Episode 4 Ma France

Bonjour, je m'appelle Stephane Cornicard

et je vous presente Ma France,

a series of short programmes to help you make the most of your French.

In this programme, three boys and three girls go speed dating,

known in Lyon as "turbo-dating".

Saying what you like and what you like doing.

And chatting someone up in just 30 seconds- the ultimate challenge.

But first, the key words and expressions for this programme.

I am single.

I am pretty energetic and sporting.

I like going to the cinema.

To say what you like in French, use...

If you really like something, say...

And if you love it, say...

I love it.

..means "I don't like it."

And if you're not that keen on something, say...

I don't like it much.

I don't watch much TV.

Now have another look at some of the expressions you've just heard.

I am fairly curious and reserved.

"Plutot" is a very useful conversational term,

which means "fairly" or "kinda".

It's used all the time in spoken French.

I really like reggae kind of things.

I love travelling. How about you?

Who doesn't like travelling? I love it.

What sort of person are you?

In the next film, we talk to Phillipe Dorier, the organiser of this evening's session.

Does he know of any weddings as a result of the speed-dating?

Il y a eu des mariages?

Tres bien, messieurs 'dames.

We asked Phillipe if there had been any weddings

as a result of the speed dating.

He said...

We never quite know what happens afterwards.

Listen to how Philippe describes himself, jokingly, in our challenge.

The ideal man is sitting opposite you.

I earn loads of money.

I no longer know what to do with it.

If you'd like to see the films again

or have some fun with the interactive exercises and grammar,

log onto our website at...

Bonjour, je m'appelle Stephane Cornicard

et je vous presente Ma France,

une serie d'emissions pour vous aider a perfectionner votre francais.

In this programme...

a big football match between Lyon and Bordeaux.

Different ways of asking questions.

Qui? Comment? Pourquoi?

And can you guess the player?

Our surprise challenge for Lyon's goalkeeper.

But first, here are the key words and expressions you'll hear in this programme

Who is going to win?

Which is your favourite player?

Who?

When?

What?

English question words often begin with Wh...

And French question words often begin with Qu...

What are you doing?

What do you play?

Now, here is a recap of some of the expressions you've just heard.

What is the worst and the best moment?

What do you think of the match?

Are they good?

A team is often described as...

..meaning strong.

This year, they are very good.

Its opposite is...

Poor or rubbish.

They are rubbish.

Lyon's manager is Gerard Houllier, formerly of Liverpool.

In the next film he talks about his time at Liverpool,

and some tips for language learning.

Has he always been a manager?

Est-ce qu'il a toujours ete entraineur?

Tres bien, messieurs 'dames.

We asked...

Has Houllier always been a manager?

I was an English teacher until 1982.

Remember his tips for language learning?

Above all, not to have any inhibitions.

You have to practise and work hard.

Just like in football, as he says.

And now it's time for our surprise challenge.

You could try it too. A bientot.

Bonjour, je m'appelle Stephane Cornicard

et je vous presente Ma France,

une serie d'emissions pour vous aider a perfectionner votre francais.

In this programme, a day out and about with florist Marie-Paule Cannedu

learning how to say the right thing at the right time.

And a surprise challenge - making up a bouquet for the champion of the Tour de France.

But first, the key words and expressions for this programme.

I wish you a happy birthday.

All our congratulations on your marriage.

Happy birthday!

Good luck!

Just as in English, French set phrases are used to congratulate or encourage someone.

I wish you all the success you deserve.

Now, here's a recap of some of the expressions you've just heard.

Please accept my sincere condolences.

..is a formal way of starting a written message.

It really means "please"

and comes from the verb...

Less formally...

Thinking of you at this sad time.

Delighted about Chloe's birth. Congratulations!

In the next film, Marie-Paule tells us more about her work as a florist.

See if you can hear what her favourite flower is, and why.

Quelle est sa fleur preferee? Et pourquoi?

Tres bien, messieurs 'dames.

We asked what Marie-Paule's favourite flower was, and why?

The lily, because it's majestic and beautiful.

As well as its beauty and majesty, she chooses the lily for the way it lasts.

It lasts a very long time and you can watch them opening.

And now it's time for our surprise challenge.

You can try it too. A bientot!

If you'd like to see the films again or have some fun with the interactive exercises and grammar,

log onto our website at...

Bonjour, je m'appelle Stephane Cornicard

et je vous presente Ma France,

une serie d'emissions pour vous aider a perfectionner votre francais.

In this programme...

Two hotel receptionists discuss their guests

and their different requests.

Asking for things politely in French.

Some useful set phrases.

And a tricky challenge for our receptionists -

which objects go missing in hotels?

But first, here are the key words and expressions you'll hear in this programme.

Would it be possible...?

Could you...?

Both these phrases are used when making very polite requests in French.

This form is called the conditional.

Would it be possible to have an extra towel?

Could you recommend a restaurant for us this evening?

Now, here's a recap of some of the expressions you've just heard.

Would it be possible to bring us an extra pillow?

Could you keep our luggage for us until this evening?

Our stay was very nice, we were very happy.

Thanks very much, thanks for everything.

In the next film, Melanie Leger and Marie-Noelle Letallec talk about some of their clients' requests.

Listen out for the most bizarre request they have ever had to deal with.

La demande la plus bizarre.

Tres bien, messieurs 'dames.

Pas trop difficile, j'espere.

We asked about the most bizarre request the receptionists have ever had to deal with.

There was a lady who asked us if she could simply take a shower

without booking a room.

And now it's time for our surprise challenge. You could try it too.

A bientot.

Have you tried Ma France online yet?

It's full of entertaining, interactive exercises

and you can see the films again with subtitles in English or French.

Log onto our website at...

Bonjour, je m'appelle Stephane Cornicard

et je vous presente Ma France,

une serie d'emissions pour vous aider a perfectionner votre francais.

In this programme...

Two friends give up everything for a house in the South of France.

Discussing future events and actions.

And another challenge.

Will they agree on how to do up their barn?

But first, the key words and expressions for this programme.

Building work.

To do up.

What are you doing, and what are you going to do?

One way of talking about what's going to happen is to use the verb...

We're going to start.

When will you finish this second floor?

A more formal and emphatic way of referring to future events

is through a set of verb endings.

We'll continue to rub down.

We'll begin.

Now, here's a recap of some of the expressions you've just heard.

We're going to start by ripping up the floor.

Electric, plumbing and building work, they'll be jobs for companies.

For most verbs, you add future endings to the infinitive,

but some of the common ones change.

They will be.

From the verb "etre".

We will have...from the verb "avoir".

You will do...from the verb "faire".

In the next film, Eric and Gilles discuss what it's like working together on this project.

Apart from "macons" - builders - and "plombiers" - plumbers -

what other kind of craftsmen will they call upon to complete the job?

Quels autres artisans?

Tres bien, messieurs 'dames.

We asked what other craftsmen Eric and Gilles would call upon.

We're not very gifted at plumbing work,

so we'll use plumbers, carpenters and plasterers for the big jobs, I think.

And now it's time for our surprise challenge.

You could try too. A bientot.

Bonjour, je m'appelle Stephane Cornicard

et je vous presente Ma France,

une serie d'emissions pour vous aider a perfectionner votre francais.

In this programme...

A day with a radio presenter discussing news and weather.

Expressing opinions on the news and the changing climate.

And, our surprise challenge -

guessing the weather in three cities.

Does it always rain in London?

But first, the key words and expressions for this programme.

In your opinion, is the climate changing?

In my opinion... I think...

To say what you think, say...

I think.

Or if your feelings are a bit stronger...

I believe.

If you're sure about something, you can say...

I am sure.

..are followed by "que" in French.

"That", which is often left out in English.

Now, have another look at some of the expressions you've just heard.

In your opinion, are they a good group?

Of course, I think they must be a good group.

I'm sure they'll be a good group.

I find they're not bad.

With...

..there are plenty of ways to express shades of opinion in French.

In the next film, we hear some views on climate change.

Does the second speaker, Hakim M'Barek, think the climate is changing or not?

Est-ce que le climat change?

Tres bien, messieurs 'dames.

Pas trop difficile, j'espere.

We asked whether Hakim thought the climate was changing.

The scientists say no,

but I find that the summers are becoming hotter and hotter.

He believes the evidence around him

of increasingly hot summers and heatwaves.

Global warming.

The planet's warming up.

Drought.

Et finalement, messieurs 'dames, it's time for our surprise challenge for the people we filmed.

They never know what we're going to ask them, but they always have a go!

And you can too. Enjoy it.

And remember Gerard Houllier's advice about language learning and football.

Il faut repeter et il faut travailler beaucoup.

You have to practise and work hard.

Au revoir!

If you'd like to see the films again

or have some fun with the interactive exercises and grammar,

log onto our website at...