Websites and apps that help kids learn French

[Anonymous]

DD is ten and in the fifth grade. She's chosen to study French next year and wants to become more familiar with the language this summer. Can you recommend any apps or websites that will help her learn some basics and become more comfortable with the language? I don't want anything too rigorous (like Rosetta Stone) just something to help her ease into it.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I took French in high school and when I wanted to refresh myself a little recently, I used the Duolingo and Mindsnacks apps. I was never very fluent and I found them easy to follow with little games that were helpful!

[Anonymous]

My son took Spanish in middle school but decided to switch to French in high school. He did the same thing as your daughter and wanted to get familiar with French. He switched his phone and computer settings to French and started watching a French TV show on YouTube (at first with subtitles, but after a few weeks he switched the subtitles off). He had a surprisingly easy time in his French I class and the teacher recommended he move up to French II after his first report card. He did decide to move to French II which he has maintained an A in. He also has a few apps on his phone... I will text him to see what they are and report back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son took Spanish in middle school but decided to switch to French in high school. He did the same thing as your daughter and wanted to get familiar with French. He switched his phone and computer settings to French and started watching a French TV show on YouTube (at first with subtitles, but after a few weeks he switched the subtitles off). He had a surprisingly easy time in his French I class and the teacher recommended he move up to French II after his first report card. He did decide to move to French II which he has maintained an A in. He also has a few apps on his phone... I will text him to see what they are and report back.

Love this idea!! Thanks!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I took French in high school and when I wanted to refresh myself a little recently, I used the Duolingo and Mindsnacks apps. I was never very fluent and I found them easy to follow with little games that were helpful!

I recommend the same apps. I use both to refresh my Spanish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son took Spanish in middle school but decided to switch to French in high school. He did the same thing as your daughter and wanted to get familiar with French. He switched his phone and computer settings to French and started watching a French TV show on YouTube (at first with subtitles, but after a few weeks he switched the subtitles off). He had a surprisingly easy time in his French I class and the teacher recommended he move up to French II after his first report card. He did decide to move to French II which he has maintained an A in. He also has a few apps on his phone... I will text him to see what they are and report back.

Love this idea!! Thanks!!

Glad I could help. He texted me back and said Duolingo and HiNative. But he warned that a 5th grader might be too young for HiNative because you text/chat with other people in French.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son took Spanish in middle school but decided to switch to French in high school. He did the same thing as your daughter and wanted to get familiar with French. He switched his phone and computer settings to French and started watching a French TV show on YouTube (at first with subtitles, but after a few weeks he switched the subtitles off). He had a surprisingly easy time in his French I class and the teacher recommended he move up to French II after his first report card. He did decide to move to French II which he has maintained an A in. He also has a few apps on his phone... I will text him to see what they are and report back.

Love this idea!! Thanks!!

Glad I could help. He texted me back and said Duolingo and HiNative. But he warned that a 5th grader might be too young for HiNative because you text/chat with other people in French.

Thanks, good to know. DD will definitely not be chatting with strangers. Just checked out Duolingo- it looks like fun!

[Anonymous]

My kids' Spanish and Japanese teachers both said having them watch cartoons/tv in the other languages helped them a lot, especially with their pronunciation. Sometimes DD will watch the Japanese channel with Spanish subtitles on. For some reason that cracks me up. I never know what's happening when she does that.