Useful apps to practice French : Improve Your Language Skills on the Go

Last updated date : 21st March 2024

Original published date : 9th April 2021

If you’re looking to learn French, there are a variety of resources available to help you on your language-learning journey. French podcasts, books, and online private French lessons, are all great options, but have you considered using language apps? These apps provide a flexible and convenient way to learn French, whether you’re a student, francophile, or traveler.

In this article, we’ll explore how language apps can help you learn French and if they’re sufficient for holding conversations in French. We’ll also provide a list of 10 apps that can help you progress in your French language skills. So read on to discover the best French language apps for you !

Table of content :

• How can apps helps French learners ?
• Is an app sufficient to hold conversations in French ?
• 10 apps to progress in French
  1. French Translator Dictionary +
  2. Bescherelle
  3. Pimsleur
  4. MosaLingua
  5. Memrise
  6. Brainscape French
  7. Busuu
  8. Le Conjugueur
  9. Le Bon Mot
  10. Babbel

Firstly, apps can be an excellent tool for French learners who want to improve their language skills. With an app, you can learn French on the go, during your daily commute, or even during your lunch break. The flexibility of using an app means that you can control your pace based on your schedule and learning style. You don’t have to attend a class if you’re busy or not feeling up to it. So you can focus on productive learning.

Apps offer quick sessions through bite-sized tasks that fit easily into your schedule. This helps you stay engaged and productive during your free time. They provide lesson plans that cater to your needs, starting with basic greetings and idioms. By using these apps, you can expand your vocabulary and improve your grammar.

For more resources on learning French through technology, you could also head over to our article about How to Learn French Online!

Sure, apps can be a helpful supplement to premium learning sources, like teachers or language schools. However, they should not be solely relied upon for language studies. The best results come from a combination of resources, including books, audio, and apps. Everyone has a distinct learning style, and apps may work well only for some learners.

One of the main drawbacks of using apps for language learning is the lack of personal touch. You cannot receive feedback on your mistakes or practice speaking with a native speaker. Speaking with fluent or native speakers like your private tutor is essential to understand how to use the correct terms. We know very well that colloquial usage differs from the textbook version.

Despite this, many apps have features that can aid in effective language learning. For example, some apps offer speech recognition technology, vocabulary building exercises, and interactive conversation practice. However, you will need more than one app to equip you with everything you need to become fluent.

Finally, choosing the right app can be a time-consuming process, as there are so many options available. It’s important to research and choose an app that aligns with your learning style and goals. Remember that while apps can be helpful, they should not be the exclusive means of language studies. You will need to supplement your learning with other resources, including practicing in real-life situations.

Learning a new language can be a daunting task. But with the help of language learning apps, it can become much easier and enjoyable. Here are my 10 top apps that can aid you progress in French:

1 . Best online translator : French Translator Dictionary +

French Translator Dictionary + is an app from Vidalingua that offers a great translator for French-to-English and English-to-French. It also has a comprehensive offline dictionary, a voice lookup feature using advanced speech recognition, and a verb conjugator with over 9,000 verbs.

This app is free of charge and is the number one French English Translator Dictionary for iPhone & iPad.

2. The best app to conjugate verbs like native French speakers : Bescherelle

The Bescherelle is the reference app to conjugate French verbs. This app is incredibly useful if you want to learn conjugation the way French natives do it at school. It provides all conjugations and has a particularly powerful search function. The app gives you the possibility to access nearly 10,000 conjugation tables. Each table presents the verb conjugated in all tenses (simple and compound) and all modes. You can also find its conjugation in the active and passive form, interchangeable with a simple click.

This app costs only $3.99.

3. A language app super interactive : Pimsleur

Pimsleur is an app focused on speaking and listening, rather than tedious grammar rules. It offers 30-minute lessons designed to complete on your commute. This app consists of numerous interactive audio lessons as well as optional activities. It also has flashcards and matching games that allow you to see what you are learning in the audio.

Pimsleur offers a 7-day free trial but does require a monthly subscription after that ($14.95 per month).

4. An innovative app : MosaLingua

MosaLingua has an easy-to-use and user-friendly interface. It’s a super flexible way to learn a language as the design is easy for beginners. It also adjusts to your needs and proficiency level, making it the fastest approach to learning French online. This app teaches you phrases that you’re actually going to want to use. You can choose topics like grammar, vocabulary, conversation, and more. Each session has downloadable audio files to listen to while studying or practicing what you have learned.

The premium subscription prices are $9.49 per month and $59.90 per year. Before purchasing any subscription, you can try a 7-day free trial.

5. The step by step app for structured learners : Memrise

Memrise Memrise approaches language learning from a 3-step process based on natural language acquisition.

• Step 1 is to learn real-life words and phrases specific to your own needs.
• Step 2 is immersion. Memrise only uses audio/video clips from native speakers. So you get better at comprehending the language in a real-world context.
• Step 3 is speaking. Memrise focuses on gaining confidence in speaking and being understood.

You are able to try this app for a free trial, but do have to pay a monthly subscription ($8.99 per month, $7.50 per month with a year commitment, $139.99 for lifetime subscription).

6. Awesome app for flashcard addicts : Brainscape French

The curriculum of Brainscape Learn French is all about flashcards! Each flashcard contains the target word(s) in a sentence. Therefore, you can grasp the context of the word and be exposed to French sentence structure as well. In addition, each flashcard also has audio so that you are able to hear the pronunciation and grammar explanations.

The first level consisting of 10 flashcard decks is free, but to access more decks, you must pay a fee ($9.99 per month, $41.99 per six months, $59.99 per twelve months, and $129.99 for a lifetime subscription).

7. A very personalized language app : Busuu

Often compared to Duolingo, Busuu breaks full language courses down into brief lessons. Busuu has a few key differences from Duolingo that might be more appealing. If you are looking for more grammar-focused exercises, it’s a better option.

Indeed, Busuu allows you to customize your account based on what kind of French you are interested in learning. Lastly, Busuu also has a corporate aspect that allows you to connect and speak with other language learners.

You can use the app for free but to access more activities a monthly subscription is required. ($9.99 for one month, $44.99 for six months, $69.99 for twelve months).

8. Best app to review conjugation : Le Conjugueur

Le Conjugueur contains the conjugations for almost 9000 French verbs. This app allows you to become more familiar with different tenses and rules. There are no games or anything like that, just verbs and grammar! Due to this, Le Conjugueur is not going to necessarily teach you French in the same way that the others do. There is no corporate aspect of this app, so you can think of it more like a useful study tool.

The cost is only $0.99.

9. To have fun while learning French with an app : Le Bon Mot

Le Bon Mot is a fun and creative French game that will improve your vocabulary and grammar! You can find courses like from A1 to B2, as well as French classes in quebecois (canadian French). So it’s very handy if you prepare for TEF Canada and TCF Quebec.

This app is available on Google Play, Apple Store, and Kindle Fire. It’s more suited to people who like to have fun and don’t enjoy too much a structured approach. You may practice your pronunciation using graphics and audio in each session.

As for the pricing, this is free to use with an offer in-app purchase. Depending on the plan, the price varies between $4 and $40.

10. A great app for conversations : Babbel

Also structured around progressive lessons, this app places a large emphasis on the importance of speaking and dialogues. The lessons utilize different cognitive techniques proven to strengthen the user’s long-term memory of the language. They also cater the lessons to whatever your native language is. In Babbel’s French courses, there are currently over 50 courses, each containing 10-20 individual lessons.

This app requires a monthly subscription but does have a free trial option. ($13.95 per month with cheaper prices for longer commitments)

In conclusion, there is no denying that these apps will help you learn and practice a language! However the best way to effectively master a language is by combining the practice through an app with the instruction of a French tutor. If you do decide to practice with one of these apps, it would be beneficial to make the practice a habit. That way your progression comes quicker, and you accomplish your goals at a faster pace.