If you are French and live in the United States, you know how important it is to learn English and take English courses to adapt well to life here.
I speak from experience, as I have already gone through this process of cultural and linguistic adaptation — and I have seen firsthand how language can be a bridge or a barrier, depending on how we deal with it.
I have a French friend, Théo, who I met in New York. He moved to the US with his wife, and at first he managed to get by with basic English.
But when he started looking for a job, shopping at the supermarket, making doctor’s appointments… then things got serious.
That’s when he realized: “Je dois apprendre l’anglais sérieusement.”
The challenge of the French with English
For those who come from France, English can seem distant, especially because of the pronunciation.
The sounds of “th”, for example, or the contractions typical of American speech, are difficult for those who grew up speaking French.
Furthermore, many French people learn British English at school, and when they get here, they are faced with an American accent full of slang and regional expressions.
But don’t worry. There is light at the end of the tunnel — and it is in the form of good English courses, designed especially for foreigners, with a focus on those who already have a base in another language, such as French.
The best English courses
BBC Learning English and VOA Learning English
These two are free online resources that are very good for those who want to improve their listening and vocabulary with an American or British accent.
VOA Learning English, for example, has videos at a reduced speed and topics from everyday American life. BBC Learning English offers pronunciation and grammar tips.
You can watch short videos every day — Théo used to put the videos on during breakfast and made it a routine.
Community Colleges and in-person classes
In the US, many community colleges offer free or very affordable ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. And you know what’s best? Many of them have classes with a lot of French speakers — especially in the regions of New York, California and Florida, where there is a large concentration of the French-speaking community.
These classes are great because they focus on practical life in the US: how to talk to a doctor, how to introduce yourself in a job interview, how to resolve problems with the bank, etc.
Duolingo English Course
This was the course that Théo started using. Duolingo allows French users to learn English with instructions and explanations in French.
It is great for those who are not yet very proficient in the language and need a solid foundation.
The app is free (with the option of a paid plan), and has a very playful feel. The lessons are short, easy to follow and help with vocabulary, reading, listening and basic grammar. Ideal for beginners.
EF English Live
EF English Live is a very interesting platform, as it offers online courses with live teachers, as well as a portal with recorded classes.
The cool thing is that you can choose a level of English geared towards everyday situations in the US: job interviews, business English, customer service, among others.
And yes, they have support in French, which helps a lot in supporting the student during the learning process.
A personal tip
If you, like many French people, feel embarrassed to speak for fear of making mistakes, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s completely normal to make mistakes at first.
The important thing is to communicate, expose yourself to the language, and practice every day, even if only for a short time. Make English a habit and, little by little, it will become second nature.
And one more thing: don’t isolate yourself only with French people. It’s tempting to live in a bubble where everyone speaks their native language, but if you really want to learn, you have to immerse yourself.
Go to the supermarket, talk to your neighbors, join local groups, exchange experiences with Americans — and use everything you learn in the course. Learning English as a French person living in the US is more than a necessity — it’s an opportunity for personal, professional and cultural growth.
There are great courses tailored to your profile, many with support in French, designed to make your life easier in the American world. The journey may seem long, but each word learned is a step towards feeling more at home.
As my friend Théo said after a few months of practice: “Aujourd’hui, je parle anglais… avec mon accent, bien sûr, mais je me fais me comprendre. Et ça change tout.” And that’s exactly what matters.
Download the apps here!