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
Online book:French Grammar Drills –Entire (free) PDF book with all you need to know on French grammar.
INTERMEDIATE
App: Tandem– Free language exchange app
ADVANCED
Podcast: Confident Business English – great podcast for advanced learners wanting to boost their business English
BEGINNERS
LISTENING
READING
WRITING
SPEAKING
VOCABULARY
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;
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
Online 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!
Website: MeetUp– 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
Website: Podcast Français Facile – Entire course available from total beginner’s level
PROS: Comprehensive course; audios; translation into English and Spanish; print out lesson; grammar for each lesson
CONS: Lots of ads; website layout is a quite unclear
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: None! 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.
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;
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
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
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
READING
WRITING
SPEAKING
VOCABULARY
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
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
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
Language exchange: Language.Exchange– Entirely free language exchange
PROS: Free language exchange website;
CONS: Lots of contacts; important to find the right person
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
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!
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.
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!
Podcast: Language Transfer French – Using The Thinking Method – great for latin-based languages
PROS: Podcast format so great for on-the-go; entirely free; great for people who have previously studied some French; great for developing speaking skills
CONS: Maybe quite quick if you have zero French knowledge; not-so-great for developing other skills
App: TV5 Monde Vocabulaire – Vocabulary builder app
PROS: Free app for building own vocabulary; compatible with Google sheets for importing long lists of vocabulary; automatic translation; pronunciation provided; can create flashcards;
CONS: Not all languages are available
More for fun: DECODE French playlists
ADVANCED
LISTENING
READING
WRITING
SPEAKING
VOCABULARY
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!
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;
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: Paid version is a little pricey – it’s great though!
1-to-1 Speaking Classes