I am a big fan of two things: routines and travel. So naturally, it is probably no surprise that “practice French”, in preparation for some future trip, is on my daily to-do list. I’ve got four ways- from the easiest (and cheapest!) to most intense and expensive- for you to practice French, or any other language on your list.
I’ve been studying French for a long time- since I was four years old- and my level bounces around based on how much time I spend on it. I’m around a level B2, or intermediate, right now- but I’d love to get a bit better and more confident. You never know when you might need to hop on a plane to Paris 🙂 So I’ve got to practice French at a more intense level, if I want to improve.
You may want to pick up just a bit of a language, and if so, you can practice French with a simple method. Or ramp it up to the highest intensity- or something in between.
Simplest: Learn French with Muzzy
Definitely designed primarily for kids, Learn French with Muzzy is a charming cartoon with kooky characters and a distinct look. Apparently it started as a BBC show for children in the 1980s. And since that was when I was in the height of my French studies, that’s probably why I remember it. Dear Husband and I rewatched some of it with Sophie when she was just starting to practice French. And we still use some of the funny phrases today.
A bit more involved: French in Action
Ready to move on? French in Action, a series of 52 half hour lessons, was produced in 1987, and I remember clearly watching it on PBS when it first aired. Not only is it a bit more mature than Muzzy, there is a lovely romance between a French girl and American boy that keeps the lessons interesting.
It’s free, of course, but you can buy the workbooks that support each lesson too.
Quick bites: Duolingo
If you just want to dabble in a language (or do the minimum to practice French on a daily basis), Duolingo is a good bet. The app is super convenient, it’s free (only 5% of active users pay for a subscription, apparently), and there’s a gamification aspect. You may, like me, get caught up in maintaining your streak (790 days and counting for me!). You’ll also get points and placement on a leader board, if that sort of thing appeals. Best of all- you can devote as little as five minutes a day and feel like your French isn’t just fading away…
Custom lessons using AI: Glossika
Glossika is a new discovery for me, and I’m just a few days in. It seems more thorough and focused on repetition and memory than, say Duolingo is. Although I am sure that I am getting more out it when I practice French with Glossika, there are some downsides. It’s more expensive; after the 7 day free trial, you will be spending $25-30 a month for a subscription. And there’s no app (yet)- so it’s slightly less convenient to practice. That said, it feels a bit more scientific and customized using AI to tailor the lessons to my particulars.
All In: Alliance Française
If you are ready to get serious about learning French, you are probably going to need some face-to-face time with other speakers. As much as I love my Duolingo, let’s be honest- it’s not getting me ready to confidently talk to native French speakers. That’s where the Alliance Francaise comes in. They have chapters all over the US. If you are in the Bay Area, there’s one in Berkeley, San Francisco, Carmel, Napa, Santa Rosa, and Los Gatos- really, no excuses! It’s not super expensive- 8 week sessions are ~$300-350. Of course, you’ll have to leave your house to attend the lessons, which might be the biggest hurdle for me!
And they will also have you take a placement test to confirm your level before you enroll. Although it’s more effort and cost than Muzzy :), I am pretty sure that we would all get more out of it in the end. It’s all about figuring out what your language learning goals are.
I get such a feeling of satisfaction when I practice French. All those years in the class and doing homework- well, they aren’t going to waste!
