This article will show you how to make meaningful progress online by applying the 80/20 rule, focusing on what truly matters, and avoiding the traps that make most beginners quit after week two.

It’s a fair question. After all, nobody dreams of flipping through verb conjugation charts at midnight. Most people imagine themselves ordering a croissant at a Parisian café, flirting with a charming stranger, or finally joining that French conversation group without panicking. Grammar? That feels like a detour—or worse, an obstacle course with no croissant at the finish line.

Learning a language just to please your partner? Spoiler alert: it won’t get you very far. Love is powerful, but it’s not enough to carry you through verb conjugations, silent letters, and that one cashier who speaks faster than the speed of light. If you want to stay motivated for the long haul, you need reasons that matter to you—reasons that work in the short, medium, and long term.

In this article, we’ll dig deep into the differences between TCF and TEF, uncover which test might feel easier for you, and—most importantly—map out a clear plan to get from grand débutant (total beginner) to the B2 or C1 level you’ll likely need for Canadian immigration. Along the way, we’ll sprinkle in a bit of humor (because crying over nasal vowels isn’t a study strategy).

Researchers have found that the 1,000 most common French words cover about 80% of everyday speech. That’s the power of the 80/20 rule: focus on the essentials, and you’ll understand and say much more than you expect.