Wondering how to learn French for beginners? You came to the right article. Particularly in its pronunciation, the French language exudes refined sophistication that cannot be denied. However, because of concerns such as the intricacy of grammar and spelling, many beginning students discover that learning takes more work.
Even if you have a packed agenda, you won’t have any trouble following the ten straightforward steps we’ve laid out for you in this post on learning French. Therefore, continue reading, and the first step of your path to learning French is below.
French is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world. For English speakers, it is a difficult language to learn. But that does not mean you can’t learn it.
Let us go through everything you need to know about French for beginners. From pronunciation to grammar, we will walk you through everything step-by-step.
Step1. How to learn French ?Start by learning French sounds
The French language consists of 23 consonant sounds and 16 vowel sounds. If you speak English, you already have a working knowledge of all twenty consonants and six vowels. Therefore, the remaining sounds for you to study are 3 new consonants and 10 new vowels.
Over 28 percent of English words have roots in French, and the French alphabet contains the same letters as the English alphabet. That is a greater number than in any other language.
As may be seen from the chart below, not only do they look different from English letters, but they also sound different. When trying to learn French, it is extremely important to focus on the sounds rather than the letters.
You must become familiar with the French alphabet and the sounds that correspond to each letter.
Step 2. Learn The French Alphabet and Numbers
You probably already know that memorizing the alphabet is the first step in learning any language, but just in case: Once you have this mastered, you will not be able to go on to anything else. The most effective method for many students, including myself, is to sing the information in order to commit it to memory.
What comes next after teaching a child their alphabet in their first language, whether it be English or their original language? The vast majority of you are going to say that the answer is numbers.
The same holds true for students of foreign languages; in order to proceed, you will first need to become familiar with the numbers used in French. The first week is dedicated to teaching you how to count up to 20, and the following week is dedicated to reinforcing what you’ve already learned.
Try to reach up to 100 during the second week of the challenge, if you have the time. The method for reciting integers that are greater than 20 is very simple to commit to memory.
Step 3. Start speaking French
Speaking the target language from day one is widely regarded as the most efficient method for acquiring it. It is especially important to remember if you intend to carry on conversations with people whose native language is French.
Where can you discover people who speak French as their first language to practice with? It is point of fact, quite easy.
It is not difficult to incorporate passive and active listening into day-to-day life; nevertheless, conversing with native speakers is a far more challenging activity. You should speak French with a native speaker.
This will provide you with experience in listening, allow you to have a real-life discussion in French, and allow you to practice your speaking skills.
You may still find individuals, either online or in real life, to speak French with, regardless of where you live. You can do this either through chat rooms or in person.
Step 4. Read in French
Mix up your studying using some old-school techniques and some more modern, fun ones. Do you adore romantic novels? Why do not you just read them in French instead? If you prefer lighter reads, consider purchasing periodicals and using them to educate yourself on new words related to the things that interest you.
Comics’ combination of text and images also makes the language easier to comprehend and learn. It makes comics a very useful tool for learning French.
It is extremely difficult to achieve fluency in a language without becoming immersed in its literature. Even if you cannot read Proust or Hugo right now, that does not mean you should completely disregard reading in French.
If you ask a variety of French teachers for their advice on learning the language, you will find that they all agree that beginning students should begin with books that are straightforward to comprehend.
You have the option of reading French news or subscribing to French newsletters. We strongly suggest subscribing to this French-language newsletter because it provides fresh content daily at no cost.
Additionally, you can read French news or subscribe to French newsletters. We strongly suggest subscribing to this French-language newsletter because it provides fresh content daily at no cost. Another helpful piece of advice is to look for books with stories you are already familiar with (like Harry Potter) and attempt to read those stories in French.
Step 5. Listening is crucial
You could still have problems comprehending what people are saying to you if they are speaking French, even if you have a high reading comprehension level. This is because French is a very difficult language. It is because the distinctions between written and spoken French are so considerable that they can give the impression of being two different languages.
Pay attention to what other people are saying, note how they use specific expressions. More importantly, do not be afraid to ask questions. Even if you are focused on anything else, you should still listen to French radio programs because passive listening is an effective way to learn the language.
Because of this, it is crucial to listen to a regular part of your routine when studying French.
Step 6. Watch Movies and TV on French
Learning a language abroad can be greatly aided by watching movies in that language. Why not view your favorite movies in French if you enjoy spending your leisure time watching movies? Because of this practice, you will not only have a better understanding of the communication patterns of the language, but you will also have a greater understanding of the culture.
Another advantage of watching French films is that they train your brain to think in French, which is a benefit in and of itself.
If you want to improve your listening and comprehension skills without relying on reading, you should start by watching movies with French subtitles, but after some time, you should try watching them without subtitles.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to halt, take notes, and repeat certain phrases as necessary. Having this extensive list of movies to choose from when learning French will be helpful.
It may be difficult to headfirst into original French TV series and movies, but it may be simpler, to begin with, movies familiar to you but have had the French dialogue dubbed over them.
These movies are films originally produced in English. Because of this, you won’t have trouble understanding what’s happening in the story, even though it’s being told in French.
Step 7. Consider basic pronunciation rules
Pronunciation of French words might be difficult for those just starting. To begin, the language makes use of a variety of sounds that are absent in English. In addition, it has a lot of complexities, such as how one letter can have numerous sounds and how there are exceptions to the rules.
If someone asks you, “Parlez-vous francais?” you might comprehend what they are asking, but your pronunciation needs to be good if you want to hold a true French conversation and be understood by the other person.
Step 8. Surround yourself with all things French
Take advantage of opportunities to interact with people who speak the French language. Your objective is to improve your French to the point where you can think, joke, and even dream in the language.
Immersion in a language is typically associated with relocating to a country where that language is spoken, but it is not entirely true. You can submerge yourself in French, even if you still need to purchase a plane ticket to Paris. Take, for instance:
Make French your device’s default language on all your devices, including your phone, tablet, and computer.
You can easily immerse yourself in French wherever you go if you download movies, series, audiobooks, and podcasts. Because passive listening is such an important part of language immersion, there is still a lot of value, even if you don’t understand everything that’s being said.
If you like to experiment with new recipes, check for them written in French. The benefits to your language learning will be significant.
Tip: Learn French Best App
When it comes to learning French, one of the best apps available is Duolingo. Duolingo offers a comprehensive and interactive language-learning experience that makes the process enjoyable and effective. With its user-friendly interface and gamified approach, the app guides learners through various levels and lessons, covering vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking skills. The app also incorporates speech recognition technology, allowing users to practice their pronunciation and receive instant feedback. Additionally, Duolingo provides a supportive community of fellow learners, encouraging engagement and motivation. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve your French proficiency, Duolingo is an excellent app to embark on your language learning journey.
Conclusion
Sometimes, learning a new language can be difficult, but it is achievable. This article provided some helpful tips on learning French for beginners.
We just told you the ins and outs of learning a new language and gave you some resources that will make the process easier. So, whether you are just starting or want to improve your French skills for years, this guide will help you. If you like this articel, check out why you should learn French abroad
