5 Great French Talk Radio Shows for Your Learning and Listening Pleasure:
Hello and thanks for tuning in!
On today’s show we’re going to take a closer look at the present-day French language learner.
They’re watching French television online, they’re on the look out for false friends, and they’re actually so motivated that these folks are teaching themselves the language!
In fact, today’s French learners can immerse themselves in the language at home. It’s really quite incredible.
So we’ve seen all sorts of strides and changes in the way the people are learning languages, but do you know where these French learners could still really benefit?
Listening to native speakers has always been difficult, especially with the variety of French accents that exist. It’s also valuable (and fun) to be exposed to some French culture.
Well, listeners, have we got the solution for you: French talk radio.
5 Great French Talk Radio Shows
The following five radio shows are all programs on France Inter. You can listen to them live in France on the radio or at the France Inter website. If you miss an episode, the website keeps previous programs on file for a long time before deleting them from the archives. All the shows have broadcast time listed in Paris time.
1. Le masque et la plume
Day: Sundays
Time: 8 to 9 p.m.
The host, Jérôme Garcin, and a group of critics all talk about, analyze and criticize recent artistic and cultural events, including movies and books that have recently been released. This show is great because not only does it work your basic listening skills, but it also tests how strong they are.
For each book or movie discussed, every critic says something—and sometimes they disagree. This is when it starts to get difficult, because they all talk over each other, making it hard to distinguish one argument from another. So it’s a fantastic way to practice listening carefully and distinguishing voices from one another. Plus, you find out what new French movie you should go see next!
2. L’humeur vagabonde
Day: Monday to Thursday
Time: 8 to 9 p.m.
Kathleen Evin brings onto L’humeur vagabonde the men and women who have become successful because of their originality, and they talk about their dreams, their mistakes and their successes throughout the show’s hour.
I love this program because it introduces me to some of the most interesting and successful people in France, and I love getting to know how they started and where they are now. It’s a show that provides a full profile of a well-known French figure. This show is perfect for practice following a story of someone’s life, and is also a chance to see if you’re able to retell that story back to a friend after listening to the program.
3. On va déguster
Day: Sundays
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
If you’re a foodie (and in France, how can you not be?) then this show is for you. Elvira Masson and Dominique Hutin talk about everything and anything you can eat, bringing chefs and bakers and artisans onto the show to talk about food and drink. There are many advantages to this show—you get to learn about the newest tricks of the trade in the food world, meet some of the best artisans and chefs in the business, practice listening and writing down these tricks and recipes to use later.
4. La bande originale
Day: Monday to Friday
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hosted by Nagui, La bande originale brings a single guest to a table of standard commentators, and they talk about the guest’s most recent project or endeavor. Just like Le masque et la plume, it’s a great way to practice listening to people talking over each other and distinguishing different accents. And also like L’humeur vagabonde, you’re able to follow a story throughout the show.
5. La Tête au Carré
Day: Monday to Friday
Time: 2 to 3 p.m.
If you love science, this one’s for you. Mathieu Vidard hosts a show focused solely on the latest research in science. He interviews researchers and scientists from all over the world about their latest findings, and each program has a theme (a recent one focusing on comets, another on antibiotics). It’s a combination of good journalism, the greatest new science discoveries and intelligent, well-spoken scientists.
Well, we’re just about out of time here. So remember, to join the ranks of today’s French language learners, listening to some French talk radio will move you right on up, taking a bundle of benefits along with you.
As always, thanks for tuning in to today’s broadcast. Until next time!
