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Survival Expressions for French Students

Useful Phrases in French Class

© Diane Farrug

School in France, Henry Salome
Survive and thrive in a French immersion classroom environment with useful French questions and statements.

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?
  • - 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.


The copyright of the article Survival Expressions for French Students in Learning French is owned by Diane Farrug. Permission to republish Survival Expressions for French Students in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


School in France, Henry Salome
       



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