Websites for Developing French Reading Skills
Online Resources to Improve French Grammar and Vocabulary
May 14, 2009
The Internet hosts a wealth of materials for language students of all levels, from e-books to newspapers to interactive online tools developed for both individuals and classrooms. But the sheer volume of material available means you can waste precious time searching for relevant resources. Here are a few suggestions to get you started in the right direction.
Go Simple – Try Reading French Novels Available Online
The French catalogue at Project Gutenberg is undoubtedly the best online resource for accessing the works of hundreds of French authors. Gutenberg lists 1,416 texts in French, all free for the taking with just a few clicks of the mouse. Select favorites like Eugénie Grandet by Honoré de Balzac, Chéri by Colette, or Alain Fournier’s Le Grand Meaulnes.
The Gutenberg French catalogue lists most 17th – 19th century writers: Zola, Madame de Lafayette, Diderot, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Jules Verne and many more. If you are unsure whether your French is good enough for these traditional novels, there are also French translations of well-known English favorites like Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre and Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, which may be easier for beginners or intermediate-level readers.
The ABU is another online library of French texts. Their catalogue has fewer titles than what is available through Project Gutenberg but their format is highly readable. They do include a few texts which are not available at Gutenberg. To browse their catalogue, click on the word “auteurs” or “textes” in the top-right blue box on the main page.
Chloé, an Interactive French-learning Tool
Put together by several National Radio Networks and the French Cultural Centers or Institutes in each respective country involved, Chloé is a useful and amusing online tool for improving listening and reading comprehension. The site hosts nine interactive episodes with listening and reading modules, followed by a variety of activities. Follow Chloé about her mysterious Parisian adventures and improve your French at the same time!
Helpful Sites for Developing French-Language Skills
Litgloss provides samples from a variety of celebrated French texts, mostly classics. A unique feature of this site is that it allows the reader to roll their cursor over most words to then receive a definition.
France-Amérique is a journal written in French for English-speaking readers. This monthly magazine is one of the best resources out there for language learners. The content is varied and its simple editorial style is easy to follow.
Advanced readers should try the following French magazines and journals, all of which have a broad offering of online content: Le Monde, Marianne, L’Hebdo, Le Figaro, Paris-Match or Le Nouvel Observateur.
The Internet is a valuable, money-saving tool for foreign language students. Knowing where to find the right resources will help increase your French-language proficiency.
 |
