10 Tips to learn French fast
Learning French quickly (or any language) requires dedication, consistency, and effective strategies. Learning is first of all a question of will: first of all, be determined and tell yourself that yes, you want to learn a language, you want to learn French. If yes, and you want to learn French, here are 10 tips to learn French fast:
- Immerse Yourself:
Surround yourself with French as much as possible. Listen to French songs, watch French movies, and try to incorporate French into your daily life. Watching films in French with French subtitles is one of the best ways to learn from home. Listen also to French songs and listen to the song again, trying to sing the lyrics in French at the same time as the singer. This is an excellent way to pronounce words in French. To choose the French singers you want to listen to, start by reading the review of their album on PARIS-MOVE, then either download the album or songs that you like, or buy the CD if you like the album a lot. Discover for example this very beautiful album by the singer Carmen Maria Vega, “Fais Moi Mal Boris Vian“, on which she performs songs by Boris Vian. - Practice Regularly:
Consistency is key! Set aside time each day to practice French, even if it’s just for a very short period. Regular practice will help reinforce your skills and build momentum.
Our additional Tip to our 10 tips to learn French fast: read two or three pages of a book in French before going to sleep. An excellent memorization exercise for your brain before the night probably makes it repeat what you have read. Also don’t forget to regularly read the CD and book reviews offered to you on PARIS-MOVE. Read for example the chronicle of this excellent novel, “Coup de foudre à Altamont“, written by the musician and journalist Jean-William Thoury. - Focus on Core Vocabulary:
Learn the most commonly used words and phrases first. Focus on building a solid foundation of essential vocabulary that you can use in everyday conversations. - Play Games:
For example, try playing Scrabble using only French words. Do not hesitate to check the spelling of the words that will be composed using a dictionary. This will avoid unnecessary discussions about how to write this or that word… - Speak from Day One:
Don’t be afraid to start speaking French from the beginning, even if you make a lot of mistakes. Learning from your mistakes is the best way to progress in learning a language. - Imitate Native Speakers:
Pay attention to native speakers’ pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm. Try to imitate them as closely as possible to improve your speaking skills and sound more natural. This is why it is important to listen to songs in French and listen to how French actors speak in films. - Learn Grammar in Context:
Instead of focusing solely on grammar rules, learn grammar in context by studying sentences and phrases. This will help you understand how grammar is used in real-life situations and improve your ability to communicate effectively. - Engage with Authentic Materials:
Read French books, French newspapers, or online articles to expose yourself to authentic French language and culture. This will help expand your vocabulary and improve your reading comprehension. Regularly read the articles offered in French on our PARIS-MOVE website, such as this presentation of Alain Gerber’s book, “Deux petits bouts de bois – Une autobiographie de la batterie de jazz“, ou cette interview de Christian Décamps, chanteur du groupe de prog’ rock français ANGE. - Stay Motivated:
Find ways to stay motivated and make learning French enjoyable. Set achievable goals, celebrate your progress, and reward yourself for reaching milestones along the way. Remember that language learning is a journey, and it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you keep moving forward. - Sign up for a French course in France:
The best way to learn French is certainly through full immersion in France. But yes, how to select a high quality French course? To avoid any unpleasant surprises when you choose a French school and a French course, first choose a school with the official FLE Quality label, and do not hesitate to ask them for the scores obtained during the last audit. Choose a French language school that can show you that it has achieved the highest rating (3***) in all areas. This will already be quality assurance for you. ACCORD, French language school in Paris located nearby the Eiffel Tower, as well as CIA in Antibes, on the French Riviera, got the highest marks and offer French courses to all levels all year round. Do not hesitate to contact Active Languages for more information.
By incorporating these 10 tips to learn French fast into your language learning routine and staying committed to your goals, you can accelerate your progress and learn French more quickly. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)