Social media often faces criticisms, but for language learners it can be a treasure trove of free content.
Whether you watch videos, read ‘tweets’ or listen to extracts from radio clips or songs, you can use social media to your advantage to ensure even when you are scrolling you are learning.
One benefit of learning through social media is that it takes very little effort - once a website learns you are interested in French language content, it will use its algorithm to start suggesting other suitable accounts without you even needing to search for them.
Another top hack for learning on your phone is to switch the language of your device to French.
You will barely notice a difference because of the familiarity but soon you will start to pick up new words without even realising.
If you need to text in French, you can also add a French-language keyboard which will offer autocorrect to keep your words (if not always your grammar) on the right track.
We look at some social media accounts for you to follow below.
X (formerly Twitter)
Films in French @FilmsinFrench
Films in French is a fun Twitter account to follow, because every day it uploads a screenshot of a film with the English quote and French translation attached.
Often they will be Anglophone films you recognise, meaning you can use your prior knowledge of the content to better understand the translation.
The page is also on Instagram if that is your preferred platform.
No Context French @nocontextfre
This page will resonate with those who live or have lived in France and have at times been left bemused at certain aspects of French life.
It uploads funny pictures, videos and memes of things that happen in everyday life, or strange occurrences that are spotted while out and about in France.
Many young people follow the page, and often comment on the posts using slang and newer vocabulary, giving you even more opportunity to learn words you may not hear elsewhere that are popular with the newer generations.
Read also: Understand French better with these 14 slang phrases
Coffee Break French @learnfrench
Coffee Break Languages is a fantastic language learning resource for a whole host of languages, with their podcasts and courses a favourite with learners around the world.
Their social media pages live up to expectations: on Twitter and Instagram, they offer frequent grammar points, expressions and even little games you can play in a couple of minutes.
On Instagram you will also find videos and short clips from their podcasts.
Caro from France @CarofromF
Caro from France provides FLE (Francais langue étrangère) content on her Twitter page in the form of quotes from famous French people, grammar points and vocabulary posts.
Le Robert @LeRobert_com
Yes, this is the social media page of the well known dictionary. It is a really good resource, as it offers words of the day and grammar points.
Another plus is the page is entirely in French, meaning to understand the posts you have to use the skills you already have, exercising your brain even more.
Anglocom @anglais
This is a translation company based in Québec, Canada that offers insight into how to translate certain phrases or words.
It’s an interesting glimpse into the world of translation, which is actually extremely nuanced.
Be aware though, that they may use certain Québécois phrases instead of those you would hear in mainland France.
Read more: 10 words used in Quebec that mean something very different in France
Instagram
@street_french
Street French is an Instagram page that focuses heavily on conversational French and picking up new slang phrases, avoiding ‘classroom’ French that is seldom used in real life.
It offers short videos and pictures giving alternative ways to say classic phrases, as well as tips and tricks to better understand the context and meaning behind certain words and expressions.
@frenchwords
If you want a quick hit of French vocabulary, this is the page for you.
It offers French words with their English translations interspersed with beautiful pictures of France to help inspire your next trip.
@brutofficiel
Brut Officiel is a really great resource - it offers video content of daily news stories in France, usually with subtitles so you can read along with the audio.
As well as quick news roundups, they often interview French people of interest and they have a daily podcast which is between 5-10 minutes long, perfect to switch on when you have a quick break in your day.
Brut is a very refreshing approach to the media, and being a media platform, the audio is clear and comprehensive.
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