Getting started with French 1 is a free two-week course from The Open University on OpenLearn for complete beginners. It is an extract from the opening of the university's short course Beginners French 1: eh oui!, so it follows the same careful progression used with paying students: listening first, then speaking, reading, and writing about yourself.
You can begin without registering. Creating a free OpenLearn account adds progress tracking, access to all quizzes, and a statement of participation when you finish.
Two weeks of first contact
| Week | Theme | What you will be able to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Say hello: Bonjour! | greet people and say goodbye, choose greetings for different settings, recognise the u and ou sounds |
| 2 | Names and nationality | give your name and nationality, and distinguish masculine and feminine forms when reading, listening, and speaking |
The course includes audio activities for pronunciation practice, and the downloadable resources contain the recordings used in each week's exercises.
Pronunciation from the first day
A feature that sets this course apart from phrase lists is its attention to sound. Early in the first week it trains you to hear and produce the difference between the French u (as in tu) and ou (as in vous), a contrast English speakers often struggle with and that changes meaning. It also introduces basic rules for linking spelling to pronunciation, which makes later vocabulary easier to read aloud.
In the second week, the focus on masculine and feminine forms of nationalities (such as français and française) shows how gender affects both spelling and pronunciation, a pattern that returns throughout French grammar.
How it fits with the rest of this category
The other French resources here are short reference guides for grammar topics such as verbs, adverbs, and connectors. This course provides what they lack: a guided start with audio. A practical combination is to complete the two weeks first, then use the French Phrases Book and the Essential French Words Book to extend the vocabulary you have begun to use.
Getting the most from the course
- Do the listening activities with headphones and repeat each phrase aloud before moving on.
- Record yourself introducing yourself at the end of week two and compare it with the model audio.
- Write a short introduction card with your name, nationality, and a greeting, using both formal and informal forms.
The course suits absolute beginners, travellers, and anyone returning to French after many years who wants a structured restart.