🇫🇷 How to Start Learning French (On Your Own)

French is one of the most beautiful and widely spoken languages in the world. The good news? You don’t need a classroom to start learning it! With the right resources and strategies, you can begin learning French on your own from day one.

This guide will show you step by step how to get started.

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1. Learn the Basics First

Start with the foundation of the language:

• The alphabet and pronunciation

• Greetings (bonjour, salut, au revoir)

• Numbers (1–100)

• Days, months, seasons

• Simple verbs (être = to be, avoir = to have)

• Essential phrases (je m’appelle…, comment ça va ?)

👉 Focus on survival French at the beginning.

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2. Get Comfortable With Pronunciation

French has sounds that don’t exist in English (like u in tu, nasal sounds like on in bonjour).

Tips:

• Listen to native speakers daily (YouTube, podcasts).

• Repeat phrases out loud (shadowing technique).

• Use free tools like Forvo or Google Translate audio.

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3. Start With Simple Sentences

Instead of memorizing long word lists, learn how to build simple sentences:

• Je suis étudiant. → I am a student.

• Tu as un livre. → You have a book.

• Nous parlons anglais. → We speak English.

👉 Practice changing the subject or verb to make variations.

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4. Learn Essential Grammar Step by Step

Grammar is important, but don’t try to learn everything at once. Begin with:

• Subject pronouns (je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles)

• Present tense of regular verbs (parler, aimer, étudier)

• Negation (ne… pas)

• Adjective agreement (un livre intéressant / une maison intéressante)

👉 Build a solid base before moving to more complex tenses.

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5. Listen Every Day

French listening practice helps your brain get used to the rhythm of the language.

Ideas:

• Short YouTube videos for learners (Learn French with Alexa, Français Authentique).

• Podcasts like Coffee Break French.

• Music with lyrics (Édith Piaf, Stromae).

👉 Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.

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6. Speak From Day One

Don’t wait until you’re “ready” — practice speaking early, even with simple phrases.

• Talk to yourself in French.

• Repeat sentences you hear.

• Try language exchange apps (HelloTalk, Tandem).

👉 The more you speak, the faster you’ll improve.

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7. Read and Write a Little Every Day

• Start with short texts (children’s books, comics, easy news).

• Keep a small journal in French (Aujourd’hui, je suis allé au marché.).

• Highlight new words and reuse them.

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8. Use the Right Tools

Free and paid resources to learn on your own:

• Apps: Duolingo, Babbel, LingQ

• Grammar practice: “Practice Makes Perfect: French Grammar”

• Flashcards: Anki or Quizlet

• Dictionaries: WordReference, Larousse

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9. Be Consistent

The secret isn’t studying for hours — it’s studying a little every day.
👉 15–20 minutes daily is better than 2 hours once a week.

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🎯 A Simple 4-Week Beginner Plan

• Week 1: Greetings, numbers, être and avoir

• Week 2: Basic verbs (parler, manger, aller), simple questions

• Week 3: Days, months, negation (ne… pas), small conversations

• Week 4: Adjective agreement, listening to short dialogues

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✅ Quick Recap

To learn French on your own:

1. Start with basics (alphabet, greetings, essential verbs).

2. Focus on pronunciation.

3. Build simple sentences.

4. Learn essential grammar step by step.

5. Listen, speak, read, and write daily.

6. Stay consistent with short, regular practice.

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Conclusion

Learning French on your own is absolutely possible with the right approach. By combining daily practice, useful resources, and a focus on real communication, you can start speaking and understanding French much faster than you think.

👉 Pro tip: Don’t wait to be perfect — start using French right away. Every mistake is a step forward.

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