Reading in French for Beginners and Intermediates: Why Comic Books Are a Game Changer!

A lot of my students tell me : “I’d love to read in French, but I’m just not ready yet. I’m going to wait till I have an advanced level (B2 / C1)”.
They picture long novels, intimidating vocabulary, overwhelming pages with Passé Simple … and give up before they even begin.

Here’s what most people don’t realise :

• You don’t have to be an advanced learner to start reading.
• And NO, you DON’T have to start with Le Petit Prince either.

You can start now : with something fun, visual, emotionally engaging, and made for humans with busy brains. That’s where BD (bandes dessinées) come in!

The Myth : “Reading in French is only for Advanced Learners”

It’s easy to believe that reading literature is “THE ULTIMATE BOSS” of French, something you only get to do once you’ve mastered the grammar and refined your vocabulary. But here’s the overlooked truth : reading is not the result of fluency. It’s one of the fastest and most enjoyable paths to fluency. Read that again!

Why BD (Francophone Comic Books) are perfect for Adult French Learners

Bandes dessinées aren’t just for kids. They’re a huge part of French culture. In fact, the BD is the neuvième art (9th Art Form) in France! And they’re also the best kept secret for adult learners to dive into reading and progress in French more naturally, all while having fun.

Here’s how to turn reading a BD into a real language practice :

• Step 1 : Choose a BD that is adapted to your level (I’ll list some below) and aligns with your interests. Trust me you’ll find a BD on every topic under the sun, there’s something for everyone!
• Step 2 : Take in the pictures before attacking the text. Let the visuals guide you. Don’t translate every word, try to enjoy the story first.
• Step 3 : Say the dialogues out loud. Practice your pronunciation by repeating funny or dramatic lines, just like a voice actor would do!
• Step 4 : Keep a notebook handy so that you can note down interesting and useful words and expressions. Try to make relatable sentences with these words, sentences that you'll remember, so that these words and expressions become a part of your everyday vocabulary.

Here are some of my favourite French and Francophone Comic Books adapted to different levels :

• For A1–A2 learners:
  Petit Poilu: there’s almost no text, so it's perfect for beginners. You can use the images to describe the characters and imagine your own dialogues!
  Ariol: it’s a BD from the 1990 based on school humour. The vocabulary is simple, and the visuals are beautiful.
  Le Petit Nicolas (BD version): for some iconic French childhood scenes.
• For B1 learners:
  Aya de Yopougon: A funny and heartwarming glimpse into the life of a teenage girl in 1970s Ivory Coast. The dialogue is natural, relatable, and rich in everyday expressions. A great way to discover French spoken outside of France!
  La Longue Marche des Dindes (BD Version): A hilarious, feel-good adventure across 19th-century America with simple vocabulary and an engaging story. Great for practicing narration and the past tenses like passé composé, imparfait and plus-que-parfait.
  Les Cahiers d’Esther: Each page is a short, witty snapshot of a Parisian teenager’s life. A goldmine for modern slang, cultural references, and real spoken French.
  Astérix: A French comic classic full of humor, wordplay, and historical jokes. Best for confident B1 learners ready for a fun challenge and a lot of word play.
• For B2-C1 learners:
  L’Arabe du Futur: A powerful autobiographical series set between Syria, Lebanon, and France. Rich vocabulary, deep themes, and a compelling narrative. (It’s my ultimate and absolute favourite!)
  Peau d’homme: A bold, feminist and queer fairy tale that questions gender roles. A great read to expand your literary vocabulary and spark meaningful discussion. The visuals are beautiful too!
  Dans la tête de Sherlock Holmes: A visually stunning and clever detective story that blends mystery with creative storytelling. Perfect for advanced learners who love a challenge.

From “I can’t read in French” to “J’ai lu une BD tout seul”

Reading becomes light, enjoyable, and even funny. It’s no longer a test. It’s a treat.

Here’s what some of my students have to say about the workshops:

Alexandre

A1+, Workshop in Edinburgh, Aya de Yopougon

Having a central text to work through was rewarding, I could feel my vocabulary developing throughout the course. Also with the small class sizes I was surprised how quickly we could cover things and try speaking. I had a pretty easy time remembering what I learned and think I learned a lot in a small time! It was a lot of fun! I've never taken such a small language class before and was surprised how quickly we made progress. Having a comic to read also made it feel partly like a book club which I think worked well. It's satisfying to have learned French and read a book at the same time!

Jivanti

B2+, Online Workshop on L’Arabe du Futur

The workshop on L'arabe du futur conducted by Jahnavi was one of the most well organised and planned workshops I have attended. In the span of seven weeks, I was introduced to new forms of expressing my ideas with the help of the numerous activities planned. The access to multiple resources to better understand the story, the numerous worksheets and engagement with other students all helped make this workshop a smooth introduction into an understanding of the French language through comics. Each activity was designed focusing on a specific skill and was not only fun but also engaging. I highly recommend anyone who wishes to elevate their writing/speaking skills to participate in this workshop. Jahnavi is a great teacher who provides a positive, supportive environment with creative lessons. Also, she expresses her ideas brilliantly in French, leaving the students in awe of her enthusiasm for the language.

Because reading in French shouldn’t feel like a chore. It should feel like turning the page of a story you actually want to finish!