Learn French on YouTube (12 Channels for 2021)
To learn French with YouTube, you just need three things.
So in this article, we’ll:
- build you the plan you need to have in order to learn French on YouTube
- list the most important channels you nee to know about;
- and help you with some additional French learning resources.
Allons-y!
How to Use YouTube to Learn French
Like I said: I believe YouTube is the strongest tool you can have to learn French with, but it can’t be a stand-alone tool.
Here’s how I recommend using YouTube to learn French:
- Find your guiding resource. The French YouTube channels and playlists on this list are basically just that: huge lists. But in order to navigate yourself to fluency in French, you’re going to need a map. That can be a textbook or teacher–but I do suggest something to help you order your French learning in a logical way.
- Find additional explanations and exercises for grammar. This is where YouTube comes in! Whenever you want to dive deeper on a subject (or when you have a question) consult your favorite channel. On this list, those are the channels marked “education” or “explanations”.
3. Work on listening practice. Find fun ways to practice listening to French. Just because you know a word doesn’t mean you’ll understand it when it’s said quickly in a thick French accent. On this list, those are the channels marked “listening practice”.
4. Find time for speaking French. Try language exchanges, tutoring sessions, or even private classes so you don’t just learn passive French but can activate it in a conversation.
5. Build a habit. We have a free habit tracker mini-course which you can use to help you make sure that you stay motivated, organized, and consistent with the resources you choose. Download it today!
Learn A1-A2 French on YouTube
These YouTube channels will teach you the absolute basics of French: like days of the week, colors, adjectives, pronunciation, and the present tense.
1. Learn French with Alexa
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Educational
Subtitles: auto-generated
Channel Tags: grammar, vocabulary
Learn French with Alexa is one of the YouTube channels that saved me in A1. She’s one of the few teachers on the platform making long, helpful videos for very beginner students.
Her videos are largely in English (since in theory by this point you don’t yet speak French) but they’re fantastically helpful for the gaps your teachers might be leaving.
2. WordPie
Country: n/a
Channel Type: Vocabulary
Subtitles: Built-In
Channel Tags: Memory songs
WordPie is an incredibly unique language learning channel because it features memorable songs in French and English to help you quickly learn and remember vocab.
However, it won’t help at all with your ability to spell or speak French–so make sure you use it with other resources on this list.
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Channel Type: Phonetics training
Subtitles: auto-generated English
Channel Tags: pronunciation
If you’re having problems learning the French accent, this is the solution.
The University of Michigan has digitized these fantastic VHS videos that will help explain how to make every new French sound you’re going to encounter and how to read in French.
Discovering this playlist was one of the best things that happened to me during my first few weeks of learning French and I’ve been recommending it ever since.
4. My French Story
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Explanations
Subtitles: human-generated English
Channel Tags: grammar, pronunciation, language learning tips
Pearl will help you learn French through dynamic grammar explanations, interesting language learning tips, and a lot of excitement.
She’s taught French in the US and Australia and her videos are equal parts fun and educational.
5. French with Vincent
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Education
Subtitles: auto-generated English
Channel Tags: grammar, vocabulary
French with Vincent is kind of a chaotic channel (sometimes he’s playing video games, sometimes he’s showing you vocabulary charts). But his presentations on grammar are extremely thorough.
I recommend not necessarily following this channel, but saving it for reference next time you have a question.
6. Learn French with the Sims (YouTube Playlist)
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Listening Practice
Subtitles: English and French
Channel Tags: daily life, household vocabulary, present and past tenses
This playlist from French Today is fantastic for beginner students looking to improve their understanding of French.
The videos have plenty of context in them: you can watch scenes from daily life as the speaker narrates them using vocabulary you know.
These videos are both perfectly simple and ridiculously creative.
Click here to see the full 10 part playlist.
You can also see their Minecraft playlist here for similar listening practice videos.
7. French Pod 101
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Education
Subtitles: auto-generated English
Channel Tags: grammar, vocabulary
French Pod is probably the most known channel for learning French on YouTube. And they have an absolute ton of videos.
The best videos they have are their A1 listening practice, so I recommend those.
But unfortunately, because many of their videos are just advertisements for their playtform I don’t always recommend following.
Learn A2-B1 French on Youtube
Learn intermediate French with these YouTube channels. They’ll cover things like listening practice, cultural explanation, slang, and even swearing.
8. Easy French
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Listening Practice
Subtitles: Built-in English/French
Channel Tags: Culture, travel, daily life
Easy French was one of my favorite channels when I was learning French with YouTube.
It’s weekly videos give you a glimpse into real French life as the hosts interview people on the streets, answer your questions, and explore daily life in France
Just don’t let the name fool you–these videos feature super-specific vocabulary and can be a challenge for learners at any level.
9. InnerFrench
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Explanations
Subtitles: Human-generated French
Channel Tags: culture, linguistics, politeness
InnerFrench is an amazing channel (as well as a fantastic French podcast) that will entertain you while teaching you.
His videos cover French slang; complicated grammar; French culture; and French learning tips.
It’s meant for the intermediate level (B1-B2) but built-in subtitles and slow speaking make it accessible for A2 learners as well.
10. Damon and Jo
Country: USA 🇺🇸
Channel Type: Education
Subtitles: English and French human-generated
Channel Tags: fun, culture, vlogs, slang
Damon and Jo met at university in New York as French majors. Their channel is largely blogging/lifestyle, but their French playlist is full of amazing French lessons. (The kind no teacher is ever going to give you.)
One of the reasons I think learning French on YouTube is not only great but an important part of your language education is because of how many things you can get from channels like theirs.
11. Street French
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: Cultural explanation
Subtitles: auto-generated
Channel Tags: grammar, slang, lifestyle, vlog, reaction videos
Street French is a super fun channel that features a mix of fun “YouTubey stuff” (like reaction videos and Parisian lifestyle vlogging) and real explanations of grammar, slang, and listening practice.
They’re really eclectic and super educational, so I highly recommend them for learning French at the intermediate level.
12. Français Authentique
Country: France 🇫🇷
Channel Type: explanations, listening practice
Subtitles: human-generated French
Channel Tags: culture, history, grammar
Français Authentique is another great channel for working on your listening practice through French culture.
Some of his videos are about culture and history; others about grammar; and others about interesting topics like personal development.
If you’re struggling with your listening skills in French, absolutely check out this channel as well as his French podcast.
B2+ French YouTubers
But what if you want to practice intermediate or advanced French with YouTube?
We have a whole separate article or that!
Click here for our full list of French YouTubers who make awesome content for natives (but which French students will love).
Learn through French Immersion (at Home)
Here are more lists (similar to this one) of free Francophone immersion resources we adore.
If you couple any of these resources with a good French course (or independent tutoring) you’ll not only have more productive language learning but more enjoyable study time!
How do you stay organized in your DIY-immersion?
Click below for our free language immersion mini-course.
It’ll teach you how to challenge yourself and enjoy your French at the same time through short videos and great habit trackers.
Do You Know of any Other YouTube Channels for Learning French?
I’m always looking for new channel suggestions for our numerous French immersion posts.
But since I haven’t studied beginner French in years, I might miss any new (and awesome) channels.
Feel free to leave any suggestions in the comments below since this is a living article and is updated several times a year!
I’d love to check out anything you yourself will vouch for and think others will love too.
