FRENCH CONVERSATION GROUPS

Many of you might have learned French before — maybe because you had to in school, or because you thought it would be fun — but haven’t spoken in years and feel a bit rusty. In the past, we have set up French conversation groups, bringing together both native and non-native French speakers, to give students an opportunity to practice on a regular basis. Stayed tuned for additional information on future French conversation groups!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

We know not all of you will make it to our French conversation groups, or maybe some of you are really serious about learning and practicing French and will need more help and resources? This is why on this page we compile a number of helpful resources to complement our conversation groups or go further.

Resources to learn French on your own

“Learn French with Vincent” is one of the most popular YouTube channels to learn French. You’ll find plenty of videos addressing various aspect of the French language, including some dedicated to beginners, so take a look!

The Duolingo podcasts are also a good place to start. We know people who relied on them to learn French, so give it a try!

Look up the courses available at Harvard through the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. You might also want to look at the classes offered through the Harvard Extension School.

Resources to practice French on your own

Free BBC resources to learn and practice French.

This is not a paid endorsement, but many people have relied on the App Duolingo to learn or practice their French.

If you want to read the news in French, here are some of the newspapers or news stations you can look at:

We also recommend the excellent French international newspaper Courrier International.  On their website you will find articles from newspaper all over the world covering global news but translated in French. Great selection and great translation, we highly recommend it!

You’re more of a fan of podcasts? Take a look at this list of 10 podcasts to help you learn French

Want to watch TV shows or movies in French? There is a wide variety of TV shows and movies in French from various Francophone countries, we recommend the following ones:

  • Au service de la France (“A Very Secret Service”), a comedy-drama series following French intelligence officers in the 1960s;
  • Le bureau des légendes (“The Bureau”), this is still about the French intelligence services but the show is more of a political thriller, quite good and addictive, although it might be a bit more difficult to follow than Au service de la France depending on your level;
  • Dix pour cent (“Call my agent”), a comedy-drama TV show about a talent agency, it has received great reviews (100% on rotten tomatoes!);
  • La fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain (“Amélie”), this is a classic and you’ve probably watched it in English, but it’s worth watching it in French, also you never get sick of it;
  • L’auberge espagnole (“Potluck”)
  • Le diner de con (“The Dinner Game”)
  • Intouchables (“The Intouchables”)
  • Perspepolis, a beautiful animated movie based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographic graphic novel describing her life during the Islamic revolution in Iran;

Get a Taste of Francophone Culture

Immerse yourself in French culture, by the French Embassy to the United States’ Cultural Services.

 

If you have questions on how to learn and practice french, or suggestions as to good resources, please shoot us an email at francophonesociety@mail.law.harvard.edu or contact us through the form below!