Hot Issues
B2Discuss what France is actually talking about.
Real debates from French life, so you can follow the news and say what you think about it.
Members: open the series →
How a lesson works
Every episode of 🔥 Hot Issues is a full lesson. Here is what came with La Mode Durable. Each one is also an episode in 💜 The Private Podcast, and the free weekly episode is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
- The dialogue, at three speeds
Native speed, 🐢 Slow Audio and ⚡ À la parisienne.
- Transcript and translation
Every line in French, then in English, so nothing stays a blur.
- Key Vocab
The words the scene turns on, each with its English.
- Notes on the French people actually say
From this episode:
tendance passagère = passing trendune friperie ✨ = thrift store - Two exercises
Fill in the blank, then Translate.
- A writing prompt
« Comment incorpores-tu la mode durable dans ta vie quotidienne ? »
What you'll be able to follow
Debates from the series, straight from the episode list.
- La crise climatiqueThe climate crisis.
- La Menace de l'IAIs AI a threat?
- Le dilemme des réseaux sociauxThe social media dilemma.
- Travailler depuis chez soiWorking from home.
- La viande cultivée en laboratoireLab-grown meat.
Listen to a real episode
The first minute of La Mode Durable 👗 ♻️. Enzo and Juliette argue about whether sustainable fashion is a revolution or a passing trend.
The highlighted phrases are the ones the lesson explains.
- tendance passagèrea passing trend
- exorbitantsastronomical (prices)
- épouvantablesappalling
- cautionnerto endorse (a false friend for English speakers)
- EnzoTu penses vraiment que la mode durable n'est qu'une tendance passagère ? Je trouve ça fascinant comment les grandes marques se précipitent soudainement pour devenir "écologiques", alors qu'elles ont contribué pendant des décennies à la fast fashion.Do you really think sustainable fashion is just a passing trend? I find it fascinating how big brands are suddenly rushing to become "ecological," when they've contributed to fast fashion for decades.
- JulietteC'est plus complexe que ça. La mode durable représente une véritable révolution dans l'industrie textile. Les consommateurs sont de plus en plus conscients de l'impact environnemental de leurs achats. D'ailleurs, j'ai récemment découvert une boutique qui utilise uniquement des matériaux recyclés et biodégradables.It's more complex than that. Sustainable fashion represents a real revolution in the textile industry. Consumers are increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their purchases. By the way, I recently discovered a shop that only uses recycled and biodegradable materials.
- EnzoJe comprends ton point de vue, mais franchement, les prix sont exorbitants. Comment veux-tu que l'étudiant moyen puisse se permettre d'acheter un t-shirt à 80 euros, même s'il est fabriqué avec du coton biologique ?I understand your point of view, but frankly, the prices are astronomical. How do you expect the average student to afford an 80-euro t-shirt, even if it's made with organic cotton?
- JulietteSi on réfléchissait différemment, on pourrait voir que c'est un investissement. Ces vêtements durent beaucoup plus longtemps. Et puis, as-tu pensé aux conditions de travail épouvantables dans les usines de fast fashion ? On ne devrait pas cautionner ça.If we thought differently, we could see it as an investment. These clothes last much longer. And have you thought about the appalling working conditions in fast fashion factories? We shouldn't endorse that.
Tap any line to jump to it.
What readers say
The lessons have been really helpful in improving my understanding and providing a good challenge to test my grammar.
Par ça, j'apprends le vrai français. Les dialogues me présentent un apprentissage sympathique. Ça marche !I learn something new with each newsletter, but it isn't so difficult as to be intimidating.
🧪 Series Tests
Every ten episodes, a test on exactly what you've just studied, so you know the block has stuck.
Questions, answered
Who is 🔥 Hot Issues for?
B2 learners who want the French of the news, the café terrace and the family dinner, where people talk over each other and change their minds mid-sentence.
Do I need to go in order?
No. Pick the topics that provoke you: every debate stands alone.
Is the series free?
One episode is free to try: the debate about whether AI is a real threat. The rest is a members' series, part of the 💎 Premium Program. Premium starts with a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What comes with each episode?
The dialogue at three speeds, the transcript and translation, Key Vocab, notes on the French people actually say, two exercises and a writing prompt.
Can I listen on the go?
Yes. Every lesson is also an episode in 💜 The Private Podcast, with ⚡️ Live Transcript. The free weekly episode is on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Not sure it's your level?
Take the free listening test: eight clips, about two minutes, and you'll know where you stand. Find your French level.