"I'm finding the French Uncovered programme stimulating and an excellent resource to improve my French. I particularly like the focus on learning vocabulary and grammar in context using natural dialogue."
What Your First Lesson Actually Looks Like
Not features. Not bullet points. This is what happens when you sit down and press play.
1
0:000:00
You press play and the story begins...
"Ils sont tous rassemblés dans la bibliothèque. Marta est scientifique. Tony est archéologue. David étudie les langues..."
A native French speaker begins reading the opening of L'Homme au Chapeau. You follow along, reading the text as you listen.
You don't understand everything. But you understand more than you expected. Scientifique... scientist. Archéologue... archaeologist. You got those without studying a single word.
And you want to know what happens next. That's the feeling.
2
You already know more French than you think
Next, your course tutor, Diane, shows you the words hiding in plain sight. Voyager? Think "voyage": it means "to travel." Économiser? "Economise": to save money. Utile? That's "useful."
These are cognates, French words that look like English ones. There are thousands of them scattered throughout the story, and you can guess their meaning using context and a little imagination.
This is the moment students say: "Wait, I can actually do this."
3
Then Diane breaks down how the language actually works
You've already heard this in the story: Marta est scientifique. Diane walks you through it, est means "is," and you've just discovered the verb être, the most important verb in French.
No grammar tables. No abstract rules. Just real sentences from the story you just read, pulled apart so you can see how they fit together. You learn grammar naturally, using words you've already met in the story, not by memorising rules.
4
Diane shows you how it really sounds
Diane is a native French speaker certified by the Alliance Française, with over 12 years of teaching experience. She shows you exactly how to shape your mouth for sounds that don't exist in English. Not robotic textbook pronunciation, the real rhythm and music of spoken French.
5
You learn the world the language lives in
France's regional diversity, from Normandy to Provence. Its history, cuisine, and cultural traditions. Because you can't truly speak a language without understanding the people who speak it.
6
Then you go back to the story
You listen again. And this time, sentences that were opaque twenty minutes ago suddenly make sense.
You can hear where one word ends and another begins. You understand why the characters said what they said. You're not translating, you're understanding.
That's your first chapter: Story Immersion → Guided Discovery Lesson → Review.
You've already started reading French, understanding grammar, and hearing the rhythm of the language.
There are 10 chapters. Each chapter has 6 full-length lessons. And each one goes deeper. Each one builds on the last.
Everything I just described is in the free trial. Full access to the entire course: story, videos, exercises, everything, for 7 days.
Want to see inside the course?
Watch Olly give you a personal tour of French Uncovered:
Experience This Yourself7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Can I be honest with you?
I've learned 8 languages. And I've failed at most of them, spectacularly, before figuring out what works.
So I know exactly what you're going through right now.
You downloaded the app. You did the daily streak. You memorised le chat, la table, Bonjour. You even took a class or two.
And for a while, it felt like progress.
But then you tried to actually use your French, with a real person, at real speed, and the whole thing fell apart.
- You know the words, but you can't string them into sentences fast enough
- You can read simple phrases, but native speakers sound like a blur
- You've spent months studying, but you still feel like a permanent beginner
I've been there. Staring at someone, nodding politely, pretending I understood. It's not fun.
But here's the thing I wish someone had told me years ago:
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. Textbooks teach you to
conjugate verbs on paper.
Neither of them teaches you to actually speak and understand
French.
There's a reason you're still stuck. And it has nothing to do with talent, age, or how many hours you've studied.
It has everything to do with how you've been learning.
Let me show you what I discovered instead.
Why Stories Work (When Grammar Drills Don't)
Think about how traditional courses work. They teach you a language the way you learned algebra: rules first, practice second, application... maybe someday.
But that's not how you learned your native language. Nobody handed you a grammar table when you were two years old. You learned through immersion. Through context. Through stories that made you care about what happened next.
That's exactly what StoryLearning does. And here's why it works so well:
The StoryLearning Method
Your Brain Is Wired for Story
Stories aren't just entertainment, they're how humans have transmitted knowledge for 100,000 years. When you learn through narrative, your brain engages differently: deeper encoding, stronger memory formation, better recall.
Context Creates Memory
You don't remember random words. You remember the moment the detective discovered the note. The look on Maria's face when she heard the news. Words attached to story stick because they mean something.
Guided Discovery Beats Memorisation
Instead of giving you a rule and asking you to apply it, StoryLearning lets you encounter patterns naturally, then explains what you just discovered. You figure it out, so you own it. That's why you never forget it.
It's Not Just Our Opinion
The StoryLearning method is grounded in decades of language acquisition research.
Dr. Stephen Krashen, Professor Emeritus at USC and one of the most cited linguists in history, proved that language is acquired through comprehensible input, not grammar study.
When you understand messages in the target language, acquisition happens naturally. StoryLearning is built on this principle.
Dual Coding Theory shows that memory is strongest when you encode information both verbally and through imagery.
Stories create vivid mental pictures that make vocabulary stick, which is why you remember story words but forget flashcard words.
Contextual Learning Research consistently shows that words learned in meaningful context are retained 2-3x longer than words learned in isolation.
Every word in StoryLearning arrives with a scene, a character, and a reason to care.
"Olly's top-notch language-learning insights are right in line with the best of what we know from neuroscience and cognitive psychology about how to learn effectively. I love his work, and you will too!"
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Meet Your Guides
I'm Olly Richards. I'm the creator of StoryLearning and author of the bestselling Short Stories series (over 2 million books sold). I'm fluent in 8 languages, and my YouTube channel has racked up more than 70 million views on language learning.
Collaborated with:
Featured in:
I designed French Uncovered using the same StoryLearning method that's helped over 100,000 people learn languages. But for French, I brought in someone special to teach you...
Your French Teacher: Diane Sbihi
Diane is the person you'll spend 60+ video lessons with, and she's the kind of teacher who makes you forget you're studying.
A passionate teacher certified by the renowned Alliance Française, Diane has over 12 years of experience teaching French to everyone from complete beginners to CEOs and professional athletes.
Diane's own love of teaching comes from her love of learning. She's taught herself multiple languages and sees learning as a journey, one that builds confidence, not just new skills. You'll feel that warmth and encouragement from your very first lesson.
🇫🇷Native French speaker
🎓Certified by the Alliance Française
📚12+ years teaching French & Arabic
🌍Students from beginners to advanced, children to CEOs
Is French Uncovered Right For You?
StoryLearning isn't for everyone, and that's by design. Here's how to know if it's right for you.
This IS For You If...
- You've tried Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone, but nothing stuck
- You know plenty of words, but freeze up when trying to speak
- You want to understand native speakers, not just pass quizzes
- You'd rather read an interesting story than memorise vocabulary lists
- You can commit to 20-30 minutes a day of focused practice
This is NOT For You If...
- You need travel phrases for a trip next week (this is comprehensive, not a phrasebook)
- You prefer structured grammar drills and memorisation exercises
- You want live classes with a teacher (this is self-paced)
- You're already at conversational level (check out our Intermediate courses instead)
- You're looking for a passive "learn while you sleep" solution
Start Your Free Trial7 days free. Cancel anytime.
What Happens When French Finally Clicks
"I have been listening to the French story for a few weeks now. There is so much that I now recognise in everyday French that I didn't get in my formal lessons. I have gained so much from this program. I don't want it to end!"
"Just a great way to learn French. You are not memorising words but following a story and getting comfortable with sentence structures. Would highly recommend this method to anyone learning a new language."
"I believe the StoryLearning course is equivalent to two semesters at a university. The quality of the material is at a university level. The lessons are a lot more fun than sitting in a lecture hall."
"I love the way we can learn things that are in the context of a story, and remember it because of the story. This is beyond my expectations."
"French Uncovered is the best language learning tool and method that I have ever encountered. The videos are extremely helpful and easy to understand. I've learned so much in the last 4 weeks than in the last 4 years of learning on my own. I am actually understanding native speakers! Thank you Olly Richards!"
"After trying to learn French on & off for 15+ years I was determined never to buy another programme, app or book but then along came French Uncovered. IT'S THE BEST!"
"We have been living in SW France for 10 years. Eight years of grammar lessons and we can just about converse with our neighbours. Both ex primary school teachers who know the power of story. Your course was made for us. Thanks."
"I got French Uncovered for beginners. I tried other methods before but felt lost and overwhelmed. With French Uncovered I easily practice reading, listening, grammar and speaking. I highly recommend it."
"I believe regular consistency with French Uncovered has got me to lower intermediate (A2/B1) in 3 months, which other courses could not do in 2.5 years. Now constantly working to improve."
"I can thoroughly recommend French Uncovered. The method of combining story telling with good video grammar/vocabulary lessons is unbeatable. Other courses just have one or the other and fall short of what a student really needs."
"If you tell me a good story, I'll follow you anywhere. What better way to learn a language than through asking what happens next? This is a challenging, well-designed course that never bored me. And I learned a lot of French."
Your Journey Through French Uncovered
At the heart of French Uncovered is an original story called L'Homme au Chapeau (The Man in the Hat).
Three friends, Marta the scientist, Tony the archaeologist, and
David the linguist, discover a mysterious old book in a library in
Swansea. Inside are cryptic clues that lead them on an adventure
across France, from Rouen to Bordeaux, Paris to Lyon.
As they chase clues left by a mysterious figure known only as l'homme au chapeau, the story pulls you deeper into the language, and you won't want to stop until you find out who he really is.
Watch Your French Grow
Here's actual text from the course. See how much more you'll understand as the story unfolds:
Chapter 1
"Ils sont tous rassemblés dans la bibliothèque. Marta est scientifique. Tony est archéologue. David étudie les langues."
Even as a complete beginner, you recognise scientifique, archéologue, and bibliothèque. You already understand more than you expected, and you want to know what these three friends are up to.
Chapter 5
"L'avion décolle de l'aéroport de Cardiff, à destination de Rouen, en Normandie. Les trois amis prennent l'avion pour la France et sont assis à l'arrière de l'avion. David a le livre spécial entre les mains."
The plane takes off for Rouen... the three friends are sitting at the back... David has the special book in his hands. You're following full sentences with verbs, prepositions, and descriptions, and the mystery is pulling you forward.
Chapter 10
"C'est sûr. Quelqu'un nous a suivi et a caché les morceaux de papier juste pour nous. Il a aussi mis le livre dans la bibliothèque de Swansea. C'est l'homme au chapeau, j'en suis sûre."
"Someone followed us and hid the pieces of paper just for us..." You're reading past tenses, pronouns, and complex dialogue, and you understood every word, because the story carried you here.
Everything You Get
10 chapters. 60+ video lessons. A complete path from beginner to confident.
✓
10 story chaptersComplete audio in both European & Canadian
French
✓
60+ video lessons with DianeGrammar, vocabulary, cognates & culture, all in
context
✓
Pronunciation training with DianeNative speaker & accent expert
✓
Speaking activity packsStructured exercises for solo or tutor practice
✓
100% downloadableStudy offline, anywhere, on any device
✓
Private communityAsk questions, get support, connect with learners
✓
Comprehension quizzesCheck your progress at every stage
✓
Lifetime accessIncluding all future updates, forever
Try French Uncovered Risk-Free
365-Day Money-Back Guarantee
I'm confident French Uncovered will work for you. But I also know that confidence comes from experience, not promises.
So here's my guarantee: Try the course. Work through the chapters. If at any point in the next 365 days you decide it's not for you, email us and we'll refund every penny. No questions. No awkwardness. No hassle.
You have a full year to decide. That's how confident I am that you'll love learning this way.
Olly Richards
$397 $297
Less than $1 a day over a year • Equivalent to two university semesters
Start with a 7-day free trial. Full access. Cancel anytime.
Start Your 7-Day Free TrialYou won't be charged until your trial ends
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm not a complete beginner. Is this course for me?
If you're still building your foundation and don't feel
confident holding conversations yet, yes, French Uncovered will
fill in the gaps and give you the fluency you're missing. If you
can already hold comfortable conversations with native speakers,
you might be better suited for our Intermediate courses. Not
sure? Start the free trial and see where you land.
What if I don't have time to study every day?
The course is entirely self-paced. There are no live sessions,
no deadlines, no pressure. You have lifetime access, so you can
start when you're ready, take breaks when life gets busy, and
come back whenever you want. Most students find that 20-30
minutes a day works well, but you can adjust to your schedule.
What variety of French do you teach?
The course includes audio in both European French and Canadian
French, so you'll be comfortable with both accents. The
vocabulary and grammar you'll learn will serve you in any
Francophone country, from Paris to Montreal to Dakar.
How is this different from Duolingo or Babbel?
Apps teach you to pass their own quizzes. You get good at
matching words and completing exercises, but when you encounter
real French, a native speaker, a movie, a conversation, you
freeze. StoryLearning teaches you to understand and speak actual
French through immersion in a compelling story. You're not
learning to play a game; you're learning a language.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You have 365 days to decide. If French Uncovered isn't right for
you, for any reason, email us and we'll refund your purchase in
full. No questions asked, no forms to fill out. We've processed
thousands of refunds without hassle, though we rarely need to.
Can I try before I pay?
Yes. The 7-day free trial gives you full access to the course.
Explore the lessons, experience the story, try the method. You
won't be charged until the trial ends, and you can cancel
anytime with one click.
What happens after the free trial?
After 7 days, your card is charged $297 for lifetime access to
the full course. There are no recurring fees, it's a single
payment. If you cancel during the trial, you won't be charged at
all. And remember, even after paying, you still have the 365-day
money-back guarantee.
How long will it take to complete the course?
Most students complete French Uncovered in 3-6 months, studying
20-30 minutes per day. But there's no clock ticking. Some move
faster, some take their time. The course is designed for
sustainable progress, not a sprint.
Will I be able to speak fluently after this course?
French Uncovered will give you a solid conversational
foundation, the ability to understand native speakers, hold real
conversations, and express yourself confidently. "Fluency" is a
lifelong journey, but this course will get you further than
years of apps and classes combined. Many students report
achieving more in 10 weeks than in years of previous study.
