Learn French with Victor Hugo 

Learning French with Victor Hugo: a literary and linguistic journey

Victor Hugo, the emblematic figure of French literature, is much more than just a great writer. His rich and varied works provides a valuable resource for those who want to learn French while exploring the literary classics. In fact, I discuss his work and the impact of his actions in my FOS littérature courses. 

For students with a DELF B2 (Diplôme d’études en Langue Française) or above, delving into Victor Hugo’s texts can be an effective and fun way of improving your language skills.

Why read Victor Hugo to improve your French?

Victor Hugo is one of the most universal authors of French literature. His language, while rich and sometimes complex, offers a diversity that allows students to explore an advanced level of French and discover French culture in all its many facets. Works such as Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris provide an introduction to French through the novel itself, but also through films and musicals.

Reading French classics to improve your French is an excellent strategy for students of FLE and FOS littérature (Français sur Objectifs Spécifiques). Hugo’s texts are full of varied vocabulary, idiomatic expressions and turns of phrase that enrich learners’ linguistic level and general culture.

Victor Hugo: rich resources for FLE teachers

Teachers of FLE and FOS Literature often find the works of Victor Hugo to be excellent teaching material for structuring their lessons. His writings can be used to address social issues, French history, philosophy and personal development, while working on the language itself.

Using selected extracts, teachers can offer language activities such as text analysis, listening or reading comprehension, and even thematic discussions. By incorporating Victor Hugo and literature into the DALF C1 or DALF C2 (Diplôme d’Aptitudes à la Langue Française) syllabus, French lessons become more lively, stimulating learners’ interest and participation. It’s an enriching way of approaching the French language in a way that’s both academic and fun.

Personally, I love talking about his impact on French society and his political setbacks. And how, even today, Victor Hugo has an impact on French society.

Reading French classics to improve your French becomes a pleasure and a linguistic exercise at the same time. FLE students learn not only vocabulary, but also the structure of the language, while gaining a better understanding of the history and values of French society.

Frantastique and fun language learning

Victor Hugo can also be found on an FLE learning platform! For DELF A1, DELF B1 or DELF B2 students who want to deepen their learning while having fun, modern tools like Frantastique offer the chance to learn French online with Victor Hugo as your guide. Far from being a real person, the character portrayed by the Frantastique platform combines learning with entertainment. With lessons based on French culture, including literature, history and even French songs, Frantastique makes learning French fun and accessible to all levels.

In fact, I’m offering you the first 15 days free for your subscription to Frantastique français ! Frantastique offers access to personalised lessons, designed to match the level of each student. Learners can improve their command of the French language by immersing themselves in fascinating literary works and familiarising themselves with the classics.

How to incorporate Victor Hugo into your French language learning

Finally, here are a few practical tips for incorporating Victor Hugo into your French language learning:

1. Read simplified extracts: start with extracts or adaptations of his works, so as not to be overwhelmed by the complexity of the original text.
2. Watching film adaptations: several of Hugo’s works, such as Les Misérables, have been adapted for the cinema. This allows you to deepen your understanding of the story while visualising the context.
3. Use dedicated FLE resources: a number of FLE teaching resources offer activities based on the works of Victor Hugo, providing structured and appropriate support.
4. Follow literature courses in French: by incorporating the reading of Victor Hugo into dedicated literature courses, you will benefit from the guidance of a teacher, while sharing your impressions and analyses with other learners. Don’t forget to contact me to find out more about my FOS literature workshop!

Conclusion

Learning French with Victor Hugo is much more than just a language exercise. It’s a cultural and historical journey that enriches the mind while improving your language skills. Whether you choose to read an entire novel, immerse yourself in extracts in a French literature course, or sign up to Frantastique for fun lessons, the richness of Hugo’s work remains a valuable source of inspiration and learning.

By making reading the French classics part of your learning path, you’ll discover the beauty and diversity of the French language and make progress while exploring one of France’s greatest literary treasures.