learn french - Contributions [fr]

Accueil

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#REDIRECT [[Main Page]]

MediaWiki:Mainpage

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Main Page

Catégorie:Learnfrench.wiki templates

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Templates used on this wiki.

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Catégorie:My French research

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Pages researched and written by [https://my-french.com My French], owner of learnfrench.wiki.

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Catégorie:About

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Pages about learnfrench.wiki and its publisher, [[My French]].

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Catégorie:Resources

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Resources and practical advice.

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Catégorie:Exams

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French exams and certificates.

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Catégorie:Learner profiles

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Advice for different types of learners.

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Catégorie:The language

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Pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, conjugation, spelling.

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Catégorie:Skills

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Language skills.

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Catégorie:Ways to learn

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The different ways to learn French.

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Catégorie:Getting started

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Getting off to a good start with French.

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My French

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

'''My French''' ([https://my-french.com my-french.com]) is a platform for learning French as a foreign language and a social network for learners. It is '''the publisher and owner of learnfrench.wiki''', and carries out its research and writing.

== Overview ==
* lessons, quizzes and games from A1 to C2;
* preparation for the DELF, DALF and TCF;
* a [https://my-french.com/verbs verb conjugator] and [https://my-french.com/french_nuances/ French nuances];
* translation tools, cultural content, a directory of language schools;
* a community of learners and a mobile app.

== The My French wiki network ==
* [https://learnfrench.wiki learnfrench.wiki] — how to learn French (in English)
* [https://apprendrelefrancais.wiki apprendrelefrancais.wiki] — how to learn French (in French)
* [https://langue.wiki langue.wiki] — the world's languages
* [https://francophonie.wiki francophonie.wiki] — the French-speaking world
* [https://lexique.wiki lexique.wiki] — vocabulary
* [https://grammaire.wiki grammaire.wiki] — grammar
* [https://synonymes.wiki synonymes.wiki] — synonyms and nuances
* [https://expression.wiki expression.wiki] — idioms and expressions
* [https://dictionnaire.wiki dictionnaire.wiki] — dictionaries
* [https://orthographe.wiki orthographe.wiki] — spelling
* [https://conjugaison.wiki conjugaison.wiki] — conjugation
* [https://verbes.wiki verbes.wiki] — verbs
* [https://e-learning.wiki e-learning.wiki] — digital learning
* [https://jeux.wiki jeux.wiki] — board games
* [https://baguette.wiki baguette.wiki] — the baguette
* [https://boulangerie.wiki boulangerie.wiki] — bread and bakeries
* [https://patisserie.wiki patisserie.wiki] — pastry
* [https://croissant.wiki croissant.wiki] — the croissant
* [https://my-french.wiki my-french.wiki] — the My French knowledge base

== Links ==
* Official website: [https://my-french.com my-french.com]
* Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/learn_french_reels/ @learn_french_reels]

{{Learn French navbox}}
{{My French research}}
[[Category:About]]

Glossary

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{| class="lf-table"
! Term !! Definition
|-
| '''FLE''' || ''français langue étrangère'' – French as a foreign language
|-
| '''FLS''' || ''français langue seconde'' – French as a second language
|-
| '''FLM''' || ''français langue maternelle'' – French as a native language
|-
| '''FOS''' || ''français sur objectif spécifique'' – French for specific purposes
|-
| '''FOU''' || ''français sur objectif universitaire'' – French for academic purposes
|-
| '''CEFR''' || Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CECR in French)
|-
| '''DELF''' || Diplôme d'études en langue française (A1–B2)
|-
| '''DALF''' || Diplôme approfondi de langue française (C1–C2)
|-
| '''TCF''' || Test de connaissance du français
|-
| '''TEF''' || Test d'évaluation de français
|-
| '''CO, CE, PO, PE''' || listening, reading, speaking, writing (French exam abbreviations)
|-
| '''Tandem''' || a language exchange between two people
|-
| '''Input''' || the amount of language you hear or read
|-
| '''Shadowing''' || repeating a recording at the same time as it plays
|-
| '''IPA''' || International Phonetic Alphabet
|}
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[[Category:Resources]]

FAQ

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== Is French difficult? ==
It depends on your native language. For speakers of English and Romance languages, it's one of the most accessible languages. Its main difficulties are pronunciation, noun gender, conjugation and spelling.

== How long does it take to speak French? ==
With daily practice, you can hold a simple conversation (A2–B1) within a few months to a year. See [[How long does it take?]].

== Can you learn French on your own? ==
Yes, especially up to B1, as long as you practise speaking with others and get feedback. See [[Learning on your own]].

== Do I need to learn grammar? ==
Yes, but gradually, using it in real sentences. See [[Grammar: where to start]].

== Which accent should I learn? ==
There is no "right" accent: choose the one of the country where you'll live, or the one you prefer, and get used to understanding the others.

== Is it too late to learn? ==
No. Adults often learn grammar and vocabulary faster than children. Only a perfectly native accent is harder to acquire as an adult.

== Which exam should I take? ==
See [[Choosing an exam]].

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[[Category:Getting started]]

Mistakes to avoid

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== Method mistakes ==
* waiting until you're "ready" to speak;
* learning word lists without context;
* using only one app;
* translating word for word from your language;
* studying hard one week, then nothing for a month;
* neglecting pronunciation at the start.

== Common language mistakes ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Mistake !! Correct !! Why
|-
| ''Je suis 20 ans.'' || ''J'ai 20 ans.'' || age uses ''avoir''
|-
| ''Je vais à la France.'' || ''Je vais en France.'' || ''en'' with feminine country names
|-
| ''J'ai allé.'' || ''Je suis allé(e).'' || ''aller'' takes ''être'' in the passé composé
|-
| ''Il faut que je vais.'' || ''Il faut que j'aille.'' || ''il faut que'' takes the subjunctive
|-
| ''Je n'ai pas des amis.'' || ''Je n'ai pas d'amis.'' || ''des'' becomes ''de'' after a negation
|-
| ''Si j'aurais…'' || ''Si j'avais…'' || no conditional after ''si''
|}
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[[Category:Resources]]

Staying motivated

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

Motivation is one of the most important factors for success.

== Tips ==
* '''a concrete goal''': a level, an exam, a trip, a date;
* '''a routine''': same time every day, even 15 minutes;
* '''track your progress''': record yourself every month, retake a level test;
* '''vary activities''': series, music, games, cooking, reading;
* '''learn with others''': a group, a language partner, an online community;
* '''accept plateaus''': it's normal to feel stuck, especially at intermediate level.

== The science of learning ==
* '''spaced repetition''' fights forgetting;
* '''sleep''' consolidates learning;
* '''active engagement''' (speaking, writing, testing yourself) works better than passive rereading.

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[[Category:Resources]]

Easy French books

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== Graded readers ==
Several French-language-teaching publishers produce series of books adapted to each CEFR level (A1 to C1), often with audio and activities: adapted classics or original stories.

== Other accessible reading ==
* '''comics''': ''Astérix'', ''Tintin'', ''Le Petit Spirou'';
* '''children's literature''': ''Le Petit Nicolas'' (Goscinny and Sempé), ''Le Petit Prince'' (Saint-Exupéry);
* '''news magazines for children and teens''': short sentences and current events explained;
* short '''contemporary novels''', from B2.

== Reading for free ==
Public-domain works are available on Wikisource and Gallica.

See [[Reading in French]].

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[[Category:Resources]]

Films and series for learners

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== Method ==
# Start with subtitles '''in French''' (not in your language).
# Watch the same episode several times.
# Note useful expressions.
# Later, try without subtitles.

== What to watch ==
* cartoons and children's films (simple language);
* French, Belgian, Swiss and Quebec series on streaming platforms and public broadcasters' websites;
* classic and contemporary films;
* short videos on social media (such as the teaching videos from [https://www.instagram.com/learn_french_reels/ @learn_french_reels]).

{{Tip|series show real spoken French, very different from written French: see [[Spoken vs written French]].}}

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[[Category:Resources]]

Podcasts, radio and TV

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== For beginners and intermediate learners ==
* '''RFI''': news in easy French, programmes for learning French;
* '''TV5Monde''': news videos with exercises by level;
* podcasts for learners, with transcripts.

== For advanced learners ==
* general and news radio (France Inter, France Culture, RFI, Radio-Canada, RTBF, RTS);
* TV news;
* podcasts on society, history and science.

== Tips ==
* pick topics you're interested in;
* use transcripts at first;
* vary accents: France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec, Africa.

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[[Category:Resources]]

Free resources

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Many high-quality resources are free.

{| class="lf-table"
! Type !! Resources
|-
| Course platforms || My French; TV5Monde learning resources; online courses from Alliances Françaises and universities (some free)
|-
| News in easy French || RFI's ''Journal en français facile''; news adapted for learners
|-
| Radio and podcasts || RFI, Radio France, podcasts for learners
|-
| TV || TV5Monde, Arte, French-language channels, catch-up TV
|-
| Dictionaries || Wiktionary, the Académie française dictionary, TLFi, Usito, Dictionnaire des francophones
|-
| Conjugation || online conjugators, including My French's
|-
| Digital libraries || Wikisource, Gallica (public-domain works)
|-
| Encyclopedias || the My French wiki network (grammar, conjugation, vocabulary…, in French)
|}
{{Get started}}

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[[Category:Resources]]

French for Canada

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

French is one of Canada's two official languages and the only official language of Quebec.

== Immigration ==
* For federal immigration, French proficiency (shown with the TEF Canada or TCF Canada) can earn extra points, and Canada encourages francophone immigration outside Quebec.
* Quebec, which selects its own economic immigrants, places great importance on French (TEFAQ, TCF Québec, TEF Canada, TCF Canada).

== Quebec French ==
Quebec French has its own pronunciation and vocabulary (''magasiner'' – to go shopping, ''courriel'' – email, ''char'' – car, ''blonde'' – girlfriend). It's worth getting used to it by listening to Quebec media.

== Learning in Canada ==
The federal and provincial governments fund free language classes for newcomers; in Quebec, they are offered by the ministry responsible for immigration and francisation.

{{Check official sources}}

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[[Category:Exams]]

French for living in France

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

To settle in France long-term, a certain level of French is required for several procedures.

== Requirements ==
The January 2024 immigration law tightened language requirements, applying from 2026: A2 for some multi-year residence permits, B1 for the long-term resident card and B2 for citizenship. Your level must be proven with a recognised diploma or test (DELF, TCF IRN, TEF IRN…).

== The republican integration contract ==
Foreign nationals settling in France sign a republican integration contract (''contrat d'intégration républicaine'', CIR) with the state, which may include free language training depending on their assessed level.

== Learning in France ==
* courses provided under the CIR;
* associations and community language workshops;
* city-run classes;
* universities and language schools.

{{Check official sources}}

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[[Category:Exams]]

Choosing an exam

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

{| class="lf-table"
! Your goal !! Usually suitable exam
|-
| Certify your level permanently (CV, work) || DELF or DALF (valid for life)
|-
| Get into a French university || DELF B2 or DALF C1, or TCF DAP (depending on the institution)
|-
| Get a residence permit or French citizenship || TCF IRN, TEF IRN or a DELF at the required level
|-
| Immigrate to Canada || TEF Canada or TCF Canada
|-
| Immigrate to Quebec || TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TCF Québec, TCF Canada
|-
| Children, teenagers || DELF Prim, DELF Junior
|}

== Comparison ==
{| class="lf-table"
! !! DELF / DALF !! TCF / TEF
|-
| Type || diploma || test
|-
| Result || pass or fail at a level || a level awarded
|-
| Validity || for life || usually 2 years
|-
| Main use || general certification, study || administrative procedures, immigration
|}

{{Check official sources}}

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[[Category:Exams]]

TCF and TEF

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

The '''TCF''' and '''TEF''' are level '''tests''': unlike the DELF and DALF, you can't pass or fail them; they give you a CEFR level at a given point in time.

{| class="lf-table"
! Test !! Provider !! Common uses
|-
| TCF (Test de connaissance du français) || France Éducation international || university admission in France (TCF DAP), citizenship and residence permits (TCF IRN), immigration to Quebec and Canada (TCF Québec, TCF Canada)
|-
| TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) || CCI Paris Île-de-France || immigration to Canada and Quebec (TEF Canada, TEFAQ), citizenship (TEF IRN), study
|}

== Validity ==
Results are generally valid for '''two years''', unlike the DELF and DALF, which are valid for life.

== Format ==
Compulsory papers (listening, reading, often language structures) plus speaking and writing papers depending on the version. Tests are available on paper and on computer.

{{Check official sources}}

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[[Category:Exams]]

DELF and DALF

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

The '''DELF''' (''Diplôme d'études en langue française'') and '''DALF''' (''Diplôme approfondi de langue française'') are the official diplomas of the French Ministry of Education certifying the French proficiency of non-native speakers. They are administered by France Éducation international.

== Levels ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Diploma !! Levels
|-
| DELF || A1, A2, B1, B2
|-
| DALF || C1, C2
|}

== Papers ==
Each diploma assesses four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Each paper is marked out of 25; you need at least 50 out of 100 overall, with a minimum of 5 out of 25 in each paper.

== Strengths ==
* '''valid for life''', with no expiry date;
* recognised worldwide;
* independent of each other: you can go straight to the level you want.

== Versions ==
DELF for adults (tout public), DELF Prim, DELF Junior, DELF Pro.

== Where to take it ==
At several hundred exam centres worldwide, often Alliances Françaises and Instituts français.

{{Check official sources}}

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French for work and study

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== French for specific purposes ==
'''French for specific purposes''' (''français sur objectif spécifique'', FOS) meets the needs of particular professional groups: medicine, hospitality, tourism, law, engineering, business. Business French is one example.

== French for university ==
'''French for academic purposes''' (''français sur objectif universitaire'', FOU) prepares students for higher education: note-taking, understanding lectures, academic writing, presentations.

== Professional skills ==
* writing emails and reports;
* taking part in meetings and interviews;
* phone calls;
* mastering ''vous'' and polite formulas.

== Certificates ==
Studying in France often requires B2 (DELF B2, TCF), sometimes C1. Specialised certificates exist for professional French, notably those of the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce (CCI).

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[[Category:Learner profiles]]

French for children

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== Why start early? ==
Young children pick up good pronunciation more easily and learn through play, without fear of making mistakes.

== How? ==
* nursery rhymes, songs and cartoons in French;
* picture books and comics;
* games (memory, riddles, board games);
* bilingual schools, international sections, French schools abroad (AEFE network);
* after-school activities at Alliances Françaises.

== Certificates for young learners ==
The DELF comes in age-appropriate versions: '''DELF Prim''' (primary school children) and '''DELF Junior''' (teenagers).

== The parents' role ==
Even without speaking French, parents can encourage exposure to the language and celebrate progress.

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[[Category:Learner profiles]]

English-French false friends

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

'''False friends''' (''faux amis'') are words that look alike in two languages but mean different things.

{| class="lf-table"
! English !! Correct French translation !! Watch out: the French word…
|-
| ''actually'' || en fait || actuellement = currently
|-
| ''library'' || bibliothèque || librairie = bookshop
|-
| ''sensible'' || raisonnable || sensible = sensitive
|-
| ''eventually'' || finalement || éventuellement = possibly
|-
| ''to attend'' || assister à || attendre = to wait
|-
| ''to assist'' || aider || assister à = to attend
|-
| ''journey'' || voyage || journée = day
|-
| ''location'' || lieu, emplacement || location = rental
|-
| ''college'' || université (often) || collège = middle school
|-
| ''preservative'' || conservateur || préservatif = condom
|-
| ''deception'' || tromperie || déception = disappointment
|-
| ''chance (likelihood)'' || probabilité || chance = luck
|-
| ''coin'' || pièce de monnaie || coin = corner
|-
| ''to demand'' || exiger || demander = to ask
|-
| ''lecture'' || conférence, cours magistral || lecture = reading
|}
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For Chinese speakers

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== The challenges ==
* a language with no family relationship to Chinese;
* '''conjugation''': Chinese verbs don't conjugate;
* '''articles''' and '''gender''', which don't exist in Chinese;
* '''agreement''' (plural, feminine);
* distinguishing sounds like [ʁ] and [l], [b] and [p];
* intonation: French is not a tonal language.

== Tips ==
* lots of listening and repetition;
* always learn the gender with each noun;
* prioritise the conjugations of the most frequent verbs.

The FSI ranks Chinese among the hardest languages for English speakers, and the reverse is also true: patient, regular study is the key.

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For Arabic speakers

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== Your advantages ==
In the Maghreb and Lebanon, French is often present in daily life, at school, in the media and in business. Many French words come from Arabic (''algèbre'', ''chiffre'', ''café'', ''sucre'').

== The challenges ==
* certain vowels: [y] vs [u], [e] vs [i];
* the sounds [p] and [v], absent from Standard Arabic;
* left-to-right writing and spelling;
* noun genders that differ from Arabic;
* the many past tenses.

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[[Category:Learner profiles]]

For Spanish and Portuguese speakers

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== Your advantages ==
French, Spanish and Portuguese are Romance languages: vocabulary, grammar and conjugation are close. Progress is usually fast.

== The challenges ==
* '''pronunciation''': [y], [ø], nasal vowels (except for Portuguese speakers, who have them), silent letters;
* '''spelling''': far less phonetic than Spanish;
* '''mandatory subject pronouns''' (''je parle'', not ''*parle'');
* '''false friends''': ''embarazada'' (pregnant) ≠ ''embarrassée''; ''constipado'' (having a cold) ≠ ''constipé'';
* the risk of "mixing" languages through overconfidence.

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For English speakers

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== Your advantages ==
A large share of English vocabulary comes from French (''government'', ''justice'', ''beef'', ''restaurant''). The FSI ranks French among the languages most accessible to English speakers.

== The challenges ==
* '''grammatical gender''' (''le'' / ''la'');
* '''conjugation''', much richer than in English;
* '''pronunciation''': [y], nasal vowels, silent letters, liaisons;
* '''[[English-French false friends|false friends]]''';
* expressions with ''avoir'' (''avoir faim'' – to be hungry, ''avoir 20 ans'' – to be 20) where English uses ''to be'';
* the position of pronouns (''je le vois'' – I see him) and adjectives (often after the noun).

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Spoken vs written French

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

Everyday spoken French differs a lot from the written French taught in textbooks.

{| class="lf-table"
! Standard written !! Everyday spoken !! Meaning
|-
| ''Je ne sais pas.'' || ''Je sais pas.'' / ''Chais pas.'' || I don't know.
|-
| ''Il y a'' || ''Y a'' || there is / there are
|-
| ''Nous allons'' || ''On va'' || we're going
|-
| ''Est-ce que tu viens ?'' / ''Viens-tu ?'' || ''Tu viens ?'' || Are you coming?
|-
| ''Cela'' || ''Ça'' || that
|-
| ''Tu es'' || ''T'es'' || you are
|}

== Why it matters ==
Learners who have only studied written French often struggle to follow conversations and TV series. You need to learn to '''understand''' informal speech, even if you don't have to imitate it.

== Registers ==
French distinguishes informal (''familier''), standard (''courant'') and formal (''soutenu'') registers.

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[[Category:The language]]

Tu or vous?

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

French has two words for "you": '''tu''' (informal) and '''vous''' (formal), depending on the relationship.

{| class="lf-table"
! Use « tu » with… !! Use « vous » with…
|-
| family, friends || strangers
|-
| children || superiors, customers
|-
| close colleagues (depending on the company) || older people
|-
| animals || in shops and public offices
|}
''Vous'' is also the plural "you", for speaking to several people.

== When in doubt ==
Say ''vous'' and wait for the other person to suggest switching: ''On peut se tutoyer ?'' (Shall we say tu?)

== Variations ==
Usage varies by country and setting: in Quebec, ''tu'' is more common; in some companies, everyone says ''tu'' from day one.

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[[Category:The language]]

Spelling essentials

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

French spelling has a reputation for being hard, because many letters are silent.

== Priorities ==
* accents (''é'', ''è'', ''ê'', ''à'', ''ç'');
* agreement of nouns, adjectives and verbs;
* the most common homophones: ''a / à'', ''et / est'', ''son / sont'', ''ou / où'';
* ''-é / -er'' endings.

== Tips ==
* read a lot: visual memory of words comes from reading;
* learn word families (''petit'' / ''petite'' explains the silent ''t'');
* proofread, checking agreements.

All the rules (in French): [https://orthographe.wiki orthographe.wiki].

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Conjugation priorities

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Myfrench : 1 version importée

== Tenses to learn first ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Order !! Tense !! Use
|-
| 1 || present (présent) || describe, talk about habits
|-
| 2 || passé composé || tell what happened
|-
| 3 || near future (futur proche) || talk about plans
|-
| 4 || imperfect (imparfait) || describe in the past
|-
| 5 || simple future (futur simple) || predict, promise
|-
| 6 || present conditional || ask politely, make hypotheses
|-
| 7 || present subjunctive || express wishes, obligation
|}

== Verbs to know by heart ==
''être, avoir, aller, faire, pouvoir, vouloir, devoir, savoir, venir, prendre, dire, voir, mettre''. They are irregular and among the most frequent.

== Tools ==
* the [https://my-french.com/verbs My French conjugator];
* [https://conjugaison.wiki conjugaison.wiki] for rules and tables (in French);
* [https://verbes.wiki verbes.wiki] for common verb sheets (in French).

{{Tip|in speech, many endings sound the same (''je parle'', ''tu parles'', ''ils parlent''): conjugation is easier to speak than to write.}}

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Vocabulary priorities

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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== How many words? ==
Research in language teaching suggests that around '''1,000 to 2,000''' frequent words are enough for simple conversation, and that you need to know 95 to 98% of the words in a text to understand it without a dictionary.

== Priorities ==
# function words (articles, pronouns, prepositions);
# the most frequent verbs (''être, avoir, aller, faire, dire, pouvoir, vouloir, savoir, voir, venir, prendre'');
# vocabulary for your own needs (work, study, hobbies);
# common expressions.

== How to learn a word ==
* with its '''article''' (''le'' or ''la'');
* in a '''sentence''';
* with its '''construction''' (''penser à'', ''avoir besoin de'');
* with its '''pronunciation''';
* reviewing it at regular intervals.

See also (in French) [https://lexique.wiki lexique.wiki], [https://synonymes.wiki synonymes.wiki] and [https://expression.wiki expression.wiki].

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Grammar: where to start

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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There's no need to learn all the grammar at once: some points come first.

{| class="lf-table"
! Level !! Priority points
|-
| A1 || gender and number; articles; present tense; negation; simple questions; possessive adjectives
|-
| A2 || passé composé; imperfect; near future; direct and indirect object pronouns; comparatives
|-
| B1 || pluperfect; conditional; present subjunctive; relative pronouns ''dont'', ''où''; ''en'' and ''y''
|-
| B2 || sequence of tenses; passive voice; reported speech; linking words
|-
| C1–C2 || past subjunctive; passé simple (recognition); register nuances
|}

== Tips ==
* understand the rule, then practise it in useful sentences;
* do short but regular exercises;
* notice structures in what you read and hear.

Detailed explanations (in French): [https://grammaire.wiki grammaire.wiki].

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French pronunciation

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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== Difficult sounds ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Sound !! Example !! Difficulty
|-
| [y] || ''tu'', ''rue'' || doesn't exist in English; must be distinguished from [u] (''tout'', ''roue'')
|-
| nasal vowels || ''an'', ''on'', ''in'' (''vent'', ''vont'', ''vin'') || must be distinguished from each other and from oral vowels
|-
| [ʁ] || ''rouge'' || the French "r" is pronounced at the back of the throat
|-
| [ø] and [œ] || ''deux'', ''peur'' || rounded front vowels
|-
| silent e || ''samedi'' || often not pronounced in speech
|}

== Linking phenomena ==
* '''liaison''': ''les‿amis'' [lezami];
* '''enchaînement''' (linking): ''il‿arrive'' [i-la-riv];
* '''elision''': ''l'ami'', ''j'aime''.

== Rhythm ==
In French, stress falls on the '''last syllable''' of a word group, and all syllables are roughly the same length. The rhythm is much more even than in English.

== Practice ==
* listen and repeat (''shadowing'');
* record yourself;
* work on minimal pairs (''pain'' / ''bain'', ''rue'' / ''roue'');
* use the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) given in dictionaries.

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Writing in French

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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== Start simple ==
* keep a '''journal''' of a few sentences a day;
* write messages to a language exchange partner;
* summarise what you've read or heard.

== Get feedback ==
* a teacher or native speaker;
* learner communities;
* a spelling and grammar checker (use it to understand your mistakes, not just fix them).

== Useful types of writing ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Level !! Types of text
|-
| A1–A2 || form, postcard, message, simple email
|-
| B1 || letter, account of an experience, personal opinion
|-
| B2 || argumentative essay, formal letter, professional email
|-
| C1–C2 || synthesis, report, structured argumentative text
|}

The main difficulties are spelling and agreement: see [[Spelling essentials]].

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Reading in French

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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Reading builds vocabulary, grammar and spelling.

== By level ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Level !! Suggested reading
|-
| A1–A2 || graded readers in easy French, comics, very short texts
|-
| B1 || intermediate graded readers, children's literature, news for young people
|-
| B2 || general press, accessible contemporary novels, blogs
|-
| C1–C2 || literature, essays, specialised press
|}

== Method ==
* read lots of easy texts rather than a few hard ones (extensive reading);
* don't look up every word: guess from context;
* note words that keep coming up;
* reread texts you've already read to gain fluency.

See [[Easy French books]].

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Speaking French

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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== Speak from the start ==
You don't need to wait until you have a "good level" to speak. Mistakes are part of learning.

== Where to find chances to speak ==
* '''language exchange (tandem)''': swap with a French speaker learning your language;
* '''language cafés''' and conversation groups (often at Alliances Françaises or universities);
* a '''teacher''' or online tutor;
* online communities;
* trips and stays abroad.

== Practising alone ==
* read aloud;
* talk to yourself in French (describe what you're doing);
* record yourself and listen back;
* repeat dialogues (''shadowing'').

== Useful phrases to buy time ==
* ''Pouvez-vous répéter, s'il vous plaît ?'' (Could you repeat that, please?)
* ''Comment dit-on… en français ?'' (How do you say… in French?)
* ''Qu'est-ce que ça veut dire ?'' (What does that mean?)
* ''Vous pouvez parler plus lentement ?'' (Could you speak more slowly?)
* ''Je cherche le mot…'' (I'm looking for the word…)

{{Tip|learn ready-made "chunks" (''Ça dépend'' – it depends, ''Je suis d'accord'' – I agree, ''À mon avis'' – in my opinion, ''Ce n'est pas grave'' – no big deal): they make you sound more fluent.}}

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Improving listening comprehension

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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Listening is often the hardest skill in French, because of speed, liaisons and words that "disappear" in speech (''je ne sais pas'' → ''chais pas'').

== Method ==
# '''Choose a recording at your level''': you should understand the gist.
# '''Listen once''' without a transcript, for general meaning.
# '''Listen again''' with the transcript or French subtitles.
# '''Listen once more''' without help.
# '''Repeat''' sentences out loud (''shadowing'': speaking along with the recording).

== Resources ==
* news in easy French;
* podcasts for learners, then podcasts for native speakers;
* series with French subtitles (not subtitles in your language);
* songs with the lyrics.
See [[Podcasts, radio and TV]] and [[Films and series for learners]].

== Understanding informal speech ==
Spoken French differs a lot from written French: see [[Spoken vs written French]].

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Language skills

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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The CEFR distinguishes several language activities, all of which need practice.

{| class="lf-table"
! Skill !! French abbreviation !! Example
|-
| Listening || CO || understand an announcement, a podcast, a conversation
|-
| Reading || CE || read an article, an email, a book
|-
| Speaking (production) || PO || give a talk, tell a story, give your opinion
|-
| Writing || PE || write a message, a letter, an essay
|-
| Interaction || — || take part in a conversation or debate
|-
| Mediation || — || explain, summarise or translate for someone else
|}

The DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF exams assess these skills, usually in separate papers.

== Balancing your time ==
Many self-taught learners neglect speaking and listening. A balanced approach spends at least as much time listening and speaking as reading and writing.

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Teaching methods

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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{| class="lf-table"
! Method !! Principle
|-
| Grammar-translation || rules and translation of texts; little speaking
|-
| Direct method || French only, no translation
|-
| Audio-lingual and audiovisual methods || repetition of dialogues and pattern drills (1950s–1970s)
|-
| Communicative approach || learning to communicate in real situations (since the 1970s)
|-
| Action-oriented approach (CEFR) || learners carry out concrete tasks as social agents
|-
| Immersion || learning the language by using it for other subjects or in daily life
|-
| Natural approach (Krashen) || priority on large amounts of understandable language ("comprehensible input")
|}

Today, most French courses follow the communicative and action-oriented approaches, while still making room for explicit grammar teaching.

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Apps and online platforms

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

Myfrench : 1 version importée

Apps and online platforms let you learn anywhere, at your own pace.

== Types of tools ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Type !! Typical use
|-
| Course platforms || complete paths by level, lessons, exercises
|-
| Micro-learning apps || a few minutes a day, gamification
|-
| Flashcards || vocabulary with spaced repetition
|-
| Tutor marketplaces || private lessons by video call
|-
| Language exchange || conversation partners worldwide
|-
| Conjugators, dictionaries, checkers || reference tools
|-
| Conversational AI || practise writing and speaking, ask questions
|}

== My French ==
[https://my-french.com my-french.com] brings together lessons and quizzes from A1 to C2, language games, a [https://my-french.com/verbs verb conjugator], [https://my-french.com/french_nuances/ French nuances], a school directory and a community of learners, with a mobile app.

== How to use them ==
* an app alone is usually not enough to reach a good speaking level: combine it with listening and conversation;
* choose a tool that follows the CEFR;
* value consistency over streaks.

See also {{Wiki|e-learning|Apprendre le français en ligne|learning French online on e-learning.wiki}}.
{{Get started}}

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Immersion and language stays

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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'''Immersion''' means living in an environment where you hear and speak French all the time. It's one of the most effective ways to improve your speaking.

== Options ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Option !! Description
|-
| Language stay || language classes plus accommodation with a host family or in a residence
|-
| Au pair || childcare for a family in exchange for accommodation and pocket money
|-
| University exchange || a semester or year at a French-speaking university (Erasmus+ in Europe)
|-
| Working holiday visa || lets young people from certain countries live and work in France or Canada for a year
|-
| Volunteering || projects with organisations in a French-speaking country
|-
| Immersion at home || surround yourself with French: radio, TV, social media, devices set to French
|}

== Making the most of it ==
* arrive with at least A2, so you can interact;
* avoid spending all your time with people who speak your language;
* keep a notebook of words and expressions you hear;
* accept the mistakes and discomfort of the first few weeks.

== Immersion isn't always enough ==
Without work on grammar and feedback, some mistakes can "fossilise". Ideally, combine immersion with classes.

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French schools and Alliances Françaises

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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== The Alliance Française ==
Founded in 1883, the '''Alliance Française''' is a network of local associations in more than 130 countries. They offer French courses for all levels, prepare students for the DELF and DALF, and organise cultural events.

== The Instituts français ==
France's public cultural network abroad also offers language courses in many countries.

== Language schools in France ==
Many schools and university centres welcome international students for stays ranging from a few weeks to several months. The '''Qualité FLE''' label, awarded by the French state, identifies centres that meet a quality standard.

== University language centres ==
Many French universities have a French-as-a-foreign-language centre that prepares international students for higher education.

== Finding a school ==
My French offers a [https://my-french.com directory of French language schools] to compare institutions.

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Learning with a teacher

2026-10-01T08:21:28Z

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== The benefits ==
* structured, tailored progress;
* '''correction''' of your mistakes, especially in speaking;
* motivation and consistency;
* targeted exam preparation.

== Formats ==
{| class="lf-table"
! Format !! Best for
|-
| Private lessons in person || specific needs, fast progress
|-
| Private lessons by video call || flexibility, choice of teachers worldwide
|-
| Group classes || interaction, lower cost, group motivation
|-
| Intensive courses || fast progress before a move or an exam
|}

== Choosing a teacher ==
* training in teaching French as a foreign language (in France, a master's in FLE or equivalent);
* experience with your level and your native language;
* knowledge of the exams if you're preparing for one;
* a trial lesson to check you get along.

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