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Friday, February 14th
French Pod 101 is a podcast format. There are a plethora of audio and video at every level, from beginner to approaching advanced. If you want to hear French, this is the program for you.
Not your traditional language learning course
They also offer a free, lifetime subscription where you can see videos and get some key vocabulary, and that may be enough. There's even an option for a real person to teach you one-on-one and offer you personal feedback on your speaking and writing. However, if you're looking for something that looks more like traditional courses with a plethora of guided practice and feedback, French Pod 101 might not be it.
Think podcast with French Pod 101
With about 2,000 audio and video lessons, you have so many to listen to and you can hear various accents. It's not like, for example, you only listen to a Parisian accent and then can't understand someone from different areas of France or even Quebec. French Pod 101 sets you up for success with a variety of French speakers.
Whoa, slow down that French
When you've listened to French before, does it sound overwhelming? What's phenomenal, and actually unusual, is that you can slow down the audio with French Pod 101 so you have a much better chance at understanding the speaker. Listen as slowly as you need, and build up speed in time when you're more confident. Especially for French, this is a great feature.
So many videos that the quality can differ
Some audio and videos have excellent quality and you may like the delivery. You may find some with questionable quality, some with the old slideshow format, and you will find some with very good quality. Just be aware that the quality can differ. In addition, the videos are created by different people, so they lack uniformity - which can actually be a good thing.
Several plans to consider
Here's what you get:
Yes, they explain how French works, too
There is a ton of audio and video on French Pod 101 so you get to listen, but how will you know how the French language works? There are explanations and lesson notes so you can learn the grammar and why they say things a certain way.
But do you really need grammar?
French Pod 101 has grammar explanations with the higher subscription levels. Since some of us feel that we need grammar explanations, they do offer it. However, French Pod 101's approach is that we can learn through context; therefore, grammar lessons may not be necessary. Choose your own approach and subscribe accordingly.
It's not just audio
Of course, speaking and understanding is important. But French Pod 101 hasn't forgotten that you may want to read it, write it, learn grammar, and learn culture, too. You can have access to those lessons and practice when you get a paid subscription.
Choose your Pathway
Choose your own Pathway so you get the French topic you need. If you want to travel, choose a travel Pathway. If your job is directing you to French, choose a business Pathway. Discover the Pathways for your French learning needs, interests, and motivation.
French Pod 101 has improved
If you have tried this program in the past, you may have found the lessons to be a bit, well, haphazard: random audio and video to pick and choose individually. However, with the creation of Pathways, French Pod 101 has sorted their material and created a sequence. If you are looking for this structure, it's a huge improvement. If you would rather pick and choose as you could before, this option is still available.
There's plenty of practice and reinforcement
You'll have word lists, slide shows, and flash cards to break down the material and offer you practice.
Stay focused with your dashboard
Whether you choose Pathways or random lessons, take a glance at your dashboard from time to time. It will show your progress in your French-learning journey. You'll see not only your progress but also your recommended lesson list. You will need at least the basic subscription to see your dashboard.
Costs
Here's pricing for the different levels of French Pod 101:
Great for beginners and intermediates, not for advanced French learners
If you're an advanced learner and you want to immerse yourself in French podcasts as a refresher, try French Pod 101 for a while. If you want to delve deep into the advanced grammar and practice, you should try another of our highly-recommended online French programs.
The price is reasonable
When you compare subscription prices, French Pod 101 has one of the cheapest per-month subscriptions. You will have to make a two-year commitment, but per month it's a great deal.
Money-back guarantee
If you're not happy with French Pod 101, you can get your money back by simply emailing them within 60 days of signing up. There will be no questions asked.
Great if you want to dabble
With French Pod 101, you can choose a somewhat-structured pathway, or you can randomly choose lessons or videos. This is why it's good for dabbling. If you want more guidance, more practice, actual feedback, more encouragement and motivation, more of a set curriculum, take a peek at some of the other highly-recommended French lessons options we've evaluated.
When we think of someone speaking French, we think soothing and seductive, as it's simply dreamy to hear. We think of the romance of Paris with the Eiffel Tower, of Southern France with the rolling lavender fields, of the Alps with the snow-capped mountains, of the coast with the warm sandy beaches. And of course there's the decadent French food and wine.
Learning French allows you to more fully enjoy French culture. When you learn French, it opens the door to learning phrases that the French speakers use in conversation, manners and mannerisms, how the French live and interact in everyday situations, and perhaps gaining an appreciation and insight into their art and history. There are so many doors to be unlocked once you take the first step.
Naturally, when we think French we think of France. Yet French is actually a global language and the official language of 29 countries, so you can practice your French language skills in more than one place. French is also a heritage language in all or part of Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and even the US - like Louisiana.
Picking up the French language may be easier than you might think. Some of us are intimidated by the unusual sounds and the silent letters, but did you know that there are many words that look like English? We'll bet you know these French words: table, responsable, ambiance, brilliance. There are about 1,700 words in French that look like the English word, so there's a good start.
When choosing among the several options for online French lessons, here are some things to consider:
Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the most popular French courses available today, to make it easy for you to choose how you'll want to learn French. Whether you're thinking of learning French for the first time or brushing up on what you may have taken in high school, now is a great time to learn French online as there are such a variety of French lesson programs out there. We're sure you'll find at least one that you'd like to try.
Select any 2 French Lessons to compare them head to head