Are you looking for the best apps to learn French? Learning from scratch can be more difficult and daunting than you realise. However, there are benefits as you use technology, as it has made it easier to learn a new language from the comfort of your home.
With so many offerings on the marketing, it can be overwhelming and difficult to decide which tools you can ACTUALLY use and which will benefit you to optimise your learning of the French language. In this article, we’ve explored the best tools and apps for learning French.
Why Should You Use Apps to Learn French?
Using apps to learn French is one of the most flexible and effective ways to master the language. With tools like Duolingo, Babbel, and Busuu, you can fit learning into your daily schedule, whether you have a few minutes during your commute or dedicated study time at home.
These apps provide personalised lessons tailored to your progress, using features like speech recognition and spaced repetition to help you build vocabulary and improve pronunciation. They combine multiple resources in one convenient platform, such as grammar explanations, interactive exercises, and audio lessons.
Gamified elements like badges, streaks, and challenges keep you motivated, while apps like Tandem and HelloTalk connect you with native French speakers to practise real-life conversations. Affordable and accessible language learning apps are ideal for developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Using apps allows you to enjoy a modern, engaging, cost-effective approach to learning French that suits your goals and lifestyle. Start today and see how they can transform your journey to fluency.
Online Learning Platforms
Online learning platforms are transforming how people learn languages, offering engaging and flexible ways to master French. Here’s how some top apps—Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone—can help you on your language-learning journey.
Duolingo
Duolingo makes learning French fun and accessible with its gamified approach. The app breaks lessons into bite-sized exercises that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence building. Its daily streaks, rewards, and quizzes keep you motivated while ensuring consistent progress. Ideal for beginners, Duolingo also includes listening and speaking activities to improve pronunciation and comprehension.
Babbel
Babbel is perfect for learners who want structured lessons and a focus on conversational French. Its courses are designed by language experts and emphasise real-world dialogue, helping you build practical communication skills. The app also includes grammar tips, personalised review sessions, and cultural insights to deepen your understanding of the language.
Rosetta Stone
Rosetta Stone immerses you in French using its proven language learning method. The app focuses on listening and speaking through context, teaching you to think in French rather than translating. Its TruAccent technology helps you perfect your pronunciation, while interactive exercises reinforce your fluency across all skills—reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Language Learning Apps
Language learning apps are a fantastic way to make French learning more engaging and accessible. Below are some standout french language learning apps—Memrise, FluentU, and HelloTalk—and how they can enhance your journey to mastering French.
Memrise
Memrise focuses on vocabulary building and cultural immersion through creative and interactive methods. The app uses videos featuring native speakers, helping you connect words and phrases to real-life contexts. With gamified exercises and spaced repetition, Memrise ensures that you remember what you’ve learned while keeping the process enjoyable.
FluentU
FluentU brings French to life by using authentic content like music videos, movie clips, and news reports. Each video comes with interactive subtitles, allowing you to see translations and explanations as you watch. This immersive approach helps you improve listening and comprehension skills while expanding your vocabulary in a natural and enjoyable way.
HelloTalk
HelloTalk is ideal for practising conversational French with real people. The app connects you with native French speakers for text, voice, and video chats, enabling you to improve your fluency and cultural understanding. Its built-in translation and correction tools make it easy to learn from your mistakes and enhance your confidence in real-world communication.
Interactive Tools
Interactive tools can be game-changers for learning French, offering specialised resources that target key skills like vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Whether you’re looking to memorise new words, understand complex phrases in context, or perfect your accent, tools like Anki, Linguee, and Forvo provide tailored solutions to elevate your language learning.
Anki
Anki is a powerful flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help you retain vocabulary and French phrases over time. You can create your own decks or download pre-made ones tailored to French learners. The app tracks your progress, ensuring that you focus on words and phrases that need more practice. It’s ideal for building a strong foundation in French vocabulary.
Linguee
Linguee is a dictionary and translation tool that pairs word definitions with real-world examples. It allows you to see how words and phrases are used in context, helping you understand the nuances of French language and grammar. Linguee is particularly useful for improving reading and writing skills while expanding your understanding of idiomatic expressions.
Forvo
Forvo is a pronunciation guide featuring recordings by native French speakers. Simply search for a word or phrase, and you’ll hear how it’s pronounced in various accents and regions. This tool is perfect for mastering pronunciation and improving your listening skills, giving you confidence in speaking French accurately.
French Learning Websites
French learning websites are an excellent resource for learners at all levels, offering diverse content to build your language skills. Whether you want structured lessons, cultural insights, or authentic French media, platforms like BBC Languages, FrenchPod101, and Le Monde can enrich your learning experience.
BBC Languages
BBC Languages provides a range of free resources for French learners, including grammar guides, vocabulary exercises, and cultural insights. Its interactive format, featuring videos and quizzes, makes it an engaging platform for both beginners and advanced learners. While the site is no longer actively updated, it remains a valuable archive of French learning materials.
FrenchPod101
FrenchPod101 is a comprehensive platform that combines audio and video lessons with interactive tools to help you learn French effectively. Lessons cover everything from beginner phrases to advanced grammar and cultural nuances. The podcast-style format is perfect for on-the-go learning, and its personalised features allow you to tailor your experience to your specific goals.
Le Monde
Le Monde, one of France’s leading newspapers, is an excellent resource for advanced learners looking to improve reading skills and stay updated on current events. Its articles provide authentic, real-world French usage, helping you expand your vocabulary and understanding of formal and journalistic writing. Pairing Le Monde with a dictionary or translation tool can make it accessible even to intermediate learners.
French Dictionaries and Grammar Tools
Dictionaries and grammar tools are essential for mastering French, providing accurate translations, detailed explanations, and practical examples. Resources like WordReference, Linguee, and Reverso are invaluable for learners who want to improve their understanding of vocabulary, grammar, and context.
WordReference
WordReference is a trusted online dictionary and forum that offers comprehensive translations, synonyms, and conjugations for French words and phrases. It also includes a community-driven forum where learners and native speakers discuss word usage and grammar questions, making it a go-to resource for detailed language support.
Linguee
Linguee combines dictionary definitions with real-world usage examples, sourced from bilingual texts. This allows learners to see how French words and phrases are used in context, helping to clarify meanings and improve comprehension. It’s particularly useful for understanding idiomatic expressions and mastering formal or professional language.
Reverso
Reverso is a versatile tool that offers translations, grammar checks, and a conjugation database. Its context feature provides examples of words and phrases in real-life sentences, while the grammar correction tool ensures your writing is accurate and polished. Reverso is especially helpful for improving both written and spoken French.
Additional Resources
Supplementing your French learning with YouTube channels and podcasts is a fantastic way to enhance your skills while staying engaged and motivated. These resources allow you to immerse yourself in French outside of traditional lessons, exposing you to authentic pronunciation, cultural nuances, and real-world usage. Here’s how you can maximise these resources, with examples of top channels and podcasts to guide your journey.
YouTube Channels
YouTube is a powerful platform for French learners, offering free, diverse content that caters to all skill levels. The flexibility to choose videos based on your interests and needs makes it an invaluable tool for improving comprehension, pronunciation, and even cultural knowledge. Here are some exceptional channels to explore:
Learn French with Alexa
This channel is perfect for beginners and intermediate learners seeking clear, structured lessons. Alexa covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Basic grammar concepts like verb conjugations and sentence structure.
- Essential vocabulary for everyday situations, such as ordering food or introducing yourself.
- Fun quizzes to reinforce what you’ve learned.
How to Use: Start with Alexa’s beginner playlists to build a strong foundation, then move to intermediate content. Take notes during the videos and practise by repeating after her to improve your pronunciation.
Français Authentique
Français Authentique is designed for intermediate and advanced learners who want to understand natural, spoken French. Johan, the creator, speaks slowly and clearly, focusing on topics like personal development, culture, and language tips.
- Topics often include useful phrases, idioms, and grammar explanations in context.
- Episodes include transcripts to help learners follow along.
How to Use: Watch one video daily, noting down new vocabulary and phrases. Revisit the same video later without subtitles to check your comprehension.
Piece of French
This immersive channel features authentic content entirely in French, perfect for improving listening skills and cultural understanding. The creator shares vlogs about daily life, French traditions, and language tips, providing insight into how French is used naturally.
- Real-life scenarios like shopping or visiting landmarks are frequently covered.
- Includes casual conversational phrases that native speakers use.
How to Use: Watch videos with subtitles initially to grasp the context, then turn them off to challenge your comprehension. Try mimicking the speaker’s intonation to enhance fluency.
Podcasts
Podcasts offer a portable and engaging way to immerse yourself in French, whether you’re commuting, exercising, or relaxing at home. They help develop listening comprehension, expand vocabulary, and expose you to conversational or formal French, depending on the format. Here are some top choices:
Coffee Break French
Coffee Break French is an excellent resource for learners from beginner to intermediate levels. Each episode is designed to teach useful phrases and grammar, blending English explanations with French practice.
- Episodes focus on practical topics, such as travel, ordering at restaurants, or introducing yourself.
- Includes vocabulary breakdowns and examples of phrases in context.
How to Use: Listen actively by pausing the podcast to repeat phrases out loud. Take notes on key vocabulary, and practise using it in your own sentences.
InnerFrench
This podcast is ideal for intermediate learners who want to transition to understanding natural French. Each episode explores interesting topics like culture, science, or personal growth, all spoken slowly and clearly to aid comprehension.
- Focuses on building listening skills through exposure to natural sentence structures.
- Provides transcripts for additional support.
How to Use: Listen to an episode once for overall understanding, then go back and focus on specific sections to master vocabulary or grammar points. Try writing a short summary of the episode in French to practise writing skills.
Le journal en français facile
Produced by Radio France Internationale (RFI), this podcast offers simplified news in French, making it perfect for advanced learners looking to improve formal language skills.
- Episodes cover current events in a concise, easy-to-follow format.
- Great for expanding vocabulary in areas like politics, economics, and global issues.
How to Use: Pair this podcast with a French-English dictionary to look up unfamiliar terms. Use it as a springboard for discussions in French with language partners or tutors.