How To Speak French

Learn to speak French with confidence

Connected by the English Channel, the historical French-Anglo relationship spans centuries. Despite occasional conflicts, the unique bond endures. Each year, 17 million Brits flock to France to savor its vineyards, art, music, culture, gastronomy, and a touch of l'amour. Mastering French unlocks vast opportunities; it's the only language, aside from English, spoken on every continent, with over 200 million speakers globally. Learning French enhances career prospects, facilitates reading Proust in the original, enables participation in international relations, fosters friendships, and brings you closer to your dream chateau. Plus, learning French lays a solid foundation for mastering other Romance languages like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Tips on how to speak French? 

• Start with useful words and phrases

• Set achievable goals

• Practice often

• Read French recipe books

• Listen to French podcasts

• Immerse yourself in French culture

Finding the best way to learn French

When it comes to the best way to learn French, there are many options to choose from, each with their own advantages and limitations:

• Classroom learning and tutoring — You’ll get more regular, personalized feedback from an instructor and be able to practice speaking, but it can take a regular commitment of time and often money, and you might not be able to work at your own pace.

• Immersion learning — You’ll be challenged and required to adapt more quickly to a new language and culture, but the investment is quite extreme and requires money, time and the willingness to overcome major adversity.

• Software and apps — You can work at your own pace and choose content that works for you, but you don’t get as much practice in conversations with actual speakers, and you won’t get individualized interaction with native speakers.

• French-language media — You get to hear and read the French language as it’s used by native speakers in real-life situations (and often for free), but you don’t get to practice speaking or learn the underlying rules and nuances of the language.

Of course, the best way to learn French is finding the right mix of all these elements that work well for you. And there’s no wrong answer!

How to speak French with Babbel

Want to know how to speak French like a real francophone? Babbel has you covered. Babbel is designed by a team of language experts, educators, and designers who know what it takes to get the most out of learning a new language, so you're guaranteed a top-quality French learning journey that’s educational, engaging, and fun. Babbel’s French lessons are designed to strengthen your skills in the four main areas of language learning — reading, writing, speaking and listening — and make sure the content you’re learning is committed to your long-term memory. Helpful tips along the way reinforce what you’re learning by making connections in new ways. Lessons introduce new words and expressions in stages, focusing on vocabulary that applies in conversations with actual native speakers — not nonsensical or impractical words that you’ll never use. And almost every lesson features a simulated real-life dialogue to help you put what you’re learning about French grammar into context in the sorts of conversations you'll be having with native speakers. If you want to know how to speak French with confidence, what are you waiting for? Try a Babbel French lesson today!