French is much more than just the official language of France. Spoken by nearly 300 million people across five continents, it ranks as the fifth most spoken language worldwide and the second most studied language after English. Its influence spans Europe, America, Africa, and parts of Asia, making it an incredibly valuable communication tool.
Mastering French can significantly enhance your career prospects. France boasts the sixth largest economy in the world, and multinational companies like L’Oréal, Renault, and BNP Paribas constantly seek bilingual staff. For those working in gastronomy, fashion, art, or international relations, knowing French is practically essential.
The cultural wealth associated with French is undeniable. It gives you direct access to the works of Victor Hugo and Albert Camus, films by François Truffaut, music of Édith Piaf, and philosophy of Sartre in their original form. Additionally, it opens doors to prestigious French universities with tuition fees considerably lower than their Anglophone counterparts.
If you’re interested in learning this valuable language, Udemy offers an excellent free opportunity with “French for Beginners,” a course designed by Katie H, a college student majoring in business with a minor in French who has been passionate about the language since sixth grade.
A comprehensive introduction to French for complete beginners
This beginner-friendly course requires absolutely no previous French experience. Taught by Katie H, the course is structured around eight modules, each including an optional worksheet or quiz to reinforce your learning.
The program is designed to be comprehensive yet approachable, with 1 hour and 19 minutes of on-demand video content that you can complete at your own pace. With over 4,195 students already enrolled and a strong 4.2/5 star rating, this course has proven to be an effective starting point for French language learners.
The content is presented in English with automatic subtitles available, making it accessible for English speakers worldwide who want to venture into the world of French.
What you’ll learn in this course
Throughout this program, you’ll develop:
- Knowledge about common French traditions and cultural aspects
- Listening skills needed to understand native speakers
- Vocabulary covering common daily topics
- Confidence to speak about everyday topics and express feelings (agree/disagree, sad/happy/surprised/confused)
The course begins with introductions and greetings, then explains the five French accents and how to pronounce them, as well as counting basics. Additional modules cover conjugation fundamentals, gender and articles, the difference between “être” and “avoir” (to be and to have), conversation basics, and French culture.
Katie also recommends supplementing your learning with the DuoLingo app to practice daily and gradually build your French vocabulary.
About the instructor
Katie H is a college student majoring in business with a minor in French who has created this course to share her passion for the language. She’s been studying French since sixth grade and aims to create an accessible entry point for beginners.
With a 4.2/5 instructor rating and positive feedback from over 140 students, Katie has successfully designed a course that introduces French language concepts in a friendly, approachable way.
How to enroll
Getting started with this free course is simple:
- Create an Udemy account (if you don’t already have one)
- Click “Enroll Now” (it’s completely free)
- Start learning at your own pace
This is your opportunity to begin learning one of the world’s most influential languages without any financial investment, just your time and dedication.