatefre...2024-11-2618 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#7: Use These 5 Tricky French Verbs without ConfusionWhen should you use retourner, rendre, rentrer, revenir, and renvoyer in your Intermediate French?
These 5 verbs all mean something similar to “return” in English, but have different meanings and uses in French.
Learn when to use each verb without confusion during today’s lesson!
Your next steps:
Take the Return Verbs Quiz and check out the transcript for this lesson.
Make sure to tap the “Follow” button where you’re listening to this podcast so that you’ll never miss a lesson!
Want more bite-sized French lessons? Subscribe to Dr...2024-11-1911 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#6: Learn More French with These 4 Mindset ShiftsFour simple mindset shifts to learn more French.
In this episode, you’ll learn what to do if you’re feeling unmotivated, isolated, or scared of making mistakes in French.
Access the French transcript for this episode and the French Fluency Roadmap at elevatefrench.com/episode6
To get to the bottom of your FAQs, I spoke with mindfulness teacher and intuitive growth coach Louise Fitzgerald.
In this episode, I’ve translated her takeaways into four mindset shifts for you to learn more French and become a learner who’s more focused on the pre...2024-11-1214 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#5: French Acronyms - Survival Guide for France and QuébecTake the French Alphabet Soup Quiz and Access the French lesson transcript at elevatefrench.com/episode5
Ever heard of SMIC? SAMU? CDI? CDD?
In today’s episode, we’re going to dive into a survival guide for the alphabet soup that is the French language.
Understanding French acronyms is vital to increasing your listening comprehension and to engaging with the language and culture in France and in Québec.
You’ll learn everyday French acronyms for the education system, transportation, work, wine, and beyond!
For more step-by-step French lessons for interme...2024-11-0516 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#4: 21 Words to Improve Your Intermediate French PronunciationAccess your flashcards to know when to use the H muet and H aspiré at elevatefrench.com/episode4
Learning these 21 words is a quick way to level up your French pronunciation.
Certain words that start with H in French are categorized as “H aspiré” and require that we put the whole article (le or la) in front of them, instead of the l’.
You’ll also learn where this rule comes from and how it affects our liaison, and whether your should be saying “les haricots verts” with or without the Z sound (liaison)! ...2024-10-2917 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#3: 8 Steps to Use EN like a French LocalAccess your 8-Step EN Workbook and this episode’s transcript at elevatefrench.com/episode3
Today we talk about EN, a small word in French that makes a big difference in your fluidity at the intermediate French level.
With an 8-step approach, we’ll talk about when to use it, how to use it, and how to get comfortable with using EN in your everyday French.
You’ll learn some vocabulary to help you understand this B1/B2 French lesson and you’ll listen to the lesson in French.
To follow along with the tr...2024-10-2220 minLet's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#2: Intermediate Verlan Guide - From Lupin to Local French ConversationAccess your French verlan quiz and this episode’s transcript at elevatefrench.com/episode2
Have you ever wondered why French people sometimes switch up the order of syllables? In this episode, you’ll learn about a specific type of French slang: le verlan.
What is verlan? When do you use verlan? And when shouldn’t you use verlan?
As an intermediate French learner, you’ll need to understand verlan so that you can consume more French media, such as Lupin on Netflix, as well as other French series, films, and music.
As always...2024-10-1510 min
Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott#1: Speak Better French - 5 Tips to Overcome the Intermediate PlateauImprove your intermediate French today!
Access the French transcript and download your customizable study plan to overcome the intermediate plateau: elevatefrench.com/episode1
Bienvenue - welcome to the inaugural episode of Let's Speak French with Dr. Natalie Amgott!
Like you’re doing now, I learned French from scratch, but it wasn’t always easy! For years, I sounded like a textbook when I spoke French and I felt so nervous speaking with French speakers.
My mission is to help you...2024-10-0709 min
Quebec French PodcastThis American speaks better French than many nativesAujourd’hui, je vous présente une entrevue avec Natalie Amgott (Ph.D.) une experte dans le domaine de l’apprentissage des langues étrangères et créatrice de cours pour apprendre ou améliorer son français.J’ai rencontré Natalie dans un café à Montréal alors qu’elle était de passage. J’espère que Natalie va vous inspirer de voir quel niveau il est possible d’atteindre en françaisTo get the written version and fully formatted version of this podcast, go to www.frenchwithfrederic.com (This section is for my paid members. Consider up...2023-12-1222 min