How to Speak French Fluently

People might consider French a hard language to learn, but the truth is that by following the correct steps, you can learn to speak it properly. If you want to learn how to speak French fluently, there are obvious steps that you will not be able to skip. You need to put in the time and effort for learning the language.

There is a saying that says “Work smarter, not harder”. That also applies when it comes to studying, if you make smart decisions when it comes to your study planning, you will be getting more results in less time. Pareto’s principle is a proven truth, 80% of your results, will come from 20% of your time.

Knowing this, we have prepared for you some recommendations that you can use to make your French learning more efficient.

Learn the Basics

There’s another popular saying that says that “You need to crawl before you walk, and you need to walk before you run”. That concept applies to everything in life, even when it comes to learning a new language. If you want to learn how to speak French fluently, you need to start from the very basics. First, you need to learn basic grammar, proper verbal use, and many other language rules. You can always resort to using books to try to learn on your own but remember “Don’t work harder, work smarter”. A smart thing to do is to learn French online with the help of an experienced French tutor. This will allow you to make faster improvements and to really enjoy the learning process.

Start reading in French

A good practice for all language learners is to start reading. When you make a habit of reading books, magazines, or websites that are written in French, you will be making improvements toward learning how to speak French. Visual memory will help you see words and understand the structure of French sentences and words. Also, it will be useful to learn new vocabulary.

Don’t expect to read a full novel on the first try, that will just discourage you from your purpose. Start reading short stories, comics, or French newspapers. Remember, walk first, then run.

Start listening in French

When it comes to building a strategy about how to speak French fluently, hearing others speak cannot be underestimated. By doing this, you can improve your pronunciation and speak more fluidly. If you want to look at some podcasts in French, you can check Radio Nova, France Inter, and France Culture. All of these offer different topics and speak on several themes.

You can also watch series and movies in French. By following the plot, you will be able to understand most of the movie, even if your French is not that good yet. If you need help, turn on the subtitles, so you can read along.

Dive Deep

If you have decided that you want to learn French, the first thing you need to do is to immerse yourself in the language. The more you get in contact with the language, the more you will learn the vocabulary, its structure, and even the accent of the native speakers.

Look for music, movies, series, books, websites, and anything that can help you learn more about the language. Change your smartphone language to French, which will surely help you improve your comprehension, and you will learn some new words along the way.

Don’t be shy

Most people can hear a conversation in French and understand it. Lots of people can read something in French, and they can even write, but they can’t communicate it verbally. Do you think they know French? The answer is NO!

If you want to improve your skills, you need to learn how to speak French well. You might be scared to make mistakes, but that’s how you learn. Look for someone to speak the language with. As a last resort, talk with yourself in front of a mirror.

Look for online friends to chat with 

The easiest solution is to talk to a French tutor and enjoy practicing the language with a native speaker. If you want to speak French fluently, you need to be able to engage in small talk with other people. To practice this, there’s nothing better than engaging the services of a French teacher, who will be there to chat with you and correct every mistake you make. You will get the best of both worlds!

Role-playing

This might sound crazy but bear with us. Role-playing is a very effective way to practice French. In this kind of practice, you and your tutor will take on roles and role-play situations that could happen in real life. For example, asking for directions on the street or going to a McDonald’s in Paris. You can practice different situations and learn the vocabulary needed for each occasion.

Enjoy

Last but not least, if you want to learn the language, you need to enjoy the process. Your mind will absorb the learning processes better if you are having fun. This is one of the main reasons why you need to choose activities that are fun and enjoyable for you and that keep you engaged in the process. If you like movies, change the language of the movie to French. If you like to sing, start singing French songs.

And don’t forget this: this is a process to enjoy. Don’t punish yourself for making mistakes, laugh at them and commit to improving and being better. Remember that learning French is a dream you have, not a sentence that has been imposed.

Before you go…

If you want to take definite steps towards speaking fluent French, and are ready to commit to learning the language, this is the perfect time to book a free trial class with one of our expert French tutors. They will help you achieve your goals, practice your French-speaking skills, and put you on the right path to learning the language. They want to see you succeed!