How to Learn French While Having Fun? 8 Great Activity Ideas for Adults

Learning a new language becomes much more enjoyable when it is associated with engaging activities. With the right method and a positive mindset, this linguistic adventure can become a rewarding and fun experience. Whether it's to boost your career, travel with confidence, or simply out of interest, French remains an essential international language, especially in Switzerland.

Here are 8 ways to learn French while having fun:

Watch movies or series in original version

An excellent way to improve your listening comprehension while having fun is to watch movies or series in French. Choose titles you enjoy and start by turning on subtitles in your native language, then gradually switch to French subtitles, and eventually none at all. It’s a natural way to expand your vocabulary and train your ear while relaxing with your favorite shows and movies.

Tip: You can pause the movie when certain scenes seem more difficult and look up the vocabulary.

Discover our Top Romantic Movies to learn French

Read books in French

Reading is still an effective method to learn French vocabulary and strengthen grammar. Start with easy books, short stories, or novels suited to your level. Choose a theme or story that you’re passionate about to stay motivated throughout.

Tip: You can write down useful words or expressions to reuse in your own sentences.

If you want to learn even more about books to read to improve your learning, click here

Try audiobooks

Don’t have time to read? Audiobooks are an ideal alternative. Listen to your favorite stories in French wherever you are, on your commute, in transit, at home, etc. It’s a great way to get used to spoken French and various accents.

Tip: Start with simple books or ones you already know in your native language to make learning easier.

Listen to podcasts

Another effective method is to listen to podcasts. On top of being easy to access anytime, there are podcasts for every interest: news, personal development, business, culture, humor… Choose topics that interest you to make listening enjoyable.

Tip: Start with educational podcasts in French, then move to native content as your level progresses.

Discover podcasts to learn and improve your French

Go to the cinema to watch films

If you enjoy seeing the latest movie releases, take advantage of it by going to see films in French. The cinema offers full immersion in the language, with vocabulary often more authentic than in dubbed versions. Whether alone or with company, going to the movies is always a good way to mix pleasure and learning.

Tip: Read the movie summary before going, it will help you understand the storyline better.

Play games in French

Playing games is a perfect way to have fun, alone or with others, while practicing your French. It allows you to use the language in a light and enjoyable setting. Games like Scrabble, quizzes, or role-playing games are fun ways to practice and expand your vocabulary.

Tip: Choose different types of games to work on various aspects of the language.

Do your favorite activities in French

Whether it's sports, cooking, gardening, video games, or any other hobby, it’s possible to include them in your language learning. Follow tutorials in French on YouTube, read recipes, or join French-speaking forums about topics you're passionate about. It’s an effective way to integrate language learning into your daily life and connect it to your personal interests.

Tip: Introduce these routines progressively to make your learning flow more naturally.

Take part in language events

Meeting people gives you a chance to practice your French in friendly environments and share moments with new people. Find out about French-language events or workshops organized in Switzerland: afterworks, quiz nights, language meetups, polyglot cafés…

Tip: Dare to speak, mistakes are part of the process.

There are many learning methods, but they all share one thing in common: making the process more enjoyable through the fun they bring. And if you want to practice in real-life situations, nothing beats the exchanges that happen at social events, such as language outings or Social Clubs, like those offered by Swiss French School. These gatherings allow you to make progress in French spontaneously, in a relaxed environment. Find out more about our Social Club activities!