Ma France follows on from French Steps and is also ideal for people brushing up or returning to French. Its language and grammar match the second (Preliminary) stage of the Languages Ladder and conform to Level A2/B1 of the Common European Framework.
Units
Objectives
Grammar: synopsis
1- Preview
Getting up to speed before starting Ma France.
The use of je and vous with the present tense; phrases with c'est ; mon, ma, mes and links to entry-level grammar.
Grammar notes
2- Directions
Getting and understanding directions.
Using verbs with vous :
vous suivez... (you follow...), vous prenez... (you take...), vous traversez... (you cross...) etc.
Grammar notes
3- Languages
Saying what languages you speak and how well you can speak them. Getting help with pronunciation, spelling and meanings.
Expressions with ç²¹, like ç²¹ se prononce comment ? (how's that pronounced?), ç²¹ s'écrit comment ? (how's that spelt?).
Grammar notes
4- Shopping
Saying what you want to buy and the quantity you want; how you're going to pay.
Je voudrais... (I'd like...); quantities ; standard shopping phrases ; je paie par/avec... (I'll pay by/with...).
Grammar notes
5- Work
Understanding work talk and describing your own job.
Verbs with je in the present tense (regular, irregular and reflexive) :
je fais (I do), je travaille (I work),
je suis (I am), je me lève (I get up).
Grammar notes
6- Arrangements
Say what you're doing and when you're doing it. Arranging meetings by phone and email.
Using pouvoir (to be able) and devoir (to have to) ; how to use the present tense.
Grammar notes
7- Kids & pets
Discussing and describing others.
3rd person present tense (singular and plural); adjectives.
Grammar notes
Understanding written and spoken instructions and warnings.
Imperatives (using vous); saying what must be done using on doit and il faut followed by a verb in the infinitive.
Grammar notes
9- Wine talk
Comparing different types of wine and expressing preferences.
Using celui-ci and ³¦±ð±ô³Ü¾±-±ôà (this one, that one); comparing things using plus or moins with que.
Grammar notes
10- Eating out
Discussing where and what you'd prefer to eat.
Using phrases like moi aussi (me too), pourquoi pas ? (why not?). Vouloir and ±è°ùé´Úé°ù±ð°ù in the present tense. Expressions using avoir.
Grammar notes
11- Booking a gîte
Understanding an advert online, confirming details via phone call and booking a gîte.
Using the expression il y a; different ways of asking questions.
Grammar notes
12- House buying
Finding out about houses for sale and being shown around.
Using on :
on peut visiter.. ? (can I/we/ one visit.. ?).
Grammar notes
13- Walks
Understanding written and spoken directions; describing the landscape.
Saying what you're going to do using le future proche :
on va followed by the infinitive.
Grammar notes
14- Cooking
Discussing tasty dishes and how to cook them.
Using the expression il faut with nouns and infinitives ; avoir l'air bon (to smell, look good).
Grammar notes
15- Chemists'
Explaining what's wrong and asking for a remedy.
Using avoir mal de... to explain what's wrong and avoir qqch pour/contre... to ask for remedies.
Grammar notes
16- B and B
Understanding questions about what you've been doing and having simple conversations at a Bed and Breakfast.
The recent past in French:
verbs with avoir.
Grammar notes
17- Holidays
Talking about where you've been on holiday.
The recent past in French:
verbs with ê³Ù°ù±ð.
Grammar notes
18- Guided tour
Understanding what's being said on a guided tour and checking you've got it right.
Using the imperfect tense, l'imparfait:
il vivait ici (he used to live here); dates and years.
Grammar notes
19- Dating
Saying what you're like and what you like to do.
Using tu and vous; likes and dislikes using aimer ; modifying statements using ±è±ô³Ü³Ùô³Ù, un peu etc.
Grammar notes
20- Football
Saying something's good or bad; what games you play and who you support.
Different ways of saying good and bad.
Asking questions with words like qui, comment, pourquoi ? (who,how and why?).
Grammar notes
Saying and writing the right thing on a range of special occasions.
Polite formulae and set structures such as je vous souhaite... (I wish you...) veuillez accepter... (please accept... ).
Grammar notes
22- Hotel requests
Polite ways of getting things done or getting what you need.
The use of polite expressions with the conditional tense :
serait-il possible... ? (would it be possible..?).
Grammar notes
23- DIY
Discussing doing up a house.
Different ways of talking about the future:
with on va... or using le futur : je commencerai... (I will start...).
Grammar notes
24- News & views
Saying what you think about the weather and about issues in the news.
How to use expressions like je pense que, je crois que, Ã mon avis.
Grammar notes
