The short version
- Google Slides has no built-in button to translate a whole presentation.
- Copying each text box into Google Translate works, but it's slow and breaks layouts.
- LessonLingo translates the entire deck into French (Canada or France) in about a minute, and saves a copy to your Drive with the layout intact.
If you teach French immersion, Core French or newcomer students, you've probably found a great English lesson and wished it were in French. Rebuilding it slide by slide can take an evening. This guide covers your options, from free to fast.
Option 1: Translate it yourself with Google Translate
This is free and works for a short deck.
- Make a copy of the presentation (File → Make a copy) so your original stays safe.
- Open Google Translate in another tab and set it to English → French.
- Copy the text from each text box, table cell and speaker note, paste it into Translate, and paste the French back.
- Fix anything that overflows. French usually runs 15 to 20% longer than English, so titles often wrap.
- Retype any text that's part of a picture, such as a screenshot or worksheet image. Copy and paste can't reach it.
Downsides: a 20-slide deck can easily take an hour or more. Bold words and colours are often lost when you paste, and you'll need to check every slide for overflowing text.
Option 2: Translate the whole deck with LessonLingo
LessonLingo was built for exactly this job.
- Sign in with Google at lessonlingo.com.
- Choose your deck with the Google Drive picker, or paste its link. PowerPoint and Word files work too.
- Pick French (Canada) or French (France) and click Translate.
- Open your French copy. It's saved in your Google Drive next to the original, which is never changed. You can download it as PowerPoint or PDF.
Free plan: 3 translations a month, no credit card.
What gets translated
| Part of the deck | Copy and paste | LessonLingo |
|---|---|---|
| Text boxes, titles and bullet lists | Yes, one at a time | Yes, all at once |
| Bold, italics, colours and links | Often lost | Kept |
| Tables | Cell by cell | Yes |
| Speaker notes | Yes, one at a time | Yes |
| Text inside pictures and screenshots | Must retype | Read and replaced with French text boxes |
| Long French text fitting the box | Fix by hand | Font shrinks slightly to fit |
Tips for classroom-ready French
Choose Canadian or European French
Canadian French uses different words for some everyday terms, and Canadian curriculum vocabulary differs from France's. If your students are in Canada, choose French (Canada).
Review before you teach
AI translation is very good, but it isn't perfect. Skim each slide for subject-specific terms, names, and text on pictures. LessonLingo places French text over images very closely, but a quick look is worth it.
Check the licence on purchased resources
Translating your own copy of a resource for your own class is usually fine. Many resources from Teachers Pay Teachers or publishers don't allow sharing or selling a translated version, so check the terms first.
Keep students' personal information out
Don't translate files with student names and marks, report cards or IEPs unless your school or board allows it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Google Slides translate a presentation automatically?
Not on its own. Google Docs has Tools → Translate document, but Google Slides has no equivalent. You either translate text by hand or use a tool like LessonLingo or a Slides add-on.
Does it work with PowerPoint?
Yes. Upload a .pptx file and LessonLingo converts it, translates it, and lets you download the French version as PowerPoint.
Is my presentation stored anywhere?
No. LessonLingo copies the deck inside your own Google Drive and translates it there. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I translate Google Docs too?
Yes. Google Docs and Word files work the same way, including tables, headers and footers.