Funny you should say that – the language of French laughter Humour can be a challenge to talk about in any language – how do you put into words that ephemeral feeling which makes you spontaneously laugh or smile?
‘I was surprised by what my French students think of Britons’ Baked beans, dyed hair, a love of fish skin… You can be the judge of whether some of these surprising stereotypes from university students are valid or not
READER TIPS: How long should it take to learn French? The US government says it should take 600-750 classroom hours - but do our readers agree? La politesse: what habits can make you seem rude to French people? More French words and phrases with no real equivalent in English How can I learn ‘business French’ to improve job prospects?
How long should it take to learn French for everyday use? The US government says it should take 600-750 classroom hours to become proficient in French. Do teachers and learners agree? We find out.
Tricks to get the gender of nouns correct in French Working out the genders of nouns in French can be one of the most difficult parts of the language to navigate
Informal synonyms for everyday French words Spoken French is very different to the language you learn in the classroom
Films and TV shows to improve your French in March You can widen your vocabulary from the comfort of your own sofa, or by taking a trip to the cinema
Le? La? Why learning the gender of a noun makes life in France easier English-speakers can struggle with masculine and feminine words but gender in language can be useful, argues Nick Inman
6 songs to capture the rhythms of the French language Work on your French ear by singing along if you can!
10 common French expressions involving ‘coup’ From sunburns to parties, we ‘donne un coup de main’ to help you with these common expressions
Understand the difference between quoique and quoi que in French French grammar can be frustrating but there are often simple rules to remember and apply to help
10 French phrases using péter in contexts you may not expect From expressing anger to calmness - to breaking wind - péter changes meaning depending on context
12 different ways to express anger and frustration in French Expressing frustration is an important aspect of everyday life in the country 13 shortened words and phrases you will hear in spoken French Grammar points to watch out for in spoken French A1, C2: What is the CEFR language rating in France?
Watch out for these three ‘exception’ French grammar rules French grammar can often be the part of language learning people struggle with the most Why translating French word-for-word can help - or confuse ‘Do not correct me everytime I murder the French language’ Do you know these regional variations of common French terms? Français, français: when do you cap up the F? Do you know the English equivalents of these 5 French expressions?
Unravel the etymology of certain French words Discover the nuances, origins, and double meanings that certain French words have
Language learner spotlight on florid French of rugby's Ronan O’Gara The Irish legend can be an inspiration for language learners after his motivational speech as coach at Stade Rochelais became a social media hit
What is the deuxième degré and how can it help your French? Understanding the ‘second degree’ is key to improving your language skills
What is a ‘MOOC’ and how can it help you learn French for free? The courses, some of which are run in association / link with the French government, are available to anyone with an internet connection
Five social media accounts to follow to improve your French TikTok and Instagram are fantastic free learning resources
Ukrainian student passes baccalauréat after just one year of French His achievement got him a meeting with the then education minister
Provençal pronunciation: How does it differ from standard French? Provençal is enjoying a revival: Marseille has announced plans to record metro announcements in the dialect
Common mistakes French learners make and how to fix them Whether it be definite articles or the difference between romantic and platonic love, French is full of nuance
Why exercise can put you on the fast track to being fluent in French Studies show that keeping fit improves the speed at which new vocabulary is learnt
10 common French sayings to improve your language skills From ‘telling salads’ to ‘giving his tongue to the cat’, here are some great sayings to embellish your sentences with
Ten French language basics to master before studying irregular verbs Tip: Forget the past subjective and concentrate on perfecting day-to-day phrases
Widen your vocabulary with 10 alternatives to common French phrases If you find yourself using the same old phrases you learned at school, here is how to elevate your language
12 phrases to show why ‘cul’ is a pillar of the French language The word pops up frequently in commonly used French expressions
Try these newsletters to keep you on track with your French learning Having one regularly drop into your inbox should help improve your French reading skills
How to stay motivated with your French language learning Hitting a motivation wall is part of the process. Language teacher Sophie Parsons gives some tips for when this happens
Games to play with children to help improve their French From the Alphabet ball game to Chinese whispers, there are plenty of fun ways to learn languages with youngsters this summer
Seven alternative French words to make you sound more native Slang and jargon pop up all the time in French. But do you know how to use them?
Part two: French podcasts to help improve your language skills There are podcasts for all levels of French learners
How to keep up with French news and improve your language skills From podcasts to social media, there is a wealth of resources available
Career change: ‘What I learned at 54 working in a French vineyard’ We talk to Moira Tune about how exhausting vineyard work was the springboard to her new property career
Nine common filler words to help you better understand French Recognising them will help you filter the words that matter in a sentence
Six French films to watch this month Watching a film in French or with subtitles is one of the simplest ways to improve your language skills
Games to help improve your French language skills From Scrabble to Uno, there are several ways of making learning a language fun
Readers recommend: Favourite books for improving your French skills From classics to memoirs, Connexion readers give their top tips
The subjunctive: a quick guide to the hardest tense in French The tense can cause serious problems for English speakers learning French. Il faut que vous compreniez !
Films to watch with children and improve your French From the Astérix series to Le Petit Nicolas, we look at the French films that can be an accessible way of learning
‘Jourbon!’: What is France’s backwards slang Verlan? Verlan is fun to learn and understanding it will make you feel more at home in France
The best books to read to children and improve your own French From the classics to the lesser-known titles, we look at the children’s books that can help improve your French language skills
Five steps to interact better with people in French Conversing in a foreign language can be stressful, especially with a muttering queue growing behind you - these tips can help
Tips on how to practise your French conversation skills in France From language exchanges to speed dating, there are several ways of improving your spoken French
Try these 17 French expressions to help improve your language skills From être dans la dèche to c’est pas Versailles ici we look at some of the best French expressions
Updated: Your tips on how best to improve French language skills From podcasts to children’s books, Connexion readers have been sharing their advice on how to improve your French
Seven beginner mistakes in French to avoid From false friends to memorising vocabulary, we look at the common errors you can make when you begin to learn the language
Experiment with French language-learning techniques and have some fun Date a French native or join a class, Nick Inman runs through some options
Five life hacks to speed up learning the French language Now you can learn French while you sleep, drive and watch TV
Six classic French films to improve your language skills These films will help to start your venture into the world of French cinema
Try these eight daily life hacks to improve your French Quick and easy changes to incorporate French into your everyday routine can help you build your language skills
French podcasts to help improve your language skills Podcasts are a great way to make progress in learning French. Do you know someone who might find this article helpful?
French courses to improve your language skills It can be overwhelming trying to choose a French course with so many on offer - why not try one of these?
Books to help improve your French Reading is one of the easiest ways to extend your vocabulary in French
Immersion in French language is stressful but leads to huge confidence We speak to two people who have thrown themselves in at the deep end to improve their linguistic skills
Five Netflix TV shows to help improve your French Watching TV in French is one of the best ways to improve your language skills
Are there any free government-approved online French courses? Reader requests help to find a course which provides recognised certification
Learning French? Women and men pick up languages differently Research shows gender does affect how we learn and remember a new language
‘To master the French language, grasp how it differs from English’ English was heavily influenced by French after the Norman Conquest but do not be fooled says Nick Inman
Learning French: Five ways to push through the pain barrier Setbacks are inevitable, argues Nick Inman. The trick is to learn resilience at the same time
Why Netflix and YouTube can double as handy 24-hour French tutors Actively seeking out learning opportunities, including on TV and online, should close the gap between competent French linguists and lacklustre Britons, argues Nick Inman
Mental benefits of learning French depend on using it in real life The language has been shown to reduce cognitive decline and keep loneliness at bay – but only if you’re prepared to move beyond simply listening
Measure your French fluency against these five language milestones Nick Inman explains why progress should be judged according to key stages rather than by native standards
Learning French is easier when you don’t sweat the small stuff Jump right in rather than striving for perfection first, advises a language-learning expert
What it is like to take TCF French test when applying for nationality Our writer describes his experience at a test centre and how he ‘burst with pride’ when told ‘vous parlez très bien’
Changer un cheval borgne pour un aveugle: French phrase of the week We look at an expression used to talk about problem-solving and bargaining gone wrong
Five reasons to learn French – and why they may help you pick it up Writer-teacher Nick Inman explains why motivations matter above all else when learning a language
How to access French language lessons for fun or a CEFR certificate We explain what to look for when searching for a language course in person or online
Why am I finding it so hard to become fluent in French? Writer-teacher Nick Inman shares his continuing struggles to pick up the language nearly two decades after moving to France
Language-learners call retired French people to practise chatting The scheme has proved a big hit since launching during the pandemic, with linguistic partners often forming close bonds
Five tips to mastering the French language when you move to France Learning French as an adult can be difficult - five readers share their experience of what worked for them
Five facts to help learn which French words are masculine or feminine The baffling world of masculine and feminine French nouns, their rules and exceptions. Did you know some can be both?
Joining a library in France: A free way to improve your French There are more than 16,000 public libraries in France with varying levels of online services