1. Start with the right mindset. Remember that your first language has been a language that you have been learning for a very long time. It took you years to even accumulate that much vocabulary words, and it took you more years to acquire the sophistication of your speech. It also took you a lot of schooling and a lot of repetition to not only understand grammar, but to use it in a natural way. So, be patient with yourself. Understand also that learning verb conjugations will not automatically make it spontaneously accessible to you. Practice and application is as indispensable as active learning.

2. Daily dose of French. Using apps like Duolingo will help expose you to certain words and to the sentence structure of the language. While learning should not stop here, these apps are extremely useful in covering the basics. 

3. Flashcards. You’ll need to be able to access words more spontaneously. With apps, you will improve your written comprehension, but to facilitate your access to words, you will also need image-based flashcards. Check this out: https://frenchmanilacoffee.com/flashcards.

4. Change your phone settings. By changing the language of your phone and computer to your target language, you will be able to get used to common words such as “envoyer,” “clavier,” and so on. You will also be able to learn new words such as “deverrouiller.” 

5. Pair up ! Finding a language partner can be a hit or miss. But if you find the perfect partner, it can be extremely helpful. Not only will you be able to practice speaking, you will also probably learn some idiomatic expressions that you will not learn from a serious grammar book.  

6. Take classes. We understand that taking classes is a privilege to a lot of people. But sometimes, it is extremely necessary to be able to receive feedback from a professional. Taking classes also provides the structure that a self-learner might need. Moreover, making friends in class is a great way to find people to practice with. French Manila Coffee offers customized classes that suit your time, budget and level. For more information, check: https://frenchmanilacoffee.com/french-courses.

7. Be a bookworm. Reading is one of the best ways to learn a language. You can start by reading the back of shampoo bottles, the empty promises of written ads, the intriguing life of the stars in tabloids, the depressing things in the headlines, influencers’ Tiktok or Instagram captions, to short stories, novels and poetry. We understand that you might be tempted to pause your reading and you might say to yourself that you will start it once you understand all the words, but, it is actually in reading that you will encounter these words. It’s not like you will be able to memorize the dictionary.  

8. Use the internet wisely. The internet can be your friend, if you know how to use it. Follow Instagram pages that teach your target language. Watch Youtube videos, and listen to podcasts. And if you just want to mindlessly scroll on Tiktok, you might as well watch a francophone influencer talk about their “routine matinale.” If you are interested in travel, watch youtubers talk about their voyage au Maroc. If you are a foodie, watch French speakers talk about their favorite viennoiserie. There are also available apps where you can access French radio. This is another good way to discover French music. Do this while eating, washing the dishes, or on your commute to work…  

9. Dictionary over Translator. While translating is not bad in itself, and is somehow even necessary in the beginning of your language-learning journey, the end goal of language learning is to be able to, as much as possible, spontaneously access the words. So it will really help you if you try to use the dictionary more often than a translator. Even a French-English dictionary is better than a Google translate, because at least with dictionaries like Collins, Larousse, etc., sample sentences are also provided. 

10. A French word a day keeps the mental block away. In relation to using the dictionary over the translator, we also suggest keeping a small notebook where you can write your French word for the day. There are apps for this, like Mot du Jour, or if you want to go old school, you can also just look up the words in a dictionary. If it is possible, try inserting the word in a daily conversation. 

11. Keep a diary. Keep a journal written (and handwritten) in French. Emphasis on the word, handwritten. It doesn’t have to be grammatically correct just yet, though you can use Reverso to check it a bit. Do not use Google translate either. Try to write your thoughts in French, and if you can’t find a word, you may look at a dictionary. Keeping a journal will force you to look for words that you will need, and since you are writing about something that is dear to you, you will remember the words, whether that is a verb conjugation, or noun, or adjective. 

12. Stop, Look and Listen. Watch French shows, movies, and Youtube videos, with great attention. In tip number 8, we spoke of watching French Youtube or Tiktok. But here, you’ll have to pay attention. It would even be helpful if you pause a film to note down the dialogue. We also suggest listening to French songs and reading the lyrics, and its translation, and if possible, memorizing the lyrics. We assure you that this will facilitate access to words and phrases when formulating a sentence. If you are a fan of Disney movies, you might want to look for the French versions of your favorite Disney medleys. You might want to explore the classics such as Edith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, Francis Cabrel, etc. The important point is to look for a tune that you like, and memorize the lyrics. As you advance in your learning, you can start listening to rap music, especially the ones from Bigflo et Oli, Orelsan, and the like. 

13. French news for breakfast. It doesn’t matter if you understand it or not. Turn on the news and get used to the sounds and utterances that the newscaster makes. Making this a daily habit will also allow you to eventually be able to identify different sounds. 

14. Have an imaginary French friend. Whether you are in A1 level or in B2-C1, an imaginary French friend or enemy would be a good way to practice. Do you also have imaginary arguments and debates while showering? Well, might as well debate in French. “Malgré tout ça… au contraire…pourtant.” Argue with the shower head.  

15. Visit a Francophone country. Visiting a Francophone country, where all the signs you’ll see and conversations you’ll hear are in the French language would really unblock other obstacles. It is one thing to listen to podcasts and radio shows and another to hear it 24/7 (or 24 sur 24 as the French would say.)

Films for learning the language of the street

Les misérales (2019) : A cop from the provinces moves to Paris to join the Anti-Crime Brigade of Montfermeil, discovering an underworld where the tensions between the different groups mark the rhythm.

La haine (hate) (1995) : 24 hours in the lives of three young men in the French suburbs the day after a violent riot.

Athena (2022) : Hours after the tragic death of their youngest brother in unexplained circumstances, three siblings have their lives thrown into chaos.

Bac nord (The Stronghold) (2020) : A police brigade working in the dangerous northern neighborhoods of Marseille, where the level of crime is higher than anywhere else in France.

Films based on stage plays

La Cage aux Folles (1978) : The manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and his star attraction, are a gay couple. Madness ensues when his straight son brings home a fiancée and her ultra-conservative parents to meet them.

Le père Noël est une ordure (Santa Claus Is a Stinker) (1982) : Two neurotics, working for a suicide hotline on the night of Christmas Eve, get caught up in a catastrophe when a pregnant woman, her abusive boyfriend, and a transvestite visit their office.

Le Dîner de Cons (1998) : A few friends have a weekly fools’ dinner, where each brings a fool along. Pierre finds a champion fool for next dinner. Surprise.

Le prénom (What’s in a Name ?) (2012) : Vincent is about to become a father. At a meeting with childhood friends he announces the name for his future son. The scandalous name ignites a discussion which surfaces unpleasant matters from the past of the group.

Series for learning the language of everyday life

Plus belle la vie (2004-2022) : Plus belle la vie narrates the everyday life of the people who are living in a fictitious neighborhood called Le Mistral.

Un gars, une fille (1999-2003) : The series humorously recounts the daily life of a couple: Jean (nicknamed “Loulou”) and Alexandra (nicknamed “Chouchou”), known as “Alex”. Situations range from the mundane (at home, in the living room, in the kitchen, on the telephone, in bed, at the supermarket, in a restaurant, outdoors, with friends, with mother-in-law, etc.) to the exceptional (lost on a desert island or in the Vercors mountains, on a trip to Hong Kong, Marrakech, the Seychelles), and even during the separation or marriage of the two characters.

Bref. (2011-2012) : Short videos showing typical funny moments in French life, depicting way of life, being, laughing, habits, and using slang vocabulary. Specially recommended for Parisians and / or people who lived there.

Caméra café (2001-2007) : Several employers of a French company are always filmed by a camera that it is on a café machine, and it shows their problems and funny moments of their lives.

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