Are you wanting to teach yourself French or looking to improve your French skills without the hefty costs? Below is a comprehensive list of apps, podcast, music, book and video suggestions to help improve your French language level for free (or almost!). All tried and tested by a bilingual French speaker. Find your level (beginners, intermediate, advanced) then the skill you would like to improve underneath.
TOP PICKS
BEGINNERS WRITING
Online book: French Grammar Drills – Entire (free) PDF book with all you need to know on French grammar
INTERMEDIATE SPEAKING
Website: Language.Exchange – Entirely free language exchange
ADVANCED LISTENING
Website/app: Arte – The best cultural platform
BEGINNERS
LISTENING
Website: TV5Monde – Listening content for FLE (français langue étrangère) students by TV5Monde
PROS: Transcript to read along with; subtitles can be activated; video and audio files; comprehension exercises; vocabulary lists; several topics
CONS: No translations;
READING
Website: Fabulang – Entirely free website to practise reading French
PROS: Transcript available in English if needed; transcript can be hidden; no ads; audio available;
CONS: Limited content
WRITING
PDF book: French Grammar Drills – Entire (free) PDF book with all you need to know on French grammar.
PROS: All grammar points covered; exercises for each point; answers at end of book
CONS: Requires independent learning – must be motivated!
SPEAKING
Website: Meet Up – Find meet up sessions near you or online to practise speaking
PROS: Can meet with locals to practise speaking; regular events; can create your own event in your city!
CONS: Some events require payment
VOCABULARY
Website: Podcast Français Facile – Entire course available from total beginner’s level
PROS: Lessons on a variety of different topics; audios; translation into English and Spanish; print out lesson; grammar for each lesson
CONS: Lots of ads; website layout is a quite unclear
LISTENING
Podcast: French Made Easy – Podcast episodes starting right from scratch in French
PROS: Free ‘cheat sheet’ for each episode; free exercise library; short episodes; clear accent
CONS: The podcast on its own may not be so useful so be sure to use the free resources at the same time to really maximise on your learning.
READING
Website/app: Busuu French – Complete French basic course to hone in on your reading skills
PROS: Interactive learning; all skills developed at the same time (particularly great for reading French); entirely free course; review for each chapter
CONS: Have to start from A1 beginners
WRITING
Website: Le Conjugeur – Verb conjugation in every tense
PROS: All verb tenses; translation in English provided; can be printed or exported to Word
CONS: No pronunciation/audio available
SPEAKING
Website: iTalki – Paid online 1-to-1 lessons
PROS: Selection of different teachers from different parts of the world; different price ranges; suits your schedule
CONS: Investment required
VOCABULARY
App/website: WordReference – Your go-to dictionary for translations from 16 different languages
PROS: Available in several languages; forums for discussions
CONS: Doesn’t work offline
INTERMEDIATE
LISTENING
Podcast: Inner French – Podcast for intermediate French speakers
PROS: Great level for those struggling with native language; free transcript with account; loads of episodes
CONS: None
READING
Website: Lawless French Reading – Read along according to your language level
PROS: Language level specific; news or books; audio for reading along; swipe to translate to any language; word trainer
CONS: Limited reading with free version
WRITING
Website: French Grammar Drills – Columbia University – Online self-correcting grammar drill exercises
PROS: Interactive grammar drills; self-correcting exercises; entirely free;
CONS: Only certain grammar points covered
SPEAKING
Website: Language.Exchange – Entirely free language exchange
PROS: Free language exchange website; people from around the world
CONS: Lots of contacts; important to find the right person
VOCABULARY
App: Learn French – 11,000 Words – Interactive game layout for common French vocabulary
PROS: Slow, clear, natural speech; interactive games; focus on spelling; very clear structure/layout
CONS: Have to start from level 1 with free version, pressure to upgrade
LISTENING
Website/app: Français Facile RFI – Listening practice from RFI
PROS: Transcript available; can adjust speed; comprehension questions; vocabulary and grammar practice; lots of content
CONS: None!
READING
Your local library!
The cheapest way to improve your reading skills is to read authentic content. There is nothing quite as satisfying as reading a book from start to finish in a foreign language. Your local library will have an array of French books for all levels. HINT: Find a topic you actually enjoy and don’t worry if you don’t know every word – try to grasp the general meaning.
WRITING
AI: ChatGPT – A great tool for improving your French writing skills
PROS: Can be tailored to your specific needs; follows your progress if you have an account; corrects your mistakes
CONS: None I can find for improving this skill!
SPEAKING
Podcast: Language Transfer French – Using The Thinking Method – great for latin-based languages
PROS: Podcast format so great for on-the-go; entirely free; brilliant for people who have previously studied some French; great for developing speaking and listening skills
CONS: Maybe quite quick if you have zero French knowledge; not-so-great for developing reading and writing skills
VOCABULARY
App: Apprendre le français TV5 Monde – Super app for improving vocabulary skills
PROS: Can choose correct level; over 3000 words; placement test; different types of exercises; can change the app’s language; translations available; can be personalised with your own vocab cards; practice for the TCF
CONS: None!
ADVANCED
LISTENING
Website/app: Arte – The best cultural platform
PROS: Cultural content covering many topics; French or German subtitles; news
CONS: No English subtitles – but this can also be a good thing!
READING
Website/app: FranceInfo – French news articles
PROS: Authentic French articles; news from around the world; different news formats
CONS: Most news articles are very depressing at the moment
WRITING
App: French Grammar – Advanced – Helps with French’s complex writing and spelling
PROS: Dictation; correction of your written text; many games; free version; tracks your progress
CONS: Many ads for upgrading; paid version is a little pricey – it’s great though!
SPEAKING
1-to-1 Speaking Classes
There are many websites and apps that offer 1-to-1 speaking classes for you to take it to the next level. Preply, iTalki and Cambly just to name a few. Once you have an advanced level of French, you just need to keep practising! Get in touch with me here if you are interested in taking French speaking classes with me.
VOCABULARY
Website: Kwiziq Vocab – Vocab lists