Listening comprehension used to rank among the most dreaded skills for learners to work on when it comes to learning a new language.
Podcasts have changed the game, however, and now there is content for practically every subject and interest.
It means you can easily find a podcast to match both your interests and level of French.
Learners often stick to specially-designed language podcasts to begin with, but it is a great idea to branch into native French podcasts when you feel comfortable.
This can help you to get used to everyday lexic and tone, specialist vocabulary, and tracking the flow of natural French conversation.
Even if at first you do not understand everything, having a French podcast on in the background will subconsciously improve your pronunciation and turn of phrase, and you can always rewind and listen again to certain parts.
Sometimes you can also access the transcript, and on Spotify you can usually follow along with it, which helps with word recognition.
For beginners, it can be useful to listen to podcasts more than once; you will notice each time you understand more and more of what is said without needing to pause or repeat.
Meanwhile, advanced learners will be able to pick up new vocabulary and phrases contextually.
Podcasts are also a perfect way to deepen your understanding of French culture.
When learning a language, the actual language itself is only half the battle, while the rest consists of cultural reference points and an understanding of how the country operates.
Most of the podcasts below attract a native French audience, but learners at the given level should be able to follow along too.
They are all available on Apple Podcast and Spotify.
Coffee Break: beginner - intermediate
Coffee Break is a household name, offering podcasts for several major languages, provides a couple of different podcast options for French learners that are suitable for various levels.
If you are brand new to French, Coffee Break French is a great place to start: host Mark chats with Pierre Benoît in English and French, explaining every grammar point and turn of phrase carefully.
The earliest episodes cover introductions and then work through numerous topics, with a focus on practical language that you will actually use when in France.
Coffee Break French Scenes is for intermediate learners, and evolves around cafe owner Nico who is getting to grips with his new business.
Throughout the story, Mark pauses to note useful phrases or breakdown difficult grammar points.
Finally, Il était une fois… Coffee Break French, which allows more advanced learners to enrich their vocabulary with native speakers as they try to write stories.
A useful piece of vocabulary: 'Il était une fois' translates to 'once upon a time'.
Small Talk: upper intermediate - advanced
Small Talk is perfect for upper intermediate to advanced learners.
Different celebrities are invited onto the podcast for each episode, although in a bid to create a fresh listener experience often shy away from discussing the reasons they are famous (their work, life, etc) to chat about something entirely different to what they usually do in other interviews.
The one to one interview format makes the podcast easy to follow, and the questions posed by interviewer David Castello-Lopes are generally straightforward, allowing learners to consolidate their listening skills.
Guests include rappers, comedians, actors and even politicians including a former president.
With guests often talking about their childhood and cultural moments that have impacted them, it is also a good way to develop a more robust understanding of the French way of life.
For example, in one episode the host discusses a word in verlan that only a very specific section of a generation used, while in another (Cristina Córdula’s episode), they discuss moving to France as an adult and how France has shaped her identity.
Totemic - advanced
France Inter’s podcast Totemic is hosted by Rebecca Manzoni and dives into the power of symbols, traditions and everyday objects that form part of our identities.
Each episode explores a “totem” chosen by the guest – often a film, object, song or habit – and the pair discuss how it has impacted their life.
For example, a recent episode with Jonathan Cohen discusses his work as an actor and director following the release of his new film L’Ame idéale.
Meanwhile, singer Clara Luciani discussed songs from her album Cœur, which she used to revisit key moments in her life.
Combien ça gagne - upper intermediate - advanced
Combien ça gagne consists of one-to-one interviews with people from different industries to break down exactly how much they make.
From winemakers to jigsaw designers and everything in between, each episode sees host Clémence Lepic question an industry specialist about their career path, business and ultimately, how much they earn.
Throughout the episode, they identify and discuss the cost of each part of the business, coming to a total at the end.
Each guest also proposes an industry they would like to learn about next.
As well as the longer interview episodes, there are also quick “Les chiffres” episodes where they summarise the costs of each professional.
It is a good podcast for expanding specific vocabulary related to a wide range of different fields, as well as helping listeners understand how different businesses work and make their money in France.
If you are looking to start a business venture in France, this one could be for you.
À Poêle - advanced
À Poêle is a French food podcast interviewing chefs and food-world personalities, hosted by journalist Julie Gerbet.
Guests talk about their lives, doubts, ambitions and the realities of restaurant work, rather than just recipes.
So far, the podcast has hosted more than a hundred leading or up‑and‑coming chefs, including those who have been awarded Michelin stars.
Episodes often spotlight chefs who are reshaping French dining, making it a good window into the current gastronomy scene.
