# Decoding French Through Music History

**Language:** French  
**CEFR Level:** A2  

> Join Julien and Léa for a musical journey through six decades of French songwriting, one short conversation at a time. Each lesson trains your ear until you can follow every word and answer back.

**Setting:** At a vintage record shop and café in the Croix-Rousse district of Lyon, Julien and Léa bond over a shared crate of classic and modern French vinyl. They continue their conversation over coffee on the terrace, sharing playlists and dissecting how French songs have evolved over the decades.

## Lessons

### 1. Discussing your music tastes

Julien and Léa discuss finding old records, and Léa shares how listening to Édith Piaf reminds her of her childhood.

### 2. Explaining slang words

Julien explains the concept of French "verlan" slang to Léa, who wants to understand the music her grandchildren love.

### 3. Using informal negation

While discussing classic songs by Jacques Brel, Julien explains to Léa how modern speakers often drop the "ne" in negative sentences.

### 4. Expressing future possibilities

Julien plays an 80s pop song for Léa, who appreciates the poetic way the lyrics express future possibilities.

### 5. Expressing enthusiastic agreement

Julien points out a pronunciation quirk in a song, and Léa enthusiastically agrees to listen to a Caribbean track he suggests.

### 6. Letting someone else choose

Julien translates a Creole lyric for Léa, who then asks him to choose the next song since her music knowledge stops in the 1990s.

### 7. Making a promise to someone

Julien promises to include Edith Piaf on the playlist he is making for Léa as they plan to finish their coffee before listening.