Let's Speak French! with Dr. Natalie Amgott

You know reflexive verbs like se lever, se réveiller, se laver, se coucher, but using them in the past tense can feel like a different story entirely.
How do we say "I woke up"? Where does pas go in the negative? And why do so many learners freeze when they try to say these phrases out loud?
In this episode, you’ll learn a simple framework for using everyday reflexive verbs naturally in the passé composé, so you can talk about your morning routine, last night, or what happened today with more confidence. We’ll cover affirmative and negative sentences, common speaking mistakes, and natural spoken French.
How to build reflexive verbs in the passé composé with la formule magique
How to say phrases like I woke up, I got dressed, I went to bed
How negation works in spoken French
The easiest way to make these structures automatic
1️⃣ Review reflexive verbs with the transcript and download your free French Past Tense Cheat Sheet.
2️⃣ Practice 3 phrases from today out loud until they feel automatic.
3️⃣ Want more reflexive verbs beyond daily routine? Go back and listen to Episode #36: Douter ou Se Douter? The Reflexive Verbs Most Learners Skip.

Does "drôle" actually mean funny? And what's the difference between "drôle," "rigolo," "marrant," and "amusant"?
In this French lesson, you'll learn 7 ways to talk about "fun" and "funny" things in French, using the appropriate words for France or Québec. You'll learn exactly which expression to use when a person is being weird versus being funny.
Tes prochaines étapes:
1️⃣ Check your understanding by reviewing the transcript for this episode.
2️⃣ Join the weekly French lessons to get free French resources to your inbox every week.
3️⃣ Learn something new? Share this episode with a friend learning French so that they never mix up "drôle" and "amusant" again!

If you’ve ever thought about taking the DELF, you’ve probably wondered: Should I take it? What is it actually like? How do I prepare for B1 or B2?
In this episode, I’m joined by one of my extraordinary students, Pami Banerjee, who recently passed the DELF B2. She shares her experience preparing for the exam, what surprised her on test day, and the strategies that helped her succeed.
We also break down what examiners are really looking for at the B2 level, from using more varied grammar structures to sounding more natural and confident in your speaking.
If the DELF is on your radar, this episode will give you a clear idea of what to expect and how to prepare effectively.
Action steps:
Check the transcript: Review the full transcript to reinforce your comprehension and notice useful vocabulary and structures for the B2 level.

Learn to sound more natural with the French Filler Word Guide.

Do you ever feel like you’re doing a lot in French… but not actually making progress?
In this episode, I’m sharing the simple system I wish I had when I was learning French, and the exact one I’m using now to learn Italian faster and more effectively. If your French feels a little scattered, frustrating, or stuck, this will help you bring structure to what you’re already doing (without adding more to your plate).
We’ll walk through 6 practical rules to help you focus on communication, retain more vocabulary, and stop second-guessing every step.
Tes prochaines étapes:→ Listen to this episode twice: first for the gist, then again for deeper understanding
→ Check the transcript to review new vocabulary (and apply rule #2 😉)
→ Ready to put this system into practice? Grab your Intermediate French Kit.
→ If this episode helped you, tap “follow” so you don’t miss next week’s Let's Speak French! lesson.

Want to sound better in French this week, without studying for hours?
In this episode, I’m sharing 9 of the most common mistakes I hear from intermediate (and even advanced) French learners, and how to fix them quickly so that you sound more natural and confident in French.
These aren’t big grammar lessons or complicated rules. They’re small, high-impact tweaks that you can notice, practice, and improve almost immediately.
We’re talking:
pronunciation mistakes that can completely change your meaning
common verb errors
faux amis that trip up even strong learners
and simple article mistakes that make your French sound off
Think of this episode like a checklist. Spot your mistakes, practice them for a few minutes this week, and you’ll feel the difference within a week.
Tes prochaines étapes:
1️⃣ Read the transcript to check off which of the 9 most common errors you're making, and how to fix them.

2️⃣ Stay in the loop for weekly French lessons: Join the newsletter.

3️⃣ Tap “Follow” / “Subscribe” so you never miss an episode of Let's Speak French!