Paris-Pas-Cher: Learn the French, Be the French
Whether you’re already in Paris or thinking about living here, it’s always nerve-wrecking to move to a country when you don’t speak the language.
Today, Paris-Pas-Cher is offering you tips and tricks on where and how to learn and practice French in Paris. These are all adapted to full-time students who don’t necessarily have time to take intensive French lessons.
Did you know Jodie Foster, Jane Fonda, Hugh Jackman, Bradley Cooper and more random celebrities speak fluent French? That’s because they all lived in France at some point but let’s just pretend it was all thanks to this list.
Franglish is a language exchange event that works like speed dating. You meet up with other students in a bar or pub, and spend 7 minutes speaking in French, then seven minutes speaking in English. Then, you switch tables and meet someone else. It’s the most practical way to learn the language for free and practice it with people your age. Not only that, but it’s an easy way to meet people, and it takes place weekly!
CLUB INTERNATIONAL DES JEUNES A PARIS
Yes the website is a pain to look at, but the CIJP offers language workshops, free tours of the less touristy areas of Paris with French tourism students, apéros, and more… Don’t hesitate to reach out and join this international community that aims to make your stay in Paris as pleasurable as possible.
CITÉ INTERNATIONALE UNIVERSITAIRE DE PARIS
They offer a range of activities and workshops to improve your knowledge of French with other international students and native French speakers, whether you’re a resident of the cité or not. The Multimedia Centre for Language self-study offers conversation groups among other things. Not only that, but the CIUP has a huge international campus and there’s always something going on, don’t hesitate to get involved.
RFI offers more than 200 freely accessible audio programs for people who want to learn French. Ideal when you’re drinking coffee in a café by yourself and living your French fantasy. They have tests, simplified news reports, exercices and culture-related conversations.
TV5 Monde offers free French lessons on grammar, culture, and conversation for different levels from beginner to advanced. Once you feel ready, you can take their online test!
This website regroups lots of online lessons, blogs and videos to learn French at no cost, a little bit less interactive than other alternatives but always a good option.
There are lots of establishments offering private French lessons with professional educators if you don’t want to learn French in front of a screen, or if the idea of meeting strangers in a bar stresses you out. Prices vary according to level. You can take lessons at home or even outside, as they offer customized sessions. Culture, art, gastronomy, you can choose any topic you want while practicing the language.
With theatre in Paris, you can go see a play in French -because going to the théâtre is a very French activity- with surtitles: live subtitles displayed above the stage. This is a great way to get cultured and get your ears used to the language.
PCA FREE LESSONS AND TUTORS
PCA offer free French lessons at all levels. If you’re an incoming student, you’ll take a placement test during Orientation Week. And obviously, the best way to practice a language is to move to the country and get yourself out there! This is the real immersive experience and it is worth any lesson you could ever find.