Getting to Know About the Language
Welcome to Your French Learning Journey!
Learning a new language can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can make rapid progress while enjoying the process. This first lesson is designed to help you build a solid foundation in French by focusing on efficient learning techniques.
Whether you’re learning for work, travel, or personal interest, these top tips will help you maximize your learning potential and avoid common mistakes.
1. Set Clear Goals
Before you start learning, ask yourself:
- Why do I want to learn French?
- What level do I want to reach (A1, A2, B1, B2)?
- How much time can I dedicate weekly?
Setting specific goals will keep you motivated. For example:
✅ I want to hold a basic conversation in three months
✅ I want to pass the DELF A1 exam in six months
📌 Pro Tip: Start with small milestones like learning greetings, numbers, and common verbs before moving to complex grammar.
2. Master French Pronunciation Early
French pronunciation can be tricky, but starting right will help you avoid bad habits.
Here’s what to focus on first:
✅ The French alphabet and how letters sound differently from English
✅ Silent letters (H is always silent, e.g., heure sounds like “er”)
✅ Nasal sounds (e.g., bon, pain, vin)
📌 Pro Tip: Use a French pronunciation guide and listen to native speakers early on
3. Listen More Than You Read
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is focusing too much on reading before they can understand spoken French.
✅ Listen to slow-spoken French podcasts (Coffee Break French, Inner French)
✅ Watch French cartoons (Peppa Pig in French is a great start!)
✅ Repeat what you hear out loud to train your pronunciation
📌 Pro Tip: Use subtitles (French, not English) when watching French videos.
4. Learn Essential Phrases First 🗣️
Before diving into grammar, start with practical phrases:
✅ Bonjour! (Hello!)
✅ Comment ça va? (How are you?)
✅ Je m’appelle… (My name is…)
✅ Où est…? (Where is…?)
✅ Je voudrais… (I would like…)
📌 Pro Tip: Memorizing full sentences is easier than learning isolated words.
5. Use Smart Mnemonics & Word Associations
Memory techniques help you retain new words faster.
For example:
- “Merci” (Thank you) sounds like Mercy
- “Beaucoup” (A lot) sounds like Bow + Coup
📌 Pro Tip: Create flashcards with pictures + pronunciation to reinforce memory.
6. Focus on Verb Basics Early (Avoid Overthinking Grammar) 📖
Many learners freeze up when faced with French grammar rules.
Don’t worry! Start simple:
✅ Learn the most common verbs first (être, avoir, aller, faire)
✅ Use the present tense before worrying about past/future
✅ Understand that French sentence structure is slightly different from English
📌 Pro Tip: Practice short sentences daily instead of memorizing long grammar rules.
7. Speak from Day One 🗨️
It’s easy to think “I’ll speak when I’m ready”, but the earlier you start speaking, the better.
✅ Practice saying one new sentence every day
✅ Join language exchange communities (HelloTalk, Tandem)
✅ Record yourself speaking and compare it with native pronunciation
📌 Pro Tip: It’s okay to make mistakes—that’s how you learn!
8. Surround Yourself with French Daily 🏡
The best way to think in French is to immerse yourself:
✅ Change your phone’s language to French 📱
✅ Label items in your house with French words 🏠
✅ Listen to French radio or YouTube channels while doing daily activities
📌 Pro Tip: The more you expose yourself to French, the faster you’ll learn!
9. Be Consistent – 15 Minutes a Day is Better Than 3 Hours Once a Week ⏳
Learning daily is far more effective than cramming once a week.
✅ Spend 10-15 minutes a day on listening and speaking
✅ Write something small in French every day (a sentence or diary entry)
✅ Revise past lessons regularly so you don’t forget
📌 Pro Tip: Make a learning schedule and stick to it!
10. Use a Notebook to Track Progress 📒
Keeping a learning journal will help you:
✅ Write down new vocabulary
✅ Note common mistakes and correct them
✅ Review what you’ve learned at the end of each week
📌 Pro Tip: Don’t just write words—write full sentences!
11. Make Learning Fun! 🎉
Language learning should be exciting, not stressful.
✅ Listen to French music 🎵
✅ Watch fun French movies 🎬
✅ Play word games and quizzes
📌 Pro Tip: Find what works for YOU—learning should be enjoyable!
12. Set a Benchmark – Aim for A1 Certification 🎓
If you want a clear goal, aim for DELF A1 certification.
This will help you:
✅ Stay motivated
✅ Measure your progress
✅ Prove your French proficiency for work/studies
📌 Pro Tip: Your French course is already structured for A1—stick to the modules and trust the process!
Your Homework for This Lesson 📌
✅ Practice Pronunciation: Say the alphabet and numbers out loud
✅ Learn 5 Basic Phrases: Use them in small sentences
✅ Listen to a Short French Clip: Focus on understanding words
✅ Set Your Goal: Write down your reason for learning French
What’s Next?
In the next lesson, we’ll dive into French pronunciation and the alphabet to build a strong foundation for speaking.
👉Join the Course & Start Speaking French Today! 🇫🇷
Final Thoughts
Learning French is a journey, and the key is consistency and enjoyment. Take small steps, immerse yourself in the language, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
What’s your reason for learning French? Drop it in the comments!