My ongoing journey with French: Lessons learnt so far and why it has been extremely joyful! (6 min read)
Learning French is a journey full of ups and downs, but it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. From stumbling through awkward conversations to finally grasping native phrases, there’s so much to learn—not just about the language but about yourself. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for fluency, this guide will help you avoid common mistakes, stay motivated, and (hopefully) feel the joy of learning French.
Before you read this experiential guide, please take a look at an explainer of French levels. For context, I write this article while I am in the transition phase between the B2 and C1 levels.
The Foundation: Think in French from Day One
Let’s get this out of the way: If you’re thinking about French in English first, then translating it back, it’s going to hold you back. Trust me, I learned that the hard way. Right from A1, start thinking in French. It might feel strange at first, but this is one of the most crucial habits you can develop early on. The sooner you stop translating in your head, the quicker your responses will come naturally.
Key Tip: Start with simple phrases and thoughts in French, even from day one. Get comfortable with the discomfort—your future self will thank you for it.
The Learning Dilemma: Group Classes, Private Tutoring, or Self-Study?
When you’re starting out, it’s natural to wonder, "What’s the best way to learn?" Should you take group classes, get a private tutor, or learn on your own? The answer is, it depends on your stage and motivation.
Group Classes: They’re great for building a foundation. You’ll realize that everyone makes mistakes, which makes you feel less alone. The community aspect is motivating, but be aware that you might not get enough one-on-one speaking time.
Private Tutoring: If you need personalized attention and targeted help, private lessons are a great option. However, they can be pricey, and you won’t have the group dynamic that can keep you energized.
Self-Study: After reaching B1, the real work begins. This is when you need to reduce the gap between theory and application. At this point, self-study is just as important as any class. Watch TV shows, listen to podcasts, and have conversations with people. The focus should now be on immersing yourself in real-life French rather than sticking to textbook lessons.
Key Lesson: Up to B1, classes (group or private) are essential to stay on track, but beyond that, self-paced learning combined with real-life content will make the biggest difference.
From A2 to B1: Let Go of Your Ego
At the A2 to B1 stage, one of the biggest hurdles is the fear of making mistakes. I’ve been there. You feel awkward when you mess up a sentence or when you have to ask someone to repeat themselves. But guess what? This is exactly how you improve.
Key Lesson: You have to put your ego aside. Yes, you’ll make mistakes, and yes, it’s uncomfortable. But the more you practice—no matter how small the conversation—the better you’ll get. Be bold, ask questions, and embrace the errors as part of the process.
From B1 to B2: Focus on Dialogues, Not Monologues
One of the biggest mistakes I made as I progressed from B1 to B2 was focusing too much on monologues—listening to podcasts, radio shows, and videos. While these helped with vocabulary, they didn’t prepare me for real conversations where people interrupt each other, speak at different paces, and use colloquialisms.
Key Lesson: Prioritize dialogues over monologues. Conversations are dynamic. Real-life French is fast, messy, and unpredictable. You need to practice listening to dialogues—whether through movies, TV series, or even conversations with native speakers. Watching something like Call My Agent gave me a real sense of how French is spoken in everyday life, and it helped me become much more comfortable with the language.
Additionally, start mixing tenses in your practice. Real conversations switch between past, present, and future tenses constantly, so practice jumbling them together to get comfortable with the flow of the language. Tools like Custom GPTs in ChatGPT Pro are perfect for this, allowing you to practice speaking in real time and correcting you on the spot.
Understanding Native Phrases: The Hidden Layer
Once you start engaging with native speakers, you’ll notice that they often use phrases and structures that aren’t taught in conventional classes. For example, French negation usually follows ne + verb + pas, but natives often drop the ne entirely in casual conversation.
Key Tip: Don’t worry too much about these subtleties until you’re comfortable with regular conversation. Once you can follow a conversation with native speakers, you can then start refining your understanding of these nuances to sound more natural.
Consistency Over Intensity: Practice Regularly
Consistency is everything when learning a language. It’s tempting to schedule long study sessions once or twice a week, but shorter, more frequent practice is far more effective.
Key Tip: Take advantage of lucid moments—like 10 minutes of practice during your commute or while waiting in line. The key is regular exposure, not necessarily long sessions. Over time, it becomes a habit, and that’s when you’ll really start to see progress.
The Joy of Learning French
Now, let’s talk about why all of this effort is worth it. Learning French opens doors—professionally and personally. Being able to hold a conversation with a native speaker or navigating a tricky situation in French is an incredible feeling. Professionally, French is spoken in over 30 countries, and it’s a valuable skill if you’re aiming for global opportunities.
But beyond the practical reasons, there’s joy in learning the language itself. You connect more deeply with the culture, and living in a French-speaking city like Paris becomes infinitely more rewarding when you understand the language.
And here’s the best part: I’m actually relocating to London soon, where I won’t need to use French at all. Yet, I’m more motivated than ever to reach C1. I’m watching French series almost daily, and now that the pressure to learn French for professional reasons is off, I’m enjoying it more than ever. So, if you need a little motivation—there it is. Even though I’m leaving the country, I’m still dedicated to this language because the journey is so fulfilling.
Final Thoughts
Learning French is challenging, but if you stick with it, the rewards are incredible. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, embrace thinking in French from the beginning, and focus on real-life dialogues to sharpen your listening and speaking skills. Whether it’s group classes, private tutoring, or self-study, each stage of learning has its own value, but the key is to keep going. You’ll find joy not just in the language itself but in the way it opens up new experiences and connections.
And remember, even if you’re not bound by professional reasons to learn French, it’s still worth every bit of effort—because the joy is in the journey.
P.S.- Please feel free to reach out if you want suggestions on apps/websites/TV series in French which can help you learn better!
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