French is one of the most common languages for native English speakers to learn. A generation ago, many high school students had the opportunity to learn the language, and this scholastic avenue was considered one of the best ways to learn French. Today, given the explosive growth of Spanish in the United States, French isn’t as common in the high school curriculum.
If you missed out during high school and would like to embark on your own personal learning renaissance, you and many others are asking, how can we learn the French language? Learning techniques have changed drastically in the past few years – for the better! Whether you want to know how to learn the French language for beginners or basic tips to learn French, keep reading to discover some creative, innovative ways you can learn the language of love!
Why Learning French is a Great Investment
We’ll touch on how to learn French and learning French for beginners in a bit – for now, let’s ask why it’s such a great idea to acquire the language. The French language is one of the great historic languages of the world, and one of the most common – more than 300 million people speak French across the globe (around 75 million as their first language, another 240 million as their second language).
Read any guide to learning French, and it’s not hard to see the obvious benefits. Just some include:
- Enriched cultural experiences
France has a long, storied history, and learning the language enables you to dig into historical archives, watch legendary French films, and even keep up with current events – and not just in France, but in any country that speaks the language. If you’re culturally curious, acquiring French is probably your best bet to truly enjoy French cinema, art, music, and more.
- Enjoy unforgettable travels
Visiting France is amazing, and being able to speak French simply amplifies and improves every experience in the country. Converse with locals (even in slang), order off a menu at a streetside Parisian café, and immerse yourself in all France has to offer. The travel aspect alone is just one reason why learning French for beginners is so popular.
- Improved career prospects
A career crossroads is sometimes the best way to explore how to learn French. Since French is a global language, many companies have facilities in France and other French-speaking countries. Picking up the language is critical for these types of career advancement opportunities.
- Launch point for additional learning
Learning French for beginners gives you all the advantages listed above – and many more! But one underrated benefit is that your education can be a catalyst for further self-improvement. France is considered one of the primary Romance languages, and once you’re fluent in French, you’re primed to pick up other similar tongues, such as Portuguese, Italian, and Spanish.
The Best Way to Learn French: Immersion Techniques
The best way to learn French is to go all in … you want to absorb knowledge on as many fronts as possible. This means impromptu learning, non-traditional techniques, and a focus on speaking and listening to the language.
Here are some tips to learn French with immersion in mind:
- Talk with a native French speaker
This can be a co-worker, relative, or anyone you know who speaks the language. Building your oral and aural capabilities is proven to be one of the best ways for beginners to hit the ground running.
- Watch a French film
As you’re starting out, keep those English subtitles on. As you progress, try to watch a French movie without the subtitles. Along with talking directly to a native French speaker, this technique will help you “get” the unique pace, cadence, and pronunciation of the French language.
- Use a language-learning platform
Pimsleur’s French learning program – available with our Premium or All Access subscriptions – is a scientifically proven system for acquiring French, regardless of skill level. Our courses and lessons are one of the best ways to learn French, starting from square one. Learning French for beginners is easier if you’re motivated to keep learning.
- Keep to a schedule
When learning French, it’s important to keep setting aside regular time on a daily basis. Don’t worry if you miss a day – life happens. Just remember to have fun with it – revel in each small win, each incremental increase in knowledge.
Of course, motivation is made easier with a language learning platform like Pimsleur. Our Speed Round Games, Speak Easy Challenges, Lightbulb Moments, and more provide intuitive, inspired learning opportunities, no matter where you are or what you’re doing – with the Pimsleur app, you can learn French anytime, anywhere…it’s all up to you!
Start Your French Learning Journey Today
Pimsleur’s system gives you the playbook for how to learn the French language for beginners. In as little as 30 minutes per day, we’ll get you speaking French conversationally in a matter of weeks – you’ll even be able to say core French words and phrases after lesson number one.
Our unique program focuses on the most effective way to acquire the language: speaking and listening. It’s all based on the Pimsleur Method, our proven technique for effectively learning any language, including French. Get started today with a Pimsleur Premium or All Access subscription – it’s the best way to learn French!
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