I began studying French in 2020. 

As I have studied French, I have discovered many useful tips and tricks.  Here, I share them with you.  I hope they help you as much as they have helped me. 

(Note: Some of the following are affiliate links.)

Grammar

Everyone hates grammar.  Language courses often claim you can, and should, skip grammar. 

I do not recommend you skip grammar.  Instead, I recommend you learn it.  Get it over with.  Rip the band-aid off.

For grammar, I highly recommend Madrigal’s Magic Key to French, by Margarita Madrigal.  The book is fantastic.  In one volume, you will learn all the grammar you need to learn.  Since this book covers all of the important topics for French grammar, I would count this book as two years of high school French.

If you are ready to start right away, and if you do not feel like spending nearly $200 on a used book, you can find a free digital copy here on Internet Archive.

Some time ago, I took students through the book.  Those classes are available here: https://dwanethomas.com/previous-classes-4/. 

There are also tests for each chapter.  Students simply take the test at the end of each chapter and this site will grade the test immediately.

Listening

Right away, start listening to French.  Do not worry if you cannot understand.  You are getting the sound of the language into your head.

If you want to learn French during your daily commute, you might enjoy the podcast Coffee Break French.  This podcast is great for those just starting out, and also for those who are further down the road.  The podcast is free. 

Of course, you could always sign up for the premium podcast, but I find there is more than enough in the free podcast series.  You can even practice writing to other French learners on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeBreakFrench.

Reading

In class, my students and I are reading through Le Français par la Métode Nature. 

As of 2024, we are about 32 chapters into the book.  There are 50 chapters.  We will keep going until we finish.  All of the previous chapters are on my site.  You are welcome to watch them anytime.  The chapters are here:  https://dwanethomas.com/previous-classes-4/

Look for Modern Langauges: French. 

Scroll past the Magic Key to French until you find the Le Français par la Métode Nature classes.  The classes are available 24/7.

I enjoy reading the Bible in French.  You can both read and listen free here: https://live.bible.is/bible/FRNTLS/MAT/1.

If you are looking for more to read, check out your local library. 

The library in my town has a rather small French library.  I find kids books especially helpful.  You may be surprised what your library has.  If they do not have what you are looking for, talk to the librarian.  Often, libraries share books using the Interlibrary loan system

Watching

I enjoy watching the livestream videos on Chatterbug.  I recommend the streamers Amandine and Laurena.  

The Chatterbug livestreams are a collection of videos on entertaining topics.  Taught by enthusiastic native speakers at all levels, it almost feels easy to level up in French.  There are videos for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students.

For conversational French, I recommend Extra.  Extra is a show for French learners.  The story follows four friends in France.  One friend attepmts to learn French.  The show is a little flirty at times, but it is mild.  I recommend it for high school students and beyond.

Though my students roll their eyes at me, I highly recommend Peppa Pig in French.  Peppa Pig is a popular show that follows Peppa and her family through daily life.  The benefit to the series is students learn all kinds of daily vocabulary in context.  Here is the official French channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PeppaPigFrancaisOfficielle

As you advance, start watching Tin Tin in French, and Asterix in French.  This YouTube teacher takes you through these comic books line by line… in French!

Finally, there is an old series for French learners called French in Action.  This series starts off quite easy but becomes difficult rather quickly.  It is highly repetitive, which is a good thing when you are learning a language.

The Quick Version

If you are in a hurry, I recommend two things.  Read Madrigal’s Magic Key to French.  You can also take the classes on my site.  My site includes tests.

There are forty-five chapters in the book.  Reading one chapter a week, a student could be done in a year.  In my opinion, this book covers all of high school French one and two.  An ambitious student could finish the book in a summer.

After reading Madrigal’s Magic Key to French, I would start binge watching Peppa Pig and the livestream videos on Chatterbug. 

I suspect an ambitious student could be proficient (not fluent) in French in eighteen months.

By the way, these two steps would easily count as French one and two.  Since it is so comprehensive, I suspect the Madrigal’s Magic Key to French alone counts as two years of high school French. 

Below, you will find the series I am reading through with my students.  I have been leaning French with my students as we read together.  Feel free to watch the previous classes, or join us in the live class.  

Volume 3 picks the story up in chapter 39 and continues until the end of the book in chapter 50.  This volume focuses mainly on French history.  By the end of this series, studnets will understand all of the major points of French grammar and will possess a powerful French vocabulary.  From this point forward, students can simply focus on reading and speaking the beautiful French language!  Don’t want to order a physical copy?  Scroll down to find a free downloadable PDF version.  

If would like to read in French and English at the same time, you may find this side by side French/English Bible helpful.