In our last post, we discussed books for adults learning French. But what about kids? Unlike adults, kids are visual learners. They like to watch photos or videos when they study. A book without pictures is boring. That’s why it’s important to come up with creative ways to teach kids something, in this case, French.

One of the best ways to teach kids French is through storybooks. But which ones should you try? There must be a plethora of them, right? Don’t worry! Here we will show you a list of the best French storybooks for kids. Let’s get started!

10 Bilingual Fairy Tales in French and English

Average Amazon rating: 4.4/5

Fairy tales are a favorite classic. Kids love hearing about magic, elves, fairies, and the like. Who would have thought kids can learn a language by just reading some fairy tales?

Not only will kids be able to read about fantastical characters, but they will also learn vocabulary and basic grammar structures. It all comes naturally as they turn page after page.

The book includes access to audio so kids can listen to native French speakers and learn the correct pronunciation and develop their listening skills.

Each story comes in French and English. I highly recommend this book for parents raising bilingual kids and adult beginners looking for something easy.

The Fabulous Lost and Found and the little French mouse

Average Amazon rating: 4.7/5

Can you imagine going to another country and not being able to speak the local language? Well, that’s what happens to the main character of this book. A French mouse goes to the Lost & Found, but the problem is, he doesn’t speak English!

Kids will love this book and I can assure you they will have a good laugh as well. Although the book is short and simple, it is entertaining and is a great learning tool. Kids will learn over forty words and phrases to build their vocabulary.

It is recommended for kids ages 2-7. Although the author claims the book is bilingual, some people argue it is not for non-French speakers as they have to guess the meaning of some words. Still, it’s worth a try.

Children’s Stories in Dual Language French & English

Average Amazon rating: 4.4./5

This book was designed with kids ages 7-12 in mind and is the first part of a series of three bilingual books. It has ten fantasy stories in total. Each paragraph is written first in French, and it’s immediately followed by the English translation.

Kids will engagingly learn vocabulary, but the best of all is, they will have access to the audio version as well. This way they can listen to a native speaker at the same time they look at the text.

Most reviews are positive, except for a couple where they think the topics are inappropriate for kids. Other than that, I think you should give it a try and decide for yourself.

10 Bed-time Stories

Average Amazon rating: 4.3/5

How about a book with bedtime stories in French and English for kids? This book is great for kids ages 8-12. They will learn vocabulary and develop their imagination and a passion for reading. A great way to form a bond with your kids.

Unlike the books above, this one is written in parallel text. That means there are two columns so kids can choose whether they want to read just in French or in English as well.

Kids also have access to the audio version so they can listen to native speakers.

The major con has to do with the lack of images. Yes, unbelievably, this book does not have any images. Other than that, it’s a good learning tool for kids and adult beginners.

100 First Words for Toddlers

Average Amazon rating: 4.7/5

Although this is not a storybook per se, kids will love this book. It is beautifully illustrated and will capture their attention. They will learn lots of vocabulary that are commonly used in French.

Adults will find some useful tips from teaching experts to teach their kids properly. Both kids and adults will love it!

This book is recommended for kids ages 0-3. If you want to expose your toddlers to another language besides English, this is the book you should get.

Cool Kids Speak French

Average Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Kids of all ages will love this book. It is beautifully illustrated and is divided into shorter sections like greetings, numbers, colors, animals, etc. Each section starts with vocabulary learning and then some games to reinforce the concept taught therein.

Kids will be gradually exposed to new words and grammar structures. The book comes with many activities like coloring pages, filling in the blanks, word searches, counting, etc. A great way to learn and brush up what they learned in previous sections.

This book is also a great learning tool for beginners. Highly recommended.

French for Kids

Average Amazon rating: 4.6/5

This book is great for kids ages 3-8. Well, it’s not just one book but rather ten short books. Each book is 16 pages long and focuses on one story. The author believes that kids learn more effectively when the words are in context rather than just showing them flashcards.

Kids will have access to a French-English chart, English translations at the back, downloadable activity sheets, and audio recordings.

Repetition is key, and it shows here. The concepts are repeated over and over in different ways so they stick in kids’ heads.

The books are simple enough for the youngest ones, yet challenging for older kids. A must have.

Fly, Little Bird – Vole, petit oiseau

Average Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Kids are like little birds that need to learn how to fly. It’s scary, but we have to overcome our fears to succeed in life.

This book is a powerful tool for bilingual kids (French-English). It comes with cute illustrations and short sentences telling a story. Each line is both in French and English.

The book also includes extra pages with coloring and drawing activities. Kids will love it!

Not only will kids learn vocabulary and phrases, but they will also learn important principles like teamwork and problem-solving.

As with most kids’ books, this can also be used by adult beginners. Of course, they can skip some activities, but it’s a good starting point nonetheless.

Conclusion

Kids learn fast, but they tend to get bored. We as adults have to look for creative ways to help them learn. French storybooks for kids are great at that.

There are way more books we could include here, but the post would be endless. Feel free to leave your recommendations in the section below.

I hope you found this useful. If you did, please don’t forget to share it with others. Au revoir, les amis!

Let's Learn French!

Are you ready to take your French to the next level? I'm glad you are! Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate/advanced learner, I can recommend a few options for you.
For starters, if you're someone who likes to study on his own, I recommend the following programs:
Busuu
Mondly
Rocket Languages

However, if you would like to hire a teacher/tutor, I recommend you try the following:
italki
Lingoda
Preply

Feel free to check my site to learn about more resources. Don't forget to check back often to learn more about the French language and culture. Salut!

Are you looking to learn French, but you don’t know where to start? There are so many resources out there that it becomes an overwhelming task…more overwhelming than it should be. Online courses, French lessons, books… What should you choose? If you’re old school like me, then you might be thinking of buying some French learning books.

If you would like to learn more about this, then keep on reading. Please note that the books in this post are meant for learning French. If you’re looking for French novels and other forms of literature, I recommend you check out this post instead. Otherwise, let’s continue.

Pronounce it Perfectly in French

Average Amazon rating: 4.1/5

We all know that mastering pronunciation is the key to speaking any language. This book will help you achieve that.

Pronounce it Perfectly in French comes with three CDs for your convenience. You will learn how to tell sounds apart and how to use the correct intonation when speaking. The book includes lots of exercises based on French proverbs, jokes, tongue twisters, and quotes.

It is perfect for beginners and all those looking to improve their pronunciation. The few complaints I’ve seen are regarding the quality of the CDs (not readable), the fast pace of the speaker, and the simplicity of the book.

2000 Most Common French Words in Context

Average Amazon rating: 4.5/5

Besides pronunciation, you need to build a lot of vocabulary to express your ideas. As the name implies, it contains a list of the 2,000 most common French words. You will expand your vocabulary in no time.

This book is recommended for beginners and/or intermediate learners. Words are listed by frequency instead of topics or parts of speech. Some people claim they have to get a dictionary or look something up online to understand. The format might not suit everyone, but it’s a good supplementary learning tool nonetheless.

Among the negative reviews, some people say translations are wrong/minimal, the list order doesn’t make sense, and the book can’t be used by itself.

Easy French Step-by-Step

Average Amazon rating: 4.5/5

This is one of the first books I used to learn French, and I highly recommend it. Once you master pronunciation and have expanded your vocabulary, the next step is understanding French grammar, which is not easy by any means.

Here you will learn how to conjugate over 300 verbs and learn the basic grammar rules and concepts of the French language. You will also be presented with many exercises to practice what you learned.

The book is concise, straight to the point, and easy to follow. I highly recommend it for absolute beginners. Some people say it’s not beginner-friendly because it doesn’t have any illustrations or come with an audio CD. I beg to differ, but I guess that depends on your learning style more than anything else.

Learn French: 6 Books in 1: The Complete French Language Books Collection to Learn Starting from Zero, Have Fun and Become Fluent like a Native Speaker

Average Amazon rating: 4.4/5

If you were to buy just one book, I’d recommend this one without hesitation. I don’t know how they fit so much information into just one book. As the name implies, they crammed the content of six books into this book.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an absolute beginner, an intermediate learner, or an advanced learner. You will learn something by reading this book.

Here you will learn French basics like the alphabet, pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. It also comes with lots of examples and quizzes. The material progresses gradually from easy to advanced.

By buying this book, you also get a free Audible trial and a credit to download a 33-hour audio guide. Isn’t this great?

French All-in-One For Dummies

Average Amazon rating: 4.6/5

You can never go wrong with the Dummies series. Whether you’re looking to improve your math, Excel, music, or languages, you’ll most likely find a book to help you. French is no exception.
This extensive guide is 800 pages long and comes with an audio CD to practice pronunciation and improve your listening skills.

I recommend this book if you’re a beginner or at an intermediate level. If you’re an advanced learner, then this book is not for you.

Another thing I like about this book is that it includes French Canadian content. As we have seen previously, it’s somewhat different from European French. A great bonus indeed.

Living Language French

Average Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Based upon one of the most thorough language learning methods ever, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in learning French. Your level doesn’t matter as you can progress from beginner to intermediate and finally advanced.

It’s not just one book but rather a complete immersive course that consists of three books, nine audio CDs, and free access to downloadable content. Expand your vocabulary, grasp the concepts of French grammar, improve your listening skills, master French pronunciation, and have fun while learning!

According to many users, it’s excellent value for money, although some claim it’s too repetitive. Give it a try and decide for yourself.

Learn Canadian French

Average Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Most of the material you find in books or online is about Metro (France) French, but what about Canadian French? If you would like to concentrate on the latter, then this book is for you. It’s an excellent resource to learn French Canadian vocabulary and grammar.

Just one word of caution. This book is not for beginners. You need to know some French. Also, please consider this book doesn’t focus on teaching Canadian French but rather helping you understand the differences between Canadian French and France French. It doesn’t hurt to give it a try, though.

Conclusion

Today we discussed some of the best French-learning books on Amazon. The list is endless, so we just focused on some bestsellers for your convenience. All the books mentioned in this post are hard copies, but many of them have digital versions as well. The best of both worlds.

Have you studied any of the books mentioned above? Which one was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below. Au revoir, les amis!

Let's Learn French!

Are you ready to take your French to the next level? I'm glad you are! Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate/advanced learner, I can recommend a few options for you.
For starters, if you're someone who likes to study on his own, I recommend the following programs:
Busuu
Mondly
Rocket Languages

However, if you would like to hire a teacher/tutor, I recommend you try the following:
italki
Lingoda
Preply

Feel free to check my site to learn about more resources. Don't forget to check back often to learn more about the French language and culture. Salut!

Video learning has become a popular learning tool for just about everything, and language learning is no exception. Many people enjoy the experience of watching videos, and the latter has proven to be an effective method. We are visual creatures by nature, and videos offer what other tools like books can’t.

I have come across many learning platforms since I started studying French. However, this is the first time I’ve found one that focuses solely or mostly on videos. I tried it to see what the hype was about, and I must say I’m impressed. If you would like to learn more, then read my FluentU review below. Allons-y!

What Is FluentU?

FluentU is a Hong Kong-based company that offers video content for those interested in learning languages. They believe that it is the best way to learn a language, and that’s why they focus on that. The premise is simple: use existing YouTube videos and convert them into enjoyable, interactive lessons by adding subtitles, flashcards, pronunciation guides, and quizzes.

FluentU is a members-only service. Unlike other platforms, there is no free version. While they do offer a free trial, you won’t be able to use it anymore if you don’t upgrade. More on that later.

Which Languages Are Offered?

At the time of writing this post, there are currently 10 languages offered, namely:

1. Spanish
2. French
3. Chinese
4. Japanese
5. German
6. English
7. Russian
8. Italian
9. Korean
10. Portuguese

In most cases, you have to know English to learn your target language as most lessons are taught in English. There are a few exceptions, though. We will discuss that later in this post.

What Kind of Videos Can I Find?

Good question! There are many kinds of videos to choose from: movie trailers, music videos, tutorials, vlogs, news, interviews, commercials, and language lessons.

You can sort videos by difficulty, date, popularity, length, or title. You can also choose from a list of topics (Everyday Life, Arts and Entertainment, Kids, Culture, etc.) or video formats (Clips, Commercials, How-to, Interviews, etc.).

The number of videos is significant for languages like English, French, and Chinese.

How Does Learning with FluentU Work?

FluentU is quite easy to use. Once you find a video to your liking, you will have access to several tools. For starters, before playing each video, you will find a list of key vocabulary as well as the transcript of the video along with the corresponding pronunciation guides.

As the video is playing, you will see the captions (this will be in your target language) and the English subtitles below it. You can pause the video as many times as you like. If you hover over a word, you will see a flashcard and hear the pronunciation.

When you finish watching the video, you will be presented with a quiz to test your comprehension. This will be in the form of activities like filling in the blanks, unscrambling words, and multiple-choice questions.

For your convenience, FluentU allows you to download the transcript pdf file. You can also add the videos you liked to your Favorites list for easier access.

So, Is It Just Videos and Nothing Else?

For the most part, yes. I would say 90%, if not more, consists of video content. However, you also have access to the following:

• Audios
• Flashcards
• Playlists

Audios have the same format as videos, except they’re not videos. However, unlike the latter, the focus of audios is grammar. Here you will learn things like genders, verb conjugations, asking questions, etc.

Flashcards are self-explanatory. Here you will learn vocabulary in context along with pronunciation. Once you feel comfortable with the lesson, you can take a quiz.

Finally, playlists are collections of audios about specific topics. Each playlist usually consists of two or more audios about things like giving commands, giving advice, foods, making plans, among other random topics. At the end of each audio lesson, you can take a quiz to test your knowledge.

How Much Does FluentU Cost?

There are currently two types of membership: monthly and yearly. The monthly membership is $29.99, while the yearly membership is $19.99/month ($239.99 billed annually). If you choose the latter, you will end up saving the equivalent of four months.

Accepted methods of payment include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and PayPal.

Is There a Free Trial?

Yes, there is! There is a 14-day free trial for those interested. Be advised that you need a credit card to take advantage of this offer. You can cancel your membership at any time during the free trial. Just make sure to cancel your membership if you don’t want to continue. Otherwise, your card will be charged.

How Do I Sign Up?

To start, you need to choose your target language. Don’t worry. You can change this at any time. Next, you have to choose your membership plan. You will then be prompted to create a user and password. Once you do that, you have to enter your credit card information. Finally, you have to confirm your subscription by clicking on the link they email you. It’s that simple!

Setting Up Your Account

Setting up your account is just as easy. All you have to do is pick your level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) and select a daily goal (ranging from 1-50 minutes per day).

If you desire to do so, you can select a few videos at this point to get started. However, you can do this later. There’s no rush.

By default, the site is in English, but you can change it to Spanish, Japanese, or Korean. That’s it! You can now start learning your favorite language!

What I Liked

After trying FluentU for quite some time, I have come to like several things about it:

• It’s one of the most user-friendly sites I’ve ever used. Anyone can use it, no matter their tech skills.
• It’s great for people of all ages, from kids to seniors.
• The featured videos are diverse, not your typical boring lesson.
• New videos are constantly added.
• The clips are short, allowing you to repeat them as many times as you like or to easily find something without wasting a lot of time.
• The hover-over feature is fantastic. You have instant access to vocabulary and pronunciation without having to exit the video.
• The captions/subtitles allow you to better grasp each concept as opposed to just reading subtitles or captions separately. Eventually, you get used to not translating, but it’s impossible at first.
• Like other language learning sites, it relies heavily on repetition. However, it doesn’t feel tedious or monotonous. They spice it up by using different techniques.

What I Didn’t Like

Unfortunately, there is an equal number of things I didn’t like:

• For starters, I didn’t like the price. Compared to other similar options in the market, it’s somewhat expensive considering what you get.
• No free version.
• You need a credit card for the free trial. In all fairness, most companies do this hoping people forget to cancel and thus, their membership renews automatically.
• The selection of videos for some languages is limited and inequitable. For instance, Italian and Portuguese have less than 500 videos available each, while English and French have well over 1,000 videos each.
• There is no option to record your voice and see if you’re pronouncing correctly.
• There is no set structure. Videos are just divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. I prefer a structure that takes you from point A to point B. However, that can be an advantage depending on your learning style.

What Do Others Say About It?

Most online reviews are positive. Teachers praise the innovation of the site and the vast array of videos, while students mention the ease of use, the results obtained by using it, and their preference for it compared to other sites.

On the downside, most people agree it’s pricey and there are better platforms out there.

Alternatives to It

Depending on your goals, budget, and learning style, there are several alternate routes you could take:

• If you want something more complete, some of the best methods I highly recommend are Français avec Pierre and Français Authentique. They’re not cheap, but you have access to a plethora of excellent learning resources.
• For simple, fun, interactive (and cheap!) lessons, I recommend Busuu and Mondly.
• Finally, if you’re serious about learning French and want to find a teacher, I recommend italki, Lingoda, and Preply.

A Word of Caution

While doing some research for this post, I came across a Reddit post where the op stated that FluentU charged him $1.32 when he canceled his free trial after only one day. It seems that FluentU doesn’t automatically block access to its content after canceling your free trial. So, if you sign up for the free trial and then decide it’s not for you, cancel it before the 14th day and DON’T try to access the content after that. Better safe than sorry.

Bottom Line

With an extensive library of video content, FluentU is an excellent learning tool for those interested in languages. However, as attractive as the core concept might be, the site lacks diversity. It’s a good complementary tool, but you will still need other tools. If you want a site where you have it all, this is not it.

The price is quite high considering what you get. However, that does not mean it’s not worth it. I recommend you try it out and then decide for yourself.

Will you become fluent by only using this site as the name implies? Certainly not. However, it’s a good starting point.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please leave your questions or comments below, and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Au revoir les amis!

There are so many language learning sites online that choosing just one becomes an impossible task. They all seem to offer the same things at similar prices. But just how good is their quality? How good are their teachers? How do their systems work? What should you look for when choosing a language teacher?

In my eternal quest for learning, I came across a site named Preply. If you need to find a language tutor/teacher, this is a really good site to do just that. Would you like to learn more about this platform? Then keep on reading my full Preply review. Let’s get started!

What Is Preply?

Okay, but what exactly is Preply? What does it do or what does it offer? Well, simply put, Preply is a Ukraine-based online marketplace for teachers all over the world. It is similar to italki.

On Preply, you can find teachers from all walks of life that will do their best to adjust to your schedule and learning preferences. It’s quite easy to book a lesson and start learning online on this platform.

Although the site focuses on languages, you can find tutors for other subjects such as math, computer science, SEO, app development, graphic design, among others, making it a very useful e-learning platform.

Courses Offered

As I mentioned above, you can learn a lot of skills by using this platform, even acting and Pokemon Go. However, for the sake of this review, we will solely focus on languages.

Speaking of languages, you can choose from around 50 of them:

The most popular languages on the site are English, Spanish, and French, but if you’re looking to learn another language, you will probably find a teacher that’s willing to work with you.

Finding a Tutor

For starters, you have to sign up either through Facebook, Google, or email. Once you do that, you will be presented with several filters to start your search. The more specific you make your search, the better.

You can filter tutors by:

• Desired language
• Price range
• Tutor’s country of origin
• Availability
• Tutor’s specialties (Business courses, Beginners, Kids, etc.)
• Tutor’s spoken languages
• Native speakers
• Certified tutors

You can watch a short introduction by the tutor and take a look at his résumé. If you have additional questions, you can send him a private message. Don’t forget to check out other students’ reviews as well.

What Are Lessons Like?

This will depend on what you and your teacher agreed. Your lessons can be as informal or as formal as you want. If you want something more structured and target-oriented, then I recommend choosing a certified teacher.

However, if you just want to speak French (or any other language) with someone, then you can either choose a native speaker or an advanced speaker of your target language.

There is no set curriculum by Preply. Each teacher will provide his materials for each lesson. This can be in the form of videos, flashcards, text, or audio. In the end, he can assign homework so you can practice what you learned that day.

All lessons are one hour long. You can take lessons directly on Preply Classroom (Preply’s built-in video chat) or some other video-chat platform like Skype.

What About Teachers?

There are two broad categories in this regard: certified and non-certified teachers. Many teachers are certified and have ample teaching experience, while others are just native/advanced speakers starting.

As you can imagine, it’s cheaper to study with a non-certified tutor, but before doing so, you have to consider your objectives.

The good thing is, you can use Preply’s filters to find exactly what you need. Take advantage of those tools to find the right teacher. It’s quite easy.

Pricing

Each teacher sets his rates. This can vary widely from $5 to $40 per hour depending on the teacher’s credentials. Unlike italki, its pricing structure is straightforward.

All the lessons are capped at $40. That’s the maximum you’ll pay for a one-hour lesson for any language. On average, I would say most teachers charge between $15 and $30 per hour, which is the average price in the market.

For your convenience, Preply allows you to take a trial lesson with any teacher and get a 100% refund if not satisfied. After that, you can book lessons one by one or in groups of 5, 10, 15, and 20. Of course, you will get discounts which scale as the number of hours goes up.

Payment options accepted include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and PayPal.

Other Resources

Preply has a blog with lots of articles on different subjects. You can read about vocabulary, idioms, learning tips, and random things like why you should study a new language, the future of languages, etc. The content is updated regularly and is of great assistance.

If you’re a teacher, you will also find this useful. You can find tips from other teachers and education professionals to improve your classes and interaction with your students.

There is also an active community where students and teachers interact with each other. Students can leave questions about languages and teachers will do their best to answer them in as much detail as possible.

What I Liked About It

Okay, by now you have a better idea about Preply. After using it for some time, these are some things I liked about it:

• One-on-one lessons.
• Ample variety of teachers to choose from in most cases.
• Reasonable prices.
• Its interface is simple to use.
• Integrated website and mobile app.
• Ability to filter potential teachers.
• Written summaries provided at the end of each lesson.
• Excellent customer service/support.
• 100% satisfaction guarantee.
• College students can get up to 15% off. Also, if you refer a friend and he signs up, you get a $30 credit.

What I Didn’t Like About It

To be honest, I like Preply except for two things:

• Although most teachers are either native speakers or certified in the language(s) they teach, that’s not always the case. For example, I came across a native Spanish teacher that taught French, but he was an intermediate speaker. While I don’t think you have to be a native speaker to teach a language, you have to be at an advanced level or be certified.
• Preply doesn’t allow you to just buy credits and then choose a teacher. First, you have to take a trial lesson with a teacher and then buy more lessons if you want to continue. This means you can only buy lessons for one teacher at a time.

What Do Others Say About It?

With 1 million+ students and 15,000+ tutors, Preply has an average score of 4.3/5 stars on Trustpilot. Most users point out the ease of use, the quality of the teachers, the flexibility of the courses, and the reliability of the company.

A few negative comments mention problems with recurring billing and teachers not showing up. However, most people seem to have enjoyed the overall experience.

Alternatives to Preply

Preply’s main competitors are italki and Verbling. Overall, they offer the same thing: one-on-one language lessons at affordable prices.

Some teachers teach on more than one platform. In that case, the deciding factor would be the platform’s features and reputation. Although being honest, all three companies are at a similar level.

italki has more teachers, but its pricing structure is complicated. On the other hand, Preply’s pricing is straightforward. Verbling is somewhere in between.

You can try them all and choose the one you feel most at ease with. They all offer trial lessons, so you don’t have anything to lose.

Final Thoughts

Studying a language with a tutor/teacher is one of the most effective ways to learn a language. A teacher provides guidance and motivates you when needed. While some people can learn on their own, studying with a teacher is an invaluable tool

Preply is one of the best sites to find an online teacher. It is simple to use and provides several filters to find the perfect teacher for you.

Most online reviews about it are positive, so that should tell us something. In any case, you can take trial lessons and then decide. However, make sure to make some thorough research first to avoid losing your time.

Have you tried Preply? How did it go? If not, are you willing to give it a try? Let me know in the comments below. Au revoir, les amis!

Learning a new language may be boring, but it doesn’t have to be. Educators and language companies have become aware of that, and that’s why they are changing their approaches. One of them is Mondly. Have you ever heard of them?

Well, if you haven’t, don’t worry. In this Mondly review, I will tell you more about them. You will understand how their system works, how much it costs, the pros and cons…everything!!! By the end of this post, you will be able to determine if this course is for you or not. Allons-y!

What Is Mondly?

Mondly is an interactive language-learning site where you will learn vocabulary, pronunciation, some grammar, and useful phrases for different situations in life like traveling, eating out, applying for a job, etc.

One thing that stands out about Mondly is its gamification. It’s not the typical boring language course but rather a fun game for young and old. The lessons are short, and you get to compete against other users around the world.

There is also an integrated app with the same content should you choose to use a tablet or smartphone instead of a computer.

Languages

Mondly currently offers 41 languages. Besides French, you can also study the following:

Interface

Mondly’s interface is simple and easy to use. It looks like a map of any board game. In fact, it reminds me of Monopoly and similar games where you roll the dice and advance x number of spaces.

However, unlike those games, there are no dice here and you don’t have to follow any specific order. The map is divided into modules or topics like travel, restaurants, family, colors, etc. Each topic is further divided into 6-8 short lessons for your convenience.

What Are Lessons Like?

Each lesson is about 5 minutes long and covers a specific topic. They all come with audio and different exercises like filling in the blanks, unscrambling words, multiple-choice questions, translating sentences, and spelling tasks.

You’re also given the option to record your voice to compare your pronunciation with that of the chatbot. By the way, some exercises are simulated conversations where you record your voice and change roles with the chatbot. At the end of the conversation, you can play the whole thing to check for any mistakes in your pronunciation.

At the end of each lesson, you can take a quick vocabulary review to reinforce what you just learned. If you complete all the daily lessons, you will have access to the weekly quiz, and if you complete all the weekly quizzes, you will have access to a monthly challenge.

Chatbot

Mondly is automated and interactive. You can interact with it via its chatbot as we mentioned above. Imagine you’re talking to someone. This is exactly what the chatbot does. You can engage in role plays about different topics.

You can either type or record your answer. Just make sure your mic works and you’re good to go!

Signup

Signing up is an easy, straightforward process. You can do so via email or through your Facebook, Google, or Apple accounts. It doesn’t take you more than a couple of minutes and you can start taking lessons right away!

Free vs Premium Member

When you sign up, you’re automatically a free member. You will have access to the first 8 lessons plus 1 free daily lesson. However, keep in mind you will have to wait for 12 hours before being able to take the next free lesson.

On the other hand, if you’re a premium member, all the lessons will be unlocked for you to take them whenever you feel like it. You will also receive have access to exclusive content and the other 41 languages offered on the platform.

Pricing

Now, you would think that a platform where you can learn so many languages would cost a fortune, right? Well, not necessarily. At the time of writing this post, these were the current prices:

1 language monthly – $9.99

1 language yearly – $47.99

All languages yearly – $47.99 (90%!)

The yearly membership is the one I recommend. It comes out to just $4 a month. That’s way less than buying a burger or a movie ticket.

What’s even best is that you can study all the languages offered on the platform for the price of one language. We don’t know how long this will last so you’d better hurry!

They accept all major credit cards as well as ACH, wire transfers, PayPal, checks, and even cash at 7-Eleven locations.

What I Liked About It

After using Mondly for some time, these are the things that I liked about it:

• An impressive selection of languages, including unusual ones like Latin.
• The lessons are short and fun.
• Integrated website and app for interchangeable use.
• Free 7-day trial.
• Premium membership is affordable and good value for money.
• Easy signup.

What I Didn’t Like About It

Unfortunately, not everything is perfect. These are some things that I didn’t like about it:

• The lessons get too repetitive at times.
• The platform relies too much on translation.
• The lessons are somewhat disorganized and don’t follow a pattern progressing from easy to difficult.
• Each lesson is about a specific topic, but it doesn’t specify which concepts (verbs, adjectives, etc.) will be covered.
• Grammar is not a priority.
• The chatbot only understands preset answers, thus limiting the interaction.
• No interaction with other learners other than the leaderboard.

Who Is It For?

Mondly is a good learning option for most ages. I especially recommend it if you:

• Like games.
• Are looking for an affordable language course.
• Get bored easily with other courses.
• Need short lessons.
• Like to compete against others.
• Like flexibility.

Who Isn’t It For?

On the contrary, I don’t recommend it if you:

• Prefer a structured program.
• Need an intensive course.
• Are at an advanced level.
• Need constant supervision.
• Are not good at learning by yourself.

What Do Others Say About It?

If you do some search online, you will find that most people like Mondly. They like the gamification and overall content.

However, the recurring complaint from users has to do with billing and some app features not working correctly. I haven’t had any of those problems, but it’s something you might want to consider.

Final Verdict

Mondly is a good language-learning program for those who need something simple, fun, and affordable. The lessons are short and easy to follow on a daily basis. All things considered, we rate it 8/10.

However, as a free member, you will be severely limited. Most features are unlocked, so to make the most out of it, you’ll have to upgrade to premium.

You will not become fluent by using Mondly alone, although it is a good starting point. The good thing is, you can use it in conjunction with other learning tools like private classes.

Although the paid membership is not that expensive, you may still have doubts about it. If you’re still not sure, your best bet is to get the free trial. You don’t have anything to lose after all.

I hope you liked this review. Please leave any questions and comments you have in the section below. Au revoir, les amis!

Would you like to learn French in a simple way, let’s say short interactive lessons? Something you can study at home or wherever you are? I bet you’re also looking for an affordable program with some good perks included, right? Then Busuu is for you!

In this Busuu French review, I will explain to you how their system works, any special features they offer, their pricing, the pros, and cons, so in the end, you can decide if this is worth your time and money. Let’s get started, shall we?

Background

The company was founded by Bernhard Niesner and Adrian Hilti in 2008. They currently offer courses in 12 languages, and more than 100 million people have taken them.

In 2015, they partnered up with McGraw-Hill Education, one of the largest publishers worldwide.

They currently offer a limited free membership and a premium membership for individuals. They also offer special courses for corporations. Some of their clients include global corporations like Adidas, Puma, and Uber.

Courses

You can use Busuu to study one of the following languages:

• French
• English
• Spanish
• German
• Italian
• Portuguese
• Chinese
• Japanese
• Polish
• Turkish
• Russian
• Arabic

In the case of French, they offer four courses, which are:

• Complete French
• French Pronunciation
• French for Travel
• French for Business

How Does the System Work?

Once you sign up (it’s free), you will be able to choose whether you want to start from the beginning or take a placement test to determine your level.

Then you have to choose from a list of goals, and the platform will give you a deadline and determine how much time you need to study every day to reach that goal. You will then have access to the lessons.

Each lesson comes with audio and video. You will learn vocabulary through flashcards and perform exercises like filling up the blanks, unscrambling words, answering listening comprehension questions, and translating phrases. You will repeat the same concept in different ways for a better understanding.

At the end of each level, you can take a test and receive an official certificate for your records.

Basic Membership

The basic membership is free and will give you access to one language only. However, as you can imagine, it’s limited, and you will only be able to take the first five lessons.

Other features for free members include access to lesson reviews and a community where you can find native speakers of your target language. It’s something like a social network where you add friends to your contacts list.

One of the things I like about this platform is that you can complete written or oral exercises and get corrected by native speakers.

Premium Membership

There are two premium memberships: Premium and Premium Plus. The price difference between them is less than a dollar per month, so many people opt for the Premium Plus plan.

Some perks include access to all 12 languages, personalized study plans, official tests from McGraw-Hill, and offline mode.

Pricing

Now you must be asking yourself how much all of this costs, right? Fortunately, the courses are very affordable.

For starters, you can choose whether you want to be billed every month, every year, or every 2 years. At the time of writing this post, these were the current prices:

Busuu offers a 7-day free trial, but you need to provide your credit card info. All the courses come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. You can cancel anytime within this period. No questions asked.

Live Lessons

Whether you’re a free member or a premium member, you can always enroll in live lessons. These are 30-minute one-on-one lessons with a real teacher.

Busuu allows you to buy individual lessons or in groups of 3 or 5. These are the current prices:

You have six months to take your lessons. Otherwise, you lose them.

What I Liked

Let’s talk about the pros of Busuu.

• The platform is simple and easy to use.
• Lessons can be taken on the website or app for your convenience.
• Affordable courses.
• If someone referred you and you sign up through the app, you get a 30-day free trial.
• Access to a diverse community of learners from all over the world.
• Lessons are short and include fun facts about the French language and culture.
• Ability to get an official certificate.

What I Didn’t Like

Unfortunately, there are several reasons I didn’t like and could influence my decision about using Busuu. Here are some of them:

• Only beginner and intermediate levels available.
• Lessons are somewhat repetitive and rely too much on translation.
• Premium membership does not include access to live lessons.
• I have to provide my credit card info for the free trial.
• Live lessons are too short and somewhat pricey compared to other options like italki.
• There were not too many French teachers on the platform.

Who Is It For?

Busuu is for you if you:

• Are a beginner.
• Like structured plans.
• Can commit to goals.
• Like short lessons.

Busuu is not for you if you:

• Are an advanced speaker.
• Need an intensive course.
• Get bored easily.
• Need constant supervision.

Final Verdict

Busuu is a solid program to learn French. It has many perks for its premium users and is a great option for people of all ages.

That being said, will you master French by the end of the course? Certainly not. That can take years and involves a lot of work. However, all things considered, it’s a good starting point.

If you can study on your own and are looking for something simple, I recommend this course. On the other hand, if you need something more intensive and/or with teacher supervision, I recommend other options like italki or Lingoda. Their teachers have more competitive rates, too.

I hope you found this Busuu French review helpful. Feel free to leave your questions and comments in the section below. Au revoir, les amis!

Are you someone who likes to learn languages on his own? Do you even have time to attend classes in person or online? Would you rather study at your own pace from the comfort of your home? Well, then Rocket Languages is for you!

This company has been in the market for almost 20 years and has received lots of positive reviews from both experts and students alike. But how does it work? What does it offer? How much does it cost? Is it worth trying? I will answer these and other questions in this Rocket Languages review. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Rocket Languages’ Story

Rocket Languages was created by Jason Oxenham and Mark Ling in 2004. Jason had been trying to learn French for many years but was unsuccessful. The traditional approach – textbooks, live classes, and the like – didn’t seem to work for him. Even worse, his school didn’t offer language classes, and he was tone-deaf. He didn’t have any French-speaking friends or acquaintances, so that wasn’t an option, either.

That was when he decided something had to be done. He spoke to his friend Mark, and together, they worked with polyglots, technical experts, and linguists to come up with a revolutionary language software: Rocket Languages.

In 12 months, they created their first two courses: Rocket French and Rocket Spanish. Most of the reviews they received were positive, and that encouraged them to create more language courses.

Rocket Languages’ Four Pillars

Jason and Mark realized that the foundation of any program should be understanding, but to achieve that, a program has to have a few core characteristics.

According to them, a successful language program should be:

• Comprehensive.
• Immersive.
• Effective.
• Give a genuine sense of progress and achievement.

The result? A connected world through the power of language.

Languages Offered

Currently, Rocket Languages offers the following courses:

• French
• Spanish
• Italian
• English
• German
• Japanese
• Chinese
• Korean
• Hindi
• Portuguese
• Arabic
• Russian
• ASL (American Sign Language)

All the courses offer a free trial with interactive audio lessons, flashcards, and quizzes. Try your favorite language, and if you like it, then buy it. If not, you don’t have anything to lose.

The Courses

The courses are divided into Beginner (Level 1), Intermediate (Level 2), and Advanced levels (Level 3). Each level is divided into 7-8 modules, and modules are further divided into lessons.

Each lesson is structured in the following way:

• Interactive audio. A 15-40-minute audio track that covers a different topic per lesson. You can stream and even download it if you want.
• Flashcards. Designed to reinforce what you just learned.
• Hear it! Listen to a word or phrase and repeat it. There’s an option to record yourself available.
• Write it! Write the word or phrase you hear and see if it is correct.
• Know it! Translate what you see on screen. Record your voice and check the result.
• Quiz. Short quizzes to test your knowledge.
• Play it. Play a conversation as much as you want. Designed to train your hearing and pronunciation.

Each course covers a different topic that also teaches us cultural aspects of the language at hand.

Additionally, some languages offer Travelogues, which are travel dialogues with lots of vocabulary, useful phrases, and conversations for your next trip!

Cost

The courses have different prices, so you would have to verify the specific course you want, although most prices are similar. Let’s say you want to study French. At the time of writing this post, these were the regular prices for the French courses:

Level 1 – $149.95

Levels 1 & 2 – $299.90

Levels 1, 2, & 3 – $449.85

Travelogue – $149.95

However, keep in mind that Rocket Languages periodically rolls out discounts. Today, for example, I could save between 20% and 44% by applying the coupon ROCKETDEAL. Of course, the discount you get depends on the course you buy.

Payment

If you’re interested in buying a course but don’t have a credit card or don’t want to give out your info, then you have two options:

• Make a bank deposit and send them an email.
• Pay through PayPal.

Checks and money orders are no longer accepted.

Rocket Languages offers 6-month payment plans for your convenience. For example, if we wanted to buy all three French courses like this, we would be paying $47 a month. Honestly, I’d never heard of language courses being sold this way.

If you’re not satisfied with your purchase, you can request a refund within 60 days of purchase. No questions asked.

What Do Others Say About It?

For starters, this system is used by large corporations like The Cheesecake Factory and Deloitte. It has also been featured in renowned publications like The Guardian, Daily News, and Mashable. That should tell us something.

Most individual clients seem to like the lessons, too. They point out that they like the simplicity, the lifetime access, the conversations, the quizzes, among other factors. On the downside, many clients seem to have problems with the audio, and a few mentioned the courses are expensive compared to the competition.

The Positive

Now that we know a little more about the structure of Rocket Language courses, let’s take a look at some of the positive things:

• Ample variety of language courses.
• Simple lessons to follow.
• Lessons can be downloaded for further study.
• Lessons can be taken on the computer and/or mobile apps (both Android and iOS supported).
• Lifetime access to the courses.
• Content is updated regularly.
• Backed by renowned organizations like PC Mag and the European Business Magazine.
• Free trials. No credit card is needed.
• Family, business, and schools/non-profit discounts.
• Payment plans are available.
• All courses are refundable within 60 days of purchase.
• Learn wherever in the world you are!

The Negative

These are some of the things I might consider against buying Rocket Language courses:

• Lessons don’t have any video, just audio.
• Not all courses offer advanced lessons.
• Not designed for people that need more guidance and/or interaction.
• Some people might find them boring.
• No option to study with a tutor/teacher if I wanted to.
• More expensive than other similar courses in the market.

Final Verdict

I hope I answered all the questions you might have about Rocket Languages. Do I recommend their courses? I sure do. Of course, they’re not for everyone, but if you’re not sure, I recommend you sign up for a free trial. Check it out for yourself and see if you like it before buying any course.

With an ample variety of language courses and easy-to-follow, simple lessons, Rocket Languages is one of the best language courses out there. It’s a little more on the expensive side, but I think it’s worth it. Well, that’s me. You might think differently, but please, please, try it out and then decide.

Well, that’s all for today. I hope you enjoyed this review. If you did, please like it and share it with others to make this community grow. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Au revoir, les amis!

==>> Try Rocket Languages Now!!! <<==

Would you be surprised if I told you that it’s possible to take language classes at ridiculously low prices? And not just that, would you believe me if I told you that you can study a language for free? Yes, all of that is possible with Lingoda.

In this Lingoda review, I will explain to you how their system works, what’s the good and the bad, what the hype is all about, and why you should try it if you’re interested in learning a language.

There are so many apps and online language platforms out there, so what makes Lingoda special? Well, today we will unveil the mystery to that question. Keep on reading if you would like to learn more.

Lingoda’s Story

Two German brothers are behind the success of Lingoda: Felix and Fabian Wunderlich. Not only do they share genes, but they also share a passion for languages. After living and studying abroad in different countries, they decided to create their own company at the start of the era of digitalization and globalization.

In 2012, they created Easy Languages. At that time, they only offered one-on-one German classes through Skype.

After six months, they decided to rebrand the company and changed the name to Lingoda. The new change included adding English to their platform.

In 2016, they further expanded the languages on their platform by adding French and Spanish. This increased the languages being taught from two to four.

In 2018, Linkedin included Lingoda on its Top Startups List, which included 50 German startups in total.

Currently, Lingoda employs almost 100 people from over 30 countries. The company continues its expansion and has been increasing its revenue since its creation. In 2021, Lingoda is one of the largest and most popular online language schools.

Their Method

Lingoda’s method is based on 20 years of research by Cambridge and Oxford experts. It operates on three principles:

• Live classes accelerate learning.
• Quality teaching delivers results.
• Courses need to be flexible.

One of Lingoda’s main goals is to help you learn to speak like a local. When you learn a new language, you have to learn the idioms, cultural references, and local expressions…in other words, speak like the normal people of any country do. To achieve this, Lingoda presents real-life examples, real-life topics, and real-life language. Remember that all languages have a formal and an informal side to them. They’re equally important.

The curriculum aligns with CEFR standards. Maybe you have heard about A1, B2, C1 levels, right? Well, all of that is CEFR, which is the reference point to evaluate students of any language. On Lingoda, each level is divided into 50 lessons.

The Platform

There are four languages offered on the platform: English, Spanish, French, and of course, German. Additionally, they also offer Business English courses.

Once you select your target language, it’s a good idea to determine your level by taking a placement test.

Finally, you have to choose a plan. Currently, Lingoda offers two options: monthly subscriptions and marathon courses. We will talk about these a bit later.

Once you’re done setting everything up, you will have access to a dashboard where you can see your progress, schedule classes, and access learning materials.

Learning Plans

Okay, let’s talk now about the learning plans that Lingoda offers. As we mentioned earlier, there are currently two. But what is the difference between them? Glad you asked. Look at the table below where we compare each plan.

If you choose the monthly subscription, you will have to choose between four options:

• Maintain your level (1 hour per week)
• Improve your level (3 hours per week)
• Improve a lot (5 hours per week)
• Immersion (10 hours per week)

On the other hand, if you choose the marathon course, you will do 3 hours per week as that is the default frequency for that plan.

Pricing

The price varies depending on the frequency of your classes. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the prices between languages vary too. For instance, Business English and German are more expensive than English, French, and Spanish.

Lingoda also gives you the option to choose between group and private classes. Obviously, the latter are more expensive.

Let’s see an example to put things into perspective. Let’s say we’re interested in studying French. If we do the monthly subscription, the prices range between $56 and $380. That comes out to $9.50-$14 per class, depending on the plan you choose. Now, these prices are considering you take group classes. If you did private classes, the prices go up to $132-$760 per month, which means you end up paying $19-$33 per class.

If we took the marathon course instead, we’d be looking at $575-$1,800 or $6.75-$10.30 per class when doing group classes. In the case of private classes, we would be paying $1,300-$4,100 or $15-$23.20 per class.

Cashback

A cool thing about Lingoda is that you can earn cashback while you learn. To be eligible, you have to take a marathon course.

If you attend 90% of your classes, you can earn between $60 and $450 cashback at the end of your course!

Cashback doesn’t apply to monthly subscriptions, so make sure you enroll in a marathon course if you’re interested in this.

Language Sprint

Occasionally, Lingoda rolls out a program called the Language Sprint. There are two modalities: the Sprint and the Super Sprint. Both of them are high-intensity courses that aim at teaching you a language in three months.

The difference between the two sprints is intensity. The Sprint includes 15 classes per month, making a total of 45, while the Super Sprint includes 30 classes per month, making a total of 90.

If you attend 100% of your classes and follow the outlined rules, you can get 50% (Sprint) or even 100% (Super Sprint) cashback!

There is a sprint going on right now, but you can join the waiting list to participate in the next one. At the time of writing this post, the English/Spanish/French Sprint courses cost €169 per month (around $280), while Business English/German cost €179 per month (around $217). English/Spanish/French Super Sprint courses cost €289 per month (around $350), while Business English/German cost €349 per month (around $423).

Classes

As we mentioned earlier, you can choose between group and private classes. The good thing about group classes is that groups are small. There are no more than five people per class, although according to Lingoda, the average is three.

All the classes are held via Zoom as Lingoda does not have an integrated video platform. It is currently the only option available right now.

Each class is one hour long, no matter the plan you choose. You can access the learning material to go over it before the class starts, or you can download it at the end.

Teachers

Lingoda teachers come from all walks of life. You will likely study with more than one teacher depending on your and the teachers’ availabilities. In fact, Lingoda encourages teacher rotation so you be exposed to different accents and teaching styles.

All the teachers are experienced, certified, and native speakers of the languages they teach. They will correct your mistakes when necessary, answer any questions, and encourage interaction among students.

How Long Does It Take to Learn with Lingoda?

Lingoda courses are aligned with CEFR standards. According to CEFR research, it takes around 700 hours to go from absolute beginner to an advanced level. Of course, you have to consider we all learn at different paces and several factors come into play.

Do Lingoda Courses Have Official Validity?

Yes. Each time you successfully complete a course, you will receive an official certificate to prove your level. Lingoda is certified by CEFR, which is one of the most widely accepted standards worldwide.

Your certificate is valid for both academic and business purposes. If you ever need to show proof of proficiency for college or work, a Lingoda certificate will do.

Alternatively, English learners can take the Cambridge test, but learners of other languages will have to look elsewhere for a specific test.

The Good

Okay, now that we know how Lingoda works, let’s talk about the good things it has:

• Group and private classes available unlike platforms like Verbling and italki that only offer private classes.
• You get to interact with other students at your same level.
• You can get huge discounts or even 100% of your money back if you do marathons or sprints.
• Plans are structured and aligned with CEFR standards.
• All teachers are native speakers and certified.
• Courses have official validity.

The Bad

So far, so good, right? What are some things we should consider before trying Lingoda? Let’s take a look:

• Languages available are limited (only four).
• Although in theory, classes are flexible, in practice, that’s not always the case. Yes, you can take a class at any time you want, but the problem is that class may not be related to your level or topic of interest. What use would it be then? Not all topics are covered 24/7.
• Although classes may sound cheap when doing the math, the upfront cost is high.
• You’re automatically enrolled in a course if you don’t cancel before the free trial.
• The more people there are in a class, the less time you have to practice.
• Zoom doesn’t have the best reputation. I think an integrated video platform would be better.
• If you’re interested in learning let’s say, Latin American Spanish, this is not the place. They only focus on Spain Spanish.

Who Is It for?

All things considered, I think Lingoda is good for those who:

• Like challenges.
• Can commit to a structured plan.
• Are looking for ways to save money.
• Need an official certificate.
• Prefer to be around others, although virtually.

What Do Others Say about Lingoda?

It seems most people who have tried it are satisfied. Most users mention the quality of the materials, the teachers, and the overall experience.

It has a score of 4.5 stars on Trustpilot, one of the most used rating sites online.

It also has a good reputation among teachers and language sites. That should give us some confidence.

On the negative side, some people mention poor customer service and lack of transparency regarding their terms and conditions. I cannot atttest to any of that, but they seem to be a minority.

Bottom Line

Lingoda is a great option for anyone interested in learning English, Business English, Spanish, German, or French. Additionally, you can get huge discounts if you follow the rules.

If you like a more traditional approach to learning a language but would prefer to do it online, then Lingoda is for you. You can take an intensive course and advance your game. It’s like studying at school without going to school!

Have you used Lingoda? What did you like/dislike about it? Would you recommend it to others? Let me know in the comments section below.

I hope you found this useful. Au revoir, les amis!

There are many online resources to learn French. The list of options is longer than ever, but the question remains, “Which one is the best option?” Choosing just one platform is an overwhelming task. Is it suitable for all levels? Does it have good teachers? What do others have to say about it?

Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Today I’ll share with you one of my secrets. In my Français avec Pierre review, I will tell you why it’s one of the best options out there to learn French. I will share my impressions about it as well as the good and bad things so you can make a decision in the end. Are you ready? C’est parti!

Overview

Français avec Pierre was created by Pierre Babon, a guy from Bordeaux. He lives in Madrid with his wife, Noemi, and his three children. He started his own company in 2017 but had been teaching French many years before that.

Pierre has extensive experience in FLE (Français langue étrangère = French as a second language), teaching high school students, test preparation, and creation of business and school French courses.

He started Français avec Pierre as a side project, but like many of us, decided to go full time after some time. He is very active on YouTube and social media where he shares French-related content about different topics.

Unlike Johan from Français Authentique, Pierre is a teacher by trade, and that shows. He has a more academic approach, but that doesn’t mean his lessons are boring. Actually, he’s very creative and makes his lessons in such a way that they’re easy and fun to follow.

Starting Out

Français avec Pierre works on 9 principles:

1. Fun, motivation, and support from a community.
2. Learn in the target language.
3. Both theory and practice are important.
4. The teacher.
5. Listening.
6. Expressing yourself.
7. Follow-up and correction of mistakes.
8. Openness and diversity.
9. The new technologies.

Pierre knows his game. He has adapted his expertise to our modern times by using technology to create a ton of professional courses and a worldwide community of French learners, always keeping his personal touch in all his projects.

Don’t know where to start? Take the assessment quiz to determine your French level!

The Blog

Pierre has a blog where he covers many French-related topics. Of course, you can find resources to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, but you can also find podcasts, stories, recipes, and conversations about different topics like culture and travel.

Each lesson comes with a video. You can activate the English subtitles if you find French too hard, but don’t make it a habit.

Additionally, if you’re an Academy member, you will also have access to the video transcript and some exercises to apply what you just learned. More on the Academy later.

If you’d like to test your knowledge, there’s a section with some quizzes and dictations. They’re really useful, so I recommend you check them out.

Pierre and Noemi also give some excellent recommendations for all French learners. Oh, there’s also a special section for beginners that comes with videos, podcasts, dialogs, and transcripts. It’s great for all those starting in French.

Free Courses

Pierre offers two free courses: one for beginners and one for intermediate/advanced learners.

The beginner course consists of ten lessons. The topics include the alphabet, sounds, vocabulary, introductions, among others. Each lesson comes with a video, a pdf file (with the transcript), and two audio files. You can download the pdf and audio files to practice as much as you want.

The intermediate course consists of only five lessons. Each lesson comes with a video, the transcript, and some exercises to test your knowledge.

Whatever course you choose, you will receive one lesson daily by email. But don’t worry. You can check them out whenever you want. You don’t lose access once you’re done with them.

Paid Courses

Although the free courses are very good, they’re just starting points. If you want to step up your game, you have to study something more advanced. That’s where the paid courses kick in. They fall under several categories:

• General learning. Good for those just looking to get to an advanced level.
• Test preparation. Good for those who want to get a good score on their DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) or DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française).
• Specific courses. Good for those looking to focus on a particular topic like pronunciation or verb conjugation.
• Courses for Spanish speakers. Good for native Spanish speakers who feel more comfortable learning French in their native language.

Each course includes interactive material that can be accessed on your computer, tablet, or smartphone. You will have access to tons of videos (with subtitles in English, Spanish, and other languages), pdf files, interactive exercises and quizzes, and lifetime access to an account on francaisavecpierre.com. Additionally, you can get an official diploma upon course completion.

The prices range between 69.00€ ($83.71) and 119.00€ ($144.37) depending on the course you choose.

Each course includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with your course, you can request a refund within 30 days of purchase. No questions asked!

You can also get a good discount if you buy courses in bulk. Pierre gives a 10%-30% discount when you buy more than two courses. But that’s not all. You can get an ADDITIONAL 30% off by using my promo code FRANCE43H when checking out. Save up to 60% on your total purchase!!!

L’Académie

Pierre also created a worldwide community of French learners where they can interact with each other. You will have access to exclusive content, videoconferences, Facebook/Telegram private groups, special sessions with Pierre and his team of qualified teachers, and much more!

The content is updated regularly, and you can offer suggestions for future material.

Open enrollment is currently closed. You will have to join the waiting list for March 2021. If I’m not mistaken, open enrollment is only available three or four times a year.

The monthly membership costs 49.00€ ($59.45), but you can save some money by getting the yearly membership instead. In this case, you would pay 492.00€ ($596.91) or 41.00€ ($49.74) per month. Accepted payment methods include credit cards and PayPal.

Other Resources

As I mentioned earlier, Pierre has a YouTube channel where he uploads content every week. For your convenience, he provides a written summary of the main points covered in each video.

If you’re on the go, you can listen to his podcast. It’s basically his videos in audio format. You can access this content via Spotify or iTunes. I love listening to them while sitting in traffic.

Last but not least, I recommend you follow Pierre on social media. He is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can find short clips and visuals about various topics in French. Great for those days when you don’t have much time to study.

All of these resources are FREE. You can access them by clicking on the icons at the very top of the page.

Who is Français avec Pierre for?

Glad you asked. Short answer, everyone. Long answer:

• Absolute beginners.
• Those who prefer an academic approach with a fun twist.
• Those who need to get an official diploma.
• Those who want to brush up their French.
• Those who want a comprehensive but affordable course.
• Those looking for an experienced teacher.
• Those who would like to connect with other French learners all over the world.
• Those who are comfortable with the new technologies.

Pros

Let’s take a look at the good points:

• Pierre is a teacher by trade with lots of experience in teaching and creating French courses. His team only includes qualified teachers as well. They’re not just native French speakers. They’re real teachers.
• His program is excellent for all levels, including absolute beginners.
• He only speaks French in his videos (except for the French for Spanish speakers course), but you can access subtitles in several languages if you prefer to do so.
• He covers a wide array of topics in a fun way.
• All of his courses are well-thought and well-made and include lots of learning resources like videos, text files, audio files, exercises, and quizzes.
• Lots of free resources for those who don’t want to or can’t buy a course.
• He is very active on YouTube and social media.

Cons

Honestly, there is little I can mention here. If anything, my complaints have to do with l’Académie, mainly:

• Enrollment is not available all year long.
• No one-on-one instruction.
• The membership is more expensive than other similar options. Compare Français Authentique at 24,00 € ($29.12) per month.

Other than that, it’s an excellent option for anyone interested in learning or perfecting his French. I think the pros outweigh the cons by far.

Final Thoughts

If I were to recommend just one platform to learn French, it would be Français avec Pierre. Pierre knows what’s he’s doing, and that clearly shows. He created an excellent platform with lots of content for all kinds of learners, no matter their level.

What I like is that I feel like I’m learning French at a school without going to one. Pierre’s approach is academic but fun and casual at the same time. You don’t get bored at all.

The courses are well-priced. The academy is a little more expensive than other similar options, but in my opinion, it’s well worth it. You get good value for your money.

My score for Français avec Pierre is 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the French language and culture.

Well, that’s all for today. I hope you found this review useful. Let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll be more than glad to help. Au revoir, les amis!

If you have been looking for options to learn French, chances are you have heard about Français Authentique. This is one of the most renowned language platforms online. But does it work? Is it expensive? What makes it different from the other platforms out there? I’m sure you have these and more questions.

In this Français Authentique review, we will try to answer the most common questions you may have so you can make an informed decision. We all know that learning a language requires an investment of some kind, be it time, money, or both.

What is Français Authentique about? Is it worth it? I’ll give you my opinion based on my experience with it. C’est parti!

What is Français Authentique?

Français Authentique is an online language platform created by Johan Tekfak in 2011. The motto is “Apprendre le français en prenant du plaisir“, which translates into Learn French while having fun.

Johan is an engineer by trade that worked in the automotive industry for 10 years. He lived in Germany but didn’t speak any German nor English. He said he’d had a hard time learning those languages the traditional way. He then decided to take a different approach. He subscribed to as many podcasts as he could, and he listened to them on his way to work every morning. The results? He was able to start speaking English after three months.

Johan saw the need for creating a platform that would allow others to learn a language in an easier way. Since he is a native French speaker, he decided to focus on French. Even though it’s one of the most studied languages around the world, many people struggle to learn it. They might understand what’s being said, but when they try to speak it, they just can’t. That’s how Johan conceived the idea of Français Authentique.

He worked on Français Authentique for five years while keeping his full-time job, but he quit the latter in 2016 to focus solely on his language platform.

Starting Out

Français Authentique is based on 7 rules or principles:

Rule #1: The secret to improving your French.

Rule #2: Repetition.

Rule #3: Not enough time for learning?

Rule #4: Don’t get stressed. Develop the Kaizen spirit.

Rule #5: Learn while listening to stories.

Rule #6: Learn based on context.

Rule #7: Learn from Français Authentique.

You have to join their mailing list to have access to the free course with the 7 rules. Once you do that, you will periodically receive an email with one of the rules. You will be able to watch the video for each rule and download the text and audio files for further review.

Free Resources

Français Authentique offers lots of free resources for all people interested in learning French. In fact, I found them through their free videos online. Johan uploads videos regularly where he explains vocabulary, expressions, and offers advice to French learners. You can find these videos on the platform and YouTube.

Podcasts are another popular tool. Sometimes we prefer to listen to something while cleaning the house or driving. This is the perfect solution.  Français Authentique offers a myriad of podcasts to choose from. They cover a wide array of topics. Each podcast is about 10 minutes long. You can find them on their site, Soundcloud, iTunes, and all the major podcast applications. Additionally, you can download the audio and text files to listen to on the go even if you don’t have internet.

Johan uploads two videos and two podcasts each week. As you can see, he’s very active on the platform.

You can also find many quizzes to test your knowledge. These quizzes are great for testing your grammar.

Last but not least, Français Authentique features a mobile app to learn on the go. The app focuses on the free video and audio resources that you can find on the desktop site. It’s very convenient when you don’t have access to a computer.

Paid Courses

If you decided to take your learning to the next level, it’s time then to get one of the many courses offered. All the courses include audio and text files, but the more advanced ones include video lessons and more content. There is a special course designed for learning French in 30 days. Other courses focus on idiomatic expressions, while others focus on pronunciation or dialogues. But it doesn’t stop there. Johan also created a course for helping those interested in getting a job in France, and a personal development course for helping all those people who don’t think that they can learn. He doesn’t only concentrate on teaching grammar or vocabulary, but he also cares about helping others overcome their fears or insecurities when trying to learn and speak French.

At the time of writing this review, the basic course costs 49€ ($58.50), while the most expensive course costs 199€ ($237.50). Most courses cost 149€ ($177.84) or less, depending on the complexity level.

If you’re not sure which level you are at, you can take a free assessment and then determine the best fit for you. Additionally, you can take a sneak peek at each course to get a better idea of the content included. Payments can be made via Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal. All courses come with a 30-day guarantee. If you are not 100% satisfied with the results, you can get your money back, no questions asked.

L’académie Français Authentique

This is my favorite part. Français Authentique’s community is its best asset by far. While the paid courses are great for learning, there is no human interaction whatsoever. By joining the academy, you become a member of one of the largest French learning communities worldwide.

The academy was created in 2016 and is managed by four members of Johan’s team. They are all native French speakers, which is a great plus.

When you join the academy, you have access to a ton of exclusive content that includes video, audio, and text. There are currently over 50 modules that cover a wide array of topics such as French culture, French history, French learning, personal development, among others. A new module is added every month.

Talking about the community, it’s one of the largest, most active, and most varied I’ve ever seen. There are thousands of students from all over the world with whom you can interact as much as you please. There are several ways to participate in the community. There is a private Facebook group. a Telegram group, a Zoom group, and a Skype group. The community is very active on Facebook and Telegram daily, and there is always at least one or two Zoom/Skype meetings per week.

Johan supervises everything closely, and he regularly does live sessions to interact with the community members. You can ask him questions and even offer suggestions for future content. He does listen. Trust me.

The academy offers two kinds of subscriptions: monthly (24,00 € or $28.70) and yearly (239,00 € or $285.80). All prices are in euros, so the price in dollars fluctuates depending on the conversion rate.

The only bad thing about the academy is that you can only join it on specific dates. For instance, the next enrollment date is January 11, 2021. If you miss that date, you will have to wait for a few months. If I’m not mistaken, they only welcome new students twice a year.

Pros

Now that we know what Français Authentique is about and how it works, let’s talk about the good points I found:

• Affordable prices. The prices are reasonable and fall within the average price range in the industry. Most importantly, you get good value for your money.
• Everything is online. You can study on your computer or phone wherever in the world you are.
• There are many free resources if you would like to test the waters before committing.
• All the paid courses come with a 30-day guarantee.
• The content is huge, varied, and well-thought.
• Johan radiates positive energy, and that can be seen in the caring community you become a part of.
• This is not your traditional language course. Everything is explained in detail and was designed in such a way to let you learn in a fun, natural way.

Cons

Although Français Authentique is an excellent language learning platform, it comes with a few cons nonetheless:

• You don’t have access to one-on-one lessons. If you’re looking for a private teacher/tutor, this is not the place.
• This is not for beginners, either. If you’re starting your learning journey, I recommend other options out there. To use Français Authentique, you need to be at least at an intermediate level.
• Everything is in French. Unlike other courses/platforms, there are no English translations of any kind. This could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on how you see it.
• I think the academy should be more flexible regarding its admission process. Keep in mind this not only applies to new students but ex-students as well. If for some reason you cancel your membership, you will have to wait until the next enrollment date to be accepted again.

Final Verdict

Français Authentique is a solid option for anyone interested in learning French. With lots of content, a caring teacher, and a supportive community, it’s definitely one of the best online learning language platforms there are. Our score is 9/10.

I think the pros outweigh the cons, so if you would like to improve your French, this is the place to go.

Had you heard about Français Authentique? Would you like to join? Let me know in the comments below. Au revoir, les amis!