Album Review: Intermediate French by Unknown Artist (1967)
Released in 1967 under the label Institute For Language Study, Intermediate French is an unconventional yet fascinating dive into educational audio material disguised as a “music album.” Don’t expect soaring melodies or emotional lyrics here—this album is all about learning. With its focus on grammar, vocabulary, and conversational scenarios, it’s less of a musical journey and more like sitting in a classroom with headphones on. But hey, who said education can’t have its own quirky charm?
The album's tracks are designed to teach French through situational dialogues and structured lessons. Two tracks stand out for their peculiar blend of practicality and unintentional humor: "On The Telephone-Compound Past Tense with 'avoir'-Expressions about the weather" and "An Automobile Trip-Adjectives-Present Tense of Irregular Verbs-Forming Questions." These titles alone sound like something out of a very niche board game, but they deliver surprisingly memorable moments.
In "On The Telephone," listeners are guided through conversations that feel hilariously formal by today’s standards. Picture yourself awkwardly holding a rotary phone while discussing whether it rained yesterday (“Il a plu”). It’s hard not to chuckle at how stiff these exchanges seem compared to our modern-day texting shorthand. Yet, there’s something oddly satisfying about mastering the compound past tense alongside canned expressions about sunshine and storms. You might even find yourself casually dropping “Quel temps fait-il?” into everyday conversation just to impress your friends—or annoy them.
Meanwhile, "An Automobile Trip" takes things up a notch with adjectives and irregular verbs thrown into the mix. This track feels like being crammed into a tiny car with someone explaining every single detail about the scenery—and trust me, you’ll never forget what "beau" means after hearing it repeated ten times in different contexts. The lesson on forming questions adds another layer of intrigue; sure, you could ask, “Où est la gare?” normally, but why not try “Est-ce que vous savez où se trouve la gare?” instead? By the end, you’re left wondering if you’ve learned more French or simply developed a love-hate relationship with hypothetical road trips.
What makes Intermediate French stick in my mind isn’t just the content—it’s the vibe. There’s a certain retro charm to the flat intonation and overly polite narrators, reminiscent of old-school instructional videos. Listening to this album feels like stepping back in time when language learning was less about apps and more about repetition drills. And honestly? That’s kind of refreshing.
Reflecting on this oddball gem, I’m struck by how much personality shines through despite its dry subject matter. Who knew conjugating verbs could feel so… human? If anything, Intermediate French proves that even the most utilitarian projects can leave an impression. So next time you’re stuck deciding between Rosetta Stone and Duolingo, maybe give this vintage relic a spin—you might walk away speaking better French than expected, or at least laughing along the way.
Final verdict: Not exactly chart-topping material, but definitely worth a listen for nostalgia buffs and language nerds alike.
