Subscribe to La Guinguette
Access more than 30 hours of sound recordings
Annual subscription to La Guinguette includes access to:
- More than 100 audio news features with transcript, slow version, translation in English and notes
- 98 audio news features with full transcript, slow version and notes
- 36 Advanced French lessons voiced by French native-speakers
- 36 Intermediate French lessons voiced by French native-speakers
- 36 Beginners' French lessons with explanations in English and examples voiced by French native-speakers
Every month (except August) :
- One new full length news feature (6-10 minutes)
- A shorter interview or feature (2-3 minutes)
- An audio French lesson based on the theme of the month (2-5 minutes)
- Exercise ideas
- An open forum space to exchange feedback with other readers
You can consult the materials :
- Online from any internet -ready computer
- Offline by downloading to your computer
- On the move by printing the texts and exporting the sound to an MP3 player or IPOD
Une Guinguette (pronounced gang-ette) is a riverside café of the type made famous by impressionist artists such as Renoir. It is also the name of this language-learning website founded in 2001 by publishers Discours & Méthode, based in Lyon.
Our goal is to provide learners of French with access to authentic sound recordings of French as it is spoken today. The approach is "no compromise!" : we commission a team of professional French journalists to provide the reports, the interviewees speak at normal speed, unaware that their listeners are learners of French rather than native speakers.
The materials are therefore intentionally challenging. But with the transcript, translation, slowed down versions and notes to provide a bridge to understanding, they offer a stepping stone for learners who've acquired theoretical knowledge of French but need more training to improve their ability to understand and interact with French native-speakers.
First published as A l'écoute de la langue française, the audio lessons have won widespread critical acclaim from independent reviewers, including a five star rating from Laura Lawless at french.about.com. The course sold more than 5000 copies worldwide as a standalone product before being integrated in La Guinguette in September 2008 as a complement to the audio features.
Each class lays out clearly stated objectives. Explanations are in English to begin with, then French gradually takes over. Excercies are provided to reinforce your progress. Complete the course and you'll feel a signifiant gain in confidence thanks to the deep level of knowledge acquired.
Annual Subscription to La Guinguette costs 55 € (or $78 USD) per year. Group and institutional licences are available on request.