Nicole Baptista

If you’ve ever heard that the best time to learn a new language is during childhood, this is actually true. Children can make learning a new language look easy! They absorb words a lot quicker than we think.

To make your life a bit easier, today we’re sharing a list of 10 top apps (free and paid) for children and teenagers to learn French.

Are you trying to get your child or your teenager to learn French? Using French Apps might be one of the best ways to introduce your kids to the French language. Apps can keep your child more focused because they’re colorful, interactive and fun. Let’s face it, what kid doesn’t enjoy messing around with buttons and electronics?!

Of course, you shouldn’t rely solely on apps to teach your kids French, but it can be an awesome supplement to their learning. Nowadays, there are so many apps on the market available to download. So how do you know which ones are the best to choose?

1. Gus on the Go

Aimed at children from ages 1-5, Gus on the Go is an awesome app. Gus on the Go features an animated owl (which your child is bound to fall in love with) who travels the world exploring languages. There are games and puzzles for your child to learn new French vocabulary, with topics ranging from numbers and colors to shapes. The app is not free but is relatively cheap at about $3.99.

2. Boukili (Reading App)

Boukili is an app for children over the age of 4 - it focuses on French reading. This app is entirely free and consists of various illustrated children’s books. There are also over 120 games. One of the best aspects of this app is that it allows parents to track their children’s reading progress. If you struggle to get your child to want to read books in paper format, this app may just be your solution!

3. Bayam- Jeux Éducatifs Enfants

Aimed at children between the ages of 3-10 years, Bayam has a lot to offer. This app contains series, games, audios, stories and creative workshops for children. Bayam is vibrant, colorful and contains animated characters so your child won’t get bored. The app is free but if you pay for the Premium version, you get some extras along with a clock which manages your child’s screen time (so that they’re not using the app for hours and hours).

4. Duolingo

I probably don’t need to introduce Duolingo as it is one of the most well known language learning apps out there. The simplicity of its design makes it an ideal option for kids trying to learn French. The app is 100% free and highly interactive, making it easy for kids to remember vocabulary. The user's progress is also tracked with a points system which many children love!

5. Study Cat

Made for kids between ages 6-8, Study Cat is an app that uses games to help children learn French. With bright colors and big buttons, kids can practice their pronunciation, reading and grammar. In the games, French is spoken so that your child can practice their listening too. There is a free 7 day trial where you can decide if your child benefits from the app (and then there is a fee if you decide to continue).

6. Memrise

Memrise is an app which is often recommended by teachers because it is very useful for helping students to learn vocabulary. It uses digital flashcards to teach learners new words and phrases. The words are spoken out loud to help you learn the correct pronunciation. Memrise uses a spaced repetition technique so that the words you find most difficult are the ones that come up more often (for you to then memorize).

Memrise is recommended for those aged 12+. Because of the simplicity of the app, I think it is perfect for teenagers. There are various French levels starting from beginners.

7. Mindsnacks

With over 50 French lessons, your child will have a lot of fun learning with this app. Children will learn vocabulary, verb conjugations and word genders. There are also native audio speakers to help children perfect their listening skills. The app features cute animal characters and is visually appealing.

8. Babbel

Babbel is another app that has gained immense popularity over the past years. I believe it can be a wonderful app for teenagers. When you sign up for Babbel, you will first need to do an evaluation test to see what level you are at.

Then there are grammar drills, fill in the gap games, listen and repeat exercises and also digital flashcards. The good thing about Babbel is that it is serious and yet at the same time fun (so your teen won’t feel bored).

9. TV5MONDE

TV5MONDE is a free app with over 3000 French exercises. This app is slightly different in that it teaches French using videos, programs and news reports. TV5MONDE has four French levels, and after watching each video there are exercises to test your comprehension (multiple choice questions, crossword puzzles etc..) I think this app is optimal for teenagers

10. FunEasyLearn French

FunEasyLearn is an app that can be used from ages 4+. As the title suggests, the app is fun for kids (and highly colorful), it has an easy-to-use system and is entirely free. It has been considered one of the best apps for building vocabulary. It also has a speech recognition tool so that your child can practice their pronunciation. Plus, there are hand drawn illustrations to help them to understand the French words.

Private French lessons online and in person in Paris for children & teenagers with French à La Carte

Apps are a fantastic way to introduce your kids to the French language. But if you’re looking for extra one-to-one support for your child, French à La Carte offers personalized and fun lessons. This may help your child to progress a lot faster. Bonne chance!

10 Apps to Learn French for Children and Teenagers