LECTURE MATERIAL

Second Semester
2024/2025 Session

COURSE COORDINATOR:
PROF. M. TIJANI

UNIVERSITY OF ABUJA
GST 212 FRENCH COURSE MATERIAL

Prepared by:

Mufutau Tijani, PhD (Besançon)

Professor of French & Applied Linguistics
Department of Linguistics & African Languages,
Faculty of Arts,
University of Abuja

1
 COURSE CONTENT
Week Topic Communicative objectives / Lexis and grammar
Learning outcomes
1 Revision Students should be able to: ✔ Gender in French
✔ Greet and respond to ✔ Differentiating between „tu” and “vous)
greetings „‟Faux amis‟‟
✔ „‟Liaison‟‟ or linkage in pronunciation
✔ Expressions on greetings
2 Revision ✔ Introduce self (name, ✔ Differentiating between „male” and
town of residence, “female)
profession, state of ✔ ‟Liaison‟‟ or linkage in pronunciation
origin, marital status, ✔ Expressions related to self-introduction
hobbies, etc.) ✔ Expressions related to introducing a male
✔ Introduce someone or a female person
(name, town of residence,
profession, state of
origin, marital status,
hobbies, etc.)
3 Numbers ✔ Say numerical figures in ✔ Numbers in French
French ✔ Counting in French
✔ Count in French ✔ Differences between English and French
✔ Say numerical figures in
French
✔ Write figures in words
4 Date ✔ List the days of the week ✔ Days of week
✔ Talk about the days of ✔ Expressions related to days of the week
the week (aujourd‟hui, demain, la semaine
prochaine, etc.)
✔ Lexis and expressions on telling the days
of the week

2
5 Date ✔ List the months of the ✔ Months of the year
(continued) year ✔ Expressions related to months of the year
✔ Ask about and tell the (en janvier, en mars, le mois prochain,
date etc.)
✔ Talk about one‟s birth
date
6 Time ✔ Ask about and say the ✔ Expressions related to asking and saying
time time in French
✔
7 Age ✔ Ask about and tell one‟s ✔ Expressions related to asking about and
age telling age
✔ Talk about one‟s birthday
date
8 Professions ✔ Ask about someone‟s ✔ Expressions related to asking about and
profession saying one‟s profession
✔ Ask about someone‟s ✔ Differentiating between masculine and
place of work feminine when talking about profession
✔ List professions
9 Daily ✔Talk about one‟s daily ✔Conjugasion of Pronominal verbs (se
activities/daily activities réveiller, se lever, se laver, etc.) in the
chores ✔Say what one does in the present tense
morning, in the afternoon ✔Lexis and expressions used to describe
and in the evening common daily activities
✔
10 Family ✔Describe one‟s family (place ✔Lexis and expressions on family
of residence, number and ✔Lexis and expression on family structure
sex of children, age, and members
profession, etc.)
✔List family members

11 REVISION
12 EXAMINATION

3
 WEEK 1 : REVISION

TOPIC: GREETINGS IN FRENCH

Let us start with these dialogues
Dialogue 1

Alice: Bonjour, je m'appelle Alice Good morning; my name is Alice

Paul: Bonjour Alice, je m'appelle Paul. Hello Alice, my name is Paul.

Alice: Paul, comment allez-vous? How are you, Paul?

Paul: Très bien, merci. Very well, thank you.

Enchantée de faire votre connaissance.

Alice It‟s nice meeting you.

Paul Enchanté Nice meeting you

Alice:: A bientôt. Au revoir, Paul. See you soon. Goodbye, Paul.

Paul: Au revoir, Alice. Goodbye, Alice.

Dialogue 2
Jacques Bonsoir, Marie.
Marie Euh ? Tu t'appelles comment ?
Jacques Moi, je m'appelle Jacques.
Marie Ah, oui. Quoi de neuf, Jacques ?
Jacques Pas grand-chose. Alors, au revoir, à demain, Marie.
Marie À la prochaine

Dialogue 3
Luc Bonjour.

4
Olivier Tu t'appelles comment ?
Luc Luc. Et toi ?
Olivier Je suis Olivier.
Luc Ah, oui. Alors, à bientôt
Here are some related vocabulary
Greetings Les salutations
Salut Hi./Bye. (informal)
Bonjour Hello (more formal than salut) (all day)
Bonsoir Hello (after 19h00)
Bonne soirée Good evening
Bonne nuit Good night
Quoi de neuf ? What's up (about you)? (lit. what's new)
Pas grand-chose. Not much. (lit. no big-thing)
Bonsoir Good evening
Bonne nuit Used to say Good night before going to bed.

Let us look at these parting expressions

1. Au revoir! – Goodbye!
2. À tout à l‟heure! – See you later !
3. A plus tard! - See you later!
4. A bientôt! - See you soon!
5. À plus tard! (À plus!) – (See you) later!
6. À demain! – See you tomorrow!
7. À lundi! - See you on Monday!
8. À la prochaine ! - Till next time !
9. À la semaine prochaine!- See you next week!

Here are other forms of greetings

Comment va la famille ? / Et la famille ? - How is the family ?
Comment va le travail ? / Et le travail ? - How is work ?
5
Bon weekend - Have a nice weekend
Bon appétit - Enjoy your meal
Bon voyage - Safe trip / safe journey
Bon séjour - Have a nice stay
Bon rétablissement - (I wish you) speedy recovery
Bonne année - Happy New Year
Bonne journée - Have a nice day
Bonne nuit - Good night
Bonne soirée - Have a pleasant evening
Bonne chance - Good luck
Bonne fête - Happy celebration
Bonnes vacances - Have a nice vacation
Bienvenu / Soyez la bienvenue / Sois le bienvenu - Welcome
Félicitations - Congratulations
Du courage! - Keep it up / cheer up
Amuse-toi bien - Enjoy yourself
Amusez-vous bien - Enjoy yourself
À vous de même - Same to you / i wish you the same

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links to listen to and practice how
to greet in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hd0_GZHHWeE
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhUUXZxglG4
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9JaRy7iPf0

6
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Xw6oEp9SWI

7
 WEEK 2: REVISION (Continued)

TOPIC 1: SELF INTRODUCTION & INTRODUCING SOMEONE

Let us start with the conjugation of commonly used French verbs in the present
tense
Note:
Je = I Tu = you (singular person)
Il = he Elle = she
Nous = we Vous = you (plural)
Ils = They (male / masculine) Elles = they (female / feminine)

« Etre » = to be
Je suis un homme
Tu es une femme
Il est étudiant
Elle est étudiante
Nous sommes nigérians
Vous êtes nigérians
Ils sont étudiants
Elles sont étudiantes

« Avoir » = to have
J‟ai une maison
Tu as une un livre
Il a un cours de linguistique
Elle a un cours de français
Nous avons cours

8
 Vous avez une maison
Ils ont un frère
Elles ont un frère

« Aller » = to go
Où vas-tu ? = Where are you going ? (Familiarity)
Où allez-vous ? = Where are you going ? (Formal / with respect)
Je vais à Kaduna
Tu vas à Kano
Il va à l‟université
Elle va à l‟école
Nous allons au marché
Vous allez au supermarché
Ils vont à l‟école
Elles vont à la bibliothèque

« Venir » = To come from

Je viens de Kano
Tu viens de Bayelsa
Il vient de l‟université
Elle vient de l‟école
Nous venons du marché
Vous venez du supermarché
Ils viennent de l‟école
Elles viennent de la bibliothèque

9
Now, let us learn some expressions on how to introduce self

Je me présente I am introducing myself

To say your name

Je m'appelle Maryam My name is Maryam
Je suis Mariam
Mon nom est Maryam

To say your nationality

Je viens du Nigeria I am from Nigeria

Je suis nigérian (M) I am a Nigerian

Je suis nigériane (F)

To say your State of origin

Je viens de l‟Etat de Kano I am from Kano State
Je suis de l‟Etat de Kano
Je suis originaire de Kano

To saying where you live (reside)

J‟habite à Abuja I live in Abuja

To talk about your profession

Je suis étudiant I am a student (Male student)
Je suis étudiante I am a student (Female student)
Je suis professeur I am a teacher

J‟étudie à l‟université d‟Abuja I am studying at the University of

Abuja

10
Je suis étudiant à l‟université d‟Abuja (M) I am a student at the University of
Abuja
Je suis étudiante à l‟université d‟Abuja (F)

J'apprends le français I am learning French

J‟étudie le français I am studying French

To say where you work

Je travaille à Abuja I work in Abuja

To talk about your marital status

Je suis célibataire I am single/ a bachelor
Je suis marié I am married
Je suis mariée

To talk about your hobbies

Un de mes loisirs est le voyage One of my hobbies is travelling

J'aime écouter de la musique. I enjoy listening to music.

J‟aime regarder la télévision I love watching television

J‟aime chanter I love singing

J‟aime le football I love football

11
Getting to know someone
Here are some questions you can ask when you meet someone and wish to know
more about him or her.
NB. In the examples below, take note of the use of „tu” / „‟ton” that express
familiarity and „‟vous‟‟ / „‟votre‟‟ that indicate respect to the person you are
talking with.

Comment t‟appelles-tu? What is your name?

Comment vous-appellez-vous? What is your name?
Qui es-tu? / Qui êtes-vous ? Who are you ?
Où habites-tu ?/ Où habitez-vous ? Where do you live ?
Tu es de quelle nationalité ? What is your nationality ?
Vous êtes de quelle nationalité ? What is your nationality ?
Tu es de quel pays ? Which country are you from?
Vous êtes de quel pays ? What is your nationality ?
Tu es de quel Etat ? / Tu viens de quel Etat ? What is your State of origin?
Vous êtes de quel Etat ? / Vous venez de quel Etat ? What is your State of origin?
Quelle est ta profession? / Quelle est votre profession ? What is your profession ?
Que fais-tu dans la vie ? / Que faites-vous dans la vie ? What do you do for a
living?
Quel est ton état civil ? What is your marital status?
Quel est votre état civil ?
Tu es marié ? / Vous êtes marié ? Are you married ?
Quels sont tes loisirs ? What are your hobbies ?
Quels sont vos loisirs ?

12
ORAL PRACTICE

Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to introduce yourself in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4N46dVx9nE
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaB3AbDr_e0
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC-OVm2jkE8
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swlwlQP_uTs

13
 TOPIC 2: INTRODUCING SOMEONE

Let us start by learning some basic words related to this topic

- the pronoun “He” is “il‟ while the pronoun “She” is “elle”.

- Présenter = to introduce
- Mon = my (Masculine or feminine)
- Ma = my
- Ami = Friend (male) amie (female)
- Collègue = colleague
- Père = father /
- Mère = mother
- Frère = brother
- Sœur = sister
- Mon + masculine words = ami / amie / père /frère / collègue
- Ma + feminine words = mère / sœur / collègue
- Je vous présente …… = I am introducinhg…… to you

Now, let us learn how to introduce someone. Note the difference between
introducing a male person (il) and that of a female person (elle)

To say the person‟s name

Il s‟appelle Ali His name is Ali (Male)
Il est Ali
Son nom est Ali
Elle s‟appelle Sarah Her name is Sarah (Female)
Elle est Sarah
Son nom est Sarah

14
To say the person‟s nationality
Il vient du Nigeria He is from Nigeria (Male)
Il est du Nigeria
Il est nigérian He is a Nigerian

Elle vient du Nigeria She is from Nigeria (Female)

Elle est du Nigeria
Elle est nigériane She is a Nigerian

Saying the person‟s State of origin

Il vient de l‟Etat de Kebi He is from Kebi State (Male)
Il est de l‟Etat de Kebi
Il est originaire de Kebi

Elle vient de l‟Etat de Kebi She is from Kebi State (Female)

Elle est de l‟Etat de Kebi
Elle est originaire de Kebi
Saying where the person lives (resides)
Il habite à Abuja He lives in Abuja (Male)

Elle habite à Keffi She lives in Keffi (Female)

Saying the person‟s profession

Il est étudiant He is a student (Male)
Il est professeur He is a teacher

Elle est étudiante She is a student (Female)

Elle est professeur she is a teacher

15
Il étudie à l‟université d‟Abuja He is studying at the University of Abuja

Elle étudie ….. She is studying….

Il est étudiant à l‟université d‟Abuja He is a student at the University of Abuja

Elle est étudiante à l‟université d‟Abuja She is a student at…

Il / elle apprend le français He/ she is learning French

Il / elle étudie le français He/she is studying French

Saying where the person is working

Il / Elle travaille à Abuja He / she works in Abuja

Saying the person‟s marital status

Il/ elle est célibataire He / she is single/ a bachelor
Il est marié He is married
Elle est mariée She is married

Saying the person‟s hobbies

Un de ses loisirs est le voyage One of his /her hobbies is travelling
Il / elle aime écouter de la musique He / she enjoys listening to music.
Il / elle aime chanter He / she loves singing

IN SUMMARY
1. Introducing a male person
Je vous présente mon ami
Il s‟appelle Musa
Il vient de l‟Etat de Kano

16
 Il habite à Kano aussi. (aussi =also)
Il ne travaille pas. (He is not working)
Il est étudiant à l‟Université Bayero à Kano
Il étudie le français
Il est marié
Il a deux enfants (He has two children)
Il aime le sport et le voyage

2. Introducing a female person

Je vous présente ma sœur
Elle s‟appelle Ngozi
Elle est nigériane
Elle vient de Delta
Elle travaille à Benin dans l‟Etat d‟Edo (She works in Benin in Edo State)
Elle enseigne l‟anglais à l‟université (She teaches English at the university)
Elle est célibataire
Un de ses loisirs est la musique
Elle aime aussi faire la cuisine (She also loves cooking)
ORAL PRACTICE

Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to introduce someone in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejTzocGTbVY
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnnPwEkPcC0

17
 WEEK 3
TOPIC: NUMBERS IN FRENCH

LES NOMBRES CARDINAUX

(CARDINAL NUMBERS)
1 un hun
2 deux deu
3 Trois trwa
4 quatre katr
5 cinq saink
6 six sis
7 sept set
8 huit wit
9 neuf neeuf
10 dix dis
11 onze oonz
12 douze duz
13 treize traiz
14 quatorze katooorz
15 quinze kainz
16 seize saiz
17 dix-sept dis set
18 dix-huit diz wit
19 dix-neuf diz neeuf
20 vingt vain
21 vingt et un vainteeain

18
22 vingt deux vaindeeuu
23 vingt trois vaintrwa
24 vingt quatre vainkatr
25 vingt cinq vainsaink
26 vingt six vainsis
27 vingt sept vainset
28 vingt huit vainwheat
29 vingt neuf vainneeuf
30 trente trant
31 trente et un tranteehain
35 trente cinq trantsaink
40 quarante karant
45 quarante cinq karant saink
50 cinquante sainkant
55 cinquante cinq sainkant saink
60 soixante swazant
70 soixante-dix swazant dis
71 soixante onze swazant oonze
72 soixante douze swazant duz
73 soixante treize swazant traiz
74 soixante quatorze swazant katourz
75 soixante quinze swazant kainz
76 soixante seize swazant saiz
77 soixante-dix-sept swazant dis set
78 soixante-dix-huit swazant dis wit
79 soixante-dix-neuf Swazant dis neeuf

19
 80 quatre- vingt katr vain
81 quatre-vingt-un katr vain heun
82 quatre-vingt-deux katr vain deeuu
90 quatre-vingt-dix katr vain dis
91 quatre-vingt-onze katr vain oonz
95 quatre-vingt-quinze katr vain kainz
100 cent san
101 cent un san hhuun
105 cent cinq san saink
200 deux cent deeuu san
210 deux cent dix deeuu san dis
500 cinq cent saink san
900 neuf cent neeuf san
1.000 mille meel
10.000 dix mille di mil
1.000.000 un million huun milliyon
1.000.000.000 un milliard hunn miliyar

NOTE:
1. For 70-79, it builds upon "soixante"
2. 21, 31, 41, 51 and 61 have "et un" without a hyphen (vingt et un, trente et un,
etc.)
3. „‟Mille‟‟ is not preceded by the definite article.
Ex. Mille nairas = a / one thousand naira
„‟Mille‟‟ never plural Ex. 10.000 = dix mille ; 100.000 = cent mille
3. „‟Million‟‟ is preceded by the definite article

20
Ex. 1.000.000 de dollars = a / one million dollars

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to say numbers in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woqBQG7LG8s
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL42PVXEfK0
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEx2fPn-_UE

21
 WEEK 4
TOPIC : TALKING ABOUT THE DATE
(DAYS OF THE WEEK )

DIRE LA DATE (SAYING THE DATE)

LES JOURS DE LA SEMAINE = DAYS OF THE WEEK

1 lundi (luhndee) Monday

2 mardi (mahrdee) Tuesday
3 mercredi (mairkrehdee) Wednesday
4 jeudi (jeuhdee) Thursday
5 vendredi (vahndruhdee) Friday
6 samedi (sahmdee) Saturday
7 dimanche (deemahnsh) Sunday

Note : The days of the week are not capitalized in French.

Here are some related french words and expressions

La date = the date
Le jour = the day / un jour = a day
Aujourd‟hui = today
Aujourd‟hui c‟est samedi = Today is Saturday
Aujourd‟hui c‟est mon anniversaire = Today is my birthday
Je vais au bureau aujourd‟hui = I am going to the office today
Je voyage aujourd‟hui = I am traveling today
Chaque jour = each day
Chaque + a day of the week = chaque vendredi (every Friday)

22
Tous les jours = every day
Je prie tous les jours = I pray everyday

Hier (yerr) = Yesterday

Hier était vendredi = Yesterday was Friday
Hier je suis allé à la mosquée = Yesterday I went to the mosque
Je suis alle au marché hier = I went to the market yesterday
Hier j‟ai voyagé à Kano = Yesterday I travelled to Kano
Musa a voyagé à Kaduna hier = Musa travelled to Kaduna yesterday.

Demain (deemin) = Tomorrow

Demain c‟est dimanche = tomorrow is Sunday
Je vais à l‟église demain = I will go to church tomorrow
Demain c‟est mon anniversaire = tomorrow is my birthday
Demain c‟est l‟anniversaire de mon ami = tomorrow is my friend‟s birthday

La semaine = The week / une semaine = a week

Cette semaine = this week
Chaque semaine = every week
Je voyage cette semaine = I will travel this week.
Mon ami arrive cette semaine = my friend is arriving this week
La semaine dernière = Last week
J‟ai fini mon examen la semaine dernière = I finished my exam last week
La semaine prochaine = next week
Je vais à Lagos la semaine prochaine = I will go to Lagos next week
Je vais à Kaduna le lundi = I will go to Kaduna on Monday
Je vais à Kaduna chaque weekend = I go to Kaduna every weekend/

23
Aujourd'hui c‟est quel jour ? = Today is what day?
Aujourd'hui c‟est… = Today is [day]…
Demain c'est quel jour ? = Tomorrow is what day?
Demain c'est…. = Tomorrow is…

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to talk about days of the week in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx1N5ngN68o
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quCsJ88zzsY
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rim94Xp2XQ4
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc7wjOm7Anc

24
 WEEK 5
TOPIC: TALKING ABOUT THE DATE (CONTINUED)

MONTHS OF THE YEAR

LES MOIS DE L‟ANNEE = MONTHS OF THE YEAR

1. janvier (jzahnvyay) January
2. février (fayvryay) February
3. mars (mahrse) March
4. avril (ahvrill) April
5. mai (meee) May
6. juin (jzwan) June
7. juillet (jzuyay) July
8. août (oot) August
9. septembre (septahmbr) September
10.octobre (oktohbr) October
11. novembre (novahmbr) November
12.décembre (daysahmbr) December

Note : The months of the year are not capitalized in French.

Here are some related French words and expressions

La date = the date une date = a date
Le mois = the month / un mois = a month
L‟année = the year une annee = a year
En janvier = In January
En décembre = In december

25
Chaque mois = every month
Au début de l‟année = At the beginning of the year
Au début du mois = At the beginning of the month
A la fin de l‟année = At the end of the year
A la fin du mois = A the end of the month
Le mois prochain = next month
Je voyage le mois prochain = I will travel next month
Le mois passé = last month
J‟ai voyagé le mois passé = I travelled last month
Je suis né en avril = I was born in April
Mon anniversaire est en avril = My birthday is in April
Je fête mon anniversaire en février = I celebrate my birthday in February.

Dire la date = telling the date

Aujourd‟hui c‟est samedi le 12 novembre 2022

Today is Saturday 12 November 2022

Je suis né le 10 janvier 2000 = I was born on the10th of January, 2000

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to talk about months of the year in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAzYpgvmtII
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzbs17EVKlw
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRpwJ9jtES4
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xhxlfxW3AM

26
 WEEK 6
TOPIC 1: SAYING THE TIME IN FRENCH

DIRE l‟HEURE = TELLING THE TIME

Introduction
When talking about time in French language, there are 4 basic things to note:

1. The French word “heure” means time, hour /o‟clock in English.

For example:
l‟heure = the time
Quelle heure est-il? = What time is it?
What is the time?
Il est douze heures= It is twelve o‟clock

2. In French when saying the time, it is necessary to add heure to the figure
unlike in English.
For example:
English: 10.00 am It is 10.
French: 10.00 am Il est dix heures

3. When saying the time orally, there is need for a “liaison”, that is a linkage
between the last letter of the figure and the word “heure”.
For example:
For 3 o‟clock, you will say “trois˽heures”

For 4 o‟clock, you will say „„quatre˽heures‟‟

4. In French language, there is no expression for AM and PM. Rather, hours

are counted continuously from one to 23.

27
 For example:
2pm is 14 heures (That is 12 +2)
6 pm is 18 heures (12 + 6)

To ask for time you say :

Quelle heure est-il? / Quelle heure il est ? / Il est quelle heure?

When the hour is on the dot, you say:

Il est + the time.
1.00 am Il est une heure n_
2.00 am Il est deux heures z_
3.00 am Il est trois heures z_
5.00 am Il est cinq heures k_
9.00 am Il est neuf heures v_
10.00 am Il est dix heures z_
12.00 noon Il est douze heures / il est midi
1.00 pm Il est treize heures z_
3.00 pm Il est quinze heures z_
5.00 pm Il est dix-sept heures t_
8.00 pm Il est vingt heures t_
11.00 pm Il est vingt-deux heures z_
12.00 midnight Il est zéro heure / Il est minuit

Note that when saying it orally, you must make the necessary linkage between the
figure and o‟clock. This is indicated in red and the linking sound is written at the
end for your attention.

28
When it is „‟past the hour‟‟
- 1.05 am = Il est une heure cinq
- 2.10 am = Il est deux heures dix
- 4.15 am = Il est quatre heures quinze
Il est quatre heures et quart
- 6.25 am = Il est six heures vingt cinq
- 10.30 am = Il est dix heures trente
Il est dix heures et demie.
- 4.20 pm = Il est seize heure vingt.
- 9.30 pm = Il est vingt et une heure trente
Il est vingt et une heure et demi

When it is some minutes „‟to the hour‟‟

- 10.35 am = Il est dix heures trente cinq
Il est onze heures moins vingt cinq

- 5.45 am = Il est cinq heures quarante cinq

Il est six heures moins le quart

- 2.50 pm = Il est quatorze heures cinquante

Il est quinze heures moins dix.

- 6.55 pm = Il est dix-huit heures cinquante cinq

Il est dix-neuf heures moins cinq
Now, to say the time (period) of the day, here are the words and expressions

1. le lever du jour day break

2. le lever du soleil sunrise
3. le soleil levant rising sun.
29
 4. le matin morning
5. ...du matin A.M.
6. ce matin this morning
7. hier matin yesterday morning
8. midi noon / midday
9. à midi at noon
10. après-midi afternoon
11. l‟après-midi in the afternoon
12. soir evening
13. le soir in the evening
14. ...du soir P.M.
15. la nuit night
16. le coucher du soleil sunset
17. au coucher du soleil at sunset

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to say time in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4aKWpm8_zk
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YARwLmdBMbY
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB6Y1DqY1rU
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctf3EppK0ms

30
 WEEK 7
TOPIC: TELLING YOUR AGE IN FRENCH

When telling one‟s or somebody‟s age in French, we must take note of 3 important
things.
Number 1.
In French language, the auxiliary verb “have” is used unlike in the English
language where the auxiliary verb „‟to be „‟ is used.
For example:
✔ J‟ai 20 (vingt) ans.
And NOT je suis 20 ans

Number 2.
In English, when asked about one‟s age, it is common to simply say, for example :
„‟I am 20‟‟ instead of „‟I am 20 years old‟‟.
In French, however, the expression „‟years‟‟ old (ans) is never dropped when
mentioning age.
For example: You cannot say „‟J‟ai 20‟‟ for I am 20 years old. You rather say
„‟J‟ai vingt ans”

Number 3
As I explained in Number 2, In French, you add „‟ans‟‟ which is the English
equivalent of „‟years old‟‟. While doing this orally, there is need for a linkage
(called „‟liaison‟‟ in French) between the last letter of the numeral or figure and the
world „‟ans‟‟.
For example: 20 is vingt (orally) but spelt „‟vingt‟‟, that is ending with letter „‟t‟‟.
So to say „‟ I am 20 years old‟‟, You will say „‟J‟ai vingt ans””, thereby linking the
last letter „‟t‟‟ with „‟ans.
31
Now let us consider telling the age.

J‟ai 18 (dix-huit) ans = I am 18 years old

J‟ai dix-neuf ans
J‟ai 22 (vingt-deux ans)
23 (vingt-trois ans)
24 (vingt-quatre ans)
25 (vingt-cinq ans)
26 (vingt-six ans)
27 (vingt-sept ans)
28 (vingt-huit ans)
29 (vingt-neuf ans)
30 (trente ans)
J‟ai 40 (quarante ans)
Il a 50 (cinquante ans)
Elle a 60 (soixante ans)

In English, when one is not willing to tell his or her exact age it is common to say
„‟I am in my twenties “ . This could be said also in French. In this case, the French
auxiliary verb to be (être) is used.

Je suis dans ma vingtaine = I am in my twenties

Je suis dans ma trentaine = I am in my thirties
Elle est dans sa quarantaine = She is in her forties
Il est dans sa quarantaine. = He is in his forties

Je suis au début de ma vingtaine = I am in my early twenties

32
Je suis à la fin de ma trentaine = I am in my late thirties

Mon père est dans sa soixantaine = My father is in his sixties

Ma mère est dans sa cinquantaine = May mother os in her fifties

Il est au début de sa soixantaine = He is in his early sixties

Elle est à la fin de sa cinquantaine = She is in her late fifties

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to say your age in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WksvcV6vU0
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ErW49uH7U
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY8M7RsdS00
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G971lpMxdM

33
 WEEK 8
TOPIC : TALKING ABOUT ONE‟S DAILY CHORES / ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITÉS JOURNALIÈRES = DAILY ACTIVITIES

Let us start by identifying the different parts of the day and related expressions in
French.

- jour = day
- le jour = the day
- tous les jours = everyday
- matin = morning
- le matin = In the morning
- chaque matin =every morning
- midi = noon
- à midi = At noon
- chaque jour à midi = every day at noon
- après-midi = afternoon
- l‟après-midi = In the afternoon
- chaque après-midi = every afternoon
- tous les jours à midi = everyday at noon
- soir = evening l
- le soir = in the evening
- chaque soir = every evening
- lundi = Monday
- le lundi = on Monday Les lundis = on Mondays

34
Now let us identify some of the French verbs commonly used when talking about
daily activities. Most of the verbs are reflexive or pronominal verbs:

- Se réveiller / se lever = to wake up

- Se laver = to bath or to take a bath
- Se brosser les dents = to brush one‟s teeth
- Se brosser les cheveux = to brush one‟s hair
- Se peigner = to comb one‟s hair
- S‟habiller = to dress / to put on a dress
- Prendre = to take
- Prier / faire la prière = to pray
- Aller = to go
- Revenir = to return / to come back
- Commencer = to start
- Finir = to finish
- Manger = to eat
- Se reposer = to rest
- Dormir = to sleep
- Faire la cuisine = to cook
- Faire la vaisselle = to wash dishes
- Faire la lessive = to wash clothes
- Faire du sport = to engage in sporting activity
- Regarder la télévision = to watch the television

35
Let us talk about some activities in the morning.
Chaque matin, je me lève à 6 heures. Every morning i wake up at 6
Je fais ma prière / Je prie. I pray
Je me brosse les dents. I brush my teeth
Je prends mon bain. I take my bath
Je prépare mon repas. I cook / prepare my food
Je fais la cuisine I cook
Je prends mon petit déjeuner. I take my breakfast
Je fais la vaisselle. I wash the dishes
Je m‟habille. I dress up / I wear my clothes
Je quitte la maison à 7 heures. I leave the house at 7 o‟ clock
Je vais au campus / à l‟école à 8 heures. I go to the campus / to school at 8 o‟clock
Je vais au bureau à 8 heures. I go to the office at 8 o‟clock

L‟après –midi In the afternoon

Je suis en pause à 13 heures. I am on break at 1 pm
Je prends mon déjeuner à 13h30. I take my lunch at 1.30 pm
Je finis au bureau à 16 heures. I finish my work in the office at 4. pm
Je finis mes cours à 17 heures. I finish my lectures at 5. pm
Je vais à la maison / chez moi. I go home / to my place
Je retourne à la maison / chez moi
I return home / I go back to my house

Le soir In the evening

Je prends mon diner avec ma famille à 19h30. I take my dinner with my family at
7.30 pm
Je regarde la télévision. I watch the television
Je prends mon bain I take my bath
36
Je vais au lit I go to bed
Je dors. I sleep

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to talk about your daily activities in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgFitpV8Ixw
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Y4kw166yU
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhHjxXG6slo
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhuDUniBYAs

37
 WEEK 9
TOPIC: PROFESSIONS IN FRENCH

When talking about profession in French, there are two basic things to note:

Firstly, the gender of the person one is referring to is taken into consideration.
For example:
Je suis étudiant ( for a male student)
Je suis étudiante (for a female student)

Note, however, that there are a few exceptions.

Secondly, unlike in English language, where the preposition „‟a‟‟ often precedes
the naming of the profession, in French language, the preposition „‟a‟‟ is omitted
except in cases when the profession is qualified with an adjective.
Eg. I am a teacher = Je suis professeur
(In essence, in French, one says „‟i am teacher‟‟
But Je suis un bon professeur = I am a good teacher

Before we mention the professions, let us note and say these expressions :
- Je suis = I am
- Il est = he is
- Elle est = she is
- Mon père est = my father is
- Ma mère est = my mother is
Quelle est votre profession? == What is your profession ?
Quelle est ta profession? = What is your profession ?
- Que faites-vous dans la vie ?=What do you do for a living ?
Que fais-tu dans la vie ? = What do you do for a living ?

38
Now, let us say some professions in French.

Firstly, the professions that are said without any change whether one is referring to
a male or a female
- Professeur = teacher
- Professeur titulaire
- journaliste = journalist
- dentiste = dentist
- secrétaire = secretary
- Artiste = artist
- peintre = painter
- Interprète = interpreter
- fonctionnaire = civil servant
- médecin = medical doctor
- architecte = architect
- ingénieur = engineer
- juge = judge
- tailleur = tailor
- menuisier = carpenter
- domestique = maid / house maid or servant
- pilote = pilote

Secondly, there are professions that are said differently for male and female
professionals
Instituteur / institutrice = primary school teacher
directeur / directrice = director
acteur / actrice = actor

39
 éditeur / éditrice = editor
vendeur / vendeuse = seller
commerçant /commerçante = trader
chanteur / chanteuse = singer
danseur / danseuse = dancer
avocat / avocate = lawyer
musicien / musicienne = musician
comédien / comedienne = comediant
pharmacien / pharmacienne = pharmacist
politicien / politicienne = politician
boulanger / boulangière = baker
cuisinier / cuisinière = cook
caissier / caissière = cashier
infirmier / infirmière = nurse

Here are some expressions when talking about someone‟s to profession

1. Mon père est professeur My father is a teacher
2. Ma mère est infirmière My mother is a nurse
3. Mon frère est pilote My brother is a pilot
4. Ma soeur est étudiante My sister is a student
5. Mon oncle est avocat My uncle is a lawyer
6. Mon ami est politician My (male) friend is a politician
7. Mon amie est politicienne My (female) friend is a politician

40
ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to say professions in French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmuqmsbsoY4
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hW7zo5LEbU
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApOpvOmQU9U
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGYa-NP00fA

41
 WEEK 10
TOPIC: FAMILY
LA FAMILLE = FAMILY

Let us start by learning some basic vocabularies related to talking about the family
1. La famille the familly
2. Ma famille my family
3. ma famille éloignée my extended family
4. les parents the parents
5. les grand-parents grand parents
6. la mère the mother
7. Ma mère my mother
8. la grand-mère the grand mother
9. le père the father
10.le grand-père the grand father
11.le mari the husband
12.la femme the wife
13.l‟époux the spouse (male)
14.L‟épouse the spouse (female)
15.L'enfant the child (m or f)
16.Un enfant a child
17.Les enfants the children
18.les petits enfants the grandchildren
19.le fils the son
20.le petit-fils the grandson
21.la fille the daughter
42
 22.la petite-fille the granddaughter
23.le frère the brother
24.la sœur the sister
25.Les frères et sœurs the siblings
26.l'oncle the uncle
27.la tante the aunt
28.le neveu the nephew
29.la nièce the niece
30.le cousin / la cousine the cousin (m and f)
31.le beau-père the stepfather
32.la belle-mère stepmother
33.le demi-frère half brother
34.la demi-soeur half sister

Remember also the difference in the use of pronoun when referring to a male or
female member of your family
1. Use mon for male members
2. Use ma for female members

Examples:
Male: mon père, mon frère, mon oncle, mon époux, mon grand-père, etc.
Female : ma mère, ma sœur, ma tante, ma grande mère

Exception. Mon épouse

To introducing some members of the family you start by saying any of these:
43
1. Je vous presente ma famille I present my family to you (formal way)
2. Je te presente ma famille I am introducing ma family to you (familiar
way)
3. Je vous / te présente ma mère I present / introduce my mother to you
4. Je vous / te présente mon père I present / introduce my father to you
5. Je vous / te présente mon oncle. Il s‟appelle Ali. (I present / introduce my uncle
to you. His name is Ali.)

Now, let us look at some examples of presentations about the family.

1. Je m‟appelle Maryam. Je vous présente ma famille (My name is Maryam. I
present my family to you)
2. Nous sommes cinq dans ma famille (We are five in my family)
3. Mon père, ma mère et trois enfants: deux garçons et une fille (My father, my
mother and three children : two boys and a girl)
4. Mon père a soixante ans. Il est fonctionnaire. Il travaille à Abuja. (My father is
sixty years old. He is a civil servant. He works at Abuja)
5. Ma mère a cinquante-cinq ans. Elle est comerçante. (My mother is fifty-five
years old. She is a trader.)
6. Nous les enfants nous sommes étudiants (We the children are students).
7. Nous étudions à l‟université d‟Abuja (We are studying at the University of
Abuja)
8. Mon frère ainé a vingt-cinq ans, moi j‟ai vingt-deux ans et mon petit frère a
vingt ans. (My senior brother is 25 years old, I am 22 years old and my junior
brother is 20 years old.)
9. Ma famille est une famille heureuse (My family is an happy family)

44
10. Il y a la paix, l‟harmonie et le bonheur dans ma famille. C‟est pourquoi j‟aime
beaucoup ma famille. (There is peace, harmony and happiness in my family.
That is why I love my family very much)

ORAL PRACTICE
Copy then paste and open any of the following links on your browser to listen to
and practice how to expressions related to family presentation French

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIy3tenYkCA
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvpVi3ytY5w
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xINk6C-DE8k
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5-3kpXaEi4

45