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Le professeur parle de cette matière en cours.

Le professeur parle de cette matière en cours.
The teacher talks about this subject in class.
From Lesson 244:Jobs, school and sport·French

Questions & Answers about Le professeur parle de cette matière en cours.

Why is matière translated as 'subject' here? Doesn't it mean 'material'?
Yes, matière often means physical 'material' or 'matter', but in an educational context, it translates to a school 'subject' or 'course topic'.
Why use en cours instead of dans la classe for 'in class'?
En cours refers to the actual lesson or the time spent learning, which is what we usually mean by 'in class' in English. If you say dans la classe, a French speaker will picture the physical room itself.
Why is it cette matière and not ce matière?
Matière is a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine word for 'this', which is cette. If the noun were masculine, you would use ce (or cet before a vowel).
Why do we use de after parle?
The verb parler uses the preposition de when you want to say you are talking 'about' something. If the teacher were talking 'to' someone, you would use parler à.

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