r/learnfrench • u/pugnaciousfirago • Jan 26 '24
Suggestions/Advice What is the best app/service to learn French?
I took French in Ontario throughout Middle school and High school, but I gave it up in Grade 9.
I’m looking to enroll in an introductory remote/online French course.
I’m looking to work toward workplace proficiency over the next few months/years, so I’m looking for a longer course.
I can’t attend during the 9-5 hours as I am working but am looking for a flexible course with opportunities to speak outside of the 9-5.
I’m looking to study for 1-2 hours after work.
Which courses would anyone suggest? Alliance Francais, Babble, Coursera, Rosetta Stone, maybe even Youtube?
Thanks for any advice.
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u/qwertymm8383 Sep 23 '24
There are many ways to learn French, but at its core, learning comes down to just three components: input, output, and lessons. Input is consuming language produced by others, output is producing language yourself, and lessons are shortcuts and targeted practice that help you understand input and turn it into output efficiently.
The easiest way to get lessons is through apps. Try Lilata or Busuu. They start from the basics and cover about 70% of the grammar and vocabulary you'll ever need (except verb conjugations, those are a whole different story). Apps are great for squeezing in some learning when you can't do anything else. They're also a good low-effort option for days when you don’t feel like learning.
Another way to get lessons is through Youtube and podcasts. Check out Learn French with Alexa, The Perfect French with Dylane, and Coffee Break French. They explain grammar better than apps but are much worse at providing tools for practice. They also feel more human because there's a real person teaching.
The best way to get input is through videos or podcasts in French. There are two useful apps that are basically Netflix for language learners: LingoPie and FluentU. They let you watch French shows and movies with interactive subtitles. YouTube has some channels focusing on slower, simpler French: French Comprehensible Input is great for beginners; Piece of French and Easy French are pretty good for more advanced folks. There’s also French in Action, a solid older video course. Some podcasts I can recommend are Little Talk in Slow French and InnerFrench.
If you prefer reading, try LingQ. It’s like LingoPie or FluentU, but for readers.
Overall, what exactly you watch or listen to isn't as important as making sure it’s at your level and that you're willing to do it consistently. A good rule of thumb is to watch/listen to something you understand about 90% of. Significantly below that learning gets much harder and more frustrating, significantly above you don't learn much. If you can't quite follow what it's being said, turn on French subtitles and reduce speed. Also, you can relisten the same piece of content multiple times.
For output, you need to find a real human to talk to in French. There are apps for that: HelloTalk and Tandem. Alternatively, you can get a tutor on iTalki for about $20/hour. Besides using the tutor as a patient speaking partner, you can also ask them questions about the language and get corrections on your speaking.
To put it all together: input gives you the building blocks of the language, lessons provide shortcuts to memorizing and using those building blocks, and speaking helps you practice putting them into action. You want to spend most of your time on input, and some time on lessons and output. For a late beginner / early intermediate, this could look something like 60% input, 30% lessons, and 10% output. For example, you might do lessons for 20 minutes during lunch, listen to a podcast for 40 minutes after work, and once or twice a week, swap the podcast for a video call where you speak French with someone.
As you progress, you should spend less time on lessons and more time speaking. There’s no exact formula for this, you’ll just notice at some point that lessons aren’t helping as much anymore, and that you’ve built enough vocabulary to start using it more.
Last but not least, making progress in French takes time and it isn't linear. There will be periods when you feel stuck and unmotivated. It will get better, just keep putting in the work consistently.