As the official language in around 30 countries – including France, Canada, and Belgium – and with approximately 300 million speakers around the globe, French is the seventh most spoken language in the world. It’s used as the official language in some important institutions – such as the United Nations and the International Red Cross – and is the language of dance, fashion, the visual arts, and architecture. It’s also so beautiful and melodic that it’s considered the language of love. Additionally, French is a romance language – making it the perfect stepping-stone to learning Portuguese, Spanish, or Italian. Of course, traveling is also a huge motivation to learn French. From the Louvre Museum to the Alps and the Eiffel Tower, there’s a lot to visit. So, learning French is guaranteed to open the doors to new opportunities.
Why Learn French With Language Learning Software
Since French is so popular among language students, there are many learning resources online – some even free of charge. However, as you discover countless tips, strategies, and methods, it’s only natural to feel a bit lost. In all honesty, there isn’t one correct way to learn French. The best approach depends on the student, which is why we recommend testing the waters and sticking with a plan that offers you the fastest results.
Due to their meticulously designed course structures and range of exercises, language learning software comes as a beacon pointing students in the right direction. Plus, most companies base their courses on proven teaching methods known for speeding up the learning process.
Language learning software has also kept up with the times and takes advantage of cutting-edge technology to provide the best learning experience possible. You can study anywhere with mobile apps, hone your speaking skills by using speech-recognition software, and much more. As a bonus, some language learning platforms come with built-in social features that let you have real conversations with like-minded French students and native speakers. Is there anything better than making long-lasting friendships while learning a new language?
Recommended Language Learning Apps for French
Babbel
Babbel is a conversational-based app where students learn through real-life dialogue and spaced repetition. In other words, Babbel uses voice recognition that helps you understand conversations recorded by native speakers and evaluates your pronunciation. Of course, the app also focuses on writing and teaches you vocabulary, grammar, and cultural nuances. Moreover, Babbel slowly builds up to an immersive experience – by the time you get to the more advanced lessons, everything is written in French. Although the app has a course structure in place, it offers various exercise bundles for specific needs. For example, suppose you already know a bit of French and just want to focus on the necessary vocabulary for a business trip. In that case, it’s best to select ‘career boost’ as your motivation. There isn’t a free trial, but you can try Babbel for yourself through the 20-day money-back guarantee.
Busuu
Busuu offers a well-rounded French course that includes a good variety of exercises and takes the language’s cultural aspects into consideration. Like many other language learning platforms, Busuu uses flashcards to teach vocabulary, but it stands out from the competition by including dialogues between native speakers, quizzes, and more. The software also ranks words from ‘weak’ to ‘strong’ – allowing you to easily understand where you need to improve – and you can connect with native speakers through its built-in social platform. While there is a default course structure that helps students reach B2 level (with official certificates to prove it), Busuu also provides the option to create a personalized course that considers your schedule and objectives. The best part is that you can access a limited version of the app for free forever. Even though it won’t be enough to become fluent, it’s excellent for those starting out.
Mondly
Mondly is one of the most engaging language learning apps on the market. It works a bit like flashcards, but you learn entire sentences instead of separate pieces of vocabulary. This makes a big difference, as you’ll start to understand how to come up with your own phrases – essential for real conversations. There isn’t a course structure in place, though. Instead, you can choose from various units where you learn how to handle all kinds of situations, such as booking a hotel or asking for directions. Additionally, all accounts (including free ones) get a daily French lesson covering all types of topics. More importantly, Mondly has disrupted the language learning market with its AR and VR technology – letting you chat with AI while virtually riding a train or dining at a restaurant, making the learning process exciting.
The Challenges of Learning French
Although French isn’t the most difficult language to learn, it’s still challenging – especially if you’re a native English speaker. One of the main culprits is French grammar. It’s already tricky to memorize six different forms for each verb pattern, but it’s even more challenging to learn all the irregular verbs. Fortunately, language learning software makes this process more enjoyable by offering interactive exercises.
Understanding which gender to use is another obstacle some French students struggle with. If you come from a language that doesn’t apply genders to inanimate objects, you might find yourself scratching your head trying to understand whether a keyboard is male or female (it’s male, by the way). It’s not completely random, though, and language learning apps will explain the rules you need to follow.
To make things worse, spelling is inconsistent. Not only do French speakers drop letters, but they even omit entire chunks of words while speaking. By making sure you get a strong grasp of the basics, language learning platforms help you understand the method in the madness.
Finally, we have pronunciation. Besides the silent letters already mentioned, you’ll also need to learn how to make nasal sounds and the tricky ‘r’ sound correctly. Plus, French is a syllable-timed language where each syllable gets equal time. Students who come from stress-timed languages, such as English or European Portuguese, may take a while getting the rhythm right. So, using language learning software that records your voice and allows you to listen back to yourself is great to help understand where you need to improve.
Best Ways To Learn French Online
It’s always best to complement your language learning app with extra resources to enhance your studying experience. Even if you’re using the most engaging software, you should mix things up to stay fresh and motivated. Streaming services are ideal for this. For example, watching TV shows (like Marseille on Netflix) or movies (such as Amélie on Amazon Prime) is a great way to improve your listening skills.
Meanwhile, there’s nothing better to hone your writing skills and expand your vocabulary than reading. From L’Étranger to Le Petit Prince and Notre Dame de Paris, French literature has something for everyone. Even following the news by reading newspapers like ‘Le Monde’ is guaranteed to speed up your journey to fluency. And of course, you should check out contemporary French music, which includes some of the best pop and rap songs ever made.