In this workshop you practise a short, polite exchange at a ticket office or museum. You will ask whether a student or senior rate exists, say who you are, show your card, and understand the answer about proof and price. The phrases are short, so focus on clear rhythm and on saying the final sounds of words like étudiant and étudiante. Speak each line out loud several times before you try the tasks. You can play both roles: first as the visitor asking the question, then as the staff member answering.
Asking whether a reduced rate exists
Start with a greeting, then ask your question. The key structure is a question about whether something exists. When you ask about a student rate, you say «Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?». The word tarif means rate or price, so you are asking about a special price, not about a percentage. For an older-adult reduction, the same structure works with a different word: «Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif senior ?». Say both questions slowly, then a little faster. Keep the rhythm smooth and do not separate every word. The question form stays the same, so once you can say one, you can say the other.
Saying who you are and showing proof
The staff member may ask you to prove your status. To say that you are a student, use «Je suis étudiant. / Je suis étudiante.». Notice that the final sound changes depending on whether the speaker is male or female, so choose the form that fits you. Then hand over your card and say «Voici ma carte d'étudiant.». Say the line as you hold out the card, so the words and the action happen together. These two lines are useful together: first you state your status, then you present the document. Practise them as a pair until they feel like one short routine.
Understanding the answer
When you ask your question, listen for two things: whether the answer is yes or no, and what proof or price is mentioned. In a typical exchange, the visitor asks «Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?», and the staff member replies «Oui, sur présentation de la carte d'étudiant.». The reply confirms that the reduced rate exists and explains what you must show. The visitor then presents the card and asks the price with «Voici ma carte d'étudiant. C'est combien ?», and the staff member gives the amount with «C'est huit euros au lieu de douze.». Listen for the words for the card and for the two prices. You do not need to understand every sound; focus on the key words that tell you what to show and what to pay.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?
Is there a student discount?
ess keel ee ya un ta-REEF ay-tu-DYAN
Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif senior ?
Is there a senior discount?
ess keel ee ya un ta-REEF say-NYOR
Je suis étudiant. / Je suis étudiante.
I am a student. (male speaker / female speaker)
zhuh swee zay-tu-DYAN / zhuh swee zay-tu-DYANT
Voici ma carte d'étudiant.
Here is my student card.
vwah-SEE ma kart day-tu-DYAN
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?
Hello, is there a student discount?Oui, sur présentation de la carte d'étudiant.
Yes, on presentation of the student card.Voici ma carte d'étudiant. C'est combien ?
Here is my student card. How much is it?C'est huit euros au lieu de douze.
It is eight euros instead of twelve.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange at the ticket office
Imagine you are at a museum ticket office. You want the student rate and you have your student card ready. Play the visitor's role and speak each line out loud.
Your task: Greet the staff member and ask whether a student rate exists using «Est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?». When the staff member asks for proof, say that you are a student using «Je suis étudiant. / Je suis étudiante.», then present your card using «Voici ma carte d'étudiant.». Finally, ask how much it costs using the recorded line «Voici ma carte d'étudiant. C'est combien ?».
Listen and choose the right reply
Read the two possible staff replies below, then decide which one fits a visitor who has just asked about a student rate and is holding a student card.
Your task: Option A: the staff member says «Oui, sur présentation de la carte d'étudiant.». Option B: the staff member says «C'est huit euros au lieu de douze.». Which reply tells you what proof you must show? Say your choice out loud, then say the line you chose.
Recall the exchange with correct roles
Cover the lines above. Imagine the same ticket office scene, but this time you must remember who says what.
Your task: Say the visitor's opening question from memory using «Bonjour, est-ce qu'il y a un tarif étudiant ?». Then say the staff member's reply using «Oui, sur présentation de la carte d'étudiant.». Then say the visitor's next line using «Voici ma carte d'étudiant. C'est combien ?». Finally, say the staff member's price using «C'est huit euros au lieu de douze.».
Common questions
Do I need to say the exact words for the card?
Yes, use the phrase for the student card as it appears in the recordings. The staff member listens for that specific document. If you say a different word, the reply may not match. Practise the line until the words for the card come out smoothly, then say it while you hold the card so the action and the words go together.
What if the staff member answers with a price I do not understand?
Listen for the two numbers in the price line «C'est huit euros au lieu de douze.». The reply gives one amount and then another amount, so you can compare them. If you are not sure, you can repeat the recorded price line and listen again. Focus first on the words for the card, because that tells you what to show, and then on the numbers, because that tells you what to pay.
Sources and further reading
- french: ask about discountsChecked September 2026
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