The Best Resources for French Listening Practice

Too many language learners treat listening as an "advanced" skill, saving it for the later stages of their journey. I believe that is a massive mistake.

My own experience is proof: I spent eight years learning English in a French school system, only to realise I was completely lost the moment I landed in London. Despite being surrounded by the language, my progress was painfully slow until I shifted my focus away from textbooks and toward active listening.

If you want better pronunciation and natural, effortless speaking, you have to prioritise your ears. But where should you actually start? Forget the endless textbook audio—here are the resources that actually move the needle.

Podcasts to improve your French listening skills

Podcasts have become a very successful way of learning a language and it’s also my favourite as it allows us to focus on the most difficult but useful skill in French, aka listening practice only! Depending on your level, I have classified podcasts for beginner and intermediate levels created for learners and podcasts and radios for advanced learners (B2 and above).

I chose the most popular ones among my own students and those I personally listen to. My taste is great 😀 but it could be different from yours and that’s ok! The best way of learning is to enjoy what you’re doing, of course. So my advice is: you should go on your favourite podcast app and browse.

You can also try this listening practice activity about Emily in Paris, that I usually do with my B2 students (advanced) to talk about TV series in the group programme En Immersion. It’s based on a daily show from the French radio France Inter. 

Youtube channels for French listening practice 

Recently, I became a huge fan of the natural way of learning languages, initially promoted by Stephan Krashen. Nowadays, Steve Kaufman is actively promoting this method on YouTube in many languages, including French. 

It consists in receiving a lot of input in the target language adapted to your level. The theory states that like children, if you first receive a lot of content (input) adapted to your level, then you’ll be able to speak. Grammar is not a focus in this teaching method. For instance, it’s by receiving a lot of input that the learner understands how to speak in the past, present or future tense.

Recently, many teachers have adopted this method and adapted their teaching style to it, telling stories suitable to different levels and without teaching grammar (or in a minimalist way). There are always pros and cons when using any learning method. I would say that at a certain level, if you don’t learn any grammar at all, you might keep making the same mistakes. Of course, people might understand you but what you say will be simply inaccurate or incorrect even though you’re getting the message across. 

Here are some French channels created by teachers that follow the natural method, telling personal stories or doing vlogging, specifically adapted to intermediate learners : 

• Inner French : Hugo explains many cultural and societal aspects of life in France and comments on recent current events

• Alice Ayel, le français naturellement : Alice tells stories for beginners and broadcasts her conversations with her friends for advanced speakers

• Piece of French : Elsa publishes videos about the French language in general, vlogs about her life, speaks with her friends and family.

• French comprehensible input : Luc tells stories in French about his life or shares his experiences, interests - adapted to all levels ! He also teaches French from Emmanuel Macron appearances. 

• French in plain sight : Alex, a Brit living in France, explains his really valuable experience of learning French in Montpellier as well as his best tricks to master the French language.  

Some unmissable TV series to learn while having fun 

Nowadays, watching TV series is probably the most entertaining and popular way of practising your French listening skills. I have listed here the most popular ones among my students : 

• Lupin is a French action-thriller and crime-mystery series on Netflix, focusing on Assane Diop, a master of disguise who uses heists and wit to avenge his father.

• Plan Coeur (The Hook up plan), on Netflix, is another comedy about Parisian thirsty something’s romantic life. 

• L'Agence (The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties), not a series but a reality show that follows the Kretz family's luxury real estate business in Paris. Really fun

• Dix Pour Cent (Call my Agent), a bit old - the last season was in 2020 - but it's my favourite so I need to mention it. on Netflix, is a comedy which tells the adventures of actors agents in Paris is simply hilarious. Some French actors are invited to play their own role in every episode. You can also check my video about spoken French based on it. 

That’s the best content I can recommend to you at the moment. Don’t forget to apply my recommendations to improve your listening skills in French!