Listening to podcasts is one of the best ways to learn French. They improve comprehension, teach language patterns used by native speakers, and expand your vocabulary. Some even cover grammar. That said, it’s very important to find the right one for your level and goals. In this article, I’ll review some of the most popular French podcasts for learners of all levels and share a few simple tips on how to get the best results from them.
Sidenote: If you’re interested in other ways to learn, check out these reviews of the best French apps and the best French courses.
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How to get the most out of podcasts
To progress faster in your learning, it’s important to choose a podcast that matches your level. Ideally, you want to understand around 90% of what’s being said. For beginners, this means listening to podcasts that are mostly in English, with some simple French. For intermediate learners, podcasts primarily in simplified, slow French work best. Advanced learners will benefit most from podcasts for native French speakers.
How do you know if a podcast is at your level? I’ve divided them into three levels here, and arranged from easiest to hardest. Beyond that, you’ll have to just try and see. If needed, you can make any podcast easier by reducing the speed. If you don’t fully understand something on the first try, you can listen again. Longer podcasts can be split into more manageable chunks. Some podcasts offer transcripts on their websites; reading and translating them when you don’t understand certain words or sentences will help fill in the gaps.
Most podcasts created specifically for learning French follow a logical progression in their episodes. Typically, older episodes are easier, while later ones get more challenging and cover more complex topics. So it’s better to start with the older episodes.
Last but not least, try to find podcasts that cover topics you’re genuinely interested in, this will make learning much easier. This can be tricky when you’re a beginner, but as your skills improve, more options will open up.
Beginner French podcasts
Podcasts for beginners are mostly in English and about learning French. The majority of them are essentially audio courses, where the early lessons start from the basics and later lessons gradually increase in complexity. If you’re a complete beginner, start with one of the podcasts at the top – they are the easiest and most cohesive.
Coffee Break French
A popular French podcast that offers well-produced, cohesive, and short lessons divided into seasons targeting different levels – from absolute beginners to advanced. Each lesson introduces a topic, followed by a conversation and an explanation of the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural nuances involved. It’s mostly in English.
Podcast:
Learn French by Podcast
A well-structured series of lessons designed for beginners and early intermediate learners, focusing on practical language use. Each episode begins with a dialogue or scenario in French, which is then broken down and explained by the host, covering key vocabulary, grammar, and usage. It has a good balance between English and French. If you wish to delve deeper into the material, you can buy supplementary PDFs on the official website.
Podcast:
French Made Easy
A podcast offering simple, bite-sized lessons, each focusing on practical vocabulary, pronunciation, or grammar. The episodes are mostly in English and super easy to follow. Plus, the host provides free cheat sheets and exercises on her website.
Podcast:
Learn French With Alexa
A podcast hosted by the popular teacher Alexa Polidoro. It offers 20-30 minute lessons for beginners that cover various aspects of the French language and culture. While the total number of lessons is relatively small, each lesson is fun and engaging, making it a great intro to learning French.
Podcast:
French Your Way
This podcast provides lessons focused on expanding vocabulary, improving grammar, and explaining common mistakes that English speakers make when learning French. It’s mostly in English, with episodes running about 15 minutes.
Podcast:
French En Route
This podcast features simple stories told by native French speakers from all around the world. It’s designed to improve your comprehension while introducing you to different cultures and traditions. In some episodes, the stories are supplemented with English explanations, while others are entirely in French. Episodes are typically around 5-10 minutes and include transcripts. Unfortunately, the list of episodes is quite short.
Podcast:
Intermediate French podcasts
Podcasts for intermediate learners are generally centered around stories or conversations in simplified, slow French. While they are designed to help you learn the language, they don’t focus on teaching it directly. These podcasts aim to help you transition into content for native speakers.
Cultivate Your French
Aimed at early intermediate learners, this podcast tells short stories about French life and culture. Episodes are around 10 minutes, and start with a brief introduction in English that gives you the context of the episode; then the host reads a story in French slowly, followed by a normal-speed version. For a small amount, you can also get access to transcripts and notes through the podcast’s site.
Podcast:
Learn French by Dailyfrenchpod
A podcast offering short, story-based French lessons. Each lesson begins with a brief news item or cultural fact in French, which is then broken down into its key vocabulary and grammatical elements. The host, Louis, explains the usage of new words and phrases, often providing examples and occasional English translations. The podcast is well-suited for early intermediate learners.
Podcast:
Little Talk in Slow French
A podcast featuring stories in slow, simple French. Episodes run about 20 minutes and cover a variety of topics – from current events and history to climate and mythology. The content is almost entirely in French, with occasional explanations of some words and expressions in English.
Podcast:
InnerFrench
A popular podcast designed to help intermediate French learners enhance their comprehension skills. Each episode, which runs about 30 minutes, delves into a variety of topics, from French culture to personal insights, without relying on English translations. The host, Hugo Cotton, speaks clearly and slightly slower than natural speed, making the content accessible while still challenging for listeners. If you struggle to follow along, full transcripts are available on the InnerFrench website.
Podcast:
LanguaTalk Slow French
A good story-based podcast covering topics ranging from French culture and society to history and current events. The 20-30-minute episodes are entirely in French, with the host speaking a little slower to aid comprehension. Interactive transcripts are available on the official site.
Podcast:
News in Slow French
This podcast presents current events and cultural content in French at a slower pace. The format makes learning more relevant to real life and helps transition to content for native speakers. Each episode comes with interactive transcripts, vocabulary flashcards, and pronunciation guides.
Podcast:
Journal en Français Facile
Another news-based podcast, produced by Radio France Internationale. It’s similar to News in Slow French, but is significantly more advanced and updated more frequently.
Podcast:
Easy French
This podcast revolves around natural, informal conversations between the hosts, giving listeners a chance to understand how French is spoken by locals. The episodes are entirely in French and cover a range of topics, from French cuisine to the political system. For those seeking extra support, interactive transcripts and vocabulary helpers are available through their membership program.
Podcast:
French Voices
A podcast featuring interviews with native French speakers from various walks of life. They are conducted in French at a natural pace, with a brief introduction in English. Topics range from French culture to personal stories and professions. Each episode comes with comprehension questions, transcriptions, and vocabulary lists. The episodes are typically around 30 minutes long.
Podcast:
Advanced French podcasts
These podcasts are made for native French speakers and cover all kinds of topics. Here are a few options popular among language learners to get you started.
Culture 2000
A long-form podcast that revisits well-known historical events and figures with an informal, humorous tone. Each episode offers an engaging mix of casual conversation and historical insight.
Podcast:
Transfert
A podcast featuring various real-life stories told by people who experienced them, often with surprising or intense twists. Episodes range from 20 minutes to an hour, offering a variety of tones and themes, from suspenseful to wholesome.
Podcast:
Les Pieds Sur Terre
This podcast features real-life stories often centered around social or cultural issues. Each episode lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on intimate, personal experiences.
Podcast:
Affaires Sensibles
This podcast covers major historical events, political scandals, and gripping true crime cases. Each episode, typically lasting around 45-55 minutes, delves into famous stories with thorough research and detailed storytelling.
Podcast:
LSD, La Série Documentaire
Each week, LSD explores a theme across four one-hour episodes, with subjects ranging from historical events to contemporary issues. It provides different angles and thorough analysis throughout.
Podcast:
Émotions
This podcast explores the nature of emotions, delving into why we feel the way we do and tracing the origins of those feelings. Each episode focuses on a specific emotion, offering personal stories, expert insights, and practical advice to help listeners understand and manage their emotions
Podcast:
Le Cosy Corner
A long-form podcast where two friends talk about various pop culture topics, from video games to comics and movies. The discussions are spontaneous, casual, and humorous.
Podcast:
L’Heure du Monde
This podcast from a major French newspaper offers in-depth analysis and coverage of current events. Each episode runs about 20-30 minutes.
Podcast:
Les Actus du Jour
A podcast delivering a concise daily roundup of current events in around 10 minutes, offering clear and accessible explanations.
Podcast:
Nota Bene
This podcast explores history through discussions and interviews with historians, archaeologists, and other people. It covers a variety of topics, ranging from ancient civilizations to modern events.
Podcast:
Cerno
This podcast follows journalist Julien Cernobori as he conducts a unique investigation into a series of crimes linked to a serial killer who once lived in his building. Cernobori revisits crime scenes and uncovers hidden details, blending true crime with personal reflections and unexpected encounters.
Podcast:
Rendez-vous avec X
A podcast examining key moments in history, focusing on espionage, political intrigue, and lesser-known events. Through a dialogue between a journalist and the enigmatic “Monsieur X,” each episode reveals hidden aspects of major historical events, blending real-life history with dramatic storytelling.
Podcast:
Mourir Moins Con
This podcast offers brief, fun explanations to curious questions, from everyday topics like why we have red eyes in flash photos to more obscure ones like the origin of traditions or sports quirks. Each episode gives you a quick, informative answer in just a few minutes.
Podcast:
That’s just a few of the many podcasts available for French speakers. You can get plenty of other options from popular publishers like Radio France, Radio Canada, Choses à Savoir, and others. Alternatively, you can simply translate your interest into French and google podcasts about it, for instance “les podcasts – pêche”. You’ll likely find a few options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I learn French by listening to podcasts?
Yes, you can learn French by listening to podcasts, but it’s most effective when combined with other learning methods. Podcasts help improve listening comprehension, introduce you to native speakers’ accents, and expose you to real-life vocabulary and expressions. They are especially useful for immersing yourself in the language during downtime, like commuting or exercising. However, to fully learn French, it’s important to supplement podcasts with speaking practice, grammar exercises, and reading. For beginners, podcasts that slow down the speech or include explanations in English can be helpful, while more advanced learners can benefit from podcasts entirely in French.
Does listening to French while sleeping work?
Listening to French while sleeping can help reinforce what you’ve already learned but isn’t likely to teach you new concepts on its own. Studies suggest that while your brain processes information during sleep, it works best when combined with active learning during the day. Playing audio in the background while you sleep might improve recall of vocabulary or reinforce language patterns you’ve already been exposed to. However, you’ll still need to engage in focused, conscious practice to truly learn French. So, while it can be interesting as an experiment, it shouldn’t replace active study.
What’s the quickest way to learn French?
The quickest way to learn French is through consistent practice and exposure. Start by focusing on high-frequency vocabulary and common phrases used in everyday conversations. Combine language learning apps with immersive methods like watching French Youtube channels, listening to podcasts, and reading simple French texts. Consider taking structured lessons or hiring a tutor for targeted instruction. Most importantly, try to practice speaking as often as possible, even if it’s just with yourself or a language exchange partner. Regular engagement with the language across different mediums will speed up your learning.
Wrapping up
Podcasts are a great way to improve your French skills, whether you’re a beginner or more advanced. With so many options available there’s something to fit every interest and level. However, remember that podcasts are just one tool in your language-learning journey. Combining them with speaking practice, reading, and other methods will give you the best results. Keep exploring, stay consistent, and enjoy the process of learning!
