Resources

Tools to help you get started in France

the word language tips spelled with scrabble tiles
the word language tips spelled with scrabble tiles
Learning French

High-quality tools for beginners to advanced learners

Apps & Online Courses

  1. Duolingo – Beginner-friendly, gamified French.

  2. Babbel – Structured lessons with grammar explanations.

  3. Busuu – CEFR-aligned lessons + speaking practice.

  4. Rosetta Stone – Immersive, no translations.

  5. LingQ – Learn through reading real content.

  6. Memrise – Vocabulary with spaced repetition.

  7. Pimsleur – Audio-based learning, good for commuting.

Serious Study / CEFR-Aligned

  1. Alliance Française Online – Official French courses, A1–C2.

  2. Français Facile – Free grammar exercises and quizzes.

  3. TV5 Monde Apprendre – Videos and exercises for all levels.

  4. RFI Savoirs – Journal en Français Facile – Daily slow news.

  5. Lawless French – Excellent grammar explanations.

  6. Frantastique – Daily personalised lessons with humour.

  7. Clozemaster – Sentence-based practice for intermediate learners.

a wooden block that says translation on it
a wooden block that says translation on it
Certified Translators in the EU (Sworn / Official Translators)

These are translators recognised by courts/governments, suitable for visas, titre de séjour, driving licence exchanges, birth/marriage certificates, etc.
(Note: France uses “traducteurs assermentés” registered with the local Court of Appeal; other EU countries have their own sworn translator systems.)

France

  1. Annuaire des Traducteurs Assermentés (Cour d’Appel) – Official directory.

  2. SFT – Société Française des Traducteurs – Professional certified translators.

  3. La Poste Certified Translation Service – Government-recognised.

  4. Acolad Legal Translations – Sworn translators for FR/EN.

Germany

  1. BDÜ (Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer) – State-certified translators.

  2. Justiz-Dolmetscher.de – Official German sworn translator registry.

  3. KERN AG – Certified legal translations across the EU.

Spain

  1. Traductores Jurados (MAEC official directory) – Government-certified sworn translators.

  2. SeproTec – Large certified translation provider.

Netherlands

  1. Wbtv Register (Dutch Bureau for Sworn Interpreters & Translators) – Official list.

Speaking Practice

  1. italki – Affordable 1:1 lessons with native tutors.

  2. Preply – Conversation-focused tutors.

  3. HelloTalk – Language exchange with native speakers.

  4. Tandem – Conversation exchange matching system.

Immersion Materials

  1. Netflix with LingoPie / Language Reactor extensions – Dual subtitles + vocab.

  2. YouTube French Teachers

  • Alice Ayel

  • Français Authentique

  • Hugo Décrypte (for advanced learners)

Belgium

  1. Belgian National Register of Sworn Translators & Interpreters

  2. Lexitech – Certified translations recognised across the EU.

Italy

  1. Tribunale di Roma – Albo dei Periti – Sworn translator listings.

  2. Studio Interpreti Milano – Legalised translations for immigration.

Portugal

  1. Notaries/Conservatória Certified Translators – Portugal’s recognised system.

  2. Letrário – Legalised translations accepted for residency.

Ireland

  1. ITIA (Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association) – Certified members.

  2. InstantTranslations.ie – Popular for visa paperwork.

EU-Wide / Online

  1. RushTranslate (EU/US accepted formats) – Certified translations for immigration.

  2. Translated.com Certified Division – Notary-ready, sworn translations.