French learning resources

Courses and practice tools, organized by skill and level.

About access and stage labels

Free options include free resources, lessons, and tiers. Check each resource’s access details for limits and paid features. Stage labels are suggested starting points, not proficiency assessments.

course

Duolingo

Free + paid options

Short, sequenced French practice.

Details & sources

Short, sequenced French practice.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
How to use it
Use a short lesson to learn a pattern, then make a sentence of your own.
Complementary practice
Add listening and conversation.
Access
Free courses with optional Super and Max subscriptions. Features vary by platform.
Limitations
A streak does not measure spontaneous conversation.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
course

Language Transfer

Free access

Think through French sentence structure.

Details & sources

Think through French sentence structure.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
How to use it
Pause the audio and build an answer before the explanation.
Complementary practice
Pair it with reading and listening to French speakers.
Access
Free, donation-supported Intro to French audio, including downloads.
Limitations
An introductory audio series is not a complete proficiency course.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
listening

TV5MONDE Apprendre

Free access

French videos with comprehension exercises.

Details & sources

French videos with comprehension exercises.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Choose accessible clips and replay them after the exercises.
Complementary practice
Practice speaking about the same topic.
Access
Free video-based French learning exercises.
Limitations
A listening test describes only part of your language ability.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
listening

Fluent by Ear

Free + paid options

Our French audio course for listening and speaking.

Details & sources

Guided French audio lessons with pauses to respond aloud and a live transcript to follow along.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
How to use it
Choose a French level, answer aloud in the pauses, and use the transcript when you need support.
Complementary practice
Use the lesson's phrases in a conversation, then review unfamiliar words.
Access
The first 2 lessons of each level are free. Paid monthly, annual, or lifetime access unlocks the remaining lessons.
Limitations
Guided practice does not replace unscripted conversation with feedback.
French variety
French; the beginner course follows a story set in France.
Review notes
Ownership disclosure: Fluent by Ear is our product, run by the same team as How to Learn French. Features and access checked on the official pages; stage suggestions are editorial.
listening

Coffee Break French

Free + paid options

Teacher-led French audio lessons.

Details & sources

Teacher-led French audio lessons.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
How to use it
Follow a level in order and answer aloud during the pauses.
Complementary practice
Use your new phrases with a partner.
Access
Free podcasts and YouTube videos; optional paid courses and video subscriptions.
Limitations
Audio explanations cannot give personal pronunciation feedback.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
listening

Easy French

Free + paid options

Conversations about culture and everyday life.

Details & sources

Conversations about culture and everyday life.

Suggested stages
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Replay a short section, then summarize the main point aloud.
Complementary practice
Start with easier supported listening when needed.
Access
Public podcast episodes; membership offers transcripts and extra material.
Limitations
Natural conversations may be demanding for a new beginner.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
listening

innerFrench

Free + paid options

Longer listening for intermediate learners.

Details & sources

Longer listening for intermediate learners.

Suggested stages
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Start with earlier episodes and listen for the overall message.
Complementary practice
Review only the vocabulary that helps you understand the topic.
Access
Public podcast episodes; other courses are offered separately. Check account and course terms.
Limitations
These longer discussions assume some French already.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
reference

Lawless French

Free + paid options

Grammar, pronunciation, and verb explanations.

Details & sources

Grammar, pronunciation, and verb explanations.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Look up one difficulty and make two personal examples.
Complementary practice
Return to a conversation or text that uses it.
Access
Free articles and reference tools; linked learning services may have paid features.
Limitations
Reading a rule alone does not build quick recall.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
reference

Kwiziq French

Free + paid options

Grammar lessons and focused quizzes.

Details & sources

Grammar lessons and focused quizzes.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Use quiz feedback to choose one grammar point to revisit.
Complementary practice
Apply each pattern in listening and writing.
Access
Public learning library with free and paid account options; check current quiz limits.
Limitations
Quiz results do not assess every real-world skill.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
reading

Lingua

Free + paid options

Short French texts with comprehension questions.

Details & sources

Short French texts with comprehension questions.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
How to use it
Read once for meaning, answer the questions, then read aloud.
Complementary practice
Add sustained reading when these become comfortable.
Access
A selection is free; Premium unlocks further texts.
Limitations
Short exercises give limited practice with longer books.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
reading

The French Experiment

Free access

Stories with French audio and English support.

Details & sources

Stories with French audio and English support.

Suggested stages
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
How to use it
Listen while reading, then retell a small part without the translation.
Complementary practice
Use shorter beginner dialogues alongside them.
Access
The listed stories are available to read and listen to online.
Limitations
Children’s stories can still contain unfamiliar narrative language.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
course

OpenLearn

Free access

A guided introduction from The Open University.

Details & sources

A guided introduction from The Open University.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
How to use it
Work through the activities in order and say your answers aloud.
Complementary practice
Add regular listening and review.
Access
Free introductory course; optional registration supports progress features.
Limitations
An introductory course is one part of a longer learning plan.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
speaking

Tandem

Free + paid options

Find French language-exchange partners.

Details & sources

Find French language-exchange partners.

Suggested stages
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Agree on a topic, split the time, and ask for specific corrections.
Complementary practice
Prepare useful phrases before each exchange.
Access
Free exchange is advertised; an account is required and paid extras may be offered.
Limitations
Partner availability and feedback quality vary.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.
vocabulary

Anki

Free + paid options

Review useful words and phrases over time.

Details & sources

Review useful words and phrases over time.

Suggested stages
  • Basic introductions and questions (Pre-A1 → A1)
  • Everyday interactions (A1 → A2)
  • Independent communication (A2 → B1)
  • Extended conversation and texts (B1 → B2)
How to use it
Make a small number of cards from language you have encountered.
Complementary practice
Keep reading, listening, and conversation in your routine.
Access
Free desktop software and AnkiWeb; official AnkiMobile for iOS is paid.
Limitations
Card quality matters; a deck is not a complete French course.
French variety
French; speakers and regional usage depend on the material or partner.
Review notes
Official provider description checked. Suggested study stages are editorial guidance, not a measured learning outcome.

Choose a study plan

Suggested resource combinations for each stage.

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