If you had asked teenage me how I felt about French, you probably would have gotten a dramatic sigh and a rant about nasal vowels. Because I didn’t exactly learn French by choice; it was more like fate handed me a conjugation chart and said, “Good luck.”
Side note: It was one of the languages I had to learn in school, and while I adored learning English, French felt more like a frenemy. Later, when I started my studies at Goethe University, I thought maybe, just maybe, I should give French another shot.
After all, it’s the language of diplomacy! Romance! Intellectual debates in Parisian cafés! So, I enrolled in a French class for my Master’s degree.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t last long.
I’m not a quitter, but about halfway through the semester, I realized that as beautiful as French is, it still felt cold, complicated, and somehow … distant to me.
Meanwhile, Italian was singing its way into my heart with warm vowels and open arms. So I swapped French for Italian (I have no regrets), but I never quite let French go. (Not a quitter, remember?)
Even today, I keep studying it. I speak French at an A2 level, which is enough to survive travel, enjoy a conversation about everyday life, or understand (most) of a French movie if I squint really hard at the subtitles.
I like to think that French and I have an understanding now. It’s a complicated relationship, full of silent letters, tricky spelling, and a million verb forms. But it’s also full of beauty, culture, and stubborn pride, both mine and the language’s. (A match made in heaven.)
If I had to start from scratch today, from absolute beginner (A1) to confident B2 speaker, this is exactly how I would do it: slowly, stubbornly, lovingly, and one tiny step at a time. There would be no cram sessions. No magic tricks. Just microlearning, daily habits, and a lot of patience (with myself and with French).
Grab your croissant (or your second coffee — no judgment from me!), and let’s dive into how I’d rebuild my French today.
Curious how I fit language learning into a busy day — without spending hours studying?
In my new ebook, Fluent in 10 Minutes a Day: How Microlearning & Microhabits Changed the Way I Learn Languages, I share the exact habits, routines, and mindset shifts that helped me make real progress in just minutes a day.
Setting Realistic French Goals Without Losing Your Mind
One thing learning French taught me early: vague goals lead to vague results.
Saying, “I want to be fluent!” is like saying, “I want to get fit!”
Okay. But how? When? Doing what?
If I had to relearn French, I’d set clear, structured goals that make sense for real life, not fantasy life.
Here’s what that would look like:
- A1 → A2 (First 3 months): Understand simple conversations. Order food, ask for directions, and survive in a bakery without panicking and binge-buying croissants.
- A2 → B1 (Next 4–5 months): Chat comfortably about hobbies, family, travel, and daily life.
- B1 → B2 (Next 6–8 months): Discuss opinions, emotions, and plans. Follow news podcasts. Write emails without triple-checking every word.
SMART goals have a lot of value. They help ensure you maximize your efforts and achieve your goals. So here’s an example of a SMART goal I’d set for French:
“In 6 months, I want to hold a 15-minute conversation in French about my favorite books without switching to English.”
Breaking it down:
- Specific: Talk about books.
- Measurable: 15 minutes.
- Achievable: 6 months with consistent effort.
- Relevant: Books are one of my passions.
- Time-bound: 6-month deadline.
You can also set much smaller goals, which helps keep you going when you feel low on motivation. It’s like loading up a plate at the pâtisserie with tasty snack sessions on a beautiful but challenging language.
Why Microlearning Is the Best Way to Learn French
If there’s one thing French has taught me (besides how to cry over irregular verbs), it’s this:
Little and often beats big and infrequently. Always.
French can feel overwhelming if you attack it in huge, sweaty study sessions. There’s the grammar! The silent letters! The pronunciation that feels like half your mouth should be asleep, or how it’ll turn into a flat tire casually deflating as you travel through a sentence!
But when you break it down into small chunks and learn every day, you make a lot of progress. And that’s what microlearning is. Commit as little as 5-30 minutes a day, and you can decide whether you study French for that full-time allotment or you break it up into smaller study sessions during the day.
To help keep me going and stay on track, I have a French microlearning motto:
“It’s better to do 10 messy minutes a day than 2 perfect hours once a month.”
I wrote this on top of my French notebook, so it’s a reminder whenever I start to study.
So I commit to 10–30 minutes per day of learning, no matter what.
Sometimes it would be:
- A short Duolingo session.
- Watching a YouTube video about French slang.
- Listening to a slow podcast while walking the dog.
No matter how you learn, it’s all about the tiny wins and daily exposure.
Because French isn’t conquered in grand battles, it’s befriended in everyday moments.
My Microlearning Plan for Tackling French (10–30 Minutes a Day)
Here’s the plan I’d actually follow, step-by-step, if I had to relearn French from A1 to B2.
✅Total daily time: 10–30 minutes
✅Skills practiced: Listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary
Monday: Get Your Ears Used to French
I like to start my Mondays with some listening practice. If I’m short on time, I listen for 10 minutes, and if it isn’t a Blue Monday, then I learn for longer.
Task:
Listen to a French podcast or watch a French YouTube video.
Options:
- Learn French with Alexa (Alexa teaches French in a really clear way. She speaks slowly and naturally. Perfect if you’re just starting out. Her lessons are easy to follow. She explains grammar without making it confusing. Great for building confidence. You’ll actually understand what she’s saying. Very beginner-friendly approach.)
- Piece of French (This is a YouTube vlog made for beginners. You get real French conversations. The videos show everyday life in France. It’s casual and fun to watch. Not like a typical classroom lesson. You learn natural phrases people actually use. Good for picking up conversational French. Easy to digest.)
- InnerFrench Podcast (Hugo speaks clearly and not too fast. He picks interesting topics to discuss. It’s designed for intermediate learners. The audio quality is excellent. Each episode teaches you something new. He uses everyday vocabulary. You’ll improve your listening skills naturally. More challenging than beginner content but still accessible.)
You can also choose to listen to French radio, TV shows, movies, videos on social media, and songs (read also: 15 Must-Subscribe YouTube Channels to learn French). And while you can choose vocab or grammar-specific lessons, you can also just listen to something that interests you, whether it’s cooking, traveling, or horse riding.
Tip: Repeat what you hear! Even if you sound ridiculous. That’s the point.
Tuesday: App Attack (Quick Vocab Boost)
Tuesdays are for apps. I only use one app per Tuesday, so I’m not too overwhelmed by learning different things.
Task: Spend 10–20 minutes on a language app.
Apps I’d use:
- Duolingo – This app makes learning feel like a game. You do short lessons every day. It’s free and super popular. The exercises are bite-sized and fun. You earn points and streaks. Good for building basic vocabulary. Works well for daily practice. Not deep on grammar, though. Best as a supplement to other learning.
- Babbel – The app focuses more on real conversations. The grammar explanations are actually helpful. Lessons feel practical and useful. You learn phrases you’ll actually say. It’s structured better than most apps. Great for adults who want proper learning. Costs money, but worth it. Especially good for conversational skills.
- Mondly – This app organizes lessons by themes. You might learn restaurant vocabulary one day. Then travel phrases the next. It uses voice recognition technology. You can practice speaking out loud. The topics are really practical. Good for building specific vocabulary sets. Nice visual interface. Helps you learn contextually.
Focus: One or two lessons max. Micro wins, not marathon sessions. And for heaven’s sake, don’t fall into the trap of accumulating as many points as you can to win in the Leagues (coz I’ve been there, and falling off the wagon of not actually learning ain’t any fun).
Wednesday: Speaking Day (Even If It’s to Your Cat)
I believe in starting to speak as soon as possible, even if you just started learning French this past Monday. It’s important to get comfortable with how the foreign words feel in your mouth and get over any anxiety you feel about talking in French. Don’t worry about candles and perfect pronunciation at the start — just get speaking. The rest will follow.
Task: Talk out loud in French.
Options:
- Describe your day.
- Tell a 2-minute story about your weekend.
- Narrate your chores (“Je lave la vaisselle… avec ennui.”)
Bonus: Record yourself. Notice the good things, not just the mistakes.
Pro Tip: Talk to yourself when you’re by yourself. Or book a lesson with a tutor or language exchange partner to start talking today.
Thursday: Reading to Feed Your Brain
I keep Thursdays for reading and ensure I choose something language-level appropriate.
Task: Read something simple in French.
Options:
- Children’s books
- Simple blog posts or articles (like Lawless French)
- Reading practice texts (like Kwiziq)
Pro Tip: It’s a success even if you read a paragraph. You can work on your pronunciation, identify words you recognize, and try to make sense of the grammar.
Friday: Writing to Lock It In
Writing is essential, so that’s what I do on Fridays. If you’re new to French, write the words and phrases you’ve learned this week. And as you make more progress, start writing sentences.
Task: Write a paragraph (2-5 sentences) about your day, dreams, or travel wishlist in French. You can even record your shopping list in French, which makes you focus on remembering when you get to the supermarket.
Tip: Keep it casual. Journaling in French, even badly, is great for connecting your thoughts to words.
Saturday: Vocabulary & Grammar Quickfire
Proper vocab and grammar learning also deserves some attention, so Saturdays are it.
Task:
- Review vocab using Anki or Quizlet.
- Watch a 5-minute grammar mini-lesson.
Pro Tip: Choose vocab and grammar based on your proficiency level, and while you can learn something new every Saturday, I like to reserve one Saturday to review what I’ve learned so far.
Sunday: Fun French Day (La Vie Est Belle)
More immersion and fun are so understated in learning a new language.
Options:
- Watch a French series like Plan Coeur or Lupin.
- Bake crêpes using a French recipe.
- Explore a Parisian vlog on YouTube.
Reminder: Fun isn’t optional. It’s what keeps you learning on the hard days. And I look forward to my Sundays learning fun, and sometimes I even rope in my family.
My Favorite Resources for Learning French
If I had to start all over again, these would be my ride-or-die French learning tools.
1. Language Apps to Keep Me (Mostly) Sane
My absolute favorite learning apps (after testing so many) are:
Duolingo
- Fun and casual.
- Great for building basic vocab foundations.
- The language tree makes it easy to keep learning because you just do the next lesson or review the previous ones.
Personal Tip: Duolingo French sometimes throws weird sentences at you (“The duck is eating an apple”), but honestly, weird sentences stick better.
Babbel
- Clear grammar explanations (vital for French learners).
- Realistic dialogues, not textbook conversations.
- Great extras, like the podcasts, cultural notes, review feature, and games.
Personal Note: Babbel helped me understand why sometimes French sounds are swallowed alive mid-word. (Spoiler: It’s often because of liaison rules; that is, invisible grammar ninjas.)
Mondly
- Quick themed lessons.
- Decent voice recognition to check pronunciation.
- Augmented reality and virtual reality learning options make it even more fun.
Personal Note: I love that I can learn according to a topic on Mondly, and the random daily lessons also keep things interesting because you never know what you’re going to learn!
Drops
- Visual vocab learning.
- Very addictive five-minute bursts.
Personal Note: I like Drops for the focus on vocab, so if I need extra help there, I use this app.
2. YouTube Channels That Make French Feel Less Scary
- Piece of French: Léa shares her daily life in France. Her vlogs are charming and easy to follow. She uses simple French that anyone can understand. You see real situations and places. It feels like hanging out with a friend. Great for picking up natural expressions. The visuals help you understand context. Perfect for beginners wanting authentic content.
- Learn French With Alexa: Alexa makes learning fun and playful. Her explanations are super clear. She breaks down tricky concepts simply. You won’t feel overwhelmed or confused. Her teaching style is encouraging and friendly. Grammar becomes less scary with her. She keeps things light and engaging. Great energy in every lesson.
- Français Authentique: Johan speaks slowly but naturally. His conversations sound authentic. You learn what French people actually use. It’s not a textbook or formal. Perfect for training your ear. He covers everyday topics and situations. You’ll understand native speakers better. Great bridge to real-world French.
- InnerFrench: Hugo tackles interesting, deeper subjects. He discusses culture, history, and ideas. But he speaks at a manageable speed. Perfect for intermediate learners ready for more. You’ll expand your vocabulary significantly. The topics keep you engaged and curious. Challenging but totally doable. Really builds your comprehension skills.
- French Mornings with Elisa: Elisa focuses on everyday conversation practice. She gives helpful mini grammar tips. Her approach is practical and friendly. You learn useful phrases for daily life. The lessons feel natural and relaxed. Good mix of speaking and explanations. She makes grammar less intimidating. Perfect morning study companion.
Personal Note: I started watching Piece of French while folding laundry. Now my brain associates chores = learning French, and weirdly, I don’t hate it (so much) anymore.
3. Podcasts to Soak in French (Even Half Asleep)
- Coffee Break French: This podcast works for multiple levels. It starts simple and builds gradually. The hosts are friendly and engaging. Lessons feel like actual coffee breaks. They explain everything in English too. Perfect structure for steady progress. You learn grammar and conversation together. Great for beginners and intermediates. Really well-produced and professional.
- FrenchPod101: Tons of short episodes to choose from. They cover vocab, culture, and useful phrases. You can pick topics that interest you. Episodes are quick and focused. Great for learning on the go. Covers both language and French culture. Lots of variety keeps things fresh. Good resource for consistent practice.
- Journal en Français Facile: This is actual news spoken slowly. You learn what’s happening in the world. Great for building current event vocabulary. The slow pace helps comprehension a lot. You feel like you’re listening to real French. Updates your vocab with modern terms. Challenging but totally accessible. Makes you feel accomplished.
Personal Note: If you can find the podcast transcripts, that’s a win. It’s extra reading practice, and I like to listen to the podcast again with the transcript in tow so I can listen and read at the same time!
4. Netflix and Chill... in French
- Plan Cœur (The Hook Up Plan): A light romantic comedy set in Paris. Friends hire a male escort, surprisingly. It’s fun and easy to watch. The dialogue isn’t too complicated. Great for intermediate learners wanting entertainment. You’ll learn casual, modern French. Lots of dating and friendship vocabulary. Perfect guilty pleasure that teaches too.
- Lupin: A thrilling heist series inspired by classic stories. The dialogue is sharp and clever. Omar Sy is absolutely captivating to watch. Beautiful shots of Paris throughout. The plot keeps you hooked completely. You’ll learn more formal French here. Great suspense and smart storytelling. Entertainment that improves your listening skills.
- Call My Agent! (Dix pour cent): Set in a celebrity talent agency. The pace is fast and energetic. Very French sense of humor throughout. Dialogue can be challenging but rewarding. You see the behind-the-scenes entertainment world. Lots of cultural references to catch. The banter is witty and quick. Fantastic for advanced intermediate learners.
- Le Chalet: A spooky mystery in the French Alps. Small-town drama with dark secrets unfolding. The atmosphere is tense and gripping. Different from typical Paris-based shows. You’ll learn varied vocabulary and accents. The setting is beautifully atmospheric. Good suspense keeps you watching. Perfect if you like thrillers.
Personal Note: Netflix in French is how I realized Parisians speak at light speed and swallow half their words. Don’t panic. It’s normal.
5. Grammar and Vocabulary Guides I Trust
- Lawless French: Clear grammar explanations that actually make sense. The website is completely free to use. Everything is organized and easy to navigate. You can look up specific grammar points. No fluff or confusing jargon here. Perfect reference site for quick answers. Saves you when you’re stuck. Really reliable and comprehensive resource.
- Tex’s French Grammar (UT Austin): Made by University of Texas Austin. It uses funny cartoons with characters. Grammar becomes entertaining instead of boring. The explanations are academic but accessible. Cartoons help you remember the rules. It’s quirky and memorable. Makes dry grammar topics more fun. Great for visual learners especially.
- Reddit like the r/learnFrench subreddit: Real people learning French just like you. They explain confusing things in plain English. You can ask questions anytime. Others share their struggles and breakthroughs. Sometimes French really does feel like magic. The community is helpful and supportive. You’ll find tips and encouragement. Makes learning feel less lonely.
Personal Note: ChatGPT can also help you learn French vocabulary and grammar, but since AI can lie, it’s good to always use trusted resources.
Bonus Survival Tips for French Pronunciation (Without Crying)
If there’s one thing French loves more than croissants and existential philosophy, it’s tricking you with pronunciation. Silent letters, nasal vowels, words that look completely innocent but sound like you’re speaking underwater… It’s all part of the charm (or the chaos, depending on the day).
When I first started learning French, I thought pronunciation would “just come naturally.”
Spoiler: it didn’t.
It took deliberate practice and a few tricks I wish someone had told me sooner to start feeling comfortable.
So here are my hard-earned survival tips, lovingly passed down so you can save yourself some headaches (and maybe a few tears):
- Accept That French Likes Silent Letters.
60% of what you write, you probably won’t pronounce. It’s not you. It’s French.
- Master Nasal Sounds Early.
Un, en, on — practice them like tongue twisters.
- Don’t Fear Liaison (but Watch Out for It).
Some final consonants are pronounced when the next word starts with a vowel.
Ils ont (eel zon) des amis → hear the sneaky “z” sound? That’s liaison magic.
- Speak Softly, Like You’re Sharing a Secret.
French isn’t barked. It’s whispered stylishly into a glass of wine or a gently swaying candle flame.
- Forgive Yourself Often.
Even native French speakers can mess up spelling. If they survive, you will, too.
Mindset Shifts for Staying Sane While Learning French
Learning French is not a logical journey. It’s a charming, chaotic, beautiful mess.
And you need the right attitude to survive and to actually enjoy it.
Here’s what I’d tattoo onto my brain early on:
1. Progress Feels Invisible... Until It Doesn’t
Some weeks it’ll feel like you learned nothing.
Other weeks, you’ll realize you understood a whole conversation without panicking.
What can I say? It sneaks up on you.
2. Mistakes Are Literally Your Curriculum
You don’t make mistakes because you’re bad at French. You make mistakes because you’re learning French.
That’s an important distinction to remember!
3. Laugh at French. It Laughs at You, Too.
French is absurd sometimes.
(Example: “des œufs” sounds nothing like it’s spelled.)
So laugh. Shrug. Move on.
4. Consistency Beats Talent
You don’t need a “gift for languages.” You need stubbornness and small daily steps.
5. Your French Doesn’t Have to Sound Like Paris
Your French will sound like you speaking French.
That’s enough. You’re not auditioning for a Chanel commercial. You’re communicating.
Common Challenges in Learning French (And How I Tackle Them)
French isn’t just beautiful. It’s also brutally tricky sometimes.
Here are the everyday struggles I still face — and how I handle them without losing my mind:
The Problem | The Solution |
Verbs changing forms like shape-shifters | Focus first on the most common ones (être, avoir, aller, faire). Learn their present tense forms first — perfection can wait. |
Gendered nouns that make no sense | Always learn new nouns with their article (le, la) from the start. “La table.” “Le stylo.” No naked nouns allowed. |
Freezing up mid-conversation | Memorize simple filler phrases like “Comment dire…” (How do you say…) and “Je cherche mes mots.” (I’m looking for my words.) They buy you time and make you sound more natural. |
Forgetting that silent letters exist | Focus on hearing and repeating whole phrases, not just individual words. Fluency is about flow, not spelling tests. |
Feeling stuck at A2 (or any proficiency level) | Switch gears.
|
FAQs About Learning French
Is French harder than Italian or Spanish?
It depends on whom you ask. French pronunciation and spelling are tougher, but the grammar is surprisingly friendly at times. It’s all about patience.
What if French pronunciation feels impossible?
Focus on imitating sounds, not reading words. French is an audio-first language for learners.
So train your ears first, and your mouth will follow.
Can I learn French without traveling to France?
You can definitely learn French without traveling to France or any other French-speaking country. I built most of my French skills at home — with podcasts, YouTube, apps, and Netflix. You can surround yourself with French from anywhere.
How do I stay motivated when French feels too big?
I stay motivated to learn French by setting tiny goals and celebrating tiny wins. Romanticize the process: pretend every vocab review is prepping you for an afternoon in a Parisian bookstore.
How long will it take to reach B2?
With microlearning (10–30 min/day) and steady commitment? Roughly 12–18 months.
But everyone’s path is different, and slower is not worse.
My Final Reflection: Loving French (Even When It’s Complicated)
If I could restart my French journey from scratch, I wouldn’t fight it so much. I wouldn’t get so frustrated about silent letters or weird vowel sounds. I wouldn’t expect instant fluency.
Instead, I’d treat French like a slightly grumpy but charming old friend.
Some days, it makes you crazy. Other days, it makes you fall in love.
And that’s exactly why it’s worth learning.
French isn’t just a language. Like any other language, it’s a culture, a history, a way of seeing the world, and learning it gives you a front-row seat on a unique people and their ways.
So don’t wait for perfect conditions. And don’t let the difficulty stop you from learning French.
Because French (and all its beautiful chaos) is waiting for you.
P.S. If you’re serious about learning smarter, not harder, my eBooks on language microlearning and learning English with ChatGPT are your next step.
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