Netflix and chill...in French? Rosetta Stone reveals what viewers can learn from Lupin

With Lupin returning to Netflix on 23 October for ‘Part 4’ of the ever-popular drama, viewers will once again be following the exploits of Assane Diop. But alongside the twists, turns and elaborate heists, there could be another benefit to tuning in: picking up a little French.

And it seems the appetite for French language learning is there. Ahead of the latest Lupin series dropping, Google Trends searches for “learn in French” have increased by a whopping 190% in the past month.

Foreign-language dramas are finding an increasingly receptive audience among English-speaking viewers. Netflix reported that viewing of non-English-language stories on its UK service increased by 90% over three years, while its 2025 viewing report found that more than a third of viewing globally came from non-English-language titles.

Rosetta Stone, the language-learning platform with more than three decades of experience, has explored how viewers can use French-language dramas like Lupin to tune their ears to the language, recognise everyday phrases and practise saying them aloud. This can turn viewers’ usual streaming habits into an opportunity to build listening and speaking skills.

Tuning into authentic rhythm and spoken context

While watching a foreign-language show is no substitute for structured language learning, it can expose viewers to the rhythm, pronunciation and vocabulary of another language. Familiar words and repeated expressions can become easier to recognise over time, particularly when viewers pay attention to the original dialogue as well as the translation.

Dr. Candice Grivet, French Tutor at Rosetta Stone, says:

“Watching a French series with subtitles can really help learners make sense of what they hear. In spoken French, words often run together, and it can be difficult to catch everything, even when you know the vocabulary. Subtitles help learners connect the written words to the sounds they hear and recognise familiar expressions in context. I often recommend starting with English subtitles to follow the story, then trying French subtitles as confidence grows. You don’t have to understand every word to benefit. The more you hear the language in context, the more familiar it becomes.”

However, subtitles do not always tell the whole story. Expressions rarely translate perfectly between languages, while humour, slang and tone can carry meanings that a direct English translation cannot fully capture. A phrase that looks straightforward on screen might be more informal, affectionate or cutting in its original context.

Tatiana Gardner, Brand Manager at Rosetta Stone, says: “Watching a foreign-language series like Lupin is a great way to hear another language being used naturally, from everyday expressions to the way people communicate in different situations. Subtitles can help viewers follow along, but there is often more to a phrase than its English translation suggests.

“The real opportunity is to take that curiosity a step further. By paying attention to the original dialogue, revisiting unfamiliar phrases and practising them yourself, you can start turning something you enjoy watching into a useful part of your language-learning journey.”

For viewers keen to take their French beyond the sofa, Rosetta Stone recommends treating television as a complement to active learning. Listening closely to the original audio, noting recurring words, replaying short scenes and practising phrases aloud can all help reinforce what viewers encounter on screen.

The distinction is important: watching a series alone will not make someone fluent. But combining entertainment with deliberate practice can help learners build familiarity with a language in a way that feels relevant, engaging and connected to real life.