Learn French by speaking, one real situation at a time
The French path is set in Paris, with a few scenes in Lyon and a trip to Versailles.
It teaches the French of France: vous with people you do not know, tu with friends, and the bonjour that opens every exchange. Every word comes with a pronunciation guide in plain English letters.
Free: 3 sessions a day, 3 minutes each. Not sure where to start? The level test is a 3-minute conversation that places you on the path.
A1 · Foundations
Unit 1 · First words
- How to say hello and goodbye in FrenchHello & goodbye: Walk in, say hi, and already sound French.
- How to say please, thank you and sorry in FrenchPlease, thanks & sorry: Politeness is the entry fee in France. Pay it.
- How to ask how much something costs in FrenchNumbers & prices: Know what it costs before the cash leaves your hand.
- Buying something at a street kiosk in FrenchCheckpoint · The kiosk test: Prove it: greet, ask, buy, thank, walk away.
Unit 2 · Café & food
- French café phrases, with audioOrder at a café: Coffee and a croissant, with the right amount of politeness.
- French phrases for lunch at a bistroOrdering a meal: Sit down, order a real lunch, no pointing.
- How to ask what's in a dish in FrenchWhat's in it?: Know what is on the plate before it arrives.
- Lunch at a restaurant in French, from table to billCheckpoint · Lunch, start to finish: Prove it: from the front door to the bill.
Unit 3 · Getting around
- How to ask for directions in FrenchAsk for directions: Navigate Paris without spinning your map around.
- How to buy a train ticket in FrenchBuying a ticket: Right ticket, right platform, right train. No panic.
- How to take a taxi in FrenchTaking a taxi: Say where, ask how much, hop out on cue.
- Getting across the city by public transport in FrenchCheckpoint · Across the city: Prove it: hotel to Versailles, all in French.
Unit 4 · People
- French phrases for meeting someone newMeet someone new: Handle la bise-adjacent small talk with confidence.
- How to talk about your day in FrenchTalking about your day: Answer, ask back, and actually sound interested.
- How to make plans with a friend in FrenchMaking plans: Turn maybe sometime into Thursday at three.
- Running into a friend in French: from hello to a planCheckpoint · Running into a friend: Prove it: a chance hello becomes a real plan.
Unit 5 · Shopping
- How to buy clothes in FrenchBuying clothes: Find your size, try it on, walk out happy.
- How to pay and ask for a receipt in FrenchPaying and receipts: Card, cash, receipt: the last thirty seconds.
- How to return an item in FrenchReturns and problems: Wrong size? Go back and fix it politely.
- Buying and exchanging clothes in FrenchCheckpoint · The shopping run: Prove it: buy it, then bring it back.
A2 · Out in the world
Unit 1 · Eating out
- How to book a table at a restaurant in FrenchBooking a table: Get the table before the whole city does.
- How to share dishes and split the bill in FrenchDinner with friends: Share the plates, raise the glass, split it fairly.
- How to send food back politely in FrenchSending it back nicely: Fix the plate without losing the room.
- Dinner at a restaurant in French, from booking to billCheckpoint · The dinner out: Prove it: book, sit, order, fix, split.
Unit 2 · Travel days
- How to check in at a hotel in FrenchHotel check-in: Check in, grab the wifi, escape the noisy room.
- What to say when you miss a train in FrenchDelays and missed trains: Your train left without you. Talk your way on.
- Renting an apartment in French: keys, rules and repairsRenting a place: Keys, heating, bin night: someone else's apartment, survived.
- Arriving late at a hotel in French, with a booking problemCheckpoint · Arrival gone sideways: Prove it: late train, midnight desk, missing booking.
Unit 3 · Daily life
- What to say at the pharmacy in FrenchAt the pharmacy: Describe the sniffles, walk out with the right box.
- How to see a doctor in FrenchSeeing a doctor: Say where it hurts without playing charades.
- How to book and change appointments in FrenchErrands and appointments: Parcel sent, hair booked, Thursday moved.
- A sick day in French: doctor, pharmacy and a moved appointmentCheckpoint · The errand day: Prove it: doctor, pharmacy and salon before closing.
Unit 4 · Small talk & stories
- How to talk about your weekend in FrenchWeekend stories: Two things you did, one story worth hearing.
- How to give your opinion in FrenchSaying what you think: Love it or hate it, but always say why.
- How to invite someone out in FrenchInviting someone out: Land the yes, or bow out with style.
- Catching up over coffee in French: stories, opinions, plansCheckpoint · Coffee catch-up: Prove it: two stories, one opinion, one invitation.
B1 · Real conversations
Unit 1 · Work & study
- How to talk about your job in FrenchWhat you do: Say what you actually do, not just your title.
- How to speak up in a meeting in FrenchA meeting moment: Disagree politely, book the slot, close the decision.
- How to talk about your goals and plans in FrenchGoals & plans: Talk about next year like you already decided.
- Networking in French: introduce yourself and follow upCheckpoint · The networking event: Prove it: work the room, land the follow-up.
Unit 2 · Stories & feelings
- How to tell a story about your past in FrenchA story from your past: Set the scene, drop the twist, land the ending.
- How to say how you really feel in FrenchHow you are feeling: Say how you really are, beyond « ça va ».
- How to give advice in FrenchGiving advice: Help your friend without bossing them around.
- How to comfort a friend in FrenchCheckpoint · Heart to heart: Prove it: draw them out, relate, then advise.
Unit 3 · Practical adulting
- How to call customer service in FrenchCalling customer service: Survive the menu, reach a human, get answers.
- How to open a bank account in FrenchOpening a bank account: Beat the paperwork and walk out with an account.
- How to return something broken in FrenchReturning a broken item: Dead in three weeks? Refund, not store credit.
- How to report an internet outage in FrenchCheckpoint · Calling the internet provider: Prove it: no Wi-Fi, no excuses, one call.
Unit 4 · Culture & conversation
- How to talk about the news in FrenchTalking about the news: Discuss the headlines without starting a fight.
- How to talk about holidays and traditions in FrenchTraditions and festivals: Trade holidays without turning it into a lecture.
- How to disagree politely in FrenchFriendly debate: Argue about bread and still stay friends.
- Dinner party conversation in French: news, holidays, foodCheckpoint · Dinner party talk: Prove it: news, traditions, one tasty argument.