So as part of my new year resolutions, I promised to put more effort into learning French. Perhaps it's because my family are fluent in English, but French does not seem to be progressing as quickly as other people's. So I have turned to technology to try and push my French forwards. Mostly because some days the only time I have to myself is the 20 mins on the metro.
Here are a few of my top picks of the best apps and podcasts out there to help improve your French. And I have to add - none of these app/podcast makers have paid me for these reviews, they are only my opinion.
1. Duolinguo.
Ok so most of you have heard about Duolinguo. It's the app that tries to get you to treat language learning like a game. Complete with points, rewards and levels to advance through, it really does make language learning fun for those of you with a competitive streak. It helps you with reading, writing, listening, pronunciation and grammar. It will by no means make you fluent, but it will, through constant repetition, drill vocabulary and constructions into your head. That being said some of the sentences it creates can be a little strange, with my favourite so far being the euphemistic sounding "Il a un petit requin."
For more bizarre Duolinguo phrases I would recommend the tumblr WTFDuolinguo
It is available in the iTunes store.
Pros.
This is a genuinely fun way of learning a language and it really does encourage you to try and maintain your streak. Also it is free to download, and can be used for many languages simultaneously.
Cons.
The voice recognition is a little weak and is easily confused. It will sometimes say you did not get something correct, when actually yours may be a better sense translation. Also, as you have to progress through the levels, you may find yourself having to complete many levels of vocab before you get to work on, say, prepositions. This is frustrating if you have something in particular you want to work on.
2. Babbel+
Babbel+ has been around for a while, but over Christmas was the first time I actually saw it being advertised on the TV both in the UK and in France. What I like about Babbel+ is the way in which you can use it on multiple platforms - i.e. not just on your phone, but also your iPad and your computer through the website. Babbel+ offers a wide range of ways to improve your language. Aside from the standard 'Beginners" "Intermediate" and "Advanced" course options, it also offers other courses on pronunciation, in-depth grammar, vocabulary, listening, and idioms. Again, without real-world re-enforcement, this will never make you fluent, but it is by far one of the better apps out there for language learners. However this increased depth and range of material comes at a cost.
It is available at the iTunes store and on their website
Pros.
The sheer range of ways of improving your language skills is impressive. Whether you are new to French or and advanced speaker looking to refine your language skills, this app contains so much material, you will find something to entertain you.
Cons.
Cost. I am learning French and Spanish (ah the joys of a bilingual family) - these two apps are sold separately and subscription to the French course does not entitle you to another language. All courses must be paid for separately. Subscriptions are offered in monthly pacakages with 1 month costing you 9.95€, 3 months costing 19.95€ (6.65€ p/m), and a year 59.40€ (4.95€ p/m). Warning - these subscriptions auto renew on iTunes, so make sure to unsubscribe if you don't want to be charged every month.
3. Memrise
This is one for all you vocab junkies out there. Whilst grammar is offered, it is far more useful for increasing your vocabulary. The app works by using Mems - imaginative ways of thinking about the word you are learning - to make sure the language stays rooted in your brain. These Mems could be anything from cartoons to pop-culture references. Most are user submitted, so the quality of Mem varies wildly, and remember that what works for others may not work for you. Every time you learn something new you "plant a seed" and every time you do something to develop that memory that seed "grows".
Find out more at their website
Pros.
If Traditional learning methods from the classroom (learning words by rote etc.) have never worked for you, using Memrise might.
Cons.
I did not feel particularly encouraged to use Memrise regularly. Perhaps this is because I have studied languages at university and prefer traditional methods. But also I think It may have something to do with the fact that the quality of user-submitted Mems varies wildly, and is not always helpful.
4. French ETC.
This is actually a podcast/website combo that I have found to be particularly effective. The course is run by Anne - a qualified French teacher who offer a range of paid for and free services that cater for a variety of levels in French. The "Free" option of the course offers a wealth of material for users, including several podcasts. I personally subscribe to the following:
As you can imagine, the paid course offers lots more including exercise, grammar sheets, transcriptions of dialogues, and more. All of this is available by creating a membership on the website.
Pros.
The free material alone is amazing. Everything is offered first in French, then in English, and Anne's voice is clear and comprehensible. She also has an excellent knowledge of idiomatic English, so you always feel you are getting the best possible translations.
Cons.
Yes - It's the dreaded paywall. Many of the extra materials are hidden behind the 'paying members only' wall. That being said a paid subscription is incredibly tempting. I know its not easy for au pairs - who are often only paid 80€ a week to pay for a subscription to multiple language courses, but having listened to Anne for 2 months now, I think my next monthly payment is going to spent on a subscription.
5. RFI Journal en Français Facile
So I was put onto this podcast by my au pair friend Lucie. This is a daily podcast offered in 'simplified French". Why simplified? Well this podcast is designed for the international Francophone community, not just Parisiens. They receieve submissions from journalists trained in Canada, Belgium, Morocco, etc - so to avoid dialectical confusion, they keep it to the most basic level of French. That being said, this is still a current affairs programme and consequently the material covered is complex and the French, though simplified, is not easy. It also goes at native speaker pace, in other words - super fast. Find out more at the RFI website (available in French and English) and on the iTunes podcast service
Pros.
It's free and it will keep you up to date with the news that the Francophone world is talking about. It is mostly France centric, but also has news from around the world. Also, every Sunday edition has a "Phrase of the week" section relevant to that week's news, this is of course explained in French.
Cons.
It is not the easiest podcast to get into. Even after a few months of listening, they still go so fast that I sometimes miss half the news. I have learnt that the easiest way of dealing with it is to more or less let the news just wash over you, and try to pick out a few key phrases or pieces of vocabulary here and there.
So there you have it, my guide to some of the best ways to improve your French just by using your phone! It really couldn't be easier. I hope you get a chance to check some of these out, but moreover I hope they help you get your French to the next level!
Here are a few of my top picks of the best apps and podcasts out there to help improve your French. And I have to add - none of these app/podcast makers have paid me for these reviews, they are only my opinion.
1. Duolinguo.
For more bizarre Duolinguo phrases I would recommend the tumblr WTFDuolinguo
It is available in the iTunes store.
Pros.
This is a genuinely fun way of learning a language and it really does encourage you to try and maintain your streak. Also it is free to download, and can be used for many languages simultaneously.
Cons.
The voice recognition is a little weak and is easily confused. It will sometimes say you did not get something correct, when actually yours may be a better sense translation. Also, as you have to progress through the levels, you may find yourself having to complete many levels of vocab before you get to work on, say, prepositions. This is frustrating if you have something in particular you want to work on.
2. Babbel+
It is available at the iTunes store and on their website
Pros.
The sheer range of ways of improving your language skills is impressive. Whether you are new to French or and advanced speaker looking to refine your language skills, this app contains so much material, you will find something to entertain you.
Cons.
Cost. I am learning French and Spanish (ah the joys of a bilingual family) - these two apps are sold separately and subscription to the French course does not entitle you to another language. All courses must be paid for separately. Subscriptions are offered in monthly pacakages with 1 month costing you 9.95€, 3 months costing 19.95€ (6.65€ p/m), and a year 59.40€ (4.95€ p/m). Warning - these subscriptions auto renew on iTunes, so make sure to unsubscribe if you don't want to be charged every month.
3. Memrise
Find out more at their website
Pros.
If Traditional learning methods from the classroom (learning words by rote etc.) have never worked for you, using Memrise might.
Cons.
I did not feel particularly encouraged to use Memrise regularly. Perhaps this is because I have studied languages at university and prefer traditional methods. But also I think It may have something to do with the fact that the quality of user-submitted Mems varies wildly, and is not always helpful.
4. French ETC.
- Tel-Quel - an advanced podcast offering french "as it is", using clips from radio and TV and specialised vocabualry
- Mot du Jour - offers idiomatic words and phrases to make your French more natural, very useful for phrases you hear on the metro, or that are useful with the kids. My recent favourite being "J'en ai ma claque!."
- French Verbs - if, like me, you are a grammar junkie, or have experience with foreign langauges, this podcast which offers verbs (common and uncommon) conjugated in the présent, Futur Simple, Passé Composé, and Imparfait is really helpful. I like listening just before bed, to get those conjugations into my brain for the next day.
As you can imagine, the paid course offers lots more including exercise, grammar sheets, transcriptions of dialogues, and more. All of this is available by creating a membership on the website.
Pros.
The free material alone is amazing. Everything is offered first in French, then in English, and Anne's voice is clear and comprehensible. She also has an excellent knowledge of idiomatic English, so you always feel you are getting the best possible translations.
Cons.
Yes - It's the dreaded paywall. Many of the extra materials are hidden behind the 'paying members only' wall. That being said a paid subscription is incredibly tempting. I know its not easy for au pairs - who are often only paid 80€ a week to pay for a subscription to multiple language courses, but having listened to Anne for 2 months now, I think my next monthly payment is going to spent on a subscription.
5. RFI Journal en Français Facile
So I was put onto this podcast by my au pair friend Lucie. This is a daily podcast offered in 'simplified French". Why simplified? Well this podcast is designed for the international Francophone community, not just Parisiens. They receieve submissions from journalists trained in Canada, Belgium, Morocco, etc - so to avoid dialectical confusion, they keep it to the most basic level of French. That being said, this is still a current affairs programme and consequently the material covered is complex and the French, though simplified, is not easy. It also goes at native speaker pace, in other words - super fast. Find out more at the RFI website (available in French and English) and on the iTunes podcast service
Pros.
It's free and it will keep you up to date with the news that the Francophone world is talking about. It is mostly France centric, but also has news from around the world. Also, every Sunday edition has a "Phrase of the week" section relevant to that week's news, this is of course explained in French.
Cons.
It is not the easiest podcast to get into. Even after a few months of listening, they still go so fast that I sometimes miss half the news. I have learnt that the easiest way of dealing with it is to more or less let the news just wash over you, and try to pick out a few key phrases or pieces of vocabulary here and there.
So there you have it, my guide to some of the best ways to improve your French just by using your phone! It really couldn't be easier. I hope you get a chance to check some of these out, but moreover I hope they help you get your French to the next level!
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