Which layout the lessons use
Our French lessons and the on-screen keyboard follow the classic French AZERTY layout used in France. On Windows 11 it is listed as French (Legacy, AZERTY), on older Windows versions simply as French, and on a Mac as French. The letters é, è, à, ç and ù have their own keys, and the circumflex (^) and the diaeresis (¨) are dead keys: press the accent first, then the letter. Lessons never ask you to type a character this layout has no key for, such as É, Œ or « ».
Windows
Open Settings, then Time and language, then Language and region. Under French (France), open the language options and add the French (Legacy, AZERTY) keyboard (called French on older versions). Switch between installed layouts at any time with Windows + Space.
macOS
Open System Settings, then Keyboard, then Input Sources. Choose the add button, pick French, and select French. Switch from the input menu in the menu bar, or with Control + Space.
Chromebook
Open Settings, then Advanced, then Languages and inputs, then Inputs. Add French (France) and switch with Ctrl + Shift + Space.
Typing É, Œ and « »
- Windows (classic AZERTY): these characters have no key. Hold Alt and type the code on the numeric keypad: É is Alt + 0201, Œ is Alt + 0140, œ is Alt + 0156, « is Alt + 0171 and » is Alt + 0187. On Windows 11 you can also add the French (Standard, AZERTY) layout, which has keys for them (see below).
- Mac: turn on Caps Lock and press é to get É; the other accented keys work the same way. Option + O gives œ and Option + Shift + O gives Œ. Option + 7 gives « and Option + Shift + 7 gives ».
- Chromebook: press Ctrl + Shift + U, type the code, then press Space: c9 for É, 152 for Œ, 153 for œ, ab for « and bb for ».
You never need these characters in a lesson, but they help whenever you write in French.
Canadian, Swiss and Belgian keyboards
Canadian French and Swiss French keyboards keep a QWERTY or QWERTZ letter order, so several letters (such as A, Z, Q, W and M) sit on other keys than in the lessons. Add the classic French AZERTY layout as described above while you practise, follow the on-screen keyboard because your printed key labels will not match, and switch back to your usual layout with the same shortcut when you are done. A Belgian AZERTY keyboard has the same letters in the same places, so letter lessons work as they are; only a few symbols, such as @, | and the brackets, sit elsewhere. For the symbol lessons, switch to the France layout or follow the on-screen keyboard.
The 2019 French standard layout
France published a newer standard keyboard layout in 2019 (NF Z71-300, from AFNOR). It keeps the AZERTY letters but moves some symbols and accents, and adds keys for É, Œ, « » and more. On Windows 11 it is listed as French (Standard, AZERTY). Letter lessons work on it, but some symbols and accents sit elsewhere than on the on-screen keyboard, so for the closest match switch to French (Legacy, AZERTY) while you practise.
Prefer not to change it?
You can still type on your current layout: the on-screen keyboard always shows the classic French AZERTY layout and highlights the next key, so you can follow along. See what the on-screen keyboard is for. If keys stop highlighting, read how to fix the keyboard not highlighting.