French Videos with accurate subtitles give you matched reading and speech, along with additional visual context.

 

The language will often be fairly natural, as the emphasis is usually on the meaning. This will increase the difficulty somewhat, compared with podcasts + speech, which are written as form of essay, and are thefore more structured.

As covered in Video Grading, you only really get accurate French subtitles when the video is originally French (Vrai Français – VF). Even then, a subtitle worker can sometimes summarise a long piece of speech, or just put something in which they feel is more appropriate. Some alterations seem quite arbitrary and can be really frustrating and difficult, as you then have two sources of information, which will interfere with each other.

With Youtube, sometimes the only subtitles available are auto-generated, which can work well with slow, well articulated speech. When it's faster then there can be a lot of errors.

 

Accessible Videos

 

There are lots of videos with French subtitles, but these are often rather difficult if they are aimed at French native speakers. They are usually for deaf and hard of hearing (Sourds et Malentendants). They will mostly be at the level C1 and above. These are best seen as video activities for higher work and will be covered in the Video Resources section.

 

This Youtube set is therefore ones which are specifically aimed at people who are learning French, and are generally around the B1/B2 level upwards.

 

Inner French

Has 48 Youtube videos covering a range of topics which have completely accurate subtitles. Based on Krashen’s ideas, with an emphasis on learning by input. Modern and well made.

 

Français avec Pierre

Slow and clear speech. Subtitles work well. Tons of videos – really a course, but you can select the ones which have a topic that interest you.

 

Extra French
Introductory series. Built in subtitles, completely accurate. Situation comedy and a bit old now (with some bits hard to find/missing), but still reasonable.

 

Dan Rock

69 videos made by an American living in France. It's relatively easy and the subtitles are accurate. The topics are quite fun and easy to follow.

Easy French ( there are many offshoots, but this is the original series)

77 videos of street interviews, with good subtitles. Actually not really that easy, as it is fairly natural French, in terms of speed and expressions. You would probably need at least B2 to access these.