Bonjour tout le monde !
When I moved to France, learning French was a huge priority. It began as a way to connect more with the culture and people and soon turned into a crucial part of running a business in Paris and starting a family! Sometimes, I have to pinch myself when I remember how beautiful the French language is and how it’s such a critical part of my everyday life. So SO happy I took the time to learn it.
SO many people ask me all the time how I learned French fluently after arriving here knowing only “Bonjour” and the BIG key FOR ME was proper schooling, I would highly recommend the intensive studies at the CCFS Sorbonne (https://www.ccfs-sorbonne.fr/) here in Paris. It was a mix of grammar and phonetics studies that helped me become fluent and have a good accent!
If you want to learn French, you should absolutely go for it. Today is the day to make a language goal for yourself and create a structured plan for how you want to go about making progress. It’s not impossible, but it does take time and dedication.
We have a bilingual (even multilingual!) team, and each member has had their own language journey, so it’s something we can all relate on! While we each have our personal experiences as language learners, it’s difficult to nail down the “best approach.” Some immersed themselves and then just got it, some did school…everyone learns and thrives differently! Regardless of the setting, it’s pretty clear that a combination of various practice methods ultimately leads to faster and more comprehensive language learning. Whether you’re moving to France for a full immersion, or enrolling in online classes in your home country, you will definitely find these steps useful.
Are you planning a trip to Paris for your honeymoon? Has a vacation in France always been on your bucket list? Are you trying to decide whether you want to study abroad in the french capital or even move to France? If so, there’s no better way to dive into the essence of a culture than by learning its language. As you begin the beautiful journey of learning French, fear not! We’ve been there and we’ve got some advice to share. We’ve got you covered with our top 5 tips to help you navigate the linguistic landscape with finesse. Looking for common french phrases you’ll want to know? We have a great blog post about that here: https://www.katiedonnellyphotography.com/blog/basic-french-phrases-paris-trip-vacation
1. Embrace Immersion
Just like diving into a photo shoot, immersion is key. Surround yourself with the French language as much as possible. Listen to French music, watch French movies and tv shows (ideally put the subtitles on in French so you can hear it AND read it!! This helped me so much when I was learning, especially when they speak fast), and immerse yourself in French-speaking communities either online or in person. The more exposure you have, the more natural the language will feel. You don’t need to have any high school french under your belt to get started. The more often you immerse yourself in French music, tv shows, even French YouTubers, the faster you will pick up common phrases and vocabulary words.
If you’re in need of some French music to amp up your playlists, go check out our blog about popular French love songs HERE. This is a great place to start.
Some popular French-speaking communities in the US that offer conversation groups and classes include: Alliance Française, which offers classes and membership, and Meetup, which offers more casual conversation groups at cafés around town. Depending on your level of availability and commitment, one of these could be a great option for you.
2. Practice Consistently
Ah, the golden rule of mastering any craft: practice, practice, practice! Dedicate time every day to practicing your French, whether it’s through speaking with native speakers, writing in a journal, or using language learning apps like Duolingo. Even just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference over time! Consistency is key to progress, so make it a part of your daily routine.
Finding a French tutor can be a great choice, whether in-person or through online courses. Having a weekly or bi-weekly meeting time can help SO much by creating a consistent structure for practice so you don’t let your language skills deteriorate. DuoLingo works really well in conjunction with other forms of practice. It can be hard to stay motivated if it’s the only method for learning, so we recommend joining a french class, if possible, whether that’s one-on-one tutoring or a group course. Check out your local library or international bookstore, often they host foreign language classes, that’s actually where I took my first French class in NYC!
Having a bit of french before traveling is one of the best things you can invest your time and energy into. Knowing useful phrases will be especially important if you’re planning to visit any small villages, where english speakers are harder to come by. We know this from personal experience! Check out our blog on that HERE
3. Find a Language Buddy (or talk to yourself!)
Just like having a photography buddy to bounce ideas off of, having a language buddy can make all the difference in your learning journey. Find someone who speaks French fluently and is willing to practice with you. Whether it’s a friend, a family member, or a language exchange partner, a penpal, having someone to converse with will greatly enhance your skills. The ideal combination would be a native french speaker in addition to some other french learners like you, whose native language is not french.
An alternative to having a language buddy, if it’s just not possible to practice with another person, is to have conversations with yourself! I know, it might sound silly, but if you’re alone at home and have some free time, this is actually a great way to improve comfortability in French and increase your vocab. Imagine you’re talking with a friend and asking each other questions. Now try to translate everything you’re thinking in English into French. If you don’t know a specific word, is there another way you can describe what you mean?
This is actually a great way to improve your French little by little AND it takes out the pressure of speaking with another person. When you do have a chance to practice with a buddy, your solo practice will come in handy, especially with pronunciation (which everyone knows is the hardest part of French). Just trust me on this. You might even end up having interesting or hilarious conversations with yourself!
4. Immerse Yourself in Culture
Learning a language isn’t just about mastering grammar and vocabulary; it’s about understanding the culture behind it. Dive into French culture by exploring its art, literature, cuisine, and traditions. If you’re visiting Paris, you’re in luck. There are SO many art museums and cultural sites to learn from. If you’re not able to travel, you can still find plenty of ways to experience French culture. Is there a French film festival screening in your city? Are there any museums or art exhibits focusing on French designers and creatives?
Ok, let’s be real…French cuisine has got to be the best way to immerse yourself in the culture. You can learn different things from researching recipes and traditional dishes and baking. If you’re into cooking, this is an easy way to incorporate new vocabulary into your weekly mealtimes. If you prefer eating out, see if you can find a french restaurant near where you live. You will likely notice essential french phrases on the menu…can you think of the english translation? Even little brain challenges like that are good practice. If you’d like to delve a bit more into beginner French baking, my lovely friend Molly has a beginner French Baking online school (and is the cutest person in the world, you will LOVE HER). https://www.mollyjwilk.com/
Not only will this deepen your appreciation for the language, but it will also provide valuable context that will aid in your learning.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Just as in photography, some of the best shots come from taking risks and experimenting. Similarly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes when learning French. Language learning is a journey filled with ups and downs, and making mistakes is a natural part of the process. If you’re not making mistakes it means you’re not trying. Embrace them, learn from them, and keep moving forward.
Believe me, I know that learning French as an American may seem like a daunting task, but with dedication, patience, and the right approach, it’s entirely achievable (I did it!). Just like capturing the perfect portrait, mastering the French language takes time and practice. So practice consistently, find a language buddy, immerse yourself in the culture, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way.
Oh and don’t forget to have FUN while you’re practicing your new language in the city of lights! Before long, you’ll be using the local language to navigate the museums, street vendors, and taxi drivers of Paris like a pro!
If you’re interested in booking a professional portrait session at our studio, you can always come and try out your French phrases with us! We would LOVE to welcome you to our beautiful little studio in Paris. Whether you are traveling to celebrate big events during the holiday season or just enjoying the intimate moments of family time, you have come to the right place!
Book your professional portrait session HERE.
Bon courage (good luck) et au revoir !
