“Baguette, Please!” Is Not Enough: The Real Guide on How to Learn French (Without Crying)
- carolinefournier16
- Aug 3
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 30
So, you've decided to learn French. Maybe you're dreaming of strolling through Montmartre whispering sweet nothings to a croissant. Or perhaps you're trying to decode what your bilingual colleague actually said in that meeting (it definitely wasn’t “pamplemousse”). Whatever your reason—travel, work, love, or revenge on your high school teacher—you’re in the right place.
This guide will walk you through how to learn French, without wasting time or money, and with your sanity intact. We’ll look at your goals, your budget, your time, and help you find what actually works for you.
Step 1: Know Why You Want to Learn French (It’s Not Just About the Accent)
Before diving into apps, books, or awkward conversations with your dog in French, take a minute to answer this:
Why do you want to learn French?
This will determine your approach. Are you:
A traveler who just wants to not be the tourist yelling “ENGLISH?!”
An immigrant or expat trying to navigate paperwork and small talk?
A student preparing for the DELF/DALF or a university exam?
A hopeless romantic trying to impress someone who says “tu me fais rire”?
Your goal will dictate how fast you need results, how formal your French must be, and how much time and money you're willing to invest.
Step 2: Check Your Time Budget (Spoiler: Netflix Is Not a Strategy)
Let’s be honest: How much time do you really have?
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) estimates that reaching:
A2 level takes around 180–200 hours of study
B2 level (upper-intermediate) requires roughly 500–600 hours
C1 You're looking at over 700+ hours
Now divide that by your available hours per week. If you have:
15 min/day = Long game. Expect progress over 1–2 years
1 hour/day = Respectable. You’ll reach B1-B2 in about a year
5+ hours/week with a tutor = Fast track, especially if combined with immersion
If you have the budget, take a tutor or immerse yourself in a french environment, you will learn fast.
Step 3: What’s Your Budget? (And No, Duolingo Alone Won’t Cut It)
French isn’t just spoken by Parisians. It’s also used in Canada, parts of Africa, Switzerland, Belgium, and more. But language learning isn’t free—even if some apps try to make it seem like it is.
Let’s break down your options by price range:
$ Frozen Budget (Free or Almost Free)
Duolingo, Memrise, Anki: Good for vocabulary and daily habits, but they won’t teach you to hold real conversations.
YouTube Channels: Try Français Authentique, Learn French with Alexa, or Comme une Française.
Local libraries often have free resources and conversation groups.
Great for: Beginners or broke students
Limits: You’ll eventually plateau without real interaction
$$ Mild Budget ($30–100/month)
Group French classes near you (community centres, language schools)
Apps with premium versions: Busuu, Babbel, etc.
Great balance of structure and cost
You’ll need to supplement with real speaking time
$$$ Champagne Budget ($100+/month)
Private tutor (in person or online). You can easily find a teacher who tailors lessons to your goals
Intensive French classes, including immersion weekends or retreats
University or Alliance Française programs
Fast progress, personal support, accountability
Can be expensive
Step 4: How to Actually Learn French (Not Just Collect Resources)
It’s easy to fall into the trap of hoarding learning materials and not using any of them.
Here's a practical, efficient plan:
1. Speak from Day One
You will not “someday” be ready to talk. You learn by speaking. Use websites like italki or ConversationExchange to find a teacher or language partner. Even if you mess up (you will), you’re building fluency.
2. Listen Every Day
Not just passive listening—active listening. 15 minutes/day of French podcasts, slow news (Journal en français facile), or series (Dix pour cent, Lupin).Bonus: Use subtitles in French to support reading too.
3. Read Short, Real Stuff
Children’s books, comic books (e.g. Astérix), blogs, or websites like 1jour1actu help you absorb vocabulary in context.
4. Write and Get Feedback
Try journaling in French. Or use apps like LangCorrect or HiNative to have natives correct your sentences. This is where having a French teacher really shines—they’ll help you break bad habits early.
5. Grammar? Yes, But Don’t Drown in It
Focus on what you need to communicate now. Don’t start with the subjonctif unless you want to self-sabotage.
Step 5: Where to Find French Classes Near Me?
Type that phrase—"French classes near me"—and you’ll probably see:
Language schools (some good, some overpriced)
Meetup or Eventbrite events
University continuing education programs
Local cultural centres or Alliance Française
What to look for:
Class size: the smaller the better
Teacher credentials: Native speaker isn’t enough—they need to know how to teach adults
Flexibility: Can you reschedule? Are there make-up options?
Focus: Is it exam prep, conversation, or general fluency?
Pro tip: Sit in on a trial class before you commit.
What About AI, Apps, and Online Courses?
Let’s be real. Apps like Duolingo are like flossing: helpful, but not enough on their own.
Use them to supplement:
Vocabulary (Quizlet, Anki)
Grammar explanations (LawlessFrench, Français Facile)
Pronunciation (Speechling, Forvo)
But if you never speak, never get feedback, and only read “The apple is red” 40 times, you won’t get far.
Bonus: Learn to Love Mistakes (The French Probably Don’t Care)
Many learners fear sounding “dumb.” But here’s the secret: Nobody cares. French speakers are often delighted (or impressed) that you’re trying.
As the saying goes:
“Un mauvais français est bien mieux qu’un excellent silence.”
The key is consistency, not perfection.
Still Need Motivation? Science Is on Your Side
Language learning literally rewires your brain. According to a 2012 study published in NeuroImage, learning a second language increases gray matter density and boosts cognitive function—especially in adults.
Plus, according to the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, over 321 million people speak French worldwide. It’s an official language in 29 countries. That’s a lot of opportunities to connect, travel, work—or flirt.
Recap: How to Learn French (Without Losing Your Mind)
Define your why – know your goal
Assess your time and budget – be realistic
Pick your learning strategy – mix tools and speaking practice
Find a teacher or French classes online– invest smart
Make mistakes, repeat daily, keep going
Final Words: Start Where You Are
Don’t wait until you’ve found the perfect course, the perfect teacher, or the perfect time. Just start. Five minutes today is better than one hour “next week.”
And remember: No one ever regrets learning a new language. But a lot of people regret not doing it sooner.
So grab your coffee (or wine), whisper “bonjour” to your reflection, and take that first step. Whether it’s a local class or just asking for info,” do it now.
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