Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott

Can you actually be a "numbers person" or a "language person?" In this lesson, you'll learn: What the science has to say about being a "language person"How neuroplasticity research can help you improve your FrenchThe power of movement for when you get stuckHow to stop thinking "I'm bad at this" and why it'll be good for your French skills!Key takeaways from Caroline Williams' My Plastic Brain that you can apply to your French learning.Your action steps: 1️⃣ Get your customizable template: Overcoming the Intermediate Plateau.2️⃣ Review the transcript.Enjoying Let's Speak French? Leave a review to help other intermediate learners find the podcast!

Improve your intermediate listening comprehension with this episode. You’ll hear a spoiler-free review, key vocabulary, and cultural insight—all at the B1/B2 level, so you can build your comprehension while discovering something new.Tes prochaines étapes [Your next steps]1️⃣ Check your understanding with this short quiz! You’ll get immediate feedback.2️⃣ Review the transcript of this episode. 3️⃣ Tap “subscribe” to make sure you never miss an episode!

You've been learning French forever, but they still switch to English on you when you speak to them in French!If you're tired of servers, coworkers, or friends switching to English, this episode is for you! You'll learn tips for every level (A2, B1, B2, and beyond), plus why they're switching to English in the first place (spoiler alert: it probably isn't personal!). Tes prochaines étapes: [Your next steps]1️⃣ Follow along with the transcript here. 2️⃣ Want a weekly dose of French to your inbox, plus recommendations of my favourite books and series to help you learn French? Join the free weekly lessons here!

Think “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!

Learn 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!

Learn 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!

Is 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 expressionsTes prochaines étapes [Your next steps]:📝 The 10-question TOUT Quiz Test what you learned and get instant feedback. Retake it as many times as you need!📖 Full episode transcript available at: elevatefrench.com/episode39💬 Let’s ConnectWhat surprised you the most about tout? Tell me on Instagram @elevatefrench or tag a French-learning friend who needs this episode too!🧠 Ready to Feel More Confident Speaking French?The best way to lock in tricky grammar like this is with real-time practice and feedback. You’ll get both in the workshops and courses at ElevateFrench.com.

Have 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 sipping your coffee, this quick episode is packed with tools you can apply right away.Tes prochaines étapes [Your next steps]✨ Overcoming the Intermediate Plateau customizable study template Track your progress, build habits, and choose the vocabulary strategy that works for you.✨ Which strategy are you going to try this week? Let me know — I’d love to hear from you! DM me on Instagram @elevatefrench or share this episode with your French-learning buddy so you can keep each other accountable.

If 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 come away with a deeper appreciation for this vibrant variety of the language.🗣️ C’est pas du mauvais français. C’est du français québécois.Tes prochaines étapes: 1️⃣ Follow along with the transcript for this episode here.2️⃣ What variety of French are you learning? Let me know by tagging me in an Instagram story. I'm @elevatefrench3️⃣ Try out the 10 expressions this week!Hungry for more French lessons? Subscribe for weekly lessons here.

You 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-life conversationsHow to use them in the passé composé to describe your past actionsTes prochaines étapes:1️⃣ Want a printable list of the verbs we talk about in this episode, and more? 👉 Download your free Reflexive Verb Guide + transcript here2️⃣ Choose one verb from today’s episode and try to use it this week — in a conversation, a journal entry, or a voice memo to yourself!3️⃣ Know someone else learning French? Send them this episode to help them sound more polished en françaisIf you enjoyed this episode, could you leave a quick rating or review? It helps other intermediate French learners to find the podcast. Merci beaucoup!

How 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 "Subscribe" to make sure you never miss an episode.Looking to dive deeper? Follow Dr. Natalie @elevatefrench on Instagram or Facebook for more daily tips and tricks. Feeling stuck with French grammar or vocabulary? Let me know and I might turn it into an episode! Send me an email at natalie@elevatefrench.com

How 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 make sure this podcast reaches more intermediate+ learners like you!

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 pronunciation further with these 21 words to improve your intermediate FrenchAre you learning something from the Let's Speak French! podcast? Make sure to leave a rating and review to help other intermediate learners to find this podcast! Looking to dive deeper? Apply for private lessons or group coaching. You'll get lessons tailored to you and your goals, including all lesson materials, weekly homework and feedback, a customized lesson path, and access to Dr. Natalie for any questions that pop up between lessons.

You'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!

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 efficiently with AI, grab the10 ChatGPT Prompts to Practice French Like a Pro.2️⃣ Have you tried using AI for language learning? I’d love to hear how it’s going!Email me at natalie@elevatefrench.com or send me a DM on Instagram.3️⃣ Tap "Follow" where you're listening for more research-backed French lessons!