Are you feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of learning French? Perhaps you’re wondering where to start with conjugation, how to practice vocabulary, or when you’ll find time between life’s daily demands. If you’ve ever felt that spark to learn French only to have it extinguished by uncertainty: you’re not alone.
Today, I’ll give you a clear roadmap for learning French and share the best tools to make your journey both smoother and more enjoyable.
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First steps: Your place on the map, and your destination
Let’s be honest: French is challenging. Even native speakers struggle with its conjugations, spelling, and grammar rules. But here’s the truth – you don’t need to master every aspect of French to achieve your goals. Whether you started learning yesterday or studied decades ago, the key is knowing where you’re going.
Think of learning French like planning a journey. Without a map, you might get lost in the swamps of subjunctive tenses or the forests of unnecessary vocabulary. But with a clear destination and path, you can navigate around these obstacles and focus on what truly matters
Where Are You Now?
Before plotting your course, you need to know your starting point. Let’s focus specifically on your spoken French abilities.
Yeah, we’ll set aside reading and writing for now. I know, that’s bold, but it’s for a reason. Students often fool themselves by thinking they’re fluent in French because they can understand a written text of any size. It’s indeed great and impressive if you read “Les Misérables” in French! But you also need to feel comfortable reading a page of it out loud. And you want to be able to speak spontaneously, even if it’s only ordering a croissant without freezing!
Don’t worry, it’s all OK. It’s simply that written French and spoken French require two sets of skills, and with Comme une Française I want to help you improve your real spoken French. Because if you want to have a chat with French people, it’s spoken French that you need. Speaking French spontaneously like a human being, not stiffly and formally like a textbook. And, even more difficult: understanding it. Like listening and making out what your favorite characters say in a French TV show. French people speak fast!
So take a look at where you’re at.
What’s your level in “Understanding spoken French”, and in “Speaking French” ?
For “Understanding”, think about:
– Can you understand the main points of a French news broadcast?
– Do you understand the plot of a French movie without subtitles?
– Can you follow a simple conversation between two native speakers at a normal pace?
– Can you even catch humor or wordplay in spoken French?
For “Speaking French,” you can check for yourself:
– Can you introduce yourself with confidence?
– Can you have a basic conversation about a hobby of yours?
– Can you make long sentences without long pauses?
– Could you tell a short story or describe the latest anecdote in your life, in French?
Finally, you could also consider:
– When was the last time you had a real-life French conversation? How did it go?
– How confident do you feel in your abilities? On a scale from 1 to 10?
– What specific aspects of understanding or speaking French do you find most challenging?
Once you know these crucial coordinates for your starting position, you can build confidence no matter your current level or your end goal.
Which leads me to defining that end goal: what’s your destination for your French journey ahead?
Define Your Destination
What’s your real goal with French? Forget about formal levels or certifications for a moment. Think about experiences:
- Do you want to confidently order meals in French restaurants?
- Are you hoping to connect with French-speaking family members?
- Would you like to enjoy French films without subtitles?
These concrete goals are more meaningful than abstract language levels, and they’re absolutely achievable with the right approach.
The French Learning Map: Your Journey Through Three Territories
Once you’re comfortable with your goals, you’re ready to start your French learning adventure!
And to help you in your journey, you can simply follow the Map. The Map of Learning French. This Map will guide you from your first “Bonjour” to fluent animated conversations about French cinema.
1. Beginner’s Valley
Here’s where everyone starts! Focusing on
Essential greetings and phrases:
- “Bonjour” (but never twice in the same day!)
- “Bonsoir” (after 6 PM)
- “Merci”
- “S’il vous plaît”
Basic grammar structures:
- “C’est + adjective” (e.g., “C’est joli !”, that’s pretty!)
- Simple present tense verbs (e.g., “Elle a un chien.”, “Je suis là.”)
- Basic negation (e.g., “Il a pas de chat. “, “Je comprends pas”) ← removing the ne
- Build a foundation of everyday vocabulary
Helpful Resources:
2. Intermediate Plateau
As you progress on The Map, the landscape stops changing so fast. You don’t feel like you’re making much progress. And many students will lose motivation there. But not you! Because you’re still looking forward to reaching your Goal, like a compass.
This is where you start to:
Expand your vocabulary with words related to your life:
- Family terms to talk about your loved ones (like “le père” for the father, or “un neveu” for a nephew)
- Profession-related words that you need to talk about your career (like, “un médecin” for a doctor, “une institutrice” for a primary school teacher)
- Everyday objects you use, with their genders (e.g., “le pain”, “la ville”, “le train”, “la voiture”)
Explore more complex grammar structures:
- Futur proche with “aller” and infinitive, like “Je vais déjeuner avec Lucien demain.” (Tomorrow, I’m going to have lunch with Lucien.)
- Passé immédiat, near past, with “venir de” and infinitive, like “Je viens de voir Murielle.” (= I just saw Murielle.)
Start forming simple sentences and having short conversations:
- “Le train arrive à huit heures.”
- “J’ai faim, on va déjeuner ?”
- “Je vais prendre un café, merci.”
- “Bonjour, je voudrais une baguette, s’il vous plaît.”
On Intermediate Plateau, you’ll discover the “French Music Mountains” where you can learn through French songs and their lyrics, and the “Conversation Creek” where you can practice speaking.
3. Advanced Peak
After a long trek through the Intermediate Plateau, you find a new rhythm. The sun shines brighter, the people are friendlier, and the baguette is delightfully crunchy.
At this stage, you’ll find yourself enjoying:
Engagement in complex conversations:
- Describe your daily life in French
- Discuss the last movie you watched
- Talk about a recent trip, perhaps to France
Exploration of French media:
- TV5 Monde: news and programs from the Francophone world
- Arte.tv: great programs with a user-friendly app
- Netflix shows: “The Parisian Agency“, “Call My Agent“, “Lupin“…
- Other media : Radio France, France Télévision, Zorro (2024)
- Newspapers and magazines: “Le Monde“, “La Croix“, “Le 1“, “Marie Claire“, “Télérama“…
Practical application in real-life scenarios:
- Plan a trip to France entirely in French
- Research accommodations, transportation, and activities on French websites
- Make phone calls or write emails to book reservations in French
Essential Tools for Your Journey
The right tools in your backpack will help you all along your French learning journey. These resources will help structure your learning and keep you on track.
The Traveler’s Guidebook: Progressive du français
For a comprehensive guide, I’ve been recommending the “…Progressive du Français” series by CLE International for 12 years now. Think of it as your all-in-one guidebook:
- Covers all levels from A1 to C2
- Focuses on vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and communication
- Perfect for understanding language fundamentals
- Yes, it’s a bit old school (because I am old school too) – you’ll need a pen and paper – but it’s thorough and effective
If your French is a bit rusty, consider packing the “Pratique révision” A1 exercise book. It’s like a quick reference guide with a handy recap of French rules.
Digital Compass: Comme une Française courses
For online navigation, we offer two courses to guide you:
- “Spoken French Essentials” – Great for beginners or those looking to brush up on everyday spoken French
- “Exercise Your French” – A deeper dive into French culture and etiquette, with regular quizzes
In Your Pocket: Apps
Don’t forget to pack some flashcards or download an app like Anki or Mochi. These tools use spaced repetition, which is incredibly effective for long-term retention of what you’re learning. You can use either physical index cards or an app or both – just pick what suits you best!
For a fun addition to your toolkit, consider Duolingo.
It’s sometimes more of a game than a comprehensive learning tool, but it can be a good way to start and stay motivated!
Just remember, it’s more of a game than a comprehensive learning tool.
Personalized Field Guides
One of the best ways to stay motivated is to learn vocabulary related to your passions. Whether you’re into gardening, opera, or cycling, focusing on what you love will keep you going. Here are some ideas:
- If you’re in France, join “une association” related to your interests. With 1.3 million associations in France, you’re sure to find your tribe!
- If you’re far from France, find French TV shows about your passion. Some recommendations:
- For history buffs: “Des Racines et des Ailes“
- For gardeners: “Silence, ça pousse“
- For animal lovers: “Une saison au zoo” (a personal guilty pleasure of mine)
Children’s Guides
Don’t overlook children’s books!
There’s a lot of novels and short stories for children that you can start with. Personally, I’m a big fan of the book series La Vie de Château, by Clémence Madeleine-Perdrillat and Nathaniel H’Limi, as well as everything by author Clémentine Beauvais. In particular, she has a series for retelling classic stories from the greek mythology, with her own fun and friendly style – like Orphée aux Enfers, or the story of Icare. She also does a great work around French-English translation for kids, check out her blog in English for instance.
I also love “les documentaires”, short non-fiction books. They’re excellent for learning specialized vocabulary:
- The “Copain des” series covers topics like gardening, pets, and astronomy
- If you’re learning with a child around, the “Mes P’tits Docs” series is popular and covers a wide range of subjects
These are also great for preparing for a trip to France!
Remember, the best recommendations often come from fellow travelers. So, I encourage you to share your favorite resources in the comments. Your tool might be just what another learner needs for their journey!
Building Your Routine
The secret to completing a long journey is to simply get to the next step. Just one more day, one more lesson, one more step… It’s not about going fast, it’s about going steady. And for you, this means: clarity.
Without clarity, you’re only following your motivation: maybe today you feel like learning French, then tomorrow you get distracted… and next year you’ll realize you still haven’t learned any of the things you wanted to. You end up back to square one – but one year later.
On the other hand, with a clear plan, you’ll find it much easier to stick to the journey. Consistency is worth more than clarity! For instance, you could say:
- Monday: Practice speaking in the mirror
- Tuesday: Read a French news article
- Wednesday: Complete a Duolingo session
- Thursday: Recap your day in French
- Friday: Watch French media
- Saturday: Study a French lesson
- Sunday: Practice with another learner
A clear schedule will help you stay on track. You can make your own, so you see what fits you personally.
Or you can follow a program with a built-in schedule, too!
That’s what you’ll find in my 30-Day French Challenge programs, for instance. I’m so proud of these programs, I love seeing students find their daily French engagement with the language and culture.
Click here to learn more: 30-Day French Challenge
Navigating Common Obstacles With The Map
The Formal-Informal Divide
Formal :
- “Elle ne peut pas.” (= She can’t.)
- “As-tu faim ?” (= Are you hungry?)
- “Je ne sais pas.” (= I don’t know.)
Informal :
- “Elle peut pas.” (drop the “ne”)
- “T’as faim ?” (no inversion + “tu” before a vowel)
- “Chais pas.” (drop the “ne” + informal pronunciation)
Bridge the gap between textbook and spoken French by:
- Embracing informal speech patterns
- Immersing yourself in authentic French content
- Learning common contractions and shortcuts
The Confidence Canyon
Remember:
- Practice with non-judgmental audiences first (like your mirror or your dog!)
- Focus on communication over perfection
- Native speakers make mistakes too!
The Pronunciation Maze
- Focus on the most important sounds first: nasal sounds, “u” sound…
- Don’t obsess over perfect pronunciation
- Practice regularly with native content
Vocabulary Valley
- Learn words relevant to your interests
- Focus on contemporary, useful phrases
- Build vocabulary through context
The Listening Swamp
- Start with slow French resources
- Gradually increase speed and complexity
- Use transcripts initially, then challenge yourself without them
Ready to begin your French journey? Here’s how to start:
- Identify your current level using the questions above
- Set clear, experience-based goals
- Choose your initial learning tools
- Create a simple, sustainable routine
- Take that first step!
Remember, your French journey is unique to you. Whether you sprint through some areas or take a scenic route through others, what matters is keeping moving forward. With this map and these tools, you’re ready to begin your adventure in French learning.
So, what’s your next move?
You’ve got two fantastic options right now:
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Allez, à plus !
I’ll see you in the next video.
