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Kieran Ball

Welcome to course 13 :-)

Le nombre 13 est au centre de nombreuses superstitions.

The number 13 is at the centre of several superstitions.

Whilst many consider the 13 to be unlucky, in France it's actually considered to be a lucky number.

This is the thirteenth course in the 3 Minute French series, and it contains lessons 108 to 116.

In course 10, we started by looking at how to compare things using the words meilleur and pire, and those are both adjectives. Therefore, you can use them to compare nouns.

Read more

Welcome to course 13 :-)

Le nombre 13 est au centre de nombreuses superstitions.

The number 13 is at the centre of several superstitions.

Whilst many consider the 13 to be unlucky, in France it's actually considered to be a lucky number.

This is the thirteenth course in the 3 Minute French series, and it contains lessons 108 to 116.

In course 10, we started by looking at how to compare things using the words meilleur and pire, and those are both adjectives. Therefore, you can use them to compare nouns.

However, in this course, we're going to take comparisons one step further and we'll look at how to compare actions with adverbs. That means we'll be able to say who does something better or worse. To do this, we'll be using the adverbs mieux (better) and plus mal (worse). We'll look in detail at the difference between mieux and meilleur, and the difference between pire and plus mal.

We'll learn lots of new adjectives, and we'll look at how we can turn these into adverbs. Remember, adjectives can be used to describe things (nouns), whereas adverbs can be used to describe actions (verbs). There are some adverbs that aren't formed in the same way as other adverbs, so we'll be looking at those, too - these include vite, volontiers and surtout.

We'll learn some useful conjunctions and learn the difference between car and parce que, which can both be used to mean because.

We're going to explore the world of prepositions and prepositional adverbs, and what the difference between the two is. Prepositions need an object after them, whereas prepositional adverbs can be used by themselves. We'll look at a few of these in French, as well as the terms fo upstairs and downstairs. Whilst we look at the difference between prepositions and prepositional adverbs, we'll also recap the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs, just to make sure it's very clear.

We'll get plenty of opportunity to practise all of this, along with everything we've learnt in previous courses. The more we practise playing around with the language, the more it'll become second nature to us, and this helps us to better achieve fluency when speaking.

I hope you enjoy...

Bon apprentissage | Happy learning

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Learn how to do comparisons with the adverbs "mieux" and "plus mal"
  • Learn how to form comparatives and superlatives with adjectives
  • Get plenty of new conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs and verbs that will enrich your language skills
  • Learn about the useful phrase "ça veut dire"
  • Get to grips with the french alphabet and how to spell things in french
  • Find out how you can turn an adjective into an adverb in french
  • Get lots of new phrases to help you to be extra polite in french
  • Look at the very useful phrase "bien sûr"
  • Discover how to talk about describing something's location with a useful list of adverbs of place
  • Look more deeply at the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs

Syllabus

Introduction
Lesson 108c
Lesson 108
Lesson 108a
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Continues to build upon previous lessons, which may help learners solidify their understanding of basic French grammar and vocabulary
Explores the nuances of French adverbs and conjunctions, which are essential for constructing more complex and nuanced sentences
Focuses on comparisons using adverbs like 'mieux' and 'plus mal,' which are useful for expressing preferences and making evaluations
Belongs to a series of courses, which may provide a structured and comprehensive learning experience for beginners

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Reviews summary

3 minute french: continuing grammar and vocabulary

According to learners, this course effectively continues the 3 Minute French series, offering short lessons format that many find ideal for fitting language learning into busy schedules. Students particularly appreciate the clear explanations for complex grammar points such as adverbs, conjunctions, and prepositions, helping them better understand nuances like the difference between 'car' and 'parce que'. The course provides useful practice exercises that aid in solidifying understanding and benefits from an engaging instructor who makes learning enjoyable. It is widely seen as a course that builds well on previous material, reinforcing prior concepts while introducing new ones. However, some feedback suggests the pace is too fast at times, and it's crucial for prospective students to understand that it requires prior knowledge from the series, making it generally unsuitable for absolute beginners despite the series title.
Exercises help solidify understanding.
"The practice sessions after the lessons are really helpful."
"I like how the exercises test my understanding immediately."
"Plenty of opportunity to practice what I just learned."
"Good mix of listening and speaking practice."
Instructor is clear and easy to follow.
"The instructor makes learning enjoyable and easy to follow."
"He has a very clear way of explaining things."
"Love the instructor's energy and teaching style."
"The teacher is fantastic, really keeps me engaged."
Connects well with prior lessons.
"This course is a great continuation of the series."
"It flows perfectly from course 12 and reinforces previous learning."
"Appreciate how new lessons build on old ones."
"Fits right in with the progression of the 3 Minute French courses."
Complex grammar is explained simply.
"The explanations for adverbs versus adjectives were very clear this time."
"Finally understood the difference between car and parce que!"
"Complex concepts are broken down into simple steps."
"The distinction between mieux/meilleur was explained perfectly."
Lessons are quick, fitting into a busy day.
"I love the '3 minute' approach; it makes learning French manageable every day."
"Perfect for squeezing in learning time during breaks or commutes."
"The short format keeps me motivated and doesn't feel overwhelming."
"Each lesson is bite-sized and easy to digest quickly."
Minor errors or confusing examples noted.
"Found one or two examples confusing."
"There seemed to be a small error in one of the practice sentences."
"Could use a quick review for minor inconsistencies."
"Caught a small mistake in the pronunciation guide for one word."
Information pace can feel rushed.
"Sometimes the information comes a bit too fast."
"Wish there was a little more time to absorb before moving on."
"Even though they are short, some lessons feel rushed."
"Had to rewatch some parts multiple times because of the pace."
Builds on series; not for absolute beginners.
"Despite the series title, this course assumes you've done the others."
"If you haven't taken the earlier courses, this might be confusing."
"Definitely requires knowledge from the previous 12 courses."
"Started here thinking 'beginners' meant absolute beginner, but I was lost."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in 3 Minute French - Course 13 | Language lessons for beginners with these activities:
Review French Adjectives
Reinforce your understanding of French adjectives before learning about adverbs and comparisons.
Show steps
  • Review the definition of adjectives.
  • Practice forming masculine and feminine adjectives.
  • Test yourself with online quizzes.
Read 'French Grammar For Dummies'
Use a beginner-friendly grammar guide to clarify any confusing concepts.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on adverbs and adjectives.
  • Complete the practice exercises.
  • Review the examples provided.
Read 'Easy French Step-by-Step'
Supplement your learning with a structured grammar guide to reinforce concepts.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on adjectives and adverbs.
  • Complete the exercises in each chapter.
  • Review the key concepts and rules.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Adjective to Adverb Conversion Drills
Practice converting French adjectives into adverbs to solidify your understanding of the rules.
Show steps
  • Create a list of common French adjectives.
  • Convert each adjective into its adverb form.
  • Check your answers with a French grammar resource.
  • Repeat with a new set of adjectives.
Practice Comparisons with a Language Partner
Practice using French comparisons in conversation with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner online or in person.
  • Prepare a list of topics to discuss.
  • Practice making comparisons using adjectives and adverbs.
  • Provide feedback to each other on grammar and pronunciation.
Create a French Comparison Guide
Synthesize your knowledge by creating a guide on how to make comparisons in French using adjectives and adverbs.
Show steps
  • Outline the different types of comparisons.
  • Provide examples of each type of comparison.
  • Explain the rules for forming comparatives and superlatives.
  • Share your guide with other learners for feedback.
Write a Short Story Using Comparisons
Apply your knowledge of French comparisons by writing a creative short story.
Show steps
  • Brainstorm a story idea.
  • Write a draft of your story.
  • Incorporate at least ten comparisons using adjectives and adverbs.
  • Revise and edit your story for grammar and clarity.

Career center

Learners who complete 3 Minute French - Course 13 | Language lessons for beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Interpreter
An interpreter facilitates spoken communication between individuals who speak different languages. This course introduces useful French phrases that could help an interpreter in situations where they need to quickly convey meaning. This course also explains the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs, which might help an interpreter more quickly understand a speaker. The course's focus on vocabulary and grammar will help a potential interpreter to build a base understanding of the French language. This will help an interpreter be successful in their career.
Translator
A translator converts written material from one language to another, requiring a deep understanding of both languages. This course, focusing on French language skills, helps build a foundation for a career as a translator, since it includes lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases. The course will help a translator develop an ease with the French language. The course also delves into the nuances of adverbs and comparisons, which enhances the precision of translations. A potential translator should find this a good starting point.
Cultural Liaison
A cultural liaison bridges communication and understanding between different cultures. This course helps a future cultural liaison by building a French language foundation. The course, covering grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases, enhances communication with French speakers. Understanding and communicating differences is a core part of this role, and the course aids this understanding. A cultural liaison will find this a good starting place for their career.
Bilingual Teacher
A bilingual teacher instructs students in two languages, fostering language acquisition and cultural understanding. This course in the French language may help to build a base for a career as a bilingual teacher, particularly one focused on French. The course's focus on grammar and vocabulary may help a bilingual teacher to better explain nuances of the French language to a learner. The learning of common phrases will aid communication. A future bilingual teacher will likely find this to be a helpful course.
International Aid Worker
An international aid worker provides support in international humanitarian projects, often requiring cross-cultural communication. This course may help an international aid worker to communicate with French speakers, helping develop a base of knowledge of French. The course includes lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases. An international aid worker in francophone regions will find this course very helpful in their work. This role may require an advanced degree.
Travel Guide
A travel guide escorts individuals or groups on trips, providing information about local areas. This course, which includes lessons on practical French phrases and grammar, is useful preparation for a career as a travel guide. A travel guide who speaks French is likely to be well received in a number of francophone regions. The lessons in this course help build a foundational understanding of the French language and culture, since it uses real world language. Because this role requires communicating information, the course may help in this respect.
Localization Specialist
A localization specialist adapts products or content to a specific language and culture. This course on French may help a localization specialist build a base knowledge of French. The course introduces elements of French grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases. The course may be useful to a localization specialist, aiding in the process of adapting products for French speakers.
Tour Manager
A tour manager oversees the logistics and operations of tours, often in international locations. This French language course may help an aspiring tour manager to communicate with vendors and clients in francophone regions. This course addresses grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases, all useful in navigating different cultural settings. The course will help a tour manager develop a base of understanding of French. A tour manager in French-speaking regions will find this course helpful.
Foreign Language Correspondent
A foreign language correspondent reports from international locations, requiring strong communication skills in the local language. This course in French may be useful for a future foreign language correspondent, providing a base in grammar, common phrases, vocabulary, and conversation. For a foreign correspondent stationed in a francophone region, the course will be useful. This course specifically addresses comparatives and superlatives, helping a foreign language correspondent communicate events and situations with precision. This course provides a foundation for a future role as foreign language correspondent.
Diplomat
A diplomat represents their country's interests abroad, requiring the ability to communicate complex ideas in the local language. This course may help a diplomat by building a foundation in French, useful for posting in francophone countries. The course introduces grammar, vocabulary, and common phrases. The course's discussion of relative and absolute adverbs may help a diplomat communicate with precision. A diplomat in a francophone region may find this course helpful.
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative assists customers, often requiring effective communication skills. This course helps a future customer service representative by building skills in French. The course's focus on grammar and common phrases allows for more precise communication with French-speaking clientele. A customer service representative with an understanding of French is an asset to many companies and organizations. This course could be a positive first step for this role.
Linguist
A linguist studies language structure and usage. This course in French may help a future linguist studying the nature of this language, as well as the relationship between French and other languages. The lessons in this course allow the user to achieve familiarity with French vocabulary and grammar. A linguist may find the course helpful, though this role often requires advanced degrees such as a master's or phd.
International Business Development
An international business development professional seeks out new business opportunities in international markets. This course's focus on the French language helps build a capability for communication in French-speaking markets. The course introduces common phrases that will be helpful to an international business development professional in initiating and maintaining relationships with francophone clients. The course's attention to grammar and vocabulary will also help a language learner.
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer processes and manages immigration-related paperwork, and may conduct interviews with applicants. Having a capability in French is useful to any immigration officer interacting with French speakers. This course can help build knowledge of French, including common phrases and basic grammar. An immigration officer who speaks French is an asset to any agency handling immigration. The course may be useful, though it is not a primary requirement.
Flight Attendant
A flight attendant ensures passenger safety and comfort on flights, often interacting with people from various backgrounds. This course helps a flight attendant by building a base knowledge of the French language. This course will help a flight attendant to learn useful phrases to help with communication. This course provides a starting point for those who wish to communicate with French-speaking passengers. The course may be useful for this role.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in 3 Minute French - Course 13 | Language lessons for beginners.
Offers a friendly and accessible introduction to French grammar. It's particularly helpful for beginners who need a clear explanation of adjectives, adverbs, and comparisons. The book provides numerous examples and exercises to reinforce learning. It is best used as a reference for clarifying grammar rules.
Provides a structured approach to learning French grammar, including adjectives and adverbs. It's a useful reference for understanding the fundamentals. The step-by-step format makes it easy to follow along and practice new concepts. It can be used as a supplementary textbook for this course.

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