French · Real conversations
Work updates: French conversation practice
Explain progress and agree on a priority. 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 giving a short project update.
Goal: Explain progress and agree on a priority.
Read the conversation
Partner
Sur quoi travailles-tu aujourd'hui ?
Show English translation
What are you working on today?
You
Je travaille sur le rapport.
Show English translation
I'm working on the report.
Partner
Où en es-tu avec le rapport ?
Show English translation
How far have you got with the report?
You
J'ai terminé la première version.
Show English translation
I've finished the first draft.
Partner
C'est un bon début. Tu peux envoyer la version vérifiée aujourd'hui ?
Show English translation
Good start. Can you send the checked version today?
You
J'ai besoin de plus de temps.
Show English translation
I need more time.
Partner
Combien de temps te faut-il en plus ?
Show English translation
How much longer do you need?
You
Quelle est la date limite ?
Show English translation
What's the deadline?
Partner
Demain après-midi. Il faut aussi actualiser les chiffres.
Show English translation
Tomorrow afternoon. We also need the figures updated.
You
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire en priorité ?
Show English translation
What should I prioritize?
Try your part first
Partner says: What are you working on today? Your goal: I'm working on the report.
Reveal a sample reply
Je travaille sur le rapport.
I'm working on the report.
Partner says: How far have you got with the report? Your goal: I've finished the first draft.
Reveal a sample reply
J'ai terminé la première version.
I've finished the first draft.
Partner says: Good start. Can you send the checked version today? Your goal: I need more time.
Reveal a sample reply
J'ai besoin de plus de temps.
I need more time.
Partner says: How much longer do you need? Your goal: What's the deadline?
Reveal a sample reply
Quelle est la date limite ?
What's the deadline?
Partner says: Tomorrow afternoon. We also need the figures updated. Your goal: What should I prioritize?
Reveal a sample reply
Qu'est-ce que je dois faire en priorité ?
What should I prioritize?
Make it your own
- Change the task.
- Request a different amount of time.
- Clarify two competing priorities.
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.
