Are you looking for more ways to immerse yourself in French? Podcasts are a great way to implement French into your everyday life. It’s especially important to engage with the language outside the classroom. Whether you’re taking a walk around the canyon, getting lunch in Commons, or trying to fall asleep, a podcast can add a lot more French exposure to your life. It’s a simple way to improve your French comprehension, vocabulary, and cultural knowledge. At the same time, it can be difficult to find the right one. For beginning to intermediate students, I have a recommendation for you: The Duolingo French Podcast!
The Duolingo French Podcast is the perfect middle ground for beginning and intermediate French learners. Each episode is about 20-30 minutes long, and easy to follow along with. The podcast uses intermediate-level French vocabulary and grammar, with a host that gives additional context in English. This bilingual method ensures that you aren’t completely lost, but have the chance to practice listening to French. Additionally, all Duolingo French Podcast transcripts are available online on the Duolingo French Podcast website. You can listen to the Duolingo French Podcast on their website, as well as on most podcast platforms.
The 14th season of Duolingo French Podcast, The Secret Life of Josephine Baker, tells the story of Josephine Baker, American-born French performer, French Resistance agent, and civil rights activist. Baker was a symbol of the Jazz Age and notably refused to perform for segregated audiences. It is a mini-series podcast, consisting of six 25-minute episodes. Here’s the first episode, “Josephine, la danseuse“:
The Secret Life of Josephine Baker tells Josephine Baker’s story through voice acting, sound effects, and music. These elements combine to help you follow along with the French, but if you get lost, the host, actress Ariana DeBose, is there to help you out. By the end of the story, you’ll know more about a French icon, and have improved your language skills!