Welcome to our brand new podcast series - the Coffee Break French Show! Throughout this 10-episode series, Mark and Max will help you take your intermediate French to the next level, one coffee break at a time. We cover a range of topics to help you deepen your understanding of tricky grammar, broaden your vocabulary, and improve your pronunciation. You'll sound like a native speaker in no time! Prefer to watch these lessons? You can do exactly that for free on Coffee Break TV , and download the...
Oct 10, 2023•2 min
Join Mark and Pierre-Benoît to find out more about the new series from Coffee Break French. In each episode of Il était une fois, Max and Pierre-Benoît will challenge each other to come up with an original story. The catch is that they must include 10 specific words, chosen by the challenger. Each episode is entirely in French, but to help you understand what's going on we've provided a full online course including lesson notes, transcript and a video version of the full episode. Find out m...
Dec 05, 2022•7 min
We have reached the final episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine Season 2 and we're going out with a bang as we're discussing one of the most widely celebrated holidays in France - Bastille Day! As we discover how le quatorze juillet is celebrated in Paris, we learn some interesting expressions like grasse matinée, avoir la chance de faire qqch and finir la journée en beauté. Listen out for some reflexive verbs along the way, some examples of direct object pronouns and the use of the p...
Aug 22, 2022•27 min•Season 12Ep. 10
In this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine we hear a text about Marie-Antoinette, the last Queen of France before the French Revolution. Join Mark and Pierre-Benoît as they discuss the language featured in the text and listen out for the following expressions: se rappeler qqch , tenter de faire qqch and faire des reproches à qqn . We also hear examples of indirect object pronouns and preceding direct objects and learn about the use of the imperfect tense and the conditional perfect. Sop...
Aug 08, 2022•30 min•Season 12Ep. 9
In this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine, we're transporting you to the city of Geneva. While hearing about what this wonderful Swiss city has to offer, we cover some interesting grammar points such as the agreement of tel(le) que and the use of être assis(e) à + infinitive. Sophie joins Mark at the end of the episode to discuss some time-related expressions including depuis la nuit des temps and en un rien de temps . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Se...
Jul 25, 2022•29 min•Season 12Ep. 8
The topic of this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine is French painter and founder of impressionist painting, Claude Monet. As we hear about his life and work throughout the text, Mark and Pierre-Benoît focus on the language used before Sophie joins Mark to discuss some interesting quotations by Pissarro. We also hear examples of perfect and imperfect tenses; direct and indirect object pronouns; and the pluperfect tense with the auxiliary verbs avoir and être. Some expressions to listen...
Jul 11, 2022•24 min•Season 12Ep. 7
Mais d’où viennent les frites ? That is the question Mark and Pierre-Benoît are addressing in this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine! We hope you're hungry as we hear a range of useful food-related words and expressions in this episode, such as manger sur le pouce , avoir la frite and ne pas avoir toutes ses frites dans le même sachet. We also come across examples of direct object pronouns and learn more about the use of the superlative. There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 2...
Jun 27, 2022•27 min•Season 12Ep. 6
In this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine we're heading to the cinema! After hearing a text about French cinema, Mark and Pierre-Benoît break down the language, focusing on some useful vocabulary for talking about films, such as: réalisateur , le septième art and trucages . Listen out for examples of the subjunctive, the gerund and the imperfect tense, as well as the following expressions: que ce soit and être la première à avoir fait qqch . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Seas...
Jun 13, 2022•30 min•Season 12Ep. 5
This week, we're taking a virtual trip to the French-speaking area of Canada: Québec! Throughout the lesson we share some of the top attractions in this beautiful province of Canada. Along the way, we hear examples of direct object pronouns, the pronoun y and examples of the future tense of the verbs avoir and être . Listen out for some useful expressions such as: profiter de qqch , s'aventurer quelque part and avoir l’impression . There will be a total of 10 episodes in Season 2 of t...
May 30, 2022•28 min•Season 12Ep. 4
In this episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine, we hear a text about the very well known French fashion designer...that's right it's Coco Chanel! Our hosts, Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss a range of fashion-related words and phrases as well as examples of the following grammar points: reflexive verbs in the perfect tense; the imperfect tense; and the gerund. To finish, Mark and Sophie explore a short text about Lily Rose Depp during which they discuss an interesting expression: c’est un peu...
May 16, 2022•27 min•Season 12Ep. 3
Join Mark and Pierre-Benoît for Episode 2 of our Coffee Break French Magazine Season 2! After introducing the episode, we hear about the French aperitif tradition and analyse the language featured throughout this text. Some interesting expressions to listen out for include: quel(le) que soit (whatever), être le bienvenu (to be welcome) and faire plaisir (to be appreciated). Mark and Sophie round off the episode with a discussion about a recipe for tapenade. There will be a total of 10 episodes i...
May 02, 2022•30 min•Season 12Ep. 2
Welcome to the very first episode of the Coffee Break French Magazine Season 2! Join our hosts Mark and Pierre-Benoît as they introduce the series and take a virtual trip to the city of Toulouse, also known as La ville rose. Throughout the reading text about this beautiful city, Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss the language used, including the use of depuis + present tense; an example of the relative pronoun lesquelles ; and the reflexive verb se ranimer . There will be a total of 10 episode...
Apr 18, 2022•33 min•Season 12Ep. 1
In this special episode, Mark provides an update on all things Coffee Break French including the return of the Coffee Break French Magazine in late April 2022; the launch of the Coffee Break books , available from June in your local bookshop and from online retailers; and the Coffee Break French Club , where you can get your daily dose of French activities. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 04, 2022•7 min
In the 10th and final episode from Season 2 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries, Charlotte, Théo and Lucas savour their last day in France before travelling back to Geneva. Join Mark and Pierre-Benoît for one last time as they discuss the interesting language points included in Charlotte's final travel diary entry. We cover phrases like jeter un un coup d’œil à qqch and être scotché par qqch and explain the difference between quitter and partir . Our premium version includes lesson n...
Apr 15, 2021•24 min•Season 11Ep. 10
It's time for the next instalment of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries Season 2! University friends Charlotte, Théo and Lucas make the most of their time in the Loire Valley with a visit to the impressive Château de Chambord and Château de Villandry before a bike ride along the Loire River - the longest river in France! Join teachers Mark and Pierre-Benoît as they discuss the language featured in Charlotte's travel diary entry in this penultimate episode of the series. The podcast episodes ...
Apr 08, 2021•22 min•Season 11Ep. 9
Welcome to another episode from Season 2 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries! This time, Charlotte, Théo and Lucas are back on the road as they're en route to Tours. On arrival they explore what the university town has to offer and sample some local dishes including the famous rillettes de Tours . Listen out for some indirect object pronouns and a preceding direct object pronoun. The podcast episodes will be published weekly from 11th February. However, if you would like to binge the...
Apr 01, 2021•20 min•Season 11Ep. 8
In Episode 7 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries Season 2, Charlotte, Théo and Lucas reach one of the most popular tourist attractions in France, the Mont Saint-Michel. As they set off to explore the magical island, Théo and Lucas reveal a surprise for Charlotte. Can you guess what it could be? Listen to the episode to find out and pay close attention to the interesting words and phrases featured in Charlotte's diary entry, including: enfiler , finir la journée en beauté and rêver de qqch ...
Mar 25, 2021•23 min•Season 11Ep. 7
It's time for another episode from Season 2 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries! Charlotte, Théo and Lucas spend their final day in Normandy visiting the Abbaye aux Hommes before wandering around the around streets of the city centre, stopping to sample some Norman specialities along the way. Mark and Pierre Benoît take note of many interesting phrases using the verb être , including être fou de qqch and être inspiré par qqch . We also hear more about the difference between en fait,...
Mar 18, 2021•25 min•Season 11Ep. 6
Welcome back to Season 2 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries! In Episode 5, Charlotte, Théo and Lucas have an emotional day at the Normandy landing beaches. While listening to the details of their trip from Charlotte's diary entry, pay attention to the use of the word dont and the conjugation of acueillir in the present tense which Mark and Pierre Benoît discuss in the episode. The podcast episodes will be published weekly from 11th February. However, if you would like to binge the entire ...
Mar 11, 2021•28 min•Season 11Ep. 5
Join us for the next instalment from Season 2 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries in which we follow the adventures of university friends Charlotte, Théo and Lucas, as they explore historical locations in northwestern France. In this episode, the trio have an early rise for a day of fishing before heading back on the road, this time, for the port city of Caen. Listen out for some useful vocabulary featured in Charlotte's diary entry, including: démarrer qqch , se reconvertir and requinquer...
Mar 04, 2021•26 min•Season 11Ep. 4
We're back with another episode from Season 2 of the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries. After a delicious breakfast at their BnB, Charlotte, Théo and Lucas visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts before getting back in the car and heading to the enchanting city of Honfleur. In this week's travel diary entry, we hear some indirect object pronouns and teachers Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss many useful expressions including avoir droit à qqch and être au tour de qqn . The podcast episodes will be p...
Feb 25, 2021•29 min•Season 11Ep. 3
It's time for the second episode from Season 2 of our virtual travel series, the Coffee Break French Travel Diaries. Charlotte, Théo and Lucas make their way to Rouen, the historic capital of Normandy, and begin to discover what the Medieval city has to offer. In this episode, we encounter some interesting expressions such as prendre des forces , manger sur le pouce , and s’imprégner de qqch . Of course, teachers Mark and Pierre-Benoît are on hand to help you understand the language used in this...
Feb 18, 2021•22 min•Season 11Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 2 of our Coffee Break French Travel Diaries for intermediate learners. While it's not so easy to travel right now, why not do some virtual travelling with us? In this second series, we're following the adventures of Swiss student Charlotte and her friends Lucas and Théo as they take a trip through historic locations in northwestern France. In each episode, teachers Mark and Pierre-Benoît discuss Charlotte's travel diary and look at interesting vocabulary and expressions for int...
Feb 11, 2021•26 min•Season 11Ep. 1
Welcome to this episode of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question quelle est ta ville française préférée ? - What is your favourite French city? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all intervie...
Dec 10, 2020•21 min•Season 10Ep. 10
Welcome to this episode of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question avez-vous déjà mangé quelque chose de bizarre ? Have you ever eaten anything strange? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all i...
Dec 03, 2020•23 min•Season 10Ep. 9
Welcome to this episode of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question quelle serait ta destination idéale ? What would your ideal destination be? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews ...
Nov 26, 2020•23 min•Season 10Ep. 8
Welcome to this episode of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question qu’est-ce qui t'embête le plus ? W hat annoys you the most? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed befo...
Nov 19, 2020•26 min•Season 10Ep. 7
Welcome to this episode of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question préféres-tu l’été ou l’hiver ? Do you prefer summer or winter? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed b...
Nov 12, 2020•23 min•Season 10Ep. 6
Welcome to this episode of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question pour toi, est-il important d’apprendre une langue étrangère ? Is learning a foreign language important to you? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the res...
Nov 05, 2020•22 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Welcome to Episode 4 of our new Coffee Break French To Go podcast in which we’re on the streets of Nantes in Western France with Pierre-Benoît, talking to native speakers about a variety of topics. In this episode we’re asking the question qu’as-tu fait hier ? What did you do yesterday? We’ll listen to all of the interviews with Pierre-Benoît out and about, while Mark is back in the studio and he’ll help you understand all the responses. Please note all interviews were filmed before lockdown. Ou...
Oct 29, 2020•22 min•Season 10Ep. 4
