Learn French
- Updated : 31/03/2022
Translation tools
Literacy and computer skills
- If one of your family member does not know how to write or how use a computer, France Terre d'Asile (or CCAS) will tell you where to find free classes. Don't feel ashamed. It is a common difficulty.
- The most important aspect is to start with the french alphabet.
The importance of learning french
- It is essential to learn french even basic politeness french.
- French is the official language of France.
- France has several regional minorities speaking other languages.
- Older french people rarely speak english.
- English is more common in young people, but the average level is not considered high.
- Some French people speak bit of german in the East of France.
- Few businesses operate in english, even international businesses.
- All administrative documents are in french. Documents are rarely translated in english.
- French competence is required by most employers and for naturalization.
Learn French as a child
- Exposure to school, leisure activities and TV shows will help your child learn french quickly.
- Migrants and refugees children not speaking french usually are usually allocated to special classes where they can learn french. These classes are known as “Francais Langue Etrangère” (“FLE”).
- After successful completion of coursework in these classes, children are allocated to regular schools.
- In maternelle and primary schools in small cities or villages, children may be directly allocated to regular classes due to the lack of special classes.
- The french national TV channels are offering free documentaries, shows and online classes for each age group on Lumni.
Learn French as an adult
- The governement and many local organizations offers free french classes. There are also many free official courses and applications on the Internet (see below).
- The France Terre d'Asile network will also tell you who provides free french classes in your city.
- The national job agency Pole Emploi may refer you to professional french classes paid by the unemployment fund.
Official online courses and applications (free)
Official Courses
TV5 Monde
- Level: Complete beginner
- The international French channel TV5 Monde offers free French lessons with videos: Première classe
Vivre en France (Living in France)
- The French government has created free online French courses.
- You can create your account on Fun Mooc - Vivre en France
Travailler en France (Working in France)
- Course for foreigners who already have an A2 level of French.
- Professional objective: job search, job interview, business life
- Vocabulary of five professional sectors: personal and business services, construction, health, IT, hotels and restaurants.
Vivre et accéder à l'emploi en France (Living and accessing employment in France)
- For people wishing to settle in France
- To better understand the organization and the public services in France: bank account, school registration, public services, travel, employment.
Ensemble en France (Together in France)
- To train and learn about the codes and values of the French Republic. 50 subtitled videos with exercises to improve your French
Official Apps
Free "Vivre en France" (Living in France) app
- Level: absolute beginners in French.
- 10 hours of training.
- Everyday life situations
Free "Happy FLE" app
- Learn the basics of French in everyday situations: identify means of transport, read a map, understand a medical prescription, greet, shop, understand administrative documents…
- 120 exercises and 100 words to discover divided into five themes: transport, environment, health, shopping, housing.
Additional Information
Private alternatives
- Some might prefer apps on the phone.
- A common app is Busuu
- Other common alternatives :
French dictionnaries and grammar
- The official dictionnary is: Dictionnaire de l'académie
- The most common grammar book is : Bescherelle. Another is the Bled book.