This article is where we talk all about how to learn French with apps. Maybe you’re already a regular user, or you’ve never considered how apps can help you improve your French. Read this article for our take on:
- The best app to learn French as an adult or for children;
- The best free French learning apps on the market;
- How to know if learning French on apps is for you.
If you’re ready to find out how app learning can help you, look no further! We’all also show you how to learn French with Global Français, our top-notch language learning course!
What’s the best app to learn French for adults?
Let’s start by taking a look at the five best French podcasts to learn French at beginner level.
Duolingo
Anyone who’s interested in language learning is probably already somewhat familiar with this app. Duolingo is one of the leaders in creating fun, exciting language content at any level. The course for French follows the same format as other languages, with activities grouped into grammar and vocabulary lessons and stages only accessible after logging enough practice. Another highlight of Duolingo is that there is a considerable amount of free content. You can get started on your journey to learn French on the app simply by creating an account and playing some games, making it one of the most accessible free French learning apps around.
MindSnacks
This is the best app for learning French if you really want to focus on vocabulary. MindSnacks uses the tried-and-tested learning method of immersion and throws learners in at the deep end with true-to-life French audio conversations. Then, the app uses activities and visuals to test your vocabulary knowledge and understanding of pronunciation. The app revolves around point scoring and games, so this one is for a more relaxed approach to learning.
Memrise
Memrise is another vocabulary-centric language learning app, with speed at the center of things. Ideal for fitting in a quick lesson on the train or between meetings, Memrise offers lots of audio content from real, native French speakers to give you the sense of immersion learning.
News in Slow French
If you’re less interested in games, you might be more at home with this app. The name of the app says it all: here you can find news stories suited to beginner, intermediate and advanced level learners, and the app simply reads them to you slowly. This one is the best app to learn French if you’re not looking for a formal course, and would also like to learn French through current affairs. Whatever level you listen at, learning French through the news is guaranteed to broaden your vocabulary and take your listening comprehension up a few gears.
Linguee
While this app may not technically be a teaching app, we think it’s an essential one for adult French learners. Linguee is a word reference app that allows you to look up isolated terms or phrases. It functions differently to a dictionary – yes, it provides a translation, but more importantly, it shows you examples of the word or phrase used in context, in extracts from real French texts. This means you can compare usage in context, in both French and English, for a more well rounded understanding of how to use French vocabulary.
What’s the best app to learn French for children?
If you’re looking for the best app to learn French for your children, the good news is that there are plenty of options out there on the market, for all age groups and levels. Here are our top five.
Gus on the Go
Starting at the younger end, this app is best suited for learners between two and six years old. The app centers around an owl called Gus, who keeps the learner company on their language learning adventures. Typical activities involve vocabulary learning sessions, followed by picture matching and flashcard games. One of the best things about this app is that it’s easy to use and navigate, so kids can take lessons and play games more or less independently. What’s more, the fun continues off the app, with free printing resources and games for all the family.
Nathan maternelle
If you’re looking for an app that gives your children lesson-style learning, this may be the one for you. Aimed at ages three to six, the app provides course-like content, with lessons aimed at building skills in maths, reading, and writing, all in French. The app keeps things light with games and fun activities, including pronunciation quizzes and on-screen handwriting tasks, but the aim is to get children thinking.
Tchoupi joue
If your children are at all familiar with French children’s books, they probably already know about Tchoupi. This is probably the best app to learn French for very young learners, from age two to four, because it focuses on the simplest skills, such as colours and letters. As the games progress, the app encourages your child to make art with their new colour vocabulary, or compose a song using letters.
Mon encyclopédia interactive Dokéo
Slightly older children from six to eight may like this app centred on interactive learning around nature, the earth and universe, history, the human body, and the modern world. Think of this app as an encyclopedia for children that’s come to life, packed with interesting facts and engaging activities. This is the best app to learn French for children who thrive on learning by listening, because the app functions primarily through audio content. This also means your child will need a good grounding in French in order to access the content.
Mango
If you’re looking to invest in one of the cleverest apps on the market, make sure to check out Mango. This app uses artificial intelligence to track how you, or your child, learn as you complete activities, then adjusting the learning resources to suit your style. The app provides lessons using listening and reading materials to help learners make sense of written and spoken French. You can even track your child’s progress through the course using the progress tab, or orientate your young learner towards certain topics. The app content is more advanced, so we recommend learners of 12 and over for this one.
Free French learning apps vs. paid French learning apps
Some of the learn French apps we’ve mentioned so far require a paid subscription, and some are purely free French learning apps. You might be wondering what the difference between the two is, and which is the better option for you.
The obvious advantage of a free French learning app is that you don’t eat into your budget, but the downside is that it might come with a lot of advertising that gets in the way of your lessons and games. Secondly, an app with free content may not be as slick as a paid app, for obvious reasons. Paid apps, on the other hand, have to work harder to convince their customers that they’re worth their hard-earned money. You can often get extra features with paid apps, from progress tracking to playing with friends.
Our recommendation? Choose a paid app with a free try-before-you-buy policy.
Learning French with apps: the pros and cons
Have we convinced you that learning French with apps is the way to go? Before you make your decision, let’s consider some of the pros and cons of this learning technique.
The advantages
- Learn French apps often use fun games and activities to keep things interesting
- You can find free French learning apps if you’re on a budget
- App learning is perfect for on-the-go study and it is also one of the easiest ways to learn French and one of the best ways to learn by your own
- You can stop and start study whenever you like
- Point-based learning makes it easy to track your progress
- Some apps allow you to compete with friends to keep motivation up
The disadvantages
- Some apps require subscriptions and add another expense to your language learning budget
- If the app doesn’t provide different levels, the content may be far too easy or challenging
- Most apps don’t allow you to practice speaking and writing
How to choose between apps, websites and other resources
If you think online programs could work for you, there’s also the question of whether to go for an app or a language learning website. There are a huge amount to choose from in both categories, so how should you make your decision? First of all, decide what purpose this new learning method will serve. Is this your primary learning tool, or just a fun pastime? Apps work best as a supplementary resource, whereas e-learning platforms can provide serious study and fun activities. Secondly, consider your long-term goals. Are you just looking to pick up new words, or would you like to build solid language skills with an aim towards fluency and possible certification? An e-learning platform like GlobalExam is designed with serious objectives in mind, providing all the resources you need to use French in your daily life and become a fluent speaker.
In addition to these methods we have presented to you, other effective methods to learn the language are classic reading books, French movies with subtitles, YouTube videos, listening to songs and podcasts. These last two methods, as well as all audio media, offer the possibility to learn the language while doing something else. For example, listening to songs and radio you can learn French while driving, listening to podcasts you can learn French while sleeping. Nice, isn’t it?
Learn French online with Global General
GlobalExam has the perfect solution for combining fun learning activities with serious goals. Our Global General platform is designed to provide learners like you with an all-inclusive learning space where grammar, vocabulary, listening, and trivia all come together to help you make strides in French.
Some of the highlights of the platform include:
- 12 hours of French training at A1, A2, B1 and B2 level
- Corrected exercises for independent study
- Personalized comments by our coaches
- 500 audio exercises
- Fun flashcard activities for learning through games
If you’re looking for a fresh new way to learn French, Global General is the way to go!
