You already use the supplied French lesson phrases for greetings, introductions, and making plans. This page helps you turn those phrases into a regular pronunciation practice routine. You will listen to the source audio, break phrases into manageable chunks, shadow the speaker, and record yourself for comparison. The focus is on building a habit of attentive listening and speaking, not on memorizing phonetic rules. Because the source audio is your reference, you can practise at home without a teacher. The routine takes about fifteen minutes and can be repeated with any phrase from the lessons. You will also learn how to use a conversation partner or AI for extra speaking practice, while remembering that self-checks and AI chats are not clinical or official pronunciation assessments.
Preparation: Set Up Your Listening and Recording Space
Before you start, choose a quiet spot where you can listen and speak without distractions. You will need the source audio for the phrases you want to practise, a way to play it (phone, computer, or speaker), and a recording device (your phone's voice memo app works well). Pick three to five phrases from the supplied lessons. For example, you might choose the greeting 'Bonjour', the question 'Comment allez-vous ?', and the farewell 'Au revoir'. These are short and useful. Write down the English meanings so you remember what you are saying. Do not write your own phonetic transcriptions; rely on the audio. If you want, note the pronunciation guide from the lesson, but remember it is a rough approximation. The goal is to train your ear and mouth together, not to decode symbols.
Handling the Harder Turn: When a Phrase Feels Fast or Blurry
Some phrases may sound like a stream of sound without clear word boundaries. This is normal when listening to a new language. Instead of trying to identify every sound, focus on the overall rhythm and melody. Play the audio at normal speed first, then slow it down if your player allows. Listen for the stressed syllables and the way the voice rises or falls. For example, in 'Comment allez-vous ?', listen to how the source speaker delivers the phrase and compare it with your own recording. Do not worry about linking rules or specific sound changes; just imitate what you hear as a whole. If a phrase still feels too fast, break it into smaller pieces: listen to the first word, pause, repeat it, then add the next word. Gradually build up to the full phrase. This chunking method helps your mouth get used to the sequence of sounds without needing to know why they connect.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Bonjour.
Hello. / Good morning. / Good afternoon.
bohn-ZHOOR
Bonsoir.
Good evening.
bohn-SWAHR
Salut !
Hi! / Bye!
sah-LOO
Comment allez-vous ?
How are you? (formal or plural)
koh-mahn tah-lay VOO
Je m'appelle Marie.
My name is Marie.
zhuh mah-PEL mah-REE
Comment tu t'appelles ?
What is your name? (informal)
koh-MAHN tew tah-PEL
Comment vous vous appelez ?
What is your name? (polite or plural)
koh-MAHN voo voo-zah-PLAY
Je viens du Canada.
I come from Canada.
zhuh vyen dew kah-nah-DAH
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
Hello, how are you?Bonjour, je vais bien, merci. Et vous ?
Hello, I'm well, thank you. And you?Ça va bien, merci. Vous êtes ici pour le cours ?
I'm well, thank you. Are you here for the class?Oui, c'est ça. Et vous ?
Yes, that's right. And you?Moi aussi. Bon, je dois y aller. Au revoir !
Me too. Well, I have to go. Goodbye!Au revoir, à bientôt !
Goodbye, see you soon!Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Shadowing a Greeting
You are at home with your phone and headphones. You have selected the phrase 'Bonjour' from the French greetings lesson. The audio is ready to play.
Your task: Play the audio for 'Bonjour' three times. Listen carefully to the melody. Then, without recording, say it aloud five times, trying to match the rhythm. Next, record yourself saying it three times. Finally, play your recording and the original audio back-to-back. Say aloud one thing you noticed about your pronunciation compared to the original.
Chunking a Question
You are practising the phrase 'Comment allez-vous ?' from the greetings lesson. You have the audio on your device and a quiet room.
Your task: Listen to the full phrase once. Then break it into two parts: first 'Comment', then 'allez-vous'. Listen to each part separately if possible. Practise saying each part slowly, then join them together. Record yourself saying the full phrase three times. After recording, listen to your version and the original. Focus on whether your delivery matches the source audio's question melody.
Recording a Farewell
You are using the phrase 'Au revoir' from the greetings lesson. You have your recording app open and the source audio ready.
Your task: Play the audio for 'Au revoir' twice. Then record yourself saying it five times in a row, pausing between each. Listen back to your recording. Pick the version that sounds closest to the original. Say aloud why you chose that one. Then record one final version.
Common questions
Can I use an AI conversation partner to check my pronunciation?
You can use an AI conversation partner for extra speaking practice, but it is not a reliable pronunciation assessment. AI may not hear subtle sound differences accurately. Use it to build confidence and fluency, not to judge correctness. For real feedback, ask a teacher or native speaker.
How often should I practise this routine?
Short, frequent sessions work better than long, occasional ones. Aim for ten to fifteen minutes daily, or at least four times a week. Consistency helps your mouth and ear adapt. You can rotate through different phrases from the lessons.
Sources and further reading
- french: hello and goodbyeChecked September 2026
- french: introduce yourselfChecked September 2026
- french: make plansChecked September 2026
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