Learning a language through audiovisual content relies on the brain’s ability to combine what it hears with what it sees, which makes language easier to understand and retain. Studies have shown that exposure to consistent audiovisual input can help learners segment and recognise words and sounds in a new language, even without explicit instruction (arxiv.org).
Recent research has also used self-supervised learning models such as Wav2Vec 2.0 to show that it is possible to replicate the way the brain processes speech. These models have produced activations similar to those of the human brain when listening to audiobooks, which suggests that the brain can learn representations of language from continuous exposure to speech (arxiv.org).
A striking example of this is the case of someone who, after years without practising French, reconnected with the language by watching French series on Netflix during the pandemic. The experience not only revived their interest in the language, it also improved their comprehension and fluency, and led them to sign up for online French classes (vogue.com).
Tips for learning French with audiovisual content
- Use subtitles: start with subtitles in your own language and, as you progress, switch to French subtitles to strengthen the link between sound and spelling.
- Replay scenes: play scenes several times to get used to the pronunciation and intonation. Try repeating them out loud to practise your own pronunciation.
- Take notes: write down new words and expressions as you hear them. Try using them in sentences of your own to reinforce what you have learnt.
Researchers and language specialists such as Steve Kaufmann, a polyglot and expert in language acquisition, support this approach:
“Before you can speak, you must listen, and you must listen a lot, without resisting. Absorb the language. Feel its essence, its rhythm and its flow.”
-Steve Kaufmann
More ways to get the most out of audiovisual content
Another useful technique is time segmentation, in other words breaking your audiovisual learning time into blocks. For example, watch a scene from a series for 5 minutes, pause it, write down the words you did not know and repeat them out loud. According to studies in the neuroscience of learning, this active method improves long-term memory.
What is more, content with repetition and a predictable context (such as sitcoms or children’s programmes) helps the brain anticipate what it is about to hear, which reinforces language structures. That is why series such as Extra French or films such as Les Choristes are so often recommended for beginners.
Finally, do not underestimate the power of passive immersion: listening to podcasts while you cook or travel on public transport keeps your brain connected to the language. Even if you do not understand everything, repeated listening builds familiarity and improves your intonation.
Series for learning French
| Title | Description | Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Extra French | An educational series with clear dialogue and subtitles, ideal for beginners. | Watch the trailer |
| Plan Coeur | Plan Coeur is a Parisian romantic comedy, perfect for practising current, colloquial French. | Watch the trailer |
| Marseille | Marseille is a political drama set in the south of France, ideal for practising formal and regional French | Watch the trailer |
| Lupin | A thriller series in contemporary French. | Watch the trailer |
| Call My Agent! (Dix pour cent) | A comedy drama set in a talent agency. | Watch the trailer |
Recommended French films
| Title | Description | Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Amélie | A poetic film with rich, expressive vocabulary. | Watch the trailer |
| Intouchables | A moving story in accessible language. | Watch the trailer |
| Un prophète | An intense prison thriller, with colloquial language, slang and multicultural accents. | Watch the trailer |
| La famille Bélier | A heartfelt comedy, ideal for learning everyday, family French. | Watch the trailer |
| Les Choristes | A musical film that makes vocabulary easier to remember. | Watch the trailer |
Podcasts to improve your French
| Title | Description | Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee Break French | Well-structured lessons for beginners. | Watch the trailer |
| FrenchPod101 | Podcasts by level, with transcripts and videos. | Watch the trailer |
| Journal en français facile | Daily news in clear French from RFI. | Visit the channel |
| InnerFrench | Slow, clear French for intermediate learners. | Visit the channel |
| One Thing In A French Day | Daily stories from a Parisian woman, ideal for tuning your ear to natural speech. | Visit the channel |
Watching content in French not only improves your comprehension, it also helps you get over the fear of speaking. Many people freeze because they are afraid of making mistakes, but seeing how French is used in real situations, such as a conversation between friends in Call My Agent! or an interview on a podcast, builds confidence and familiarity with common expressions. Copying accents, intonation and pauses will bring you much closer to authentic pronunciation.
Another major benefit of using films, series and podcasts to learn French is that you get used to the different regional accents, from Parisian French to the accents of southern France or even of French-speaking countries such as Belgium and Canada. That range of varieties is essential if you plan to travel, work or do business in a French-speaking environment, and it is rarely covered by traditional textbooks.
Finally, audiovisual content keeps you exposed to the language without it feeling like schoolwork. You can turn your free time into a learning experience and still enjoy yourself. Watching a film like Intouchables or listening to an episode of Coffee Break French on your morning walk lets you consolidate what you have learnt without sitting down to study formally. That is particularly useful if you are short of time but want to stay in constant contact with the language.
Ready to immerse yourself in real French?
Learning French through series, films and podcasts is not only possible, it is highly effective. Audiovisual content supports language immersion, improves listening comprehension and builds vocabulary without endless lists to memorise.
This approach has the added value of connecting you with French culture: its expressions, accents, customs and humour. That makes learning more meaningful and longer lasting.
Every person, every team and every company has different needs. That is why at Alos we build tailor-made language courses with a clear purpose. Our programmes combine flexibility with a practical focus: in-person or online, adapted to your pace and your real goals.
Language training is not just about learning to speak a language; it is about learning to use it where you need it most.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Yes. Constant exposure to the language in real contexts improves comprehension and familiarity with vocabulary and grammar.
At least 30 minutes of daily exposure to the language is recommended if you want to notice a significant difference.
Start with subtitles in your own language and, as you progress, switch to French subtitles to strengthen the link between sound and spelling.
Many of these resources are designed for beginners, so you can start even with no previous knowledge of the language.
Yes. Listening to podcasts helps you get used to French pronunciation and intonation, which improves your ability to speak the language.