10 fun ways for French speakers to learn English

There’s no reason why learning English has to feel like a chore. Here are some fun ways to incorporate learning English into your day so it doesn’t feel like work.

1. Watch TV with the subtitles on

Watching TV shows or films in English with French subtitles is a great way to tune your ears into the language. More advanced learners could try both sound and subtitles in English as it is often easier to understand English when it is written down. Subtitles are easy to display if you have Netflix and you can even slow down the speech if you want. Most of the French channels also enable you to watch programmes in their original version with subtitles. Find out how here.

2. Listen to the radio

I live in France but use the TuneIn Radio app to listen to radio stations around the world. Whether you prefer music or chat, you are bound to find something you like. The BBC stations in the UK offer something for everyone with chat and music and no adverts. These include:

BBC Radio 1 plays current music interspersed with chat and targets a young audience with young DJs

BBC Radio 2 is the UK’s most listened to station and is more adult orientated with music ranging from different decades

BBC Radio 3 covers musical genres such as opera, classical music, jazz, drama as well as featuring programmes on the arts and culture

BBC Radio 4 is a spoken word station with programmes covering many different subjects including news, drama, comedy, science and history

BBC Radio 6 plays alternative music

To hear different accents, explore and listen to radio stations from other English-speaking countries such as the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa etc.

3. Listen to podcasts

Whatever your interests, there will be a podcast to suit you. Certain podcasts are aimed specifically at English language learners. Some good ones include the British Council’s everyday English podcasts or for American English, Voices of America: Learning English.

Desert Island Discs is an English institution and worth a listen if you’re up for a challenge. Host, Lauren Laverne, asks guests, including celebrities, sportspeople, writers, actors as well as lesser-known experts from various fields, which eight tracks, book and luxury they would take to a desert island.

Other podcasts that I love include Off Menu (two English comedians ask guests about their dream meal), Feel Better Live More (a British doctor discusses health and wellbeing with interesting guests), How I Built This (American podcast where entrepreneurs talk about how they built their businesses) and Serial (analysing true stories from the US).

Search for podcasts on subjects that interest you on the podcasts app on your smartphone.

4. Learn a word or phrase a day

Make a conscious effort to learn a new word or phrase a day. You can either do this just by noting words and phrases you don’t know as you watch TV, listen to the radio or read the news or you can subscribe to Merriam Webster’s Learner’s word of the day email. I advise writing new words down as this will help you to remember them. Either keep a small vocabulary notebook with you or create a list of words in the Notes app on your phone.

5. Find a language buddy

There are English people living all over France who find it hard to meet French people and would love the chance to participate in a language exchange. Find a Facebook group close to you and post that you are looking for someone to have a coffee and a chat with. I belong to the Perpignan English speaking group but there will be similar groups near to where you live. You never know, it could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Making learning English fun will keep you motivated and give you lots of opportunities to hone your skills in many different ways.