SIOC Labs · A1–B2 · practical · Français

SIOC Labs — French

Practical preparation for grammar, useful words and real survival language before and during a study stay abroad.

This is not a tourist phrasebook. It is built for students who need to function at school, in accommodation, at reception, in shops, on transport and when something goes wrong.

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How to use this lab

Use this sequence: listen or read once, speak aloud twice, cover the translation, then adapt the sentence with your own city, school, accommodation and problem. The aim is not perfect grammar first. The aim is controlled survival, then cleaner grammar.

Daily rule: 15 minutes phrases + 15 minutes grammar + 10 minutes writing + one spoken role-play. That is enough to make the first week abroad less stressful.

7-day preparation route

Day 1 — greetings, school reception and personal introduction.
Day 2 — classroom control: repeat, write, explain, correct, slow down.
Day 3 — accommodation: room, key, house rules, meals, laundry, noise.
Day 4 — food, shops and payment: order politely and fix mistakes.
Day 5 — transport: tickets, stops, delays, directions and missed connections.
Day 6 — health, pharmacy, insurance and emergency language.
Day 7 — mixed role-play: one full school day from breakfast to homework.

Core useful words

These are not decorative vocabulary lists. These are the words that appear again and again when students try to solve real problems abroad.

Word / phrase	Meaning	Use it
oui	yes	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
non	no	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
s’il vous plaît	please	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
merci	thank you	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
excusez-moi	excuse me	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
aujourd’hui	today	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
demain	tomorrow	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
hier	yesterday	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
ici	here	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
là-bas	over there	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
maintenant	now	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
après	afterwards	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
avant	before	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
toujours	always	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
jamais	never	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
j’ai besoin de	I need	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
je voudrais	I would like	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
je peux	I can	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
j’ai	I have	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
il y a	there is/are	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
la classe	class	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
la salle	room/classroom	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
l’accueil	reception	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
le logement	accommodation	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
la clé	key	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
le billet	ticket	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
la pharmacie	pharmacy	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
l’assurance	insurance	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
la gare	station	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.
le médecin	doctor	Say it aloud, then use it in a real sentence about school, housing or transport.

Survival language

Memorise these first. They give you control in school, accommodation, public transport, cafés, pharmacies and difficult situations.

Bonjour, je suis nouveau/nouvelle à l’école.Hello, I am new at the school.
Vous pouvez répéter plus lentement, s’il vous plaît?Can you repeat more slowly, please?
Comment est-ce que ça s’écrit?How is that written?
Je n’ai pas encore compris. Vous pouvez donner un autre exemple?I have not understood yet. Can you give another example?
La clé de ma chambre ne fonctionne pas.The key to my room does not work.
Je voudrais un café crème et quelque chose à manger.I would like a coffee with milk and something to eat.
Où est-ce que je peux acheter une carte de transport?Where can I buy a transport card?
Je suis perdu(e). Je cherche cette adresse.I am lost. I am looking for this address.
Je ne me sens pas bien. Il y a une pharmacie près d’ici?I do not feel well. Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Vous pourriez m’aider à appeler mon assurance?Could you help me call my insurance?

Grammar that unlocks real life

Grammar is useful when it helps you act. Learn these points through real sentences, not as isolated theory.

Grammar key

tu / vous

Use vous with staff, teachers, host families at first, police, doctors and strangers. Change to tu only when invited.

Grammar key

articles

Learn le, la, les plus un, une, des early. French sounds wrong quickly when articles disappear.

Grammar key

il y a / c’est

Il y a introduces existence. C’est identifies or comments. Il y a une pharmacie. C’est fermé.

Grammar key

passé composé

The workhorse past tense: j’ai réservé, je suis arrivé(e), j’ai perdu.

Grammar key

questions

Use Est-ce que for safe neutral questions: Est-ce que vous pouvez répéter?

Dialogue training

Each dialogue is deliberately short. Your task is to expand it until it feels natural. Add names, times, addresses and city details.

Reception

A: Bonjour. Je suis un nouvel étudiant. Où est-ce que je dois m’inscrire?

Hello. I am a new student. Where do I need to register?