Common mistakes
Lecture or conférence: reading a text or giving a talk?
French lecture means reading. Learn when an English lecture is une conférence, un cours or un exposé, with event examples, picture prompts and a short quiz.
- A2
- 4 corrections
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In short
French la lecture means reading. For an English “lecture”, use une conférence for a public talk, un cours for a teaching session, or un exposé for a presentation. Une lecture publique is a public reading of a written text.
Yellow the idea to rememberBlue French to learn
- la lecturea talk explaining a subjectreading; a reading
La lecture de ce roman me plaît beaucoup.I’m really enjoying reading this novel.
For a public talk about the novel, say une conférence sur le roman.
- une conférenceonly a large event with many speakersa talk, lecture or conference
Elle donne une conférence sur l’architecture.She is giving a talk on architecture.
One speaker giving one public talk can give une conférence.
- un coursalways a whole programme of studya class, lesson or course
J’ai un cours d’histoire à neuf heures.I have a history lecture at nine.
For a regular university teaching session, un cours is a useful translation.
- un exposéa reading alouda presentation
Les étudiants préparent un exposé sur ce bâtiment.The students are preparing a presentation about this building.
Use faire un exposé or présenter un exposé for giving a presentation.
Objects at a reading or talk
Find:
Read the activity as well as the title
| Time | Programme | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 14 h | Lecture publique | An author reads passages from her novel. |
| 15 h | Conférence sur le roman policier | A speaker explains the crime novel as a genre. |
| 16 h | Discussion avec le public | The audience asks questions. |
- Visiteuse
Je voudrais une place pour la lecture de quatorze heures.
I’d like a ticket for the two o’clock reading.
- Employé
La lecture publique ? Oui, il reste des places.
The public reading? Yes, there are still tickets.
- Visiteuse
Est-ce que l’autrice donne aussi la conférence ?
Is the author also giving the talk?
- Employé
Non, c’est un journaliste qui la donne.
No, a journalist is giving it.
Both lecture and conférence are feminine. Keep the attendance pattern assister à: Nous assistons à une conférence. A talk can include a short reading: La conférence commence par la lecture d’un poème. The two activities can belong to the same event.