Learning French – or anything else, for that matter – should never be dull. Here’s a selection of games, puzzles, jokes, and more to help you have fun with French.
Researching a francophone region or country and writing a report or country study is an interesting project for French classes or for independent studiers looking to spice up their self-instruction. This project is perfect as a long-term activity for intermediate and advanced students, though it can also be adapted for beginners.
Read my review of Frantastique, a story-based learning program with exercises, dialogues, stories, historical notes, videos, and comics. Each lesson takes about 15 minutes, making it easy to squeeze daily practice into a busy schedule. Special offer: One month free trial
There are hundreds of common French first names. Some look just like their English counterparts, others are fairly similar, and still others are uniquely French. These pages include more than 200 of the most popular French names, along with their pronunciation and English equivalents.
Even if you love working on your French, sometimes you just need to play! Learn the French equivalents of your favorite games, sports, and hobbies and the verbs to use with them.
Wondering what to buy for the Francophile on your list? Check out these ideas ranging from fanciful to practical - at least one is sure to thrill your favorite French lover.
The word "homophone" comes from the Greek word ομοφώνως ("omofonos"), meaning "same voice." So a homophone / un homophone is a word that is pronounced the same as another word with another meaning, which makes homophones ideal for wordplay ... though not so wonderful for language learners.
Pronoun usage and pronunciation varies greatly between formal and informal French. Much of what you learn at school is formal and doesn't reflect how French is actually spoken. If you want to sound more French in informal situations—not to mention understand what you hear—you need to be aware of these pronoun differences.
Listen to J'ai vu maman embrasser le père Noël, the French version of "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." They are sung to the same tune, but the lyrics are somewhat different.
Magnetic poetry is a fun little tool you can use to learn and practice French. 500 magnets with words and parts of words help you to express yourself in a unique and creative way.