Introducing French culture to my students is a task that I take on with joy and purpose. When I was in school, learning English wasn’t easy. It felt disconnected from real life—just textbooks and grammar drills. But when I moved to the U.S. and suddenly realized how much more I could do with the language—talk to people from different backgrounds, explore new cultures, understand music, jokes, movies—I was hooked. Motivation soared, and so did my progress.
That’s why I’m passionate about making French culture real for my students. Language learning isn’t just about vocabulary and verb conjugations—it’s about connecting with people and ideas.
But what are your options as a teacher if you’re not French, don’t know the culture that well, or haven’t had the chance to travel there?
Good news: you don’t need a plane ticket to bring French culture into your classroom. Here are some fun, practical, and meaningful ways to make the culture come alive—no passport required.
ideas for introducing the french culture
Pen Pals allow students to learn about french culture from french students
I remember when my sister had a pen pal while learning German. That student even came to stay with us in France for a week. I was fascinated—I wanted a pen pal too! I had so many questions and suddenly wanted to speak German just to connect.
Your students can experience this same spark of curiosity. Whether through traditional letter writing or email exchanges, pen pals give students a chance to practice real communication, ask cultural questions, and build cross-cultural friendships.
Sure, in today’s age of texting and TikTok, writing a letter may seem old-school—but that’s part of the magic. It teaches patience, thoughtfulness, and builds anticipation in a way instant messages just can’t.
Try to bring in Food from the french culture
French people talk about food constantly. It’s not just fuel—it’s a part of daily life, social connection, and even identity. Meals are long, shared, and cherished.
If your school allows, I highly recommend organizing small tasting events around key French celebrations:
La Chandeleur: Make crêpes together.
L’Épiphanie: Try galette des rois (king cake).
Bastille Day: Sample cheese, bread, or pastries.
Parents can be invited to participate—it’s a great way to build community, which is what food is all about in France.
Another option: have students research and try French recipes at home. Host a bake-off featuring macarons, tarte tatin, mousse au chocolat, or even savory quiches. It's a fun way to incorporate history, language, and teamwork.
Read: 4 Simple And Effective Strategies To Teaching French Food Vocabulary
Read: Teaching L'Epiphany: 3 Resources For French Language Teachers
Virtual Field Trips Teach about the french culture
The best way to understand French culture would be to go to France of course, but this is expensive, complicated and just not an option for many students. And while many historical monuments/sites have beautiful websites that your students can explore and dig information from, is not a very exciting stand-in for traveling. So I came up with a way for students to travel with out traveling, eliciting anticipation and enthusiasm for French culture.
My Virtual Field Trips allow your students to discover some of the most famous landmarks in France! Each set includes: Teacher directions, Anticipatory set & questions, Facts, Videos and Closing activity suggestions. Find them here!
These Field Trips are a great tool during distance learning. They can be used on ZOOM, just "share screen", or in the classroom (great with a projector). They are made on PowerPoint Presentation and are IN FRENCH
Music: Discovering the Rhythm of a Culture
French music is a wonderful way to connect with students and show them that language is alive. From timeless classics to modern hits, songs are an emotional, catchy, and authentic way to build vocabulary and cultural understanding.
Ideas:
Create a French playlist and let students vote for their favorites (e.g., Stromae, Angèle, Zaz, Edith Piaf).
Analyze lyrics—many songs offer insights into French society, slang, or humor.
Ask students to present a song they like and explain its meaning.
Music creates emotional connections and is especially powerful for auditory learners. Plus, it makes French feel cool.
Read: 10 Easy French Songs To Help Your Beginner Students Learn French Fast
Read: A Comprehensive Guide On Integrating Francophone Music Into Your French Classroom
Comics (Bande Dessinée): Visual Stories With Cultural Punch
The world of French and Belgian comics, or bande dessinée, is huge—and beloved by all ages.
Start with classics:
Astérix: Historical humor and wordplay.
Tintin: Adventure and mystery.
Titeuf or Les Sisters: For a more modern, relatable teen vibe.
These comics can be read in translation at first, then revisited in French as students advance. They offer visual context clues that support comprehension and are a great bridge into more serious literature.
Activity idea: Have students create their own 4-panel comic in French. They can draw or use apps to design a strip showing a simple conversation or cultural scene.
Read: Modern French Comics To Get Your Students Learning French
Movies: Window Into French Life and Humor
Movies offer a rich, immersive view into French language and daily life. Whether you’re showing clips in class or assigning a movie night, films are a great way to introduce:
Accent and slang
Humor and body language
Social norms and history
Some student-friendly favorites:
Le Petit Nicolas (family life and childhood)
Les Choristes (music, discipline, and hope)
Ratatouille (ok, it’s Pixar—but Paris + food? Perfect!)
Ernest et Célestine (animation with heart)
You can use subtitles in the beginning and even have students discuss characters, plot, or vocabulary they noticed. Film-based class discussions can be surprisingly deep!
This list is by no means exhaustive. French culture is incredibly diverse, and even French people don’t know every tradition or regional custom. That’s part of the fun.
As educators, our job isn't to be experts in everything—it’s to be curious, open, and willing to explore alongside our students. Let’s approach cultural learning with humility and joy. Together, we can create experiences that make language learning meaningful and memorable.