Learn French Easily and Quickly: A Complete Guide in 15 Steps!

Do you want to learn French and become bilingual? Why not! After all, it’s the 5th most spoken language in the world, with over 321 million speakers in 2022. Like any other foreign language, learning French requires a certain level of discipline if you want to master the art. However, everything becomes easier with the right method.

In this article, we’ll present 15 best tips to go from beginner to expert in French communication. Keep reading to discover them all.

1. Understanding French Phonetics

You may have heard people speaking French or heard French in a movie and fallen in love with its sound. French is indeed a beautifully sounding language. Learning about French sounds and phonetics is a great start.

The English and French languages share the same alphabet, which consists of 26 letters. Studies have shown that over 28% of English words are of French origin. Therefore, French is often easier to learn for someone who already understands English.

However, the alphabetic letters are not pronounced the same way in French as they are in English. There is a significant difference in the sounds. You can start by watching the following video on the French alphabet.

2. Vocabulary

Vocabulary is the foundation of every language. It’s what allows you to read and communicate effectively in French. This goes beyond just using a simple vocabulary list. Merely memorizing individual words—like what you might have done in school—is not the most efficient way to become fluent in French. How much will it help your fluency if you know 30 different French fruits but can’t order a meal in a restaurant?

It’s important to focus on contextual learning. Contextual learning helps you understand how words are used in real life. Using this method, you can create stories or scenarios to help you remember the words you learned while simultaneously learning essential grammar structures. You will avoid translating everything word by word and confusing words that sound and are spelled the same but have different meanings.

For example, consider the French phrase “Ça va ?” which literally translates to “That goes?”. It actually means “How are you?” and can also be used to respond, “I’m fine!”

Another example is the word “tour”. When used with a masculine article, “le tour”, it means the tour, as in “Le Tour de France”. When used with a feminine article, “la tour”, it means the tower, as in “La Tour de France.”

So, how can you learn French vocabulary through contextualization? A simple trick is to create a list of words associated with specific phrases. For instance, instead of just learning “enfant” (child), practice sentences like “Il a un enfant.” (He has a child.) You can even draw a picture next to the sentence if visual learning helps you.

3. Learning Basic Grammar Rules

Once you have developed some vocabulary, it’s important to focus on grammatical structures. Although there is no single method for learning French, here are some basic rules.

Articles & Gender

In French, the use of articles is an important aspect of grammar. Unlike in English, where “the” is the main article, three variations of articles are used in French: “le” for masculine words, “la” for feminine words, and “l'” for words that start with a vowel. There is no universal rule that automatically defines the gender of a word in French. However, a common rule is that words ending in “e” are usually feminine. But, as always, some exceptions apply.

Pronouns and Basic Nouns

Personal pronouns are part of the foundation of any conversation in French. It’s essential to know them and understand when each pronoun is used.

Here’s an easy video about subject pronouns in French:

Once you’ve mastered the pronouns, you can look for the most commonly used nouns in conversations. You can put the nouns into categories because this will help with memorization. Common categories include family members, furniture, food, body parts, sports, clothes, professions, colors, you name it! It also helps to learn phrases for simple dialogues in French. Such phrases include greetings, polite phrases like how to say thank you, talking about your emotions and moods, hobbies, job, etc.

Here’s a fun video on family members with Alicia from lingoni:

Conjugation and Verb Tenses

Knowing how to conjugate verbs is the last step we recommend in the process of learning the basics of French grammar. There are 12 verb tenses used, each with its own specifics. As a beginner, you should focus on the most used ones.

You can start with verbs in the present indicative tense, then learn their past participles (to form the passé composé) and the future proche forms. With these tenses, you’ll already be able to have a conversation in French.

4. Pronunciation

In French, there are accents above letters you won’t find in the English language. Words are stressed differently and you also often connect the sounds of two words to sound like one word. Here are some essential principles:

French Accents

French accents are important for pronunciation, meaning, and grammar. The most common accents are the accent aigu (é), accent grave (à, è, ù), accent circonflexe (â, ê, î, ô, û), tréma (ë, ï, ü), and cédille (ç). The accent aigu is only found on e and gives it a sharp “ay” sound, as in année (year). The accent grave can appear on a, e, and u; it alters the pronunciation of e to an “eh” sound, like in mère (mother), but doesn’t affect pronunciation of a or u (it mostly distinguishes meaning, as in à meaning “to”). The accent circonflexe can appear on any vowel and often shows where a letter (usually s) used to be in older French, like forêt (forest). It doesn’t always affect pronunciation. The tréma is placed over the second of two vowels to indicate they should be pronounced separately, as in naïve. Finally, the cédille (ç) turns a hard “c” into a soft “s” sound, as in garçon (boy). You will come across these accents all the time in French and knowing how they sound will help you essentially with French pronunciation.

If you want to learn more about French accents and perfect your pronunciation, make sure to watch the following video:

Stress

The accent in English can be placed on any syllable. In French, however, the accent is always placed on the last syllable pronounced. Here are three examples:

1. ami (friend) – This word is pronounced a-MI, with the stress on the last syllable “mi”.
2. hôtel (hotel) – This is pronounced o-TEL, with the stress on “tel”.
3. famille (family) – This is pronounced fa-MILLE, with the stress on “mille.”

Linking

Another unique aspect of learning French is the use of “liaisons.” This is a sound, often a consonant, used at the end of a word to link it to the next word. It states: “If a word ends in a consonant and the following word begins with a vowel or a silent ‘h’, the final consonant of the first word is bound to the following vowel. For instance, “les hommes” is pronounced “leszommes.”

5. Reading Fun Resources

The real work begins once you have acquired a solid base of French phonetics, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Now it’s time to practice! To quote the old adage, “The best way to learn is to do.”

Reading is an excellent way to practice French. Here’s an overview of French books that can boost your reading comprehension skills:

Le Petit Nicolas by René Goscinny and Jean-Jacques Sempé

Le Petit Nicolas is a funny series of short stories about young Nicolas and his adventures with his friends. It’s perfect for beginners and will make you laugh for sure!

Les Aventures de Tintin by Hergé

Tintin comic books are fantastic for beginners. You’ll follow Tintin, a young reporter, on his exciting adventures while learning French through short, easy-to-follow dialogues.

Astérix le Gaulois by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo

Another comic book classic, Astérix, is full of illustrations that help make the story easier to follow. If you like both history and humor, these stories are ideal for you. The language used is relatively simple, which makes it perfect for beginners.

6. Listening to Resources

Listening is a skill you will probably practice before you start speaking a language. Therefore, make it a habit to explore French-language resources available in audio format. Listening helps you better grasp the phonetics of the language and contextualize the use of various commonly encountered expressions.

lingoni Podcasts

lingoni’s podcasts are divided into different levels, with A1 and A2 for beginners and B1 and B2 for more advanced learners. Each podcast is accompanied by a transcript, vocabulary tables, and exercises to reinforce your listening experience.

For more advanced learners, we recommend podcasts that aren’t explicitly designed for language learners but can still help you improve your French through their content.

Le Gratin

In Le Gratin, Pauline Laigneau interviews top entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and leaders, offering deep conversations about their successes, challenges, and personal experiences. This podcast exposes listeners to professional French and success-oriented vocabulary.

Transfert

Transfert shares true personal stories of ordinary people with extraordinary experiences. The storytelling is immersive, covering a wide range of human emotions and experiences, making it a great resource for understanding how to express feelings in French.

Affaires Sensibles

Affaires Sensibles talks about notable historical events from French and international history. If you enjoy learning about the past, this should be your go-to-source.

La Poudre

In La Poudre, Lauren Bastide interviews influential women from different fields, discussing feminism, gender equality, and personal experiences. This podcast offers rich conversational French around topics of social justice and feminism.

Feel free to use platforms like YouTube, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or any other accessible platform to find resources to listen to.

7. Speaking Practice

You don’t need to live in France to speak French like a pro! Speaking is the best way to achieve your goals, whether you’re just beginning to learn the language or seeking to improve your skills. In fact, the most efficient approach is to find a native French speaker. This way, you can practice speaking regularly, and he/she will be able to correct your mistakes, give you advice, etc. It is important to remember that simply learning a language on paper won’t help you master it if you don’t practice it regularly.

If moving to France or finding a native speaker in your immediate surroundings isn’t feasible, the internet makes things much more manageable. A great way to practice is by finding a language exchange partner. The following websites can help you do so: tandem, hellotalk, speaky, conversationexchange, italki, mylanguageexchange, polyglot club, and mixxer.

You can benefit from the guidance and support of a real native French speaker without having to travel.

8. Watching Movies or TV Shows in French

Many people associate learning a new discipline, such as the French language, with a period of intense concentration where no distractions are allowed. However, learning a language is no longer limited to dry textbooks and grammar rules. Especially in today’s online and social media universe, entertainment provides an excellent learning method.

Watching movies and TV shows can help you develop your French more quickly. Here are a few titles we recommend:

• Le Premier Jour du reste de ta vie (a family drama with dialogues and everyday vocabulary to learn conversational French)
• Emily in Paris (Emily is an American expat who moves to Paris, where she meets the charming French cook Gabriel while struggling with expat life and career challenges at a luxury marketing agency. The show is in English but mixes in some French words and phrases, making it a perfect listening practice for beginners.)
• La Cour de Babel (a documentary about immigrant children learning French in Paris)
• Le Dîner de Cons by Francis Veber (a classic French comedy, perfect for advanced learners)
• Les Demoiselles de Rochefort by Jacques Demy (a musical with songs and dialogues that will teach you vocabulary related to emotions and everyday situations)
• L’Auberge Espagnole by Cédric Klapisch (this is an enjoyable comedy-drama about a young Frenchman experiencing a unique life experience while studying in Barcelona and will teach you a lot of slang and everyday phrases)
• Un Peu, Beaucoup, Aveuglément with Mélanie Bernier (a romantic comedy with light, playful dialogues as well as deeper emotional conversation, perfect for intermediate learners who aim to understand conversational French)

9. Following Your Favorite French YouTubers and Influencers

Immersing yourself in authentic content from native French speakers is an excellent way to improve your language skills, especially when it comes to listening comprehension, pronunciation, and even learning colloquial expressions. You can find a wealth of resources on YouTube and social media platforms. Whether you prefer lifestyle vlogs, educational content, or entertaining shows, there are French influencers perfect for all levels.

Here’s our top 10 list of favorite French YouTubers, perfect for both beginners and advanced learners, who can also greatly help with pronunciation and phonetics.

Here are some popular French influencers who can help you enhance your learning:

• Cyprien – One of France’s biggest YouTubers, Cyprien is known for his humorous sketches and commentary on everyday life. His videos are a great way to pick up casual, conversational French as well as cultural insights into modern French society.
• Natoo – Natoo is a well-known comedian and YouTuber in France who posts funny, light-hearted content. Her videos can help you grasp colloquial expressions and contemporary French humor while making the learning process fun and entertaining.
• Nota Bene – If you’re a fan of history, this channel is a treasure trove of French historical content presented in a clear and engaging manner. It’s ideal for advanced learners looking to expand their vocabulary related to history and politics.

10. Accepting Mistakes and Keep Moving Forward

No matter what discipline you practice, mistakes and failures are an integral part of the path to success. Studying French is no exception. Accepting mistakes and not being afraid to repeat them is crucial if you want to excel. In practice, start by taking notes, especially on your most common mistakes. If you are taking lessons with a private tutor, you can submit these notes to your French teacher and have her/him correct you. For self-learners, you can ask search engines or use Chat GPT to receive a qualified answer.

11. Maintaining a Routine

The third essential phase of learning French is implementing strategies to maintain consistency. E-learning, especially when carried out independently, can quickly become daunting. That’s why it’s essential to adopt practices that help you stay consistent. Set a regular study schedule, whether it’s 15 minutes a day or a few hours a week.

12. Integrating into Real French-Speaking Communities.

Living in France or a French-speaking country is an excellent option for learning French. However, with globalization, it’s optional. There are communities for learning foreign languages everywhere. Being part of these communities allows you to be as close as possible to what you’re learning. If you have the opportunity, join physical communities in your area. You can use the platform Meetup to find French groups in your area. Otherwise, online communities on social networks and forums can provide your needs.

13. Using a French Learning Platform Like lingoni

The existence of online language learning platforms such as lingoni is revolutionizing how we learn French and speak it fluently like a native. Why choose lingoni to learn French?

• Multi-Format Courses: lingoni offers a variety of formats (videos, worksheets, podcasts, interactive exercises, and more) to provide flexible learning options.
• Comprehensive Learning Materials: Our resources cover levels A1 to B2, helping you practice various language skills such as reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This is essential for official language exams like DELF, TCF, TEF, TFI, DFP, or DALF.
• Fun and Engaging Content: lingoni goes beyond the traditional lessons by offering listening practice, funny clips, idioms, and commonly used phrases, making it easer to learn and use French in real-world scenarios.
• 24/7 Accessibility: The platform is available around the clock, allowing you to learn at your convenience.
• Access to Native Teachers: Get guidance from native instructors with every lesson.

The above features on our platform are designed to ensure fast progress and consistency in your French language learning journey.

14. Aligning Your Learning with Your Passions for Faster Progress

Since everyone learns differently, it’s important to tailor your approach to match your passions. Do you love cooking? Find French cooking videos and try out the recipes.

Are you passionate about music? Listen to French songs and discover their lyrics.

Do you like writing? Start journaling or blogging in French!

By integrating your interests into your learning process, you make studying more enjoyable and accelerate your mastery of the French language.

15. Using Flashcards and Spaced Repetition for Long-Term Retention

Memory retention is essential when learning a new language. Flashcards are a simple yet effective way to reinforce vocabulary and grammar. You can use apps like Anki or Quizlet, which employ spaced repetition techniques to help you remember information over the long term. This method schedules reviews of words or phrases just before you’re likely to forget them, ensuring they stick in your memory. By regularly reviewing flashcards, you’ll solidify your knowledge and be less likely to forget important vocabulary.

What to Remember?

Learning French may seem challenging at first, but with the right approach, it becomes an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Whether you’re practicing pronunciation, expanding your vocabulary through contextual learning, or aligning your studies with your passions, each step brings you closer to fluency.

Remember that mistakes are part of the process, and consistency is key to achieving long-term success. By integrating these 15 tips into your routine, you can transition from a beginner to a confident French speaker. Ready to take the next step? Embrace the process, and before you know it, you’ll be expressing yourself fluently in the beautiful French language!