Would you like to learn a new language without spending even a minute of your time? I want. That’s why I like podcasts because you can listen to them anywhere you go and wherever you are. Let’s have a look at the best podcasts for learning French. These are awesomely helpful resources that can have a huge impact on your French skills.
Podcasts are wonderful because you can just download them to your smartphone and listen to them even without an Internet connection.
1.Francais Authentique
This is the podcast that I listened the most when I was studying French. It’s actually a new French learning movement by a Frenchman Johan Tekfak. He has studied and discovered that you can learn to speak a new language by listening to it. But the key is that you don’t try to translate it to another language.
If there is a new phrase or a word that you don’t understand, it would be better to explain it with other French words instead of translating into English. Then you reinforce your French skills even more.
Francais Authentique motto is “Apprendre le Francais avec Plaisir!” Which means “Learn French with fun.” Learning a new language doesn’t need to be boring or slow. You can learn to speak another language quickly and while having fun. That’s quite opposite what most schools teach but that’s the reality. If you learn French with Johan, it’s quite fun.
There are many kinds of podcasts in Francais Authentique. In some of them he explains a French phrase, sometimes he explains some details about French history and culture. Sometimes he explains interesting things about his personal and family life. And the podcasts that I like the most are related to personal development.
One of Johan’s passion is personal development so many times he shared some inspirational ideas or books on how to grow as a human. Do you find that subject inspiring as well?
2.FrenchPod101
FrenchPod101 is a part of LanguagePod101-family by Innovative Languages. Their program is very well-developed and they have a good team which is making it better. I have written a review of FinnishPod101 which also belongs to the same podcast family.
FrenchPod101 offers a free version and then a few upgraded versions if you are ready to invest a few euros on your French learning.
In addition to the podcast, they offer also many other tools for learning French:
- French learning exercises
- Transcripts of podcasts
- PDF Lesson notes
- Lesson checklists
- Core words and phrases
- And much more!
Have you ever tried LanguagePod101 series? I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
3.Coffee Break French
Coffee Break French is a step-by-step French learning system that has a totally different focus than Francais Authentique. They teach you grammar and all conjugations of the verbs. Personally, I prefer Francais Authentique but I believe that Coffee Break French was also a huge help for me.
I listened to more than 100 French lessons by Coffee Break French. I listened when I was riding a bike, exercising in the gym or walking somewhere. On the other words, I used my time quite effectively. I found Coffee Break French because my friend recommended it to me. She had also used it to study French. She said that going to the university by bike was much more interesting when she was listening to Coffee Break French podcasts.
I found it’s true. It feels good to just sit on your bike and go from one place to another and you are learning French at the same time. There are 3 good things happening:
1.You get from place A to B.
2.Your physical shape gets better because you go by bike.
3.Your French skills get better because you are listening to a French podcast.
What do you think about it?
4.French Today
French Today is somehow similar movement to Francais Authentique. Instead of teaching the old “book French” they concentrate on teaching contemporary French and how it’s actually spoken.
French Today is run by a French Family Camille (wife), Olivier (husband) and Leyla (daughter). Their products have been widely successful and already in 2014, their podcasts had been downloaded more than 1 million times in total.
The average rating on all products that they are selling is 4,89 out of 5 stars based on 370+ customer reviews. That is very impressive. They have almost achieved the best rating from all of their buyers.
I haven’t used French Today as I have used Francais Authentique but I found this also very inspiring. I think it’s wonderful that individual people are looking for ways to teach languages in a better way. They can make a living out of it and more people are able to learn French.
5.Radio France Podcast
Radio French is a national broadcasting company that has been established already in 1975. It means that they have lots of content and material that can help you to learn French. One of the best ways to learn a new language is to listen when the native speakers speak it.
Radio French is supported by seven complementary channels that are: France Inter, France Info, France Culture, France Musique, Fip and Mouv’. So, the content library is huge! They have programs that tell you more about French culture. Then there are interviews, music, comedy and so on.
You can download Radio French Podcast application to your smartphone and have access to all these 7 channels for free. Then you can download individual podcasts to your phone so you can listen to them even though you are not connected to the Internet.
6.Tell Me Your Favorite French Podcast!
I hope and believe that you have enjoyed reading our article. I think it’s very helpful list for anyone who is interested in learning French with podcasts. If you like to study French more, I am sure that you would enjoy reading my 7 easy ways to learn French online.
Now I would love to hear from you.
Which French podcasts is your favorite? Have you already tried some of them? If not, which one you are going to pick up first?
Let me know in the comments below! 🙂
I enjoy reading comments from our visitors and I promise to reply to you personally within 24 hours.
I think podcasts are a great way to improve your listening skills. I listen to FrenchPod101 lessons sitting on the bus on the way to work.
Personally, I like how they teach the lessons, it’s done in a very casual, enjoyable to listen to way, almost like listening to a radio show. I also find listening to popular French songs a good way to.
There’s a difference to casually listening and really listening though, would you agree? I’m consciously trying to pick out the words I know and comprehend exactly what’s being said, even if I have to backtrack and listen to it a second time.
Hi Simon,
I’m happy to hear that you are using FrenchPod101 to learn French and you’re enjoying it.
Sure, there is a difference if you concentrate or don’t concentrate on the tape. If you concentrate more, you will learn more. However, I think that even though one is not actively listening to it, he will still learn something.
You will pick up the words subconsciously and if you’re listening to something, your brain is “forced” to register something. You can’t just 100% ignore it. That’s why it can be a very effective way to learn when you are going from place A to B.
Cheers,
Roope
I used to speak French quite well during my school and college years but as with most languages, when you don’t speak it regularly you lose it so I was delighted to come on this post. On your recommendation I think I may try both Francais Authentique and French Today in an effort to get back some of the language that I have lost and then maybe I may just treat myself with a trip back to France to practice!
Hi Eva,
sounds very good that you are planning to practice French again. A trip to France as a reward sounds also very inspiring. I have also set some goals to myself and when I achieve them, I will give myself a nice reward. It makes the effort more enjoyable because you see with the eyes of your soul that the prize is waiting.
Francais Authentique and French Today are very helpful resources for learning French. They both have enjoyed a great feedback from the big audience worldwide.
Cheers,
Roope