Today, there are tons of excellent free resources online to help you learn French at your own pace: from grammar to listening to speaking practice. The key is to find what fits your style and stick with it. Learning without a teacher can be challenging, but it’s absolutely possible. Here are my top picks for learning French for free, all this whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to improve your skills.
1. TV5MONDE - Learn French
A free platform from the international French TV channel. It offers videos, games, and exercises organized by CEFR level (A1-C1). Perfect for listening practice, comprehension, and cultural exposure.
2. Français Facile
A comprehensive site filled with thousands of grammar, vocabulary, and conjugation exercises. It’s not the most modern-looking, but the content is rich and completely free.
3. French Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to practice listening and immerse yourself in French. Some of the best include:
- Journal en français facile – daily news read slowly, with transcripts.
- InnerFrench - slow, clear French for intermediate learners (A2-B2).
- Podcast Français Facile - short, beginner-friendly episodes with simple vocabulary.
- Coffee Break French - structured and friendly for beginners.
5. Duolingo
A popular gamified app that makes daily practice easy and fun. Best for total beginners (A1) to build vocabulary and sentence structure. It’s fun because you can compete with friends and track your progress, but it has its limitations: for example it is not ideal once you reach intermediate level.
Bonus: Combine and Stay Consistent
The best approach is to combine a few of these tools and use them daily. For example:
- 10 minutes of Duolingo
- Watch 1 short TV5Monde video
- Listen to a podcast while walking
Consistency beats intensity. Even small steps every day will bring real results.
These tools are a great way to learn on your own, but if you’re looking for structured lessons, I offer a full A1-B2 program on MaZa French.