French · Real conversations
Meetings: French conversation practice
Clarify a process and agree on next steps. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
B1 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A colleague taking part in a short team discussion.
Goal: Clarify a process and agree on next steps.
Read the conversation
Partner
On s'est mis d'accord sur un plan pour l'événement.
Show English translation
We've agreed on a plan for the event.
You
Tu pourrais m'expliquer le plan étape par étape ?
Show English translation
Could you walk me through the plan?
Partner
D'abord, on réserve la salle, puis on envoie les invitations.
Show English translation
First we reserve the room, then send invitations.
You
Qui s'occupe de la réservation ?
Show English translation
Who's responsible for the booking?
Partner
Anna fera la réservation. Ensuite, on aura besoin de l'aide de tout le monde.
Show English translation
Anna will book it. We'll need everyone to help after that.
You
Quelles sont les prochaines étapes ?
Show English translation
What are the next steps?
Partner
Ensuite, on confirme le nombre de personnes. Il y a aussi une longue discussion sur le repas.
Show English translation
Next we confirm numbers. There's also a long discussion about catering.
You
On pourrait y revenir plus tard ?
Show English translation
Could we come back to that?
Partner
Oui, on peut parler du repas plus tard. Je vais préparer un résumé écrit.
Show English translation
Yes, we can discuss catering later. I'll prepare a written summary.
You
Tu pourrais m'envoyer les détails ?
Show English translation
Could you send me the details?
Try your part first
Partner says: We've agreed on a plan for the event. Your goal: Could you walk me through the plan?
Reveal a sample reply
Tu pourrais m'expliquer le plan étape par étape ?
Could you walk me through the plan?
Partner says: First we reserve the room, then send invitations. Your goal: Who's responsible for the booking?
Reveal a sample reply
Qui s'occupe de la réservation ?
Who's responsible for the booking?
Partner says: Anna will book it. We'll need everyone to help after that. Your goal: What are the next steps?
Reveal a sample reply
Quelles sont les prochaines étapes ?
What are the next steps?
Partner says: Next we confirm numbers. There's also a long discussion about catering. Your goal: Could we come back to that?
Reveal a sample reply
On pourrait y revenir plus tard ?
Could we come back to that?
Partner says: Yes, we can discuss catering later. I'll prepare a written summary. Your goal: Could you send me the details?
Reveal a sample reply
Tu pourrais m'envoyer les détails ?
Could you send me the details?
Make it your own
- Ask about a different process.
- Clarify who owns the next step.
- Request the details in writing.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking French
Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.
Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.
