How to learn French quickly… advice, tools and resources for international students

Why learn French? 

Even if your study programme is taught in English, you still need French for day-to-day life. It will help you…

• to create a social life: you’ll be able to make friends with French people and take part in local activities
• to improve your academic experience: even if your programme is in English, understanding French will enable you to communicate better with your teachers and to access educational resources
• to benefit from work opportunities: knowledge of French is a major advantage on the international job market

With this in mind, let’s look at how you can make rapid progress!

• 1. Tips for speeding up your learning  

Here are some tools and ideas to learn French quickly!

a. Make the French language part of your daily routine

• Watch films and series in French with subtitles
• Listen to podcasts such as ‘InnerFrench’ or ‘Coffee Break French’
• Change the language setting on your phone and social media accounts to French
• Keep a diary in French to practise your writing skills

b. Learn basic grammar

• A clear understanding of the basic concepts (verb conjugation, gender, adjective agreements) will help you avoid common mistakes
• Choose simple books such as ‘Le Petit Prince’ to help you combine reading with learning grammar

c. Set yourself realistic goals

• For example, learn 10 new words a day or organise a 5-minute conversation in French every week
• Chart your progress using a notebook or an App such as Lingvist

d. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes

• Mistakes are part of the learning process… speak as much as possible without worrying about it being perfect
• Make a note of your most frequent mistakes and try to work on them 

• 2. Understanding the French culture

Learning a language also means understanding the culture. Here are a few tips to motivate you and make your learning more fun!

• French cuisine: prepare French meals following recipes written in French, which will help you improve your vocabulary whilst enjoying yourself
• Music: listen to French singers such as Stromae, Angèle or Édith Piaf to improve your listening skills and learn some idioms

• 3. Mobile Apps for learning French

Mobile Apps are practical and easily accessible tools for learning French, wherever you are. Here is a selection of the best Apps for making efficient progress.

a. Duolingo

• Why choose Duolingo?
  o    Perfect for beginners, this App offers short, fun lessons on vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation
  o    The spaced repetition technique helps you to memorise key words for long-term retention
  o    Bonus incentive: you earn points for every lesson you complete, making learning fun

b. Babbel

• Advantages of Babbel:
  o    Lessons are designed by linguists and focus on real-life situations such as ordering food in a restaurant or asking for directions
  o    Interactive exercises improve oral and written comprehension

c. Memrise

• What makes Memrise different?
  o    This App features real videos with native speakers, helping to improve your accent and your understanding of the spoken language
  o    It helps build your vocabulary base quickly

d. Busuu

• Key advantages:
  o    You can interact with native speakers who will correct your exercises
  o    Lessons cater for a range of levels, from beginner to advanced

e. Tandem and HelloTalk

• Reasons to use these tools:
  o    These Apps connect students with native speakers, so you can practise your French in real time via chat or phone calls

• 4. Free French lessons 

If you prefer a more structured approach, several platforms offer free online lessons. Here are some of the best ones:

a. TV5Monde

• An exceptional tool: 
  o    This site offers free lessons for all levels
  o    The interactive exercises use real videos to help you develop your listening comprehension skills

b. MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)

• Try out these platforms:
  o    Coursera and EdX offer free French lessons delivered by leading universities

c. YouTube

• Recommended channels:
  o    ‘Learn French with Alexa’: Fun lessons that are easy to follow
  o    ‘Francais Authentique’: Everyday, practical French
  o    ‘Comme une Française’: Ideal for understanding cultural and linguistic nuances

• 5. Language clubs and local immersion

To master a language, you need to chat regularly with native speakers… here are a few ways to immerse yourself in the French language and culture.

a. Language clubs

• Universities and associations:
  o    Most higher education establishments and universities in France organise language conversation clubs for international students
  o    Clubs are perfect for practising your French in a friendly atmosphere

b. Language events

• LangExchange and Meetup:
  o    Platforms such as Meetup organise language events in a number of French cities
  o    Chat with native speakers whilst also sharing your own language

c. Language ‘buddy’

• How does it work?
  o    A language buddy scheme means  finding a French-speaking partner who wants to learn your language… you help each other by alternating between the two languages!

d. Local life

• Make the most of everyday French life:
  o    Do your shopping, order food in restaurants, and take part in local activities to practise your French in real-life, everyday situations
  o    Talk regularly to your flatmates, neighbours or even shopkeepers

e. Social media groups

• On Facebook and Discord, you will find groups specifically for learning French… the perfect place to ask questions, share your progress and find learning partners

f. Film clubs and libraries

• Joining a film club or going to a library are great ways to improve your understanding of the language whilst enjoying a film or a book in French!

In short…