When you are learning a language, there are four fundamental abilities to become fluent: reading, writing, oral comprehension, and speaking skills.

Depending on why you are learning French, you might want to begin by concentrating on one or more of these areas first. I’ve reviewed review various French learning programs that can help you meet your French goals.

Don’t know where to start?

In general, learning French books will do the best job at teaching you the fundamentals of French grammar and spelling, while audio courses and podcasts will help you with your pronunciation and understanding of spoken French.

French learning software and apps usually provide more comprehensive, well-rounded instruction in the French language, though enhancing your speaking ability will only come with having conversations with another French speaker.

Our French Courses & Products Reviews

How to Learn French through Movies & TV Shows
Immersing yourself in French media is an effective way to learn the language. To get the most out of it, focus on movies and TV shows that are originally in French with French subtitles. Avoid using English subtitles and be prepared to re-watch and look up words you don't know.
Learn French Toys for Young Children
Exposing children to the French language through educational toys can help them develop cognitive, motor, and memory skills. Here are some popular and well-reviewed French learning toys for young children.
Online French Language Courses & Videos
Online French language classes and courses include both self-paced to structured courses. Popular online French courses include Udemy, Coursera, Babbel, FIAF, and EdX. Many courses include video and text lessons, and some include interactive exercises and opportunities to video chat with native speakers.
Programs to Learn French in France For Adults
Adults looking to learn French in France have many options, from one week programs to long-term courses. These courses are taught by native speakers and teach conversational skills, and the most popular courses are in Paris.
Top French Study Abroad Programs
France offers a wide range of study abroad programs for students learning French. Programs are available in Nice, Paris, Rabat, Rennes, and Toulouse, with each city offering classes in French language, humanities, social sciences, business, art, engineering, and technology. Most programs require participants to have at least a basic knowledge of French, while some offer courses in English. Additionally, internships are available in some cities.
French Language Audiobooks
Popular French audiobooks include several French classics, such as Albert Camus' The Stranger, Sun Tzu's The Art of War, and Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Other audiobooks, such as Johanna Spyri's Heidi and Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, are available for free.
Learn French Software and Games for Kids
Learn French software and apps for kids that are both entertaining and educational include Fun French, Gus on the Go, First Words All-in-One Learning, and other French games and resources for young French language learners.
French Language Learning Games
French learning games can include board games and online games designed to teach basic French vocabulary. Examples include the French KLOO game, French Vocabulary Bingo, Baffouiller, French Magnetic Poetry, and French Scrabble. Digital Dialects and Quia also offer various online games and puzzles for teaching French.
Best Learn French Audio Courses
We discuss three of the best learn French audio programs. Pimsleur Instant Conversation is best suited for travelers and tourists, Michel Thomas Method is comprehensive and moves quickly, and Learn in Your Car French provides transcripts and a workbook to practice with. All three provide clear grammar and pronunciation explanations, with varying levels of difficulty.
Best Learn French Software and Web Apps
Learning French software can help beginners quickly acquire language listening and reading comprehension skills. These applications use immersion and/or provide English explanations to help you understand. Two of the best options are Rosetta Stone French, which uses a natural language acquisition approach, and Babbel French, which is optimized as a mobile app and has voice recognition capabilities.
Best Learn French Books
Looking to learn French on your own from a book? Here are my absolute favorite learn French books to teach yourself how to read, write, and speak the language.
Learn French by Podcast
Popular French podcasts for learners of different levels include Le Journal en Francais Facile, The Verbcast, Learn French by Podcast, and Learn French with Alexa. We also discuss how to choose the right podcast for your language learning needs and goals.
Complete Learn French Audio Courses
Many audio programs to learn French exist, like Learn French 6 in 1 and Learn French in Your Car. Popular learn French audio CD programs include Pimsleur's Instant Conversation, Michel Thomas's Natural French Speaking course, and Behind the Wheel French. Podcasts such as Learn French by Podcast and Le Journal en Français Facile are also useful for intermediate and advanced learners.
Learn French for Kids
Introducing French to children at a young age can help them broaden their French vocabulary quickly and learn through fun activities and immersion. Here are some kids' games, books, apps, software, and other resources to make learning French fun for children.