Kids Online French Class
Many homeschooling parents dread teaching certain classes for some reason or another and need help teaching classes like Mathematics, Languages, Arts or Phys-Ed. In this blog, EZ-Teach will explore some options for parents teaching French, including a Kids Online French Class.
1. Can Kids Learn French Online?
2. What Is the Best Way for Kids To Learn French?
3. How Do I Teach My Kids French at Home?
4. List of YouTube Videos That Are Great for Kids Learning French
5. Is There Duolingo French for Kids?
6. Benefits of an Online French Class vs Duolingo
Click on the links to learn more or contact us if you have questions or comments! And, if you want to sign your kids up for a Kids Online French Class, we have one coming up in January. If that interests you, be sure to mention that when you contact us!
What To Know: Kids Online French Class
1. Can Kids Learn French Online?
Wondering if kids can learn French online? Keep reading and you’ll find out the answer is yes!
(Image Source: Julia M Cameron)
Yes, kids can definitely learn French online, and there are many effective resources tailored specifically for young learners. Online French learning offers a variety of engaging formats like interactive games, videos, live tutoring, and apps that make language learning fun and accessible for kids of all ages. Here are some ways kids can learn French online:
Language Learning Apps
Duolingo and Gus on the Go are popular apps that use interactive lessons and games to teach vocabulary, pronunciation, and basic grammar. In fact, we’ll review Duolingo later on in this blog!
Online Tutoring and Classes
Platforms like ours at EZ-Teach (and link to the landing page when published), Preply and Italki offer one-on-one tutoring with native French speakers or small group classes. These live sessions can help kids learn conversational French and practice speaking.
Educational Websites with French Lessons
Websites like BBC Bitesize and Bonjour de France offer free or low-cost French lessons geared toward younger learners, often incorporating videos, printable worksheets, and quizzes.
Video Content and YouTube Channels
YouTube channels like Learn French with Alexa, Elsa, or FrenchPod101 offer free lessons, some specifically designed for kids. These videos often include songs, storytelling, and animations to engage younger audiences. We’ve also included a list of great YouTube channels to check out below.
Online Games and Activities
Websites such as PBS Kids and MindSnacks have French games for kids that focus on vocabulary, listening comprehension, and language skills, making learning interactive and enjoyable.
Virtual Flashcards and Practice Apps
Tools like Quizlet let kids practice vocabulary and simple sentences through flashcards, which can be customized for different levels and interests.
Online learning offers flexibility and variety, making it easy to find options that fit each child’s learning style.
2. What Is the Best Way for Kids To Learn French?
The best way for kids to learn French is through a combination of immersive, interactive, and enjoyable methods that fit their age, interests, and learning style. Here are some of the most effective ways to help kids learn French:
Immersive Environment
If available, enrolling kids in French immersion programs at school can be one of the fastest ways to learn. French immersion camps, especially during summer, allow kids to practice French in an informal, play-based environment. Many programs include activities like games, crafts, and sports, all conducted in French.
Exposure to French at Home
Parents can incorporate French into daily life by using common phrases, labelling objects around the house, or listening to French music together.
Live Tutoring and Classes
Enrolling kids in online or local French classes can be highly effective. Platforms like EZ-Teach (add link) offer live tutoring and small group classes where kids can practice conversational French and build confidence.
Storytelling, Songs, and Cartoons in French
Using French cartoons (like “Peppa Pig” in French), children’s songs, or audio storybooks is a great way for young learners to develop listening skills and pick up common vocabulary and sentence patterns in a natural, enjoyable way.
Books, Flashcards, and Visual Aids
Storybooks with simple vocabulary, bilingual books, and flashcards can help kids build a basic vocabulary. Parents can also make learning visuals with posters of common phrases or colourful flashcards for objects, animals, or family members.
Practice Speaking with Native Speakers
Kids can practice speaking with French-speaking relatives or friends, through pen-pal programs, or language exchange programs specifically for young learners. Hearing the language spoken naturally by native speakers can improve their pronunciation and comprehension.
Overall, combining methods—like using apps for vocabulary, live classes for conversation, and books for reading comprehension—keeps learning fresh and effective. When kids learn through multiple approaches, they’re more likely to stay engaged, retain vocabulary, and develop a well-rounded skill set in French.
Incorporate French into everyday routines like meal times! (Image Source: KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA)
3. How Do I Teach My Kids French at Home?
Teaching your kids French at home can be a rewarding experience and a great way to introduce them to a new language in a fun, natural way. Along with enrolling your child(ren) in a kid’s online French class, here are some effective ways to get started:
Start with Basic Vocabulary
Begin with everyday words and phrases that they can use right away, like greetings, colours, numbers, family members, and food. Label items around the house in French to help them connect words to objects they see every day.
Use Fun, Interactive Apps
Language-learning apps designed for kids, like Duolingo or Gus on the Go, introduce basic French vocabulary and grammar in a game format. This makes learning enjoyable and keeps them motivated to keep practicing.
Introduce French Songs and Nursery Rhymes
French songs, nursery rhymes, and even simple French versions of children’s songs they already know (like "Frère Jacques") are a fantastic way to build vocabulary and improve pronunciation. The songs are catchy, so they’ll likely remember the words!
Read Bilingual Books Together
Start with simple bilingual or French children’s books with illustrations to reinforce vocabulary. You can read together, helping them associate pictures with French words, or have them repeat words and phrases after you.
Watch Cartoons and Shows in French
Watching their favourite shows in French is both entertaining and educational. French versions of popular cartoons like Peppa Pig or Paw Patrol are easy to find, and they can learn vocabulary in context by following along with familiar characters.
Incorporate French into Daily Routines
Use French greetings, give commands in French, and name foods and activities throughout the day. Even simple phrases like “C’est l’heure de dîner!” (“It’s time for dinner!”) can reinforce language naturally.
Use Flashcards and Games
Flashcards are great for building vocabulary, and you can turn them into games like memory matching or charades. This is a fun way to help them practice words for animals, family members, colours, and more.
Practice Speaking with Native Speakers
If you have French-speaking friends or family, organize video calls or meet-ups where your kids can practice simple words and phrases. Hearing French from native speakers helps with pronunciation and builds confidence.
In general, consistency and a positive attitude are key! Even small, daily French moments will help kids gain familiarity with the language over time. And finally, remember to celebrate milestones and small wins! Learning a new language takes time, so celebrate small achievements like learning new vocabulary, counting to ten in French, or holding a basic conversation. Rewards and positive reinforcement can help keep their interest alive.
4. List of YouTube Videos That Are Great for Kids Learning French
As you already know, YouTube offers a variety of kid-friendly videos that make learning French both fun and engaging. Here’s a list of YouTube channels and shows that are great for kids learning French, including a couple we’ve already touched on:
Peppa Pig en Français
Channel: Peppa Pig Français Officiel
Description: The official Peppa Pig channel in French has full episodes where kids can follow Peppa’s everyday adventures. This is ideal for introducing common vocabulary and conversational phrases.
Paw Patrol en Français
Channel: Paw Patrol Français
Description: Follow Ryder and his team of heroic pups on various rescue missions. This is great for kids learning new vocabulary related to teamwork, problem-solving, and everyday life situations.
French Fairy Tales / Contes de Fées en Français
Channel: French Fairy Tales
Description: Animated versions of classic fairy tales told in French. This channel is excellent for younger kids and introduces them to stories they may already know, helping them understand the language in context.
Comptines et Chansons – French Songs for Kids
Channel: Comptines et Chansons
Description: This channel offers a collection of classic French nursery rhymes and children’s songs. It’s perfect for helping kids learn vocabulary through catchy songs.
Petit Ours Brun
Channel: Petit Ours Brun Officiel
Description: Follow Petit Ours Brun, a little brown bear, as he learns about the world. This is a gentle introduction to everyday French vocabulary and themes like family, friendship, and emotions.
Mini TFO
Channel: Mini TFO
Description: Mini TFO offers French-language content for kids, including animated stories, songs, and educational segments. The vocabulary is perfect for early learners.
Didou – Dessine-moi...
Channel: Didou - Dessine-moi
Description: In each episode, Didou, a little rabbit, teaches kids how to draw and introduces simple vocabulary in French. It’s interactive and engaging, especially for artistic kids.
Apprendre le Français avec Alexa
Channel: Learn French with Alexa
Description: Alexa provides lessons designed specifically for kids. Her videos include basic vocabulary and easy-to-understand phrases, making them suitable for beginner and intermediate young learners.
These channels and videos provide a mix of stories, songs, and interactive content, creating an immersive French experience for kids.
For young learners, Little Pim or Gus on the Go is an alternative to the former app Duolingo Kids.
5. Is There Duolingo French for Kids?
For some time there was something called Duolingo Kids, but this is no longer available as a standalone app. Duolingo has shifted its focus to Duolingo ABC, which primarily supports young children in learning to read in English rather than offering multiple languages, including French. Duolingo ABC was initially designed to support literacy in English and doesn’t cover foreign language learning for kids like Duolingo Kids once did. However, the standard Duolingo app can still be an option for older kids or those with basic reading skills, allowing them to start French and other languages through regular gamified lessons and practice.
For parents specifically looking for French language apps for younger children, alternatives like Gus on the Go, Little Pim, and Study Cat offer fun, interactive language learning experiences tailored for kids and cover foundational language skills. These options provide language-specific content and may be more suitable for early French learning at home.
Above is a sample question from Duolingo.
6. Benefits of an Online French Class vs Duolingo
For older kids with basic reading skills, online French classes and Duolingo both offer unique benefits for language learning but in different ways. Here’s a comparison to help decide which option might be more effective:
Benefits of Online French Classes
Instructor-Led Guidance: An online French class led by an instructor provides live, personalized feedback and answers questions on the spot. This helps with pronunciation, grammar understanding, and building conversational skills.
Structured Curriculum: Online classes usually follow a structured curriculum, which helps students progressively build skills from beginner to advanced levels. They cover a balance of grammar, vocabulary, listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
Interactivity and Conversation Practice: Many online classes offer interaction with teachers and sometimes peers, which is essential for developing conversational skills. Kids can practice real-time speaking, listening, and social skills, which Duolingo lacks.
Adaptable to Learning Styles: Online classes can adjust to a child's individual learning style, offering a mix of visual, auditory, and interactive learning that may not be as easily customizable in Duolingo.
Cultural Immersion: Many online French classes integrate cultural lessons, which help kids understand French culture, traditions, and idiomatic expressions that can make learning more immersive and memorable.
Benefits of Duolingo for Kids with Basic Reading Skills
Gamified Learning: Duolingo uses a game-like format with points, streaks, and rewards, which can keep kids motivated. This format appeals to tech-savvy kids who enjoy interactive learning with minimal supervision.
Flexible and Self-Paced: Duolingo is a flexible option for independent learners who want to go at their own pace. Kids can use it anytime and anywhere, fitting around their schedules.
Vocabulary-Focused: Duolingo is strong for building foundational vocabulary quickly through repetition and visual associations. Its bite-sized lessons make it easy to focus on vocabulary and common phrases.
Affordable Option: Duolingo is free (with ads), or you can pay for Duolingo Plus to remove ads. This can be a cost-effective option compared to the cost of structured online French classes.
Key Differences
Interaction: Online classes provide real-time interaction, which is crucial for developing speaking and listening skills, while Duolingo focuses more on self-paced reading and vocabulary.
Customization: Online classes are adaptable and personalized, whereas Duolingo’s format is more uniform and generalized.
Language Skills Coverage: Online classes offer comprehensive skill development, including conversational practice and cultural immersion. Duolingo covers reading and listening primarily, with limited conversational elements.
For older kids serious about becoming conversational in French, an online French class might provide more complete support, while Duolingo can work well as a supplement for building vocabulary and reinforcing basics in a fun, flexible way. If you are interested in an online French class, please contact us!
It’s easy to sign up for a kids online French class with EZ-Teach!
Kids Online French Class With EZ-Teach
Ready to sign up for an online French class? If you have children in Grades 1 - 4, we have an online class for elementary students. Our classes (Part 1 & Part 2) run from September to December and January to April. If you are interested in joining us in January, please contact us!
