Learning french

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?

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

Watch out for these three ‘exception’ French grammar rules

French grammar can often be the part of language learning people struggle with the most

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