French Audio Lab
French sound files and listening practice
Learn French at About includes more than 2,500 sound files in .wav format as well as assorted larger files which you can use to work on your French pronunciation and listening skills. All of these French sound files are found in one or more of the following - improve your French with these resources:
Audio Dictionary
The French audio dictionary contains more than 2,500 alphabetical entries, each with a French word or expression, sound file, English translation, and links to additional or related information.Baby Talk
French has quite a bit of "baby talk" or "kiddie speak" - words and expressions which are usually used by children or when talking to children. Even if you don't talk to kids in French, this informal language is important to recognize, as baby talk can also be found in jokes and in conversations with good friends.Beginning Vocabulary
Dozens of lessons with sound files, including numbers, colors, greetings, clothing, food, travel phrases, and much more.French for Kids
Lessons to help teachers and parents teach kids French. These pages are specially designed with colorful graphics to attract kids' interest, and also include sound files and links to related resources.Listening Comprehension
Work on your French listening comprehension with these exercises. Each one includes a sound file, study guide, and short quiz. There is also a transcript and a full translation of the audio, which you can use to better understand the sound file.Mot du jour
An online word of the day with English translation, sample sentences, related words, sound file, and pronunciation guide.Names
There are hundreds of common French first names. Some of them look just like their English counterparts, others are fairly similar, and still others may be uniquely French. These pages include more than 200 of the most popular French names, along with their pronunciation and English equivalents.Numbers
Learning to count in French is one thing - it's fairly easy to memorize un, deux, trois. It's another matter entirely to be able to think of a number without counting up to it, or to understand individual numbers when you hear them. Fortunately, practice makes perfect, and these sound files can help you to get better at understanding and using French numbers.Pronunciation
This section includes more than 70 pages, including a thorough explanation of the pronunciation of each French letter and many letter combinations, aurally "illustrated" with lots of sound files, as well as lessons on liaisons, silent letters, contractions, rhythm, and much more.Slang
Nearly 100 slang words and expressions, ranging from informal to vulgar, with definitions, sample sentences, and sound files.Wine
If you love French wine but hate ordering it, here's a page that can help. This list of French wines and related vocabulary includes sound files to help you pronounce the names of French wines.
More French Listening
120 dictées de français
The publisher of the online French audio magazine La Guinguette has a new product to help you work on your French listening and writing skills at the same time. Dictation is a technique used in many language classes, and now 120 dictées de français offers hours of practice for independent learners.Audio Magazines
French audio magazines are excellent learning tools, providing authentic French listening practice on a variety of topics. Of the five that I am familiar with, two are online and one is free.Audio Resources (offline)
You can learn a lot of French grammar using the internet and books, but if you want to be able to understand others and make yourself understood, you need to work on your listening and speaking skills. These French audio resources can help.Balade en France Audiobook
Balade en France, from the publisher of Champs-Élysées audiomagazine, is a collection of 18 French travel articles in audiobook format. Read my review of this combination travel guide, cultural study, history book, and French language course.Champs-Élysées Audiomagazine
Champs-Élysées is an audiomagazine aimed at intermediate and advanced French students, and is perfect for teachers looking to provide additional French listening practice. Click here to read my in-depth review of this first-rate French learning and teaching tool.Conversations françaises : Les Relations transatlantiques - The French-American Relationship
From the publisher of Champs-Élysées audiomagazine comes a brand-new product ideal for anyone wondering what the French think of the United States or why the Iraq war contributed to a spate of anti-Frenchism. This bilingual audiobook comprises three interviews with prominent French intellectuals about the relationship between France and the United States - read my review.Listening Links
Ideas and resources to help you improve and practice your French listening skills.Pronunciation Links
Resources to help you learn about French pronunciation.Pronunciation Tools (offline)
Pronunciation tends to be the most difficult aspect of learning French. It takes a lot of practice to pronounce French correctly, but if you want to speak well, good French pronunciation is essential. Nothing will kill a conversation faster than an inability to make yourself understood. The following resources include detailed explanations of French sounds and some audio tools for listening and speaking practice.Software
Software can be an interesting addition to one's language study. While not a replacement for a teacher or conversation partner, software can help with vocabulary, grammar, listening, and even, thanks to speech recognition technology, pronunciation. If you're looking for an interesting way to get more French practice and improve your skills, check out these French language software recommendations.
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