About This Lesson
Use Focused listening practice to practice French conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
J'étudie tous les jours, mais mes progrès restent irréguliers.
zhay-too-DEE too lay ZHOOR, may proh-GRAY rest een-ray-goo-LYAY. I study every day, but my progress still feels uneven.
B
Qu'est-ce qui devient le plus difficile quand tu parles avec des gens ?
KESS-kee duh-VYAN luh ploo dee-fee-SEEL kahn tyoo parl ah-VEK day zhahn? Which part breaks down most when you talk with people?
A
La compréhension orale, surtout quand les gens parlent à une vitesse naturelle.
lah kohm-pray-ahn-SYOHN oh-RAL, syoo-TOO kahn lay zhahn parl ah oon vee-TESS nah-too-REL. Listening does, especially when people speak at a natural speed.
B
Alors, consacre plus de temps à l'écoute avant d'ajouter de nouveaux exercices de grammaire.
ah-LOR, kohn-SAHKR ploo duh tahn ah lay-KOOT ah-VAHN dah-zhoo-TAY duh noo-VOH zek-sair-SEES duh grah-MAIR. Then give listening more time before adding new grammar exercises.
A
Comment puis-je savoir si je progresse sans passer des tests tout le temps ?
koh-MAHN pwee-zhuh sah-VWAR see zhuh proh-GRESS sahn pah-SAY day TEST too luh TAHN? How can I tell whether I am improving without taking tests all the time?
B
Utilise le même court enregistrement deux fois et compare ce que tu as compris.
yoo-tee-LEEZ luh MEM koor ahn-ruh-zhees-truh-MAHN duh FWA ay kohm-PAHR suh kuh tyoo ah kohm-PREE. Use the same short recording twice and compare what you understood.
A
Cela me donne une mesure plus claire que de changer de supports tous les jours.
suh-LAH muh DON oon muh-ZUR ploo KLAIR kuh duh shahn-ZHAY duh soo-POHR too lay ZHOOR. That gives me a clearer measure than changing materials every day.
B
Cela montre aussi si ta méthode fonctionne, et pas seulement combien de temps tu as étudié.
suh-LAH MOHNTR oh-SEE see tah may-TOHD fohnk-SYOHN, ay pah sahl-MAHN kohn-BYAN duh tahn tyoo ah ay-too-DYAY. It also shows whether your strategy is working, not just how long you studied.
A
Je pourrais vérifier mes notes une fois par semaine et ajuster ma méthode à partir de là.
zhuh poo-RAY vay-ree-FYAY may NOHT oon FWA par say-MEN ay ah-zhoos-TAY mah may-TOHD ah par-TEER duh LAH. I could check my notes once a week and adjust from there.
B
Une petite révision comme celle-là peut t'aider à garder ta pratique ciblée.
oon puh-TEET ray-vee-ZYOHN kohm sell-LAH puh tay-DAY ah gar-DAY tah PRAH-TEEK see-BLAY. A small review like that can keep your practice focused.Word by Word
J'étudie
In "J'étudie tous les jours", this means “I study.” The form presents the speaker’s own regular study activity and can be reused before an activity or object, as in "J'étudie" followed by what is being studied.
tous
In "tous les jours", this means “every” and contributes to the meaning “every day.” This expression is used to describe a repeated activity with a plural time word.
les
In "tous les jours", "les" is the definite article before the plural noun "jours". Together with "tous", it forms the regular time expression "tous les jours" for “every day.”
jours
In "tous les jours", "jours" means “days.” The expression "tous les jours" is used when saying that something happens every day.
mais
"mais" introduces a contrast: the speaker studies every day, but the progress remains uneven. It can connect two ideas when the second one limits or contrasts with the first.
mes
In "mes progrès", "mes" means “my” and shows possession before a plural noun. It can be reused before another plural thing belonging to the speaker.
progrès
In "mes progrès", "progrès" means “progress.” This word is useful when talking about improvement in learning or another developing activity.
restent
In "mes progrès restent irréguliers", "restent" means “remain” or “stay.” It links the subject to a continuing condition, as in "mes progrès restent" followed by a description.
irréguliers
In "mes progrès restent irréguliers", "irréguliers" describes the progress as uneven or irregular. It is used after "restent" to describe a condition that continues.
Qu'est-ce
At the beginning of "Qu'est-ce qui devient le plus difficile", "Qu'est-ce" introduces a question about what something is. The full question pattern asks which thing or aspect has a certain quality.
qui
In "Qu'est-ce qui devient le plus difficile", "qui" links the question to the thing that becomes difficult. The pattern "Qu'est-ce qui" can be reused before a verb when asking what causes or has an action.
devient
In "Qu'est-ce qui devient le plus difficile", "devient" means “becomes.” It describes a change into a new condition and is followed here by "le plus difficile".
le
In "le plus difficile", "le" is part of the superlative expression meaning “the most difficult.” It appears before the adjective in this kind of comparison.
plus
In "le plus difficile", "plus" helps express the highest degree: “most.” The pattern "le plus" is used before an adjective to identify the greatest degree.
difficile
In "le plus difficile", "difficile" means “difficult.” With "le plus", it describes the part that presents the greatest difficulty.
quand
"quand" means “when” and introduces the situation "quand tu parles avec des gens". It can introduce a time or situation in which something happens.
tu
In "tu parles avec des gens", "tu" means “you” for one person addressed informally. It appears before the verb in this statement about the learner’s activity.
parles
In "tu parles avec des gens", "parles" means “speak” or “talk.” The pattern "parles avec" is used to say that someone talks with another person or group.
avec
"avec" means “with” and introduces the people involved in "avec des gens". It can be placed before a person or group when describing interaction.
des
In "des gens", "des" introduces a plural, non-specific group. Together, "des gens" means “people” without identifying particular people.
gens
In "des gens", "gens" means “people.” This expression is used when referring generally to people one speaks with or encounters.
La
At the beginning of "La compréhension orale", "La" is the definite article before the feminine noun "compréhension". It introduces the specific listening skill being discussed.
compréhension
In "La compréhension orale", "compréhension" means “understanding.” Together with "orale", it refers to understanding spoken language, or listening comprehension.
orale
In "La compréhension orale", "orale" specifies that the understanding concerns spoken language. It contributes to the full meaning “listening comprehension.”
surtout
"surtout" means “especially” and highlights the situation "quand les gens parlent à une vitesse naturelle". It can emphasize the condition that is most important or difficult.
parlent
In "les gens parlent à une vitesse naturelle", "parlent" means “speak.” It describes what the people are doing and can be followed by information about how or at what speed they speak.
à
In "à une vitesse naturelle", "à" introduces the speed at which people speak. This pattern can be used before a phrase describing a rate or manner of activity.
une
In "à une vitesse naturelle", "une" means “a” and introduces the singular noun "vitesse". It is used before a non-specific feminine noun in this expression.
vitesse
In "à une vitesse naturelle", "vitesse" means “speed.” The expression describes how quickly an activity is performed or speech is delivered.
naturelle
In "à une vitesse naturelle", "naturelle" describes the speed as natural. It agrees with and directly describes "vitesse" in this phrase.
Alors
"Alors" means “then” and introduces a suggestion based on what was just said. It is useful for moving from a problem to a proposed next step.
consacre
In "consacre plus de temps à l'écoute", "consacre" tells the listener to devote or allocate time. The pattern "consacre ... à" is used to assign time or attention to an activity.
de
In "plus de temps", "de" follows the quantity expression "plus" and introduces what is being increased. The pattern "plus de" can be used before a noun to mean “more” of it.
temps
In "consacre plus de temps à l'écoute", "temps" means “time.” It is used here as something that can be allocated to a particular activity.
l'écoute
In "à l'écoute", "l'écoute" means “listening.” The phrase "consacre plus de temps à l'écoute" describes devoting more time to listening practice.
avant
"avant" means “before” and introduces the later activity "d'ajouter de nouveaux exercices de grammaire". It can be followed by an infinitive phrase to order two actions in time.
d'ajouter
In "avant d'ajouter de nouveaux exercices", "d'ajouter" means “to add” after "avant". The form combines the preposition required before an infinitive with the verb and introduces the action that has not yet been done.
nouveaux
In "de nouveaux exercices", "nouveaux" means “new” and describes the exercises as newly added. It agrees with the plural noun "exercices".
exercices
In "de nouveaux exercices de grammaire", "exercices" means “exercises.” The phrase refers to practice activities, specifically grammar activities here.
grammaire
In "exercices de grammaire", "grammaire" identifies the subject of the exercises: grammar. The pattern "exercices de" can specify what kind of exercises they are.
Comment
"Comment" means “how” and opens the question "Comment puis-je savoir si je progresse". It is used to ask about the way to achieve or determine something.
puis-je
In "Comment puis-je savoir", "puis-je" means “can I” and forms a question through inversion. The pattern "Comment puis-je" can introduce a request for advice about how to do something.
savoir
In "puis-je savoir si je progresse", "savoir" means “know” or “find out.” It is followed by "si" and the information the speaker wants to determine.
si
In "savoir si je progresse", "si" means “whether” and introduces the point the speaker wants to find out. It can connect a verb such as "savoir" to an uncertain question or fact.
je
In "si je progresse", "je" means “I” and identifies the person whose progress is being discussed. It appears directly before the verb in this clause.
progresse
In "si je progresse", "progresse" means “am improving” or “am making progress.” It is used to describe development in a skill or activity.
sans
"sans" means “without” and introduces the action that is avoided in "sans passer des tests tout le temps". It can be followed by an infinitive to describe an action not performed.
passer
In "sans passer des tests", "passer" means “take” or “do” when referring to tests. The pattern "passer des tests" is used for completing tests or examinations.
tests
In "passer des tests", "tests" means “tests.” The plural phrase refers to assessment activities the speaker does not want to use constantly.
tout
In "tout le temps", "tout" contributes to the meaning “all” or “the whole,” giving the expression “all the time.” This fixed time expression describes something happening continually.
Utilise
"Utilise" tells the listener to use something, here "le même court enregistrement". It can introduce a direct object when giving practical advice or an instruction.
même
In "le même court enregistrement", "même" means “same.” It emphasizes that the recording should not change between the two uses.
court
In "le même court enregistrement", "court" means “short” and describes the recording. It is placed before "enregistrement" in this phrase.
enregistrement
In "le même court enregistrement", "enregistrement" means “recording.” The phrase refers to audio material that can be listened to more than once.
fois
In "deux fois", "fois" means “times” or “occasions.” The expression "deux fois" tells how many times the recording should be used.
et
"et" means “and” and connects the two instructions "Utilise ..." and "compare ...". It is used to join related actions or ideas.
compare
"compare" tells the listener to compare the two results. It can be followed by the things being compared, as in "compare ce que tu as compris".
ce
In "ce que tu as compris", "ce" contributes to the meaning “what” by referring to the thing that was understood. The full pattern "ce que" introduces the content of an action or understanding.
que
In "ce que tu as compris", "que" links "ce" to the clause describing what was understood. Together, "ce que" means “what” in this sentence.
as
In "tu as compris", "as" is the auxiliary used with "compris" to express “have understood” or “understood.” The pattern "tu as" is followed here by a past participle.
compris
In "tu as compris", "compris" means “understood.” Together with "as", it refers to the content the learner understood from the recording.
Cela
"Cela" means “that” or “it” and refers to the action of using and comparing the recording. It lets the speaker refer back to an idea without repeating it.
me
In "Cela me donne", "me" means “to me” and identifies the person receiving the result. It is placed before the verb when something gives an effect or benefit to the speaker.
donne
In "Cela me donne une mesure plus claire", "donne" means “gives.” The pattern "donne ... une mesure" describes something providing a result or way to assess something.
mesure
In "une mesure plus claire", "mesure" means “measure” or “way of measuring.” Here it refers to a clearer way to judge progress.
claire
In "une mesure plus claire", "claire" means “clearer” because of "plus". It describes the measure as easier to understand or use for judging progress.
changer
In "que de changer de supports", "changer" means “change.” The pattern "changer de" is used when replacing one type of material or thing with another.
supports
In "changer de supports", "supports" means “materials” or “learning resources.” The phrase refers to the study materials being changed from day to day.
montre
In "Cela montre aussi si ta méthode fonctionne", "montre" means “shows.” It introduces information that can reveal whether a method is effective.
aussi
"aussi" means “also” and adds another result of the same comparison. It is placed here after the verb "montre".
ta
In "ta méthode", "ta" means “your” and shows possession before the singular noun "méthode". It identifies the method belonging to the person being addressed.
méthode
In "ta méthode fonctionne", "méthode" means “method” or “strategy.” It refers to the learner’s way of studying or practicing.
fonctionne
In "ta méthode fonctionne", "fonctionne" means “works” or “is effective.” It is used to evaluate whether a method produces the desired result.
pas
In "et pas seulement combien de temps", "pas" helps express the contrast “not just.” The phrase "pas seulement" limits the importance of the study time by adding another criterion.
seulement
In "pas seulement", "seulement" means “only” or “just.” Together with "pas", it creates the meaning “not only” or “not just.”
combien
In "combien de temps tu as étudié", "combien" asks “how much” or, with "de temps", “how long.” The pattern "combien de temps" asks about the duration of an activity.
étudié
In "tu as étudié", "étudié" means “studied.” Together with "as", it describes study that has already taken place.
pourrais
In "Je pourrais vérifier mes notes", "pourrais" means “could” and presents an option or possible plan. It is followed by the infinitive "vérifier".
vérifier
In "pourrais vérifier mes notes", "vérifier" means “check” or “review.” The pattern "vérifier" followed by an object is used when examining information to assess it.
notes
In "vérifier mes notes", "notes" means “notes.” The phrase refers to written study records that the speaker can examine regularly.
par
In "une fois par semaine", "par" means “per.” This pattern expresses a regular frequency, such as one occurrence during each week.
semaine
In "une fois par semaine", "semaine" means “week.” The full expression describes something that happens once every week.
ajuster
In "ajuster ma méthode", "ajuster" means “adjust.” It is used when making a small change to improve or better fit a method.
ma
In "ajuster ma méthode", "ma" means “my” and shows possession before the singular noun "méthode". It identifies the method belonging to the speaker.
partir
In "à partir de là", "partir" contributes to the meaning “from” or “starting from.” The full expression marks the point from which the speaker will decide what to do next.
là
In "à partir de là", "là" means “there” or “that point.” It refers back to the weekly check and indicates that the next adjustment will be based on its results.
petite
In "Une petite révision", "petite" means “small” and describes the review as limited in size or scope. It agrees with the feminine noun "révision".
révision
In "Une petite révision", "révision" means “review.” It refers here to a short, regular examination of study progress or notes.
comme
In "comme celle-là", "comme" means “like” and introduces a comparison. The phrase compares the suggested review with the specific one just mentioned.
celle-là
In "comme celle-là", "celle-là" means “one like that” or “that one” and refers back to "Une petite révision". It allows the speaker to refer to the review without repeating the noun.
peut
In "peut t'aider", "peut" means “can” and expresses that the review has the ability to help. It is followed by the infinitive phrase "t'aider à garder".
t'aider
In "peut t'aider à garder", "t'aider" means “help you.” It combines the object referring to “you” with the infinitive and is followed by "à" plus the action being helped.
garder
In "t'aider à garder ta pratique ciblée", "garder" means “keep” or “maintain.” The pattern "garder" followed by an object and description expresses maintaining something in a particular state.
pratique
In "ta pratique", "pratique" means “practice.” Here it refers to the learner’s ongoing language-study activity.
ciblée
In "garder ta pratique ciblée", "ciblée" means “focused” or “targeted.” It describes the practice as staying directed toward the listening goal.
Grammar Points
devenir + adjectif
Les progrès deviennent irréguliers.
lay proh-GRAY duh-VYENN een-ray-goo-LYAY.Progress becomes uneven.
Après devenir, l’adjectif s’accorde avec le sujet : progrès est masculin pluriel, donc irréguliers.
d’ + infinitif
d’ajouter des exercices
dah-zhoo-TAY day zek-sair-SEESto add exercises
Après de, l’infinitif reste inchangé. Devant une voyelle, de devient d’ : d’ajouter.
French Vocabulary
ajouter
verb
ah-zhoo-TAY
to add
d'ajouter
avant d'ajouter de nouveaux exercices
compréhension orale
noun
kohm-pray-ahn-SYOHN oh-RAL
listening comprehension
La compréhension orale
consacrer
verb
kohn-sah-KRAY
to devote; to dedicate
consacre
consacre plus de temps à l'écoute
devenir
verb
duh-vuh-NEER
to become
devient
Qu'est-ce qui devient le plus difficile
écoute
noun
ay-KOOT
listening
plus de temps à l'écoute
étudier
verb
ay-too-DYAY
to study
J'étudie
J'étudie tous les jours.
irrégulier
adj
een-ray-goo-LYAY
uneven; irregular
irréguliers
mes progrès restent irréguliers
naturel
adj
nah-too-REL
natural
naturelle
à une vitesse naturelle
parler
verb
par-LAY
to speak; to talk
tu parles
quand tu parles avec des gens
progrès
noun
proh-GRAY
progress
mes progrès restent irréguliers
surtout
adv
syoo-TOO
especially
surtout quand les gens parlent
vitesse
noun
vee-TESS
speed
à une vitesse naturelle
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
especially
Show Answer
surtoutuneven; irregular
Show Answer
irréguliersspeed
Show Answer
vitessenatural