Your first words.
Your first French story.
Learn French for absolute beginners
You don’t need to know a single word of French. Meet a few words with pictures and audio, practice them with guidance, then see them come together in a story.
Module 1 needs no account. Create a free account to save progress and unlock module 2.
Connect written French with what you hear
French spelling and pronunciation do not always line up letter by letter. Listen to each new word alongside its picture and written form. Notice short words such as articles and pronouns, then hear how familiar words fit into a sentence.
Begin with recognition
Meet a manageable set of words with visual and listening support. You can repeat before moving on.
Practice in small steps
Follow the module’s guided activities, check your understanding and revisit unfamiliar words.
Grow into stories
Milestone stories bring earlier vocabulary together, so your practice has a clear destination.
Your French beginner course
Start at the beginning and build on familiar words. Explore any module below to see its goal and vocabulary before opening the course.
- 1TRY WITHOUT SIGNUP
A Family Moment
Recognize and understand basic French words for identifying people, being, and having.
un / une · la femme · l’homme - 2FREE WITH YOUR ACCOUNT
Morning Coffee
Recognize and use words for the morning, home, coffee, going, doing, and informal you.
le / la / l’ · la maison · le café - 3CONTINUE IN THE APP
A Cat in the Street
Recognize and understand simple descriptions of a cat, a street, and what someone sees.
le chat · la rue · ici - MILESTONE STORY
The Cat Comes Home
Follow a simple story about going from home to a café and finding a cat again.
- 4CONTINUE IN THE APP
Bread and Water at the Table
Recognize and use simple French words for eating, wanting, food, company, and addressing more than one person.
le pain · l’eau · la table - 5CONTINUE IN THE APP
A Phone Call at the Bakery
Recognize and use basic words for a phone conversation, speaking, answering, and thanking someone.
le téléphone · Monsieur · l’ami / l’amie - 6CONTINUE IN THE APP
Finding the Bag
Understand and use simple French words for looking, searching, finding, and locating everyday objects.
le sac · la boîte · regarder - MILESTONE STORY
The Bag at the Café
Follow a simple story about losing, looking for, and finding a bag.
- 7CONTINUE IN THE APP
The Coat by the Door
Understand and use words for familiar household objects and simple actions involving them.
la porte · la chaise · le manteau - 8CONTINUE IN THE APP
Waiting at the Door
Recognize and use simple French words for arriving, waiting, entering, location, time, and bicycle travel.
le vélo · là · à - 9CONTINUE IN THE APP
The Grandmother’s Photo
Recognize and use simple French words for family, photos, likes, smiles, and feelings.
la grand-mère · la photo · aimer - MILESTONE STORY
The Lost Photo
Read a short story about losing, searching for, and recovering a treasured photo.
- 10CONTINUE IN THE APP
A Busy Day at the Café
Understand simple statements about working, ability, negation, contrast, and the present day.
aujourd’hui · le jour · travailler - 11CONTINUE IN THE APP
The Little Red Ball
Recognize and use words for a ball, a hand, simple descriptions, touching, and the expression “in hand.”
le ballon · la main · petit - 12CONTINUE IN THE APP
A Letter in the Attic
Recognize and use words for a letter, an eye, an attic, holding, belonging, and asking where something is.
la lettre · l’œil · le grenier - MILESTONE STORY
The Red Ball in the Attic
Read a complete story about looking for and finding a lost object.
- 13CONTINUE IN THE APP
The Old Blue Ball
Understand and use simple descriptions, purpose, thoughts, and an everyday condition.
grand · bleu · vieux - 14CONTINUE IN THE APP
The Black Ball in the Attic
Recognize and use words for evening, black, now, always, when, and knowing in a simple everyday situation.
le soir · noir · maintenant - 15CONTINUE IN THE APP
The White Letter
Understand a simple exchange about confusion, repetition, and a white object.
blanc · non · pourquoi - MILESTONE STORY
The Photo in the Attic
Read a complete story about finding an old family photo and sharing it with someone.
Your progress comes with you.
Try module 1 here without signing up. Create a free account to save your progress and complete module 2 on the web. Then continue in the Inklingo app.
Already have an account? Sign in to that same account in the app. Use the same sign-in method as on the website. You don’t need a new account or to start again.
The free app includes the first 3 modules and the first milestone story. Premium learners can continue through the full course.
Open Foundations
Before you start
What does A0 mean?
Inklingo uses A0 for the starting point before A1: absolute beginners who are building their first vocabulary. You don’t need a placement test or previous lessons to start Foundations.
Do I need an account for the first module?
No. You can try module 1 as a guest. Create an account when you are ready to continue so your completion is saved and available across the web and app.
Can I use the course on a computer?
Yes. The first two modules are available to free learners on the web; module 2 requires an account. Continue free starter access in the app, or use your existing Premium access for the full web course.
What should I practice after Foundations?
Try beginner French stories. Keep using audio and word meanings while you build reading confidence. You can also explore the French vocabulary library.