# Navigating French automated phone menus

**Language:** French  
**CEFR Level:** B1  

> Master the robotic voices of French customer service while commuting or walking. Practice your listening and speaking skills on the go to confidently handle everyday phone tasks.

**Setting:** Modern-day Paris, navigating the bureaucratic maze of daily French life. Antoine and Camille tackle various phone menus to resolve their banking, internet, and delivery issues.

## Lessons

### 1. Welcome to the main menu

Learn the basics of automated phone trees and how to make initial keypad selections.

**Vocabulary:**
- le menu principal (the main menu)
- la touche (the key/button)
- taper (to press/type)
- sélectionner (to select)
- l'assistant vocal (the voice assistant)
- le service client (customer service)

**Objectives:**
- Understand basic automated instructions
- Select options using the phone keypad

### 2. Banking services and balances

Call the bank to check your account balance and navigate transaction menus.

**Vocabulary:**
- le solde (the balance)
- le compte bancaire (the bank account)
- le virement (the transfer)
- la carte bleue (the credit card)
- l'opération (the transaction)
- consulter (to check/consult)

**Objectives:**
- Check your bank account balance over the phone
- Navigate menus for credit card issues

### 3. Internet and tech support

Report an internet outage to your provider using their automated diagnostic system.

**Vocabulary:**
- la facture (the bill)
- le réseau (the network)
- la panne (the breakdown/outage)
- le technicien (the technician)
- redémarrer (to restart)
- l'abonnement (the subscription)

**Objectives:**
- Navigate a technical support menu
- Report an internet or network outage

### 4. Tracking your missing delivery

Use the automated postal hotline to track a package and arrange redelivery.

**Vocabulary:**
- le colis (the parcel/package)
- le numéro de suivi (the tracking number)
- la livraison (the delivery)
- le livreur (the delivery driver)
- le point relais (the pick-up point)
- expédier (to ship/send)

**Objectives:**
- Track a missing package using a reference number
- Choose a new redelivery option

### 5. Updating utility contracts

Call your electricity provider to submit a meter reading and manage your contract.

**Vocabulary:**
- le fournisseur (the provider)
- le contrat (the contract)
- la consommation (the consumption)
- le relevé (the meter reading)
- résilier (to cancel/terminate)
- le compteur (the meter)

**Objectives:**
- Update your utility contract details
- Submit a meter reading automatically

### 6. Reaching a human advisor

Learn the vital phrases needed to bypass the robot and speak to a real person.

**Vocabulary:**
- le conseiller (the advisor)
- transférer (to transfer)
- patienter (to hold/wait)
- la ligne (the line)
- l'attente (the wait)
- joignable (reachable)

**Objectives:**
- Request to speak to a human advisor
- Understand phrases related to being put on hold

### 7. Handling errors and repeating

Figure out what to do when the system does not understand your input.

**Vocabulary:**
- répéter (to repeat)
- invalide (invalid)
- l'erreur (the error)
- précédent (previous)
- raccrocher (to hang up)
- le dièse (the pound/hash key)

**Objectives:**
- Ask the automated system to repeat options
- Go back to a previous menu after an error