The best way to learn a language is usually by having an extended stay abroad so you can fully immerse yourself in the culture. Unfortunately, as this is currently not an option due to the COVID-19 crisis, some of you may be eager to work on your language skills from afar. We gave some other tips for working on your French in this recent article, and here are some excellent online French classes, websites, and other tools to help you add some structure to the advancement of votre français.
French Girl in Seattle Takes France
Some of you might be familiar with Véronique Savoye, who runs the popular blog and Facebook page French Girl in Seattle Takes France. However, you may not know that Véronique also gives online French lessons. She has more than 15 years of experience as an adult educator and cross-cultural trainer during her time living in the U.S. She offers online private and group classes, as well as travel preparation workshops (in French or English). Contact her here to learn more.
Master Parisian French with Llyane Stanfield
One of the most difficult things about learning a new language is perfecting pronunciation, and this is particularly challenging when it comes to French. As a trained actor and language instructor, obtaining a good French accent is a focal point for Llyane Stanfield’s online classes, in addition to conversation fluidity. She offers private classes by Skype, which you can preview in her free French Crash Course for Easy Conversation guide, downloadable on her website.
French Today
Created by a French couple who lived in the U.S for many years, this online method presents a modern approach to learning French and makes learning grammar actually fun. They have modules for different levels, and you can download a free trial on their site here.
Coffee Break French
For something a little more casual, check out these online French courses and free podcasts. The program has different levels that teach the basics for beginners and go up to advanced programs featuring interviews with real people.
Assimil
If you would like a little more flexibility with your learning schedule or can’t afford private lessons, then this well-established program could be for you. With 90 years in educational training, Assimil has designed an intuitive online language program organized in 30-40 minute lessons. Each one involves listening, study, and practice. Discover their French program here and their range of pedagogical books here.
French via Movies, Articles & Culture
The region of Ile-de-France has started an exciting initiative called Qioz, a platform that helps you learn languages via movies, TV series, and documentaries. It’s free, although signup is required. The website So French Class has some great free learning modules for improving your French through articles, songs, and movies. However, these are more for those with an intermediate or advanced level.
If you’d like to keep up to date on the news while improving your French, then tune into Radio France International’s Le Journal en français facile, 10-minute news segments read slowly in French and accompanied by the transcript.
Lastly, your level is advanced enough, you may also like to improve your fluency by listening to some of our favorite French podcasts.
Related Links
- Improve your French while watching some of our favorite French Netflix series.
- Take a virtual tour of Paris’ museums.
- Enhance your lockdown home cooking by trying Michelin-Star chef Stéphanie Le Quellec’s Crème Caramel.
Written by Lily Heise for HiP Paris. Looking to travel? Check out Haven In for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long-term or buy in France or Italy? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates.
WRITTEN BY
Lily Heise
Lily Heise has been living in Paris for more than 10 years. When she’s not getting into romantic mischief, she writes on dating, travel, and culture. Her writing has been featured in Frommer’s Guides, the Huffington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, City Secrets, DK Eyewitness Guides, and other local and international publications. She is the author of Je T’Aime, Me Neither, and Je T’Aime… Maybe? lively novelized memoirs on her romantic misadventures, and continues to share dating tips, stories and travel features on her blog www.jetaimemeneither.com.
Thank you SO much, HIP Paris, for featuring us in Lily Heise’s article, we are deeply grateful! ????❤
We were so very pleased to feature you!
Unfortunately, QIOZ is not available outside Île de France. I have never taken their their one-on-one French lessons, but I have bought French Today’s workbooks and they are great. They are downloaded to your device, come in different language learning levels, you can slow the audio for better comprehension, and they use colloquial everyday French. I really like them. This lockdown is a great opportunity to brush up on our French language learning.
It is a great time for brushing up!