How to learn French effectively in coliving ?

Do you dream of mastering the French language? Whether you’re a student, young professional, or entrepreneur, coliving offers an ideal environment to improve your French skills quickly. Discover our tips and methods for learning French in a fun and effective way while enjoying a unique living experience.

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The benefits of coliving for learning French

Daily linguistic immersion

By choosing to live in a coliving space, you immerse yourself fully in the French language. At breakfast, in the shared kitchen, or during relaxing evenings, you’ll be surrounded by French speakers from morning till night. Is your coliving setup multicultural? Don’t take the easy route—swap English for French! It’s the best exercise for everyone to dive into the language of your host country together. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to improve the French skills of the entire household, even with basic knowledge.

 

Do you work at a French company or university? Use your breaks as informal language lessons with your colleagues. They can teach you common expressions or subtle nuances of pronunciation. You’ll be practicing French without even realizing it!

Enriching cultural exchanges

Living in France in a coliving space is the best way to embrace French culture. You may have seen glimpses of it on TV (hello, Emily, we’re talking about you) or through social media, but nothing beats experiencing it firsthand. Through conversations with your housemates, you can explore current events, customs, and the French way of life. Together, you can even go out and get familiar with a culture that might feel very different from your own. These exchanges are a great way to learn new words, expand your vocabulary, and deepen your understanding of French society. You’ll discover expressions from all over France, cultural references, and more. Soon, you’ll be chatting about the latest French films or popular shows!

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Learning methods tailored to coliving life

Starting a conversation club

To practice what you’ve learned in French, why not start a conversation club in your coliving space? It’s simple: gather your housemates to set up a weekly meeting where French speakers and learners come together to chat exclusively in French. No native French speakers in your coliving? Invite a colleague or classmate to join. You can even do it among yourselves. Each week, choose a different theme—cinema, cooking, travel, work, studies—and discuss it for an hour or an evening. This fun approach helps you practice speaking in a relaxed setting and progress quickly.

If you’d like to meet more French speakers, consider joining a conversation club for expats where only French is spoken. Many cities in France host such clubs.

Language tandem with a French-speaking housemate

We’ve found the secret to effective, personalized learning! Known as “intercambio,” the language tandem method pairs a French speaker with someone who speaks another language. Both participants learn each other’s native language. Set up regular sessions where you exchange in both languages. The beauty of this method is its mutual benefit—you improve your French while your partner progresses in your language. You can even do activities together to immerse yourselves in each other’s cultures. A true win-win for language learning!

Online resources to complement Your learning

Fun and engaging mobile apps

If you want to combine real-life practice with daily exercises, mobile apps are your best allies. Perfect for making progress outside of coliving, these apps help you work on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension in an interactive and fun manner. You’ll be even better prepared to practice with your housemates and language partner! To make your search easier, here’s our top 5 list of the best apps to learn French:

Duolingo: For short and fun lessons

Arguably the most popular app, Duolingo has been used by over 100 million users worldwide since its launch in 2012. It offers free and engaging lessons presented like a game. You’ll find practical scenarios, quirky exercises, and lessons in vocabulary and grammar. Tests are included at the end of each exercise. Duolingo now also offers podcasts to help train your ear to the language you’re learning. Trust us—this gamified approach is excellent for long-term retention.

Babbel: For a more structured approach

Babbel, the second most well-known app, has helped 10 million people learn new languages daily since 2007. Its approach is slightly more academic than Duolingo’s. Before starting, you’ll take a placement test to determine your level, which ensures tailored 15-minute lessons. As you progress, you can earn official certifications, which are especially useful if you work in an international environment or need them for your studies. A note worth mentioning: Babbel is entirely subscription-based, with plans ranging from €5.99 to €11.99 per month.

Busuu: For practicing with native speakers

Busuu is a go-to resource, with over 120 million users since its launch. It emphasizes interactivity, following the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) standards. The app offers scenarios, short exercises, and live lessons with a teacher. Designed by linguistics experts, Busuu places community at its core. You can have your exercises corrected by native speakers and even chat with them directly. This collaborative approach is both effective and rewarding.

Memrise: For efficient vocabulary building

Chosen by 35 million users worldwide, Memrise is your ally for learning everyday language used by native speakers. Available in free and premium versions, the app immerses you digitally with videos and content featuring native speakers. Whether they’re from France, Canada, Senegal, or Pondicherry, Memrise’s French courses help you grasp various accents and expressions. Its key strength lies in its memorization method: spaced repetition. This technique spaces out review sessions based on your progress. If you make mistakes, the review interval shortens; if you answer correctly, it lengthens. This makes Memrise particularly effective for building and retaining vocabulary.

Français Authentique: Enhance your listening skills

This French mobile app was created by Johan Tekfak, who developed a unique method after struggling to speak English and German despite understanding them. He decided to create his own approach to learning foreign languages independently from home. With over 200,000 users benefiting from its courses, podcasts, and videos, Français Authentique is free and designed to help you speak confidently and stress-free.

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Podcasts and YouTube channels for learning French

  • French Pod 101: Available as both a YouTube channel and a podcast, French Pod 101 focuses on practical, everyday phrases. It offers short scenarios, like ordering in a restaurant, introducing yourself, or expressing gratitude, all within quick and accessible episodes ranging from 5 to 15 minutes.
  • We’ve already introduced mobile apps as excellent tools for learning French. Many of these apps include podcasts as part of their offerings. But why not switch up your routine? Instead of music during your commute or while tidying your coliving space, try listening to authentic content that helps you improve your French effortlessly. Podcasts and YouTube channels are perfect for this! Here are our top recommendations based on your level:

Are you a beginner?

  • French Pod 101: Available as both a YouTube channel and a podcast, French Pod 101 focuses on practical, everyday phrases. It offers short scenarios, like ordering in a restaurant, introducing yourself, or expressing gratitude, all within quick and accessible episodes ranging from 5 to 15 minutes.
  • Coffee Break French: This podcast and YouTube channel provides a structured, progressive approach to learning French, divided into seasons, each tailored to different proficiency levels. From pronunciation to distinguishing between tu and vous, Coffee Break French is the perfect tool for mastering the basics.

Are you at an intermediate level?

  • Parlez-vous French: With 1 million subscribers, Parlez-vous French is ideal for those who have a foundation in French and want to build on it. The channel offers video dictations, grammar and conjugation lessons, vocabulary exercises, and even level tests. It’s a versatile resource throughout your learning journey.
  • Français avec Pierre: With over 5 million subscribers, Pierre’s channel combines short videos and audio content to make learning French enjoyable. From common mistakes to idiomatic expressions like poireauter, Pierre’s channel covers everything you need to enrich your vocabulary and improve your understanding of everyday French.

Are you advanced?

  • France Culture: Say goodbye to beginner-friendly content. France Culture, a French radio station, provides in-depth discussions on topics like current events, history, health, theater, and more. Its sophisticated language is challenging even for native speakers, but it’s an excellent tool for advanced learners.
  • Arte Radio: “Podcast creators since 2002,” Arte offers diverse content ranging from judicial cases to politics, fashion, and humor. They will make you see the world differently.  It’s one of the most eclectic platforms for cultural and linguistic immersion.

For bite-sized learning, follow Instagram accounts like @atfrenchies, where two friends share their experiences in the U.S., or @athenasol, a passionate language enthusiast who explains the meanings of unusual French words and expressions.

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Group activities to learn through fun

French board game nights

Looking for a way to learn French away from screens? Organize board game nights in your coliving space! It’s a great way to practice the language while bonding with housemates. Here are 10 board games perfect for practicing French:

  • Le Petit Bac: A player picks a letter, and everyone must find words for specific categories (e.g., animals, cities) starting with that letter.
  • Taboo: Players split into teams and must guess a word without using related “taboo” terms. Creativity and quick thinking are key!
  • Dixit: A game of image association where players describe illustrated cards using imagination and personal interpretation.
  • Scrabble: Available in a variety of languages, this classic word game challenges players to create words on a game board using tiles with different point values. Perfect for sharpening both vocabulary and strategy.
  • Time’s Up: Played in teams, participants must guess famous characters over the course of three rounds. Each round has unique rules, adding an exciting twist to the game.
  • Concept: Use icons on a board to represent a word or phrase, encouraging non-verbal communication and critical thinking.
  • Pictionary: Players draw to illustrate a word or phrase for their team to guess.
  • Trivial Pursuit: French Edition: A general knowledge game with questions on various topics to collect pie pieces and win.
  • Loups-Garous de Thiercelieux: A famous role-playing game where players act as villagers or werewolves, debating and voting to eliminate suspects.
  • Dobble: A fast-paced observation game where players find the common symbol between 2 cards, boosting mental agility and vocabulary.

French film club

Are you a movie enthusiast? Love watching the latest films and series? Start a film club in your coliving space! What if you only watched French movies or series? Gather your housemates and choose a French film to watch in its original version—with subtitles if needed. After the screening, discuss it—preferably in French, if you’re not too tired. It’s a fantastic way to improve your listening skills and expand your vocabulary. Don’t hesitate to jot down new expressions or phrases you don’t understand to share and learn with your housemates. You can repeat this activity weekly or bi-weekly as you like!

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Tips to stay motivated

Set realistic goals

We all know it can be challenging to stay motivated to learn a language daily. Only you know your habits and needs best, so setting realistic goals is crucial. For example, learn 10 new words per day, or have a 5-minute conversation in French with a housemate each morning. Here’s a 5-step framework to help you define your personalized learning plan:

 

  • Assess Your Current Level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
  • Set a Long-Term Goal (e.g., achieve DELF B2 certification within one year)
  • Establish Monthly Objectives (e.g., read one French book per month)
  • Plan Weekly Activities (e.g., 2 hours of conversation practice, 1 hour of grammar exercises)
  • Schedule Regular Self-Evaluations

Reward yourself regularly

Every bit of progress, no matter how small, deserves recognition. Celebrate your achievements! Why not organize a French-themed dinner with your housemates when someone reaches a goal? Treat yourself to a French book you’ve always wanted to read, or enjoy a meal at your favorite French restaurant. These little rewards will keep you motivated and help you stay on track 💪

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Coliving as a springboard to professional opportunities

Networking with French-speaking professionals

Living in a coliving space connects you with people from diverse backgrounds, making it an excellent gateway to the French-speaking professional world. Some of your housemates might work in French companies—don’t hesitate to ask them for advice, participate in networking events they recommend, or request professional contacts. It’s a valuable opportunity to practice French in a professional context while building your own network.

Preparing for French certifications

To enhance your French learning—especially with future employers or university and professional programs you might want to join—official certifications are a major asset. In fact, they are sometimes even mandatory. By interacting and preparing, your coliving environment is ideal for getting ready for these exams. Here is a comparative table of the main French certifications and their specifics:

 

Certification Level Recognition Validity date
DELF A1 to B2 International Lifetime
DALF C1 and C2 International Lifetime
TCF A1 to C2 International 2 years
TEF A1 to C2 International 2 years

Learning French in a coliving setting is more than just a method—it’s an enriching life experience that allows you to make rapid progress while forming lasting connections. Ready to embark on this linguistic and cultural adventure?

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