23 Tried and Tested Tips for Learning French in 2023

When moving to France, one of the biggest challenges faced by many is learning the French language. Often, people believe they will simply ‘pick it up’, but the reality is that language learning takes time, dedication and regular, daily practice. It is a very real commitment.

However, if you seriously want to integrate and communicate on a daily basis, you need to put your mind to it and put in the effort.

We all learn in different ways, and we all have preferences for either visual, auditory or kinesthetic learning. Some of us need to see words, hear words, or actually do something to help us remember and learn. So, you may learn best by baking with your neighbour, whereas someone else may prefer listening to a podcast in peace, compared to a third person who simply loves watching a French film to make those language connections.

Stress level is also a factor – the more relaxed and comfortable we feel, the more likely we are to make strong connections with our learning. So, do something you like, and that makes you feel good.

Here are 23 (yes, 23!) options to choose from to make 2023 the year you made real progress in French.

1.Make friends with your neighbours and persevere.

Aperos, meals and friendly card games will all improve your language skills over time and cement your friendship.

2. Daily Rituals

Go to buy your daily baguette or take your daily coffee at the Tabac – it’s all practice and will help you to get to know the locals.

3. Join an Anglo-French group

Ask at your local Mairie or Tourist Information Office. Many villages have a Franco-Anglo Association.

4. Take a French class

Ask on local English-speaking online groups for recommendations.

5. Engage a personal tutor

Preferably an entirely bilingual person or someone who understands the language learning process.

6. Learn from the children

Looking after children is a great way to learn and if you do not have children yourself, perhaps you could offer to babysit the neighbour’s children or volunteer your English skills at the local school?

7. Local events

Go and support these events and speak to the locals. Even if you end up washing up in the kitchen after the event, it’s all good vocabulary, and you will be well thought of.

8. Babbel

This online resource has great cultural podcasts and online lessons.

9. Watch French TV

Begin with subtitles if possible and read our article for advice.

10. Watch films in English

Turn on the French subtitles when watching English-language shows.

11. Listen to French radio

Even if it’s just on ‘in the background’, it gets your ear accustomed to the sounds of the language.

12. Duolingo

This app is free and is topic based. Even spending as little as five minutes a day could help you progress.

13. Facebook groups

There are lots of groups in order to improve your skills – simply do a ‘Learn French’ search.

14. Facebook videos

Do a search and you’ll find many funny clips, which will help you improve your vocabulary at the same time.

15. ‘Street French’

These Youtubers are a duo worthy of watching to improve your conversational French.

16. Watch the Francais Authentique channel

Johan has a 30-day programme to improve your level. (note: this one is best for those who already have some French under their belt.

17. Sign up to FrenchEntrée

Test your French with our weekly language quiz by signing up for the free FrenchEntrée newsletter.

18. Enrol in a Language School

Take some classes and sit an exam – it’s a great goal to work towards. Alliance Francaise is a good choice.

19. Help your children with their homework.

Using a translation application such as Google, you can hover the camera over the text, and it will translate to English. You will learn lots about French school and history too.

20. Read in French

Look at the daily newspaper or read a magazine of your choice – even if you don’t understand it all, it all helps. Alternatively, read the publicity magazines that are delivered weekly publicising all the supermarket special offers – it’s an easy way to get used to reading French without committing to reading a whole newspaper!

21. Teach English

A surefire way to improve your French, either teaching formally or informally.

22. Learn French with French Entrée

Our Essential Reading articles often include vocabulary lists and phrases which are embedded in a subject matter of personal interest.

23. Just try!

Learning French isn’t easy (we’ve all been there!), but make yourself a promise that 2023 will be the year that you at least try. Every little step counts, so each time you doubt yourself or feel like giving up, remind yourself to just try! Sometimes, that’s all you need to set yourself on the right path.