Lesson 18: Le Café en France & Advanced Notions
Review: Lessons 15 & 16 Recap
In Lesson 15, you explored French holiday culture—learning about Bastille Day (14 juillet) and Noël, with vocabulary for weather (le soleil (sun), la pluie (rain), le froid (cold)) and simple transactions like asking, "Combien ça coûte ? (How much is it?)". In Lesson 16, you delved into Corsican culture, covering vocabulary of the home (e.g., la maison (house), le lit (bed)), connecting sentences, and reviewing simple transactions (e.g., buying items). Refresh your memory with the quiz below.
Interactive Quiz
Theme: Le Café en France – A Culture of French Roast
French café culture is renowned worldwide. In France, cafés (also known as les cafés) are not just places to drink coffee (café), but vibrant social hubs where ideas are exchanged and friendships are forged. The art of French roast, with its distinct flavor and aroma, is celebrated in every sip.
For instance, a typical French café might serve a robust espresso alongside a croissant, and you may hear someone say, "Ce café (coffee) est exquis (exquisite)".
Cultural Note: The café is central to French life. Whether it’s an informal chat among friends or a business meeting, the ambiance is always relaxed yet sophisticated.
Notions: Advanced Teaching Language Notions
In this lesson, you will prepare to teach the following language notions:
- Donner son avis – How to express your opinion (e.g., "Je pense que ce café est excellent." (I think this café is excellent.)).
- Futur Proche vs. Futur Simple – Review how to form and when to use each:
Futur Proche: Subject + aller + infinitive (e.g., "Je vais prendre un café." (I am going to have a coffee.))
Futur Simple: Infinitive + future endings (e.g., "Je prendrai un café." (I will have a coffee.)).
Important: Understand the difference in usage to avoid confusion. - Vocabulaire de la classe – Everyday classroom vocabulary (e.g., le tableau (board), le stylo (pen), la chaise (chair)).
- Vocabulaire des boissons – Terms for various drinks such as le jus (juice), le thé (tea), et le vin (wine).
- Conversation téléphonique – Learn telephone etiquette and social codes (e.g., the phone should ring three times before you answer).
Mini‑Lesson Instruction: Prepare a mini‑lesson where you explain:
- How to give your opinion using donner son avis (e.g., "Je pense que...").
- The difference between futur proche and futur simple, including formation and usage.
- Essential vocabulary for the classroom and beverages.
- Key phrases for a telephone conversation, including social codes (e.g., "La sonnerie doit retentir trois fois (the ringtone should sound three times)").
During our next session, you will teach these concepts to me. Create a PDF exercise on these topics and be prepared to present your mini‑lesson. Remember to include French words with their English translations in parentheses where appropriate (e.g., le lit (bed)).