Immersion and language stays
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
| 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.
🇫🇷 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.