How to start learning French: Tips for Beginners

[@Dan-pq1tp]

The main points are in 16:00 - 19:00

[@vini6699]

I’m learning french bcs it sounds so pretty ✨

[@romyteva450]

Are you still learning?

[@vini6699]

@@romyteva450 yes I am :)

[@edrienekyle9535]

@@vini6699 how are you learning ?

[@dal9563]

i- same 🤧

[@GabiOliveira-yc2dp]

Same

[@luissantiago8446]

Cultural and practical. I have been to France, and while there did engage with French people in French. The people are so much more open when one attempts to speak the language. Cultural, because culture is spelled with a capital C in France. It is taken very serious enough, and has a high profile. The art, literature, architecture, food, etc. There's a reason why France continues to be the number one visited country in the world.

[@martinwright4125]

the mark of an excellent teacher. she is able to compartmentalize what is important and essential, w/out overwhelming the student. too, she uses minimal encourage-rs, gives positive feedback, and positive reinforcement. a winning combination for any subject: she is a true teacher. bravo.

[@ivyabordo4683]

Started learning French about a week ago. I am bilingual in English and Spanish, the latter is my native language. I am doing this to expand my career opportunities, currently managing a Language Services department in a hospital. I am willing to dedicate 7-10 weekly and going the extra mile by immersing myself in a French speaking community for a few weeks. Being to Paris twice, Belgium and Montreal. Thank you for your tips. I am a little nervous because I am 50 and as you age, learning languages becomes more challenging. Need words of encouragement :-)

[@icytea0]

How did it go

[@AkashGupta-jy1nr]

Please connect with me

[@texastea5686]

I wonder how you're doing now, July 2022? I'm 46 and also speak English and Spanish (I'm Hispanic from south Texas), but would LOVE to speak French. I'd like to be able to at least understand it when I watch a movie, hear a song, etc. If I could speak it fluently it would be a dream come true. Not sure I'm disciplined enough tho lol

[@tymanung6382]

Other resources--- books, etc. in French that teach Spanish, books, etc. in Spanish that teach French. This combination gives 2 way explanations + examples--- totally inclusive.

[@AgataRafalska]

00:00 Intro 02:25 Why do you want to learn? (motivation) 05:10 Common difficulties for beginners (advice) 19:56 How to learn according to your goal (resources)

[@johnknight9150]

If you're a few months in and a bit bewildered, go to around the 16:00 mark. Excellent advice on structure, and where to focus.

[@estherstone4860]

I have multiple motives to learn French. My maternal grandmother grew up speaking French. Her parents immigrated from French speaking Canada. But I grew up far away from her, so I was not able to learn any of that from her. The most pressing thing is that we are planning to visit France for 1-2 months in about a year’s time. We hope to rent in a neighborhood, live in an apartment or house, and get to know the neighbors while perusing the countryside.

[@andycandyandy]

Best Beginners tips for learning french that i've came across on youtube. It has made it less scary for me now lol. As dyslexic it will always be hard for me to be a perfectest, its nice to know i can still communicate and nearly be fluent, by not being a perfectest.

[@vini6699]

I’m so happy to know that I’m not alone here! let’s break those barriers and learn this beautiful language

[@JanetGoulden]

Although this is 2019, I am so motivated by you Geraldine, I plan to watch all your videos and progress toward your advanced classes. I retired to France last year, 2023 and carry out daily exercises on Duolingo, but feel I am not making much real progress. I live in rural community and the locals do not understand me!! But they will eventually. Thank you at the moment. I loved the recommendations on the resources for cultural learning.

[@Commeunefrancaise]

15 minutes a day can make all the difference, @JanetGoulden! If you’re looking for more fun, bite-sized lessons, you should check out our 30 Day French Challenge. For 30 days, you’ll receive a new daily challenge to improve your everyday spoken French and each one can be completed in no more that 15 minutes per day. There are no live elements to the 30 Day Challenge and is the perfect program for students who are short on time: www.commeunefrancaise.com/youtube-welcome?&source=youtubecom -Lyndsie Comme une Française Team

[@richardbaugh7328]

I’ve always wanted to speak French ever since first visiting in summer 1976. Am nearly one year into using Duolingo and have missed a day and expect to complete the course @ the end of 2021 when hoping to be a confident B2. I love watching your channel and thank you for all your help. 😀

[@Hbavvity]

I'm a person who likes learning languages and learning French have been on my mind for years but I never got the time to sit down and learn and now that we are settling at home because of the virus I feel like it's the right time to start learning it

[@harlequinharlikwin]

Hi I am from Malaysia, i am learning french because i've been in love with the language for a long time, i love to watch french movies and i love watching Paris Fashion Week. So basically i am learning to have a better understanding of all the activities i love to do. Thanks

[@gro16]

Its really nice to see you being so positive and encouraging about using one's french with out having to have perfected first. We needed permission from you and you finally gave it. Thank you. Thoroughly enjoy your tutorials. Merci beaucoup.

[@sfinxwojerz]

When she says 'focus' is interesting. I'm thankful for a videos. I came back to learn french, I've tried in the past and then dropped out but i feel like it's s good even as a hobby ot passion should I say. Will watch more vids. You have my like

[@angiesaoud]

I'm Syrian. I'm a beginner but I love French pronunciation and I find it easy and FUN 💕 I've decided to learn French for the first 2 goals that you've mentioned in the video 💖 Who knows.. I may visit France some day.. HOPEFULLY 💕

[@reneenoriega4524]

I remember when I was a kid i had a book called the enciclopedia tricolor multilingüe that was basically an interactive dictionary for Spanish, English and French. Languages had always fascinate me but for a time i lost the drive to keep practicing. last year the possibility to immigrate became real i told to myself that i was going to learn at least one more language before going out of the country (I'm already decent at English) so far, I've been progressing slowly, but this channel has help a whole lot to my learning. I'm already able to read short texts, and I'm starting to write short stories. maybe by the end of the year I'll be able to talk without panicking, who knows

[@alexusssssss]

I want to learn practical french because I want to live in Canada when I graduate college! I took french in high school because the language sounds so beautiful!

[@mxro_jo]

I started with my lessons 2 weeks ago and this actually helped me a lot. I'm planning to take a master's degree in Canada (I haven't considered France because it's more difficult as an American haha 😂🙃)

[@robynlevin4243]

I'm from Montreal if you have any questions about studying in Canada! Good luck to you

[@crease205]

Plot twist: canadian french isnt recognized as real french. KEKW. 🤣😂🤣😬😱

[@hiphop111fan]

I'm canadian and I know a fair bit of french. I spent 6 weeks in France learning French 2 years ago. When I returned, I spoke with a French Canadian colleague. I could not understand a word he said!

[@texastea5686]

@@hiphop111fan 😄

[@donroach8958]

I'm learning french as part of a bucket list and it compleaments the International Relations degree for which I am currently pursuimg. That's so true what you said about waiting to speak French perfectly. I was waiting until I compiled a decent amount of French to start speaking. Guess that makes me a 'perfectionist'. Thanks for the tip Géraldine.

[@goodphotoideas]

I dig your pronunciation of the word "focus."

[@elisabird6245]

I learned French at school in England and was quite good at it, even spent some time in France and loved it. But I´ve lived for the past 20 years in Spanish-speaking countries and was disappointed one day when I had to read the Spanish subtitles while watching a French film on TV. My Spanish is pretty good, and I´ve also been learning Dutch for the past ten months, so it feels like time to try and get back the French I´ve forgotten as well. I live in Spain but am a serial migrant and want to give up speaking English altogether.

[@13bubblespop]

I love this video so much. This is exactly the trouble I've had with trying to learn French. Merci, Geraldine!

[@michelebriere9569]

I like Reverso. It has a speaker that you can click on, and hear the word or sentence spoken, and the accent is excellent.

[@sponacq]

Dear Geraldine: Thank you so much for the fun videos. You are the first online french lesson that I totally enjoy. Ok, this is the thing: I have been living in France for over a year, and I'm having a very difficult time getting to any kind of fluency. I'm trying to teach myself, but it has been 'extremely' frustrating. That has caused me 'some' depression, and at times days and weeks of not studying. I am older and this is my first foreign language, so maybe that has an effect. Also, I am experienced in many things- 25 years in the US entertainment business, 10 years working in silicon valley, and many years as a media planner. I'm also a sociopolitical history freak. So, I have a lot to talk about. Not being able to communicate clearly is the most frustrating thing I have ever experienced. It makes me feel like a moron, and I can see that so many French people think that. Can you please tell me if there is some kind of bootcamp, like a 2 month military prison for forced French (ha, ha .. um, yes I'm serious). Any advice is appreciated, and thank you again, for such wonderful videos

[@elimourek]

something always pulls me back to learning french, its just such a beautiful language. i love french so much. i definitely want to visit france one day.

[@kristiharman2843]

I know it's petty, but I want to prove my high school teacher wrong. My HS french teacher, who was not French, he was american and taught both french and spanish in school. He was mean and would hold up my quizzes and tests up in front of class when I did poorly and I basically gave up cuz I was so embarrassed. Now I want to prove to myself, and him, that I am capable of learning french from supportive and helpful teachers like you

[@kristiharman2843]

I've also visited Paris twice and was able to get around, people were nice and helpful even with my broken french, but I would like to be able to communicate more fluidly and confidently and to travel around to more places outside of Paris

[@inprogress5210]

I wish you well. I only started last month.

[@avrilclarke9422]

Hi Geraldine, I love your French encouragement & excitement & I enjoy your explanation of all your subject teaching made easy to understand. Thank you. Avril.

[@VladimirYesayan]

If you were brave enough to say ‘focus’ like that I will never again feel bad about my French pronunciation🤣🤣 (10:08). Thanks for your great videos.

[@Fogtownproductions]

Cher Geraldine , amazing channel. I’m hooked . Merci

[@texastea5686]

Thankfully I speak Spanish so it's easy to grasp the idea of feminine/masculine nouns and formal and informal "you"

[@sayitlikeitis9879]

Watched few of your videos and now just subscribed. Bonjour.

[@kathypeterson7967]

Thank god I had 4 years of Latin. It has helped me understand the grammar. Using Duolingo and your videos.

[@rhythm-peko9408]

I’ve heard that many French people look down upon those who do not have good pronunciation or accent. My partner confirmed this, so I want to learn French so I can live comfortable in a community that speaks French.

[@khalidmnassir5873]

First of all, I'd like to extend my warmest greetings and wishes to the best on-line teacher may ALLAH bless you

[@annetteanderson6845]

Bonjour! Thank you for putting together a beginners program. I am very excited. My goals according to todays outline would be learning practical French and progressing to the heritage/cultural French level. I would love to travel to France for a long stay. I have read The Sweet Life in Paris, it intrigues me.

[@destinycunninghamigdezr7820]

I am visiting Paris, France in 2 months So I would like to know Practical French. But I would love to be fluent and teach the language to my future children

[@freedompoet8010]

Bonjour. Je peux parler un peu français. Je vien de New Zealand. Je suis trés excité d'être ici! I'm on my fifth week learning French. Merci!

[@emmaharvey2911]

Bonjour! Quick tip to save you from future embarrassment. When you want to express that you are excited, instead say "Je suis trés content(e). Because excité is used mostly when speaking s3xually. I learned this the hard way lol.

[@CthRage8946]

@@emmaharvey2911 the questionable (excite), how it used and in what situations accept sexual ones as you said?

[@CthRage8946]

@@emmaharvey2911 can you misplace it as exalté.

[@howtubeable]

I've completed the French "tree" on Duolingo. There's a heavy emphasis on grammar and translation. It's good if you want to supplement a classroom French course. It's not so good for learning to speak French. Also, don't get upset if you lose your daily streak. I got upset several times when my daily streak was lost, and it was a waste of my mental health! Recently, they have added stories in French, which is nice. Also, the comment section has moderators who answer questions from learners. So there are my pros and cons. Plus, it's free.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

The "tree" is really an obstruction if you already know much French.

[@naarelservs9713]

My case is quite specific. I want to learn French because... I hate it. My mind irrationally wired French with something awful, which makes me feel kinda bad, because I usually find all languages beautiful in their own unique ways. I want to learn to find what exactly is bothering me, and what nice things I can find in it; I want to get rid of the irrational prejudice that my mind created, for whatever reason. And what better way to erase prejudice than to learn? Besides, that might be fun.

[@MsSleeplessFreak]

💕Thank you for this wonderful video on starting to learn French. I have been having a hard time staying consistent for a year now. I've learned a few but I feel like my retention of it is not as strong as I hoped especially when I get busy with my work and other personal stuff. My boyfriend, who's French, has encouraged me to learn daily even for just 30 minutes. I am planning to move soon to France and it's very important for me to learn the language and the culture to adapt myself to this new adventure. I honestly find such relief when you said that we don't have to pressure ourselves to be perfect about learning everything. I'm bilingual in Filipino and English. I'm very fluent in English which I feel like makes it even harder for me to learn the pronounciations :( So thank you very much, and I plan to check out your course and be more consistent in learning (like find more ways to have fun learning French). :)

[@lisaorlando1224]

I already figured out the silent letter thing, but I am now learning French songs and, when I write them out, I have to do the opposite: underline the final “e” that the singer is pronouncing, ie in “Rappelle-moi.” If I had started with songs, I wouldn’t have known it’s not done in speech!

[@zachkelly1331]

i am studying opera and I want to be able to explore french speaking conservatorys and grad schools as well as be able look into french speaking opportunities and places to live. I’m doing a program Montreal this summer and I would like to get my ear and my vocabulary a bit more experienced before i go.

[@matcradle]

I like this video a lot! I am sharing this to all my friends who are beginners in french too!

[@danielpra2850]

For me the 4 one is what i want. My grandfather from my father's side was french. My last name is also french. So i want to explore the french culture and language. I learned at a local course with a french women how to speak french, but no i haven't the time because of work. I love come une francaise. It's easy and helps me.

[@michelebriere9569]

I'm only 3rd gen American. My great grandparents were from Quebec, a couple generations before them were from mostly Clermont, and the Puy de Dome area. I want to communicate with my Quebec cousins.

[@josephciolino2865]

Wonderful advice! Thanks.

[@jervisghangli1682]

I am in a french area and wishes to study in that area, so learning practical french will be my wish

[@garyobermuller1014]

Merci pour la leçon Géraldine.

[@oksanatulpa7984]

Thank you a lot I have all the books I need . We have learned it I think from Institute oficcially.

[@teddytodorova]

Again! Great video. Useful and motivational. I'll be back to your channel!

[@reetkamal7040]

i love the french language... i like the sweetness of this language and the way you speak

[@doptimist]

Great video, really well presented. You have it bang on with too many options confusing beginners. Constraints and direction are a fine thing : ) I want to learn French because the best sailors are French and I’d like to learn from the best. Peace and love from Ireland.

[@nvaranavage]

I'm relearning French because I took four years in high school, and one in college. I'm out of practice. My best friend's daughter is taking french this year and want to be able to help her. I also want to do this because I'm a musician and I like being able to study my French music and understand the words better. I love the language, the culture and just love the country in general.

[@Ayambotsaimo.14]

Yaay! I just subscribed your you tube channel today! ♥ I've been trying to learn French on my own. Thank you for making this video it helps a lot . Love from Philippines 😘

[@blitzwing7545]

Hello there kabayan. How is your french now? I need tips too, i want to learn french on my own. Salamat!

[@tymanung768]

Among the cultural learners, there are people who have various interests, such as dances, cuisine, painting, popular culture, technology, literature, philosophy,

[@tymanung768]

BUT---'they do not have any French ethnicity, friends (not yet)

[@maigematthews5620]

Based on your four descriptions, I want to learn French for friends and family. The way I would describe it is: I want to be able to have a conversational level of French, to share and understand deep expressive thoughts on relationships, being a better person, self-improvement; and I want to have thoughts in French. I believe that’s about B2 level, but I’ve also heard of C1 leveled people not speaking too well in French. Thoughts in French. They may not be elaborated, well-express thoughts. For example, it could be something as simple as my first thought when I awake, “Awh, I feel more drowsy than usual right now. I think that I can definitely go back to sleep. But I’m a bit hungry and I even have a certain meal that I would like. I have a subtle taste for slow-churned melted butter, honey and strawberry preserves on a thinly cooked pancake. I hope that my girlfriend can stomach hearing about such a concoction of sweet delights. You see, such desserts bring back very tragic moments in her life. When she was young, a close family member of hers used these treats as means of coaxing her to do things that no young child should do; and have their way with her. We have discussed talking out these traumatic issues with a professional, even if it’s not a psychologist at first. But she has this fermented bias towards doctors in general. I will have to be cautious and covertly find a means of hiding my food from her, let alone ecstatically sharing with her what morsels that I’ve enjoyed this morning. She would passive-aggressively take it as a way of me wanting to upset her; and wanting to toss her whole day into turmoil.” That paragraph, I would say, can generally describe what level of French that I want to get to. Thank you for your time.

[@victoriaubeh3485]

I am learning,so that I can practice it and communicate very fluently

[@reeses3466]

What im doing is just trying to be as consistent as i could with apps, Expose myself to the language (movies, tv shows, memes, posts, etc.) Maybe buy a book if i could lmao andddddd Watching videos like these! I dont want to pay for a tutor nor do i want my parents to pay for one 🤷🏻‍♀️ Why i want to learn french and other like 38398629893 languages? Bc i want to...........

[@isamarysanguinety312]

I can relate to this on an infinite level.

[@ssimyn8092]

Are you still learning? Can you share some free apps and any movie suggestions- romance, romcom 😁

[@johnlewis1078]

I want to see Geraldine interview someone from Quebec City! 😃

[@akacadian3714]

Better yet an Acadian at Timmy's au Bouctouche.

[@franciscabonsu6378]

There are many components to studying French online . One place I found that succeeds in merging these is the Magic language method (look for it on google) definately the best resource that I have ever heard of. Look at the awesome info .

[@trangnguyen-tj7nb]

Thank you for this video !! Serious important information and useful :)

[@AR-st2ho]

I love this!! Merci Géraldine ❤️I mean it only makes sense to learn French from natives. Excellent advice.

[@tonychan4526]

Tres encourageant! Merci!

[@deedeeannash]

Pronunciation tip: don't lift your tongue from the floor of your mouth. French speakers keep the tongue on the floor. They just don't move the tongue around like Anglophones do. If you are having difficulty with pronunciation, follow the French . Try speaking a phrase in French, then do it not lifting your tongue. You're welcome.

[@tymanung6382]

Other motivations to learn French 1) Academic--- if one studies + teaches topics about France--- politics, various arts, etc 2) Political--- French people over past 200 years from time to time produce major innovations, especially in activist non electoral politics.

[@kodeida4660]

I want to learn French because I've just gotten a new job in a French speaking zone. I want to communicate with my french colleagues with ease

[@deepujain7752]

Tu et Duolingo est mon meilleur amies. Votre video est tres bonnes. Et cest tres aider. Tu es super, tu es fantastico, tu es geniale . Merci beacoup pour sharing the tips.

[@lorrainemusicacademy7968]

I want to learn French to understand and enjoy French culture and music want to be able to access French literature

[@AuntiesArchives]

I want to be able to read in french. Particularly, I am very interested in History, and there are many things I can understand in a different perspective from reading things in their original language.

[@amberdilbeck966]

Always wanted to learn to speak french

[@ibrahimabdullah8600]

I would like learn french because , I like it .

[@garyobermuller1014]

J'apprends français pour parler cette langue avec confiance. J'aime très bien aussi la langue.

[@tiffanywanza1452]

Merci a vous, very informative. I did Duolingo to the end. I"m currently studying B1 in Alliance Francaise. But I'd really like to learn French for cabin crew, especially spoken French. Any resources you can recommend will be much appreciated.

[@tommy30durham]

I have been on Duolingo for 11 months now. I am learning a lot even though I find it difficult. When you get further into it, it gets more difficult.

[@tiffianytate7618]

lol true

[@BarryHamdani]

I would like to see more interactive conversations

[@cindybellota]

Merci! Je vais lire les deux livres que tu recommandes, et je vais regarder les webs avec les documentaires Gracias por el gran trabajo que haces y que compartes con nosotros :)

[@dumitruluminita140]

J'ai utilisé Français Authentique et Frantastique, je les trouve très sympa :)

[@jairdamian9245]

Not to be a pain in the neck or anything, but, I highly recommend adding a lil' "OU" sound when you say " focus" 'cause it sounds kinda "weird" when you say it like that if you know what I mean... ;) I'm into french because I'm planning on living in Montreal and I love your tips btw!

[@lambs5258]

I'm trying to learn french because part of my job is translating product manuals, and our translation resource is often inconsistent lol. Like wildly, scarily wrong sometimes.

[@deborahsoule9698]

Practical French! So I can interact with shopkeepers etc. while traveling in France, once we can travel again..

[@adrianademeloproenca6201]

I think so beautiful the French Language is the cause to learn.

[@Lanaxparillaxwife]

I just want to learn it so I can be able to understand it (mainly bc I want to be able to read it etc) & I love how to it sounds.

[@alamasraful6146]

Thanks a lot

[@luisleon3766]

I'm learning french because it is a very challenging language for me even thou my primary language is Spanish, actually, it has being easier to learn Italian, Saludos!

[@crease205]

KEKW how is french hard for you if you speak spanish? You probably live in the US and learned spanish from your peasant parents that barely speak the language but put down in their resume that they speak spanish. KEKW. 🤣😂🤣😂🤮🤮🤮

[@andreacathyannbasso-mcgill703]

Geràldine, comment puis-je tester mon niveau de français; je ne sais pas si je suis A1 ou B1 ou quoi ;-)

[@soulenrichmentmusic]

I am doing this to expand my career opportunities, I am currently I health tourism.

[@vanessaamaya93]

Ma mère est mexicaine et mon père est salvadorien… You and me both 😊

[@adacathy3018]

I’m learning French bc I love French culture

[@TheGraysmassive]

Great video, loads of really helpful advice and love your approach. You have definitely inspired me to move forward with my goal to learn French, you have given me the confidence to get stuck in. I will be enrolling on your French beginners course and so excited! A bientiot

[@daisyleann3197]

I’m learning French because I want to be able to hold a conversation with my friends from there.

[@lohphat]

How about video regarding giving condolences and saying "sorry" when something really happens where "je suis desole" isn't appropriate?

[@RogerThat902]

Thanks for this video. Also, you pronounce Earworms well! I wouldn't have even noticed if you didn't say anything!

[@pashanedayvodin]

hello, Géraldine, can you recommend some youtube channels where i could hear french (interviews or whatever) accompanied by good english subtitles (not automatically generated, since sometimes they could be not so correct i guess) ??? i have never studied french, but my dream is at least to understand some french by ear, when listening to interviews or films or songs etc. so i thought english subtitles could help to get to know some french and by the time i could at least partially start to comprehend what they are talking about.

[@benjaminpanfo40]

I am learning French because I now live in a French speaking city Montreal

[@purplecarrots9950]

is it good to exaggerate some french letters? like for example would it be normal to exaggerate the 'r' sound or would that be weird when speaking it

[@patsy1575]

Im living in France for 3year ,i want to learn French because i want to interact with the french people

[@monnykaflor]

Merci pour dire qu'on ne finit jamais d'apprendre une langue :)

[@em3aliii]

hello I am livng in canada, and I love french language and I want to communicate with people in french. from where I should start?

[@chestermartinez6659]

I don't like french ,but i want learn only for fun,i agree the worst part is pronunciation , however i'm speak a native american language thats help me to try emulate the nasal sound of francaise tongue.

[@Kewpie__Ramen]

i'm that one rare person who wants to learn french for reading song lyrics and understand them :'D