If you are planning to move to France, it can be extremely beneficial to try to learn French fast. It is true that if you are moving to Paris or another major city, you may be able to get by without speaking any French. However, if you’re planning on living in a rural area in France, there is an even greater need for you to speak passable French.
Most residents in rural communities will speak no English at all. Although French students do learn English as a foreign language in school, many feel uncomfortable being ‘put to the test’.
Speaking basic conversational French will make a huge difference in your life in France, as you will be able to communicate with everyone – including notaries, government officials and the police, if need be.
There are a number of ways to learn French fast and you should definitely take the first steps towards learning the language when you are still in the planning stages of your move to France.
If you learned French in school in your home country, you may have had an excellent teacher, and to your surprise and delight, you will find that all you’ve learned is still there. With a little coaxing, you may be able to recall much of it when you arrive in France.
The trouble is that if you did not have a French person teaching you, your spoken French may not be so great. If you are mispronouncing a word or not emphasizing the correct syllables, a French person will find it hard to understand you. Likewise, the elision made when you join two words together is important if you want to learn how to speak the French language well.
Why learn French?
The main reason to learn the French language is to make your life in France richer and easier. It is very difficult to go into a local shop or restaurant and ask for the basics if you speak no French at all.
There will be many occasions when it will definitely be an advantage to speak some French. This includes visiting the doctor or dentist as well as going to appointments for your immigration paperwork.
How to learn French
There are a number of different options to learn French for free or inexpensive. Importantly, when you are considering which method you are going to use, it must be one where you will hear French people talking so that you can learn how the words are pronounced perfectly.
The other point to consider is choosing a teaching method that suits you best, as it needs to hold your attention and make you really feel that you are progressing.
Written French and spoken French are very different and a good blend of both is best.
Unfortunately, the only way to learn how to read and write French is to learn all the basics of French grammar – and this isn’t easy!
Spoken French is easier in many respects, because once you have remembered the pronunciation, the verb endings don’t matter so much anymore. The trouble is that many French lessons focus on the grammar, which can be very dull and frustrating. Unfortunately, if the learning method is not one that you enjoy, it is possible to take a number of French lessons and still not be able to ask for a baguette in the boulangerie!
Best websites and apps to learn French online
Learning French online is a good and convenient way to get your French off to a flying start. A bonus to learning French online is that if you find a particular lesson tricky, you have the ability to listen to it a second or third time.
Courses to learn French online offer tuition by level. Most students like to start at the beginner level, even as a refresher for those who studied French before, to ensure that they have the basics firmly in place.
1. Babbel
Babbel is one of the market leaders in learning foreign languages and it offers an affordable French language learning platform (plus 13 other languages). Babbel is a little cheaper than many of its competitors and offers lessons that match your level of French. If you prefer, you can subscribe to join a live virtual class with an instructor.
Babbel also offers a free blog and podcast about languages. There is the opportunity to try Babbel for free to test it out and see if it’s a fit for you.
2. Mondly
Mondly is a fun online tool to learn French as it teaches words and phrases like they are a game. You can start with one daily lesson that’s free and then progress at your own pace. There is the opportunity to practice your French using a chatbot. Periodically, their courses have special price offers.
3. Duolingo
Duolingo is a popular app that can help you to improve your French with bite-sized lessons that take just a few minutes everyday – which are fun, effective and free. Duolingo can be an efficient way to learn French online thanks to its game-like features that are scientifically proven to help improve reading, listening and speaking skills. If you want to boost your learning power Super Duolingo is a subscription platform with two complementary weeks for new students.
4. Français avec Pierre
Another increasingly popular course to learn French online is Français avec Pierre. There are a variety of videos at different levels available on YouTube. Pierre Babon is a lively teacher who is from Bordeaux, but teaches French at the Spanish Official Language School in Madrid, Spain.
Pierre has been teaching French for more than 15 years and loves it – and it shows! He often gets his wife Noemi to join in the lesson. He believes that both theory and practice are important.
Self-study vs group study to learn the French language
The self-study methods described above, using online courses, are definitely a great way to learn and develop French – as long as you are self-disciplined and ensure that you diligently complete a module every week.
Group study methods can be effective for those who prefer the discipline of an organized group setting.
If you like the convenience of learning online, just not by yourself, there are online courses available on platforms such as zoom where students can meet and interact during the lesson. This adds an extra dimension to learning French. Plus, it can be reassuring if you find yourself completely unable to grasp a certain phrase, as the chances are your fellow students are encountering similar problems.
Before you move to France, you may be able to complete a French language course at your local college or school. If you have the opportunity to do this, you should, as it will definitely prove an advantage after you relocate abroad.
Many towns and cities in France do offer group and individual French lessons to foreigners and these cover a wide spectrum. There are one-to-one tutors available as well as traditional group French lessons held in local halls.
A popular concept in France is the Anglo-French club, where French speakers and English speakers meet weekly over a cup of coffee. This idea is that everyone has the chance to practice their French or English in a relaxed atmosphere. This proves to be great fun and a good way to learn about new restaurants, local events and even French politics. Most of these groups meet with no membership fees or if there is a charge, it is a modest one.
How to learn French for free offline
Immersing yourself in the French language and culture is one of the best ways to learn or improve your French.
A great way to supplement your structured lessons is to spend time watching French television as this gives a great boost to your vocabulary. Journal de Treize Heures is a particularly good TV program to watch when learning French. It is broadcast every weekday at 13:00 in the afternoon on the French TV channel TF1. This entertaining TV course features local stories and events and is a great way to give your French a boost and to learn about what is going on in your part of France.
Likewise, listening to the French news on television or radio will help to develop your understanding of French as well as knowledge of current local affairs. Trying to understand the lyrics of French pop songs is a challenge.
Watching movies with French subtitles or dubbing can be beneficial. Check out your local cinema in France to watch popular new releases in French. Another way to help you learn the French language is by listening or watching quizzes on television or to try following a printed French recipe.
Possibly the best way to improve your French speaking at no cost is to get to know your French neighbors – especially if they are elderly and lonely. This is a fun and practical way to learn French for free.
Your neighbors may feel embarrassed at first and not want to correct your French, but with a little encouragement, they will gently help you figure out your verbs and nouns.
This certainly can be a win-win situation, as they will look forward to your visits and your French vocabulary will improve at an amazing speed. You will soon realize that this is the very best way to learn French fast.
Explore more great guides for moving, living and retiring in France.
This article originally appeared on MyDolceCasa and was syndicated by MediaFeed.
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The best places to live in France for English speakers
France has long been a firm favorite with many nationalities who choose to make it their home. France is particularly popular with the British and Dutch, who find it easy to travel home to see family and friends. Many of them live in areas that have long been known as the best places in France for English speakers. France is also popular with Americans, Australians, Portuguese, Spanish, and Poles who enjoy the French style of living.
France is a huge country, so it definitely has something to offer everyone. It has a diverse countryside with more than 2,000 miles of beautiful coastline and much of it enjoys warm sunny weather. Having said that, winter lovers are drawn to the areas that get good snowfall as a range of winter sports. There are contrasting lifestyles to choose from – either the vibrancy of city life or the slower pace of rural communities. Wherever you choose to live in France, you can buy fresh produce in the local market and enjoy excellent wines. If you are looking for the best places in France to live for English-speaking expats, we selected the top spots you should consider.
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In most parts of France (except the center of Paris and the much sought-after areas in the South of France), real estate prices are lower than in the UK, US, Netherlands, and many other countries. If you are good at DIY renovations, there are some real bargains on the property market.
- It is essential to get registered in the French system and apply for a ‘Carte de Sejour’ which is your residency card.
- When you are registered in the French system, you can apply for your Carte Vitale. This is a health insurance card that covers basic health care and reimbursement of a large percentage of medical costs. The French health system is very good. The frequent question is ‘can I live in France without speaking French’ and in most hospitals and clinics there are doctors and nurses who speak English.
- To own a car in France is recommended, but if you don’t there is an excellent rail network including the high-speed TGV trains that operate between the main cities. There are local bus routes that vary from one area to another, but for longer journeys between the cities and into Spain there are low-cost coaches including Flixbus and Ouibus.
- If you speak French you will be able to settle anywhere and if you are prepared to learn the language, you will be able to immerse yourself in local life and make everyday living that much easier. French lessons are widely available, many of them in Anglo-French groups which are great fun!
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If you are planning to move to France, choosing a city for your new home will certainly make things easier. English is much more widely spoken in the cities because they have young populations. English is the main foreign language taught to students aged 11 years and upwards. It is more likely that there will be an Anglo-French club or association that you can join. These are great fun and the perfect way to learn useful tips about the locality and to make your first French friends.
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For more than 100 years, the beautiful city of Nice, which overlooks the sea in the south-eastern corner of France, has been welcoming wealthy expats who enjoy its year-round warm sunny climate. The construction of its famous Promenade des Anglais was funded by wealthy expats and since then it has been viewed as the best place to live in France for English speakers.
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera, with a strong Italian influence and a real mix of nationalities. There is plenty to see and do including museums, art galleries and restaurants serving its famous regional dishes. The region produces good wines – in particular rosé. For those who want to travel, it has an international airport and Italy is a short drive away. Nice is certainly one of the best places in France for British retirees, but like Paris, real estate comes with a hefty price tag!
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These two delightful towns are situated in southern France and are both quickly becoming a good choice of where to live in France if you are English. Although they both enjoy good weather and have easy access to the beaches, neither of them is that popular with tourists either – they really are a well-kept secret!
Narbonne has a delightful market where you can choose what meat or fish you would like to eat and get it cooked at one of the restaurants! It has a fascinating history and a good cultural scene with music festivals and dramatic productions and lovely walks along the canal. Montpelier is charming with plenty of history to discover and winding streets to explore. Like in many parts of France, a huge number of properties for sale have their own swimming pools. An added attraction for this area is that there is a good rail link to Toulouse and Bezier Airports which are both served by a number of low-cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair.
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This particularly picturesque area in southwest France is nicknamed ‘Dordogneshire’ as it really is a popular place with English-speaking expats! It really is a delightful part of France, home to ten of the prettiest villages in France and a lovely view around nearly every corner! There is a huge number of expats living in this region that enjoys nearly 200 days of sunshine each year. In some of the market towns like Eymet, it is sometimes hard to hear any French voices! It really is one of the best places to live in France for English speakers.
Dordogne is a good place to consider as there are many properties for sale or rent ranging from modest apartments to chateaux. Some of the shops advertise that their staff speak English and there are several that import all the favorite UK or US food products such as Heinz Baked Beans and Colmans mustard! There are a number of different expat clubs to join and for those who are feeling homesick, one of the restaurants in Eymet serves fish n’ chips on a Friday evening! Golf and horse riding are popular in the area as well as canoeing and swimming. For those who prefer a pleasant walk in the country, there are plenty of opportunities although a sport that is definitely gaining is exploring on an electric bike.
Importantly, Bordeaux international airport is accessible, as well as Bergerac, which is a smaller regional airport used by several low-cost airlines.
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Nicknamed the ‘pink city’ because of the color of its buildings, Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France and is situated in the southwest. Toulouse is large and diverse with more than a million residents. Economically, the city is doing well. As well as being a cultural hub, and hosting many concerts of different genres, Toulouse is very much a working city. It is best known for its technology and aerospace industries and is where the Airbus passenger aircraft is made.
Toulouse is a great choice for expats as its international airport makes it easy for expats to return home or travel abroad. For those wanting to work, there are the usual job opportunities for expats plus specialist openings in aeronautics, engineering, electronics and biotechnology. It is without a doubt one of the best cities in France for English-speaking expats.
The city’s geographical location makes it easy to reach the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans and the Pyrenees which are perfect for hiking and skiing. It is also easy to visit Spain from here.
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Situated in south-eastern France is the third largest city, Lyon, which stands on the confluence of the rivers Rhone and Saone and has a sunny Mediterranean climate. Lyon is a great choice for English-speaking expats as it is vibrant with a rich history and culture and its residents are warm and welcoming. Lyon is the largest industrial city so it is ideal for those looking to work with openings in several industries ranging from catering to technology and logistics. Lyon is a lively city as it has a large student population – many of the foreign students and this helps to make it one of the best cities in France for English-speaking expats. A bonus is that the city is conveniently situated for those who want to explore Italy and Switzerland.
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Located just across the English Channel in north-western France, Brittany has long been the best place in France to live for English speakers. Brittany is large with a rugged coastline that overlooks the Atlantic. This part of France has its own micro-climate which is cooler and similar to southern England.
Brittany is very affordable and rents are lower as far as food prices because many fruits and vegetables are grown locally. House prices are also very attractive in Brittany. All of the main towns including Brest, Rennes, Saint Malo, and Dinan are popular and they are among the best places to live in France for expats. They are particularly ideal for British expats as it is just a quick hop across the Channel by ferry or through the tunnel to visit family.
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Paris is very cosmopolitan and because of this, it is the best place to live in France for English speakers. Situated just north of the center of the country, Paris has nearly 30,000 foreigners living in the capital, and this definitely makes life easier. However, the Parisians still expect you to make an effort to speak French and when you do, they will happily reply to you in English if it is easier!
If you want to work, there are certainly job opportunities for English speakers in Paris with the most common being teaching English, working as a tour guide and working in bars/restaurants. If you are highly qualified you can secure an excellent job – if you are from the EU, EEA or Switzerland you don’t need a work permit. The main problem is finding somewhere to live in the capital. Most people live in apartments rather than houses and they are expensive and the cost of living in Paris is higher than in most of the country.
Where to live in France if you are English is certainly a question that is difficult to answer as there are so many attractive areas to enjoy and it will take some careful research to find which one for you is the best place for English speakers. Whether you are British, American or Australian and planning to move or retire to France, you will be delighted that you made the decision to do so.
While planning your move to France it is important to know that if you are Australian you may need a visa and as of November 2023 you will need electronic tagging authorization. Americans are required to apply for a long-term visa if they would like to stay in France longer than 90 days. Since January 2021, following Brexit, all British passport holders now have to apply for a long-stay visa, as France is in the Schengen zone…but the hurdles are worth jumping!
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This article originally appeared on MyDolceCasa.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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