Speaking French

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…)

💡 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.

🇫🇷 learnfrench.wiki — how to learn French

Getting started: Learn French · Where to start · CEFR levels · How long does it take? · Beginner study plan · FAQ

Ways to learn: Learning on your own · Learning with a teacher · French schools and Alliances Françaises · Immersion and language stays · Apps and online platforms · Teaching methods

Skills: Language skills · Improving listening comprehension · Speaking French · Reading in French · Writing in French

The language: French pronunciation · Grammar: where to start · Vocabulary priorities · Conjugation priorities · Spelling essentials · Tu or vous? · Spoken vs written French

By learner profile: For English speakers · For Spanish and Portuguese speakers · For Arabic speakers · For Chinese speakers · English-French false friends · French for children · French for work and study

Exams and goals: DELF and DALF · TCF and TEF · Choosing an exam · French for living in France · French for Canada

Resources and advice: Free resources · Podcasts, radio and TV · Films and series for learners · Easy French books · Staying motivated · Mistakes to avoid · Glossary

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🇫🇷 Research and writing: My French
This guide was researched and written by the team at my-french.com, a platform for learning French as a foreign language and the owner of learnfrench.wiki. Put theory into practice: lessons from A1 to C2, quizzes, games, a verb conjugator and a community of learners at my-french.com.