Immersion is the most effective way to learn a foreign language, but it can feel scary at first. Beginners might worry: "What do I do if I'm confused as the teacher rambles on in French? What page was the homework? And what if I need to go to the bathroom?"
French learners can feel confident and empowered in their new language by mastering a few key survival expressions during the first week of class.
Basic French Expressions and Manners
Start at the beginning with the most fundamental vocabulary.
- Oui - Yes
- Non - Non
- S'il vous plaît- Please
- Merci - Thank you
- Merci beaucoup - Thank you very much
- De rien - You're welcome
- Pardon - Pardon?
- Excusez-moi - Excuse me
- Je regrette - I'm sorry
Interrogatve Expressions
Even if students are not quite ready to conquer question formation, they can memorize the "who-what-where-when-how-why" expressions in order to clarify understanding.
- J'ai une question - I have a question
- Qui - Who
- Que - What
- Quoi - What? Huh?
- Où - Where
- Quand - When
- Comment - How
- Pourquoi - Why
- Combien - How Much/How Many
- Qu'est-ce que c'est? - What is it?
To quickly memorize interrogative expressions, sing them to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat": Qui, Que, Où, Quand, Comment, et Pourquoi / Combien, Qu'est-ce que c'est? / Voilà les questions.
Negotiation of Meaning
This skill is extremely important as learners try to make sense of French.
- Lentement - Slowly
- Répétez - Repeat
- Je comprends - I understand
- Je ne comprends pas - I don't understand
- Je sais - I know
- Je ne sais pas - I don't know
- J'ai oublié - I forgot
- Que veut dire . . . en anglais? - What does . . . mean in English?
- Comment dit-on . . . en français? - How do you say . . . in French?
- Est-ce qu'il y a des devoirs? - Is there homework?
- Quels sont les devoirs? - What's the homework?
- Quelle page? - Which page?
Asking Permission in French
Middle school or high school students will find that asking permission is a skill they will use time and time again. Here are the most common French questions for use during classtime:
- Puis-je -- May I
- Est-ce que je peux - May I
- parler anglais? - speak English?
- aller aux toilettes? - go to the bathroom?
- aller à mon casier? - go to my locker?
- avoir un tour? - have a turn?
Borrowing Needed Items in French
It is not uncommon to need to borrow something during class. Do it in French!
- Peux-tu me prêter . . . ? - Can you lend me . . . ? (informal)
- un crayon? - a pencil?
- un stylo? - a pen?
- du papier? - some paper?
- une gomme? - an eraser?
- un livre? - a book?
- un dictionnaire? - a dictionary?
- un trombone? - a paperclip?
- une poinçonneuse? - a hole-punch?
- une agrafeuse? - a stapler?
- de l'argent? - some money?
- un i-pod? - your i-pod?
Language immersion helps students to learn quickly and effectively. Beginners will develop confidence in French with survival expressions and useful phrases.
Diane Farrug - Diane is a foreign language teacher and writer from the U.S. She has shared her love of the French language with students as young as 2 ...
