If you've ever heard La Marseillaise, the French national anthem, you may have thought:

"Wait...did they really just sing that?"

In this episode, we're breaking down the history, vocabulary, and meaning behind one of France's most recognizable national symbols.

You'll learn:

• Why French people don't say "Happy Bastille Day!"
• How La Marseillaise got its name

• The story behind France's national anthem
• Why French songs sometimes pronounce silent e's

Vos prochaines étapes (Your next steps)

1️⃣ Episode transcript + English translations

Complete lyrics to La Marseillaise

3️⃣ Sing along to the lyrics video

4️⃣ Join my free weekly French email lessons

Are you telling people that you can or that you stink? One small sound can make all the difference!

In this episode, you'll discover minimal pairs—French words that differ by just one sound but have completely different meanings. You'll practice five of the most common sound pairs that English speakers struggle with, learn why your brain has trouble hearing these differences, and start training your ear to become a more confident French speaker.

Tes prochaines étapes: Your next steps

1. Practice the minimal pairs with the French Minimal Pairs Flashcards.

2. Listen to the episode a second time and repeat each minimal pair out loud.

3. Choose one of today's minimal pairs and use both words in your own French sentences this week.

Did you know French in Canada extends beyond Québec? And that each variety brings a different history and different linguistic structures to the table?

Today, you'll learn all about Chiac and Acadian French from Janelle Poirier! To get the most out of this episode, listen once through and slow down the speed on your podcast player if needed. Then, follow these steps:

1. Check out the transcript to listen again and pick up any vocabulary you may have missed the first time.

2. Check out Janelle's social accounts on Instagram and TikTok.

3. Explore Acadian French and Chiac through Janelle's recommendations:

• Literature: Antonine Maillet & France Daigle
• Music: 1755 & Hay Babies

4. Share this episode with your friends learning French so that they learn more about the understudied Acadian French and Chiac!

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