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- [Articles](https://www.mezzoguild.com/blog/) LATEST BLOG POSTS: [ 10 Best And Worst Online Bulgarian Courses For 2026](https://www.mezzoguild.com/online-bulgarian-courses/) [ 11 Best And Worst Online Romanian Courses For 2026](https://www.mezzoguild.com/online-romanian-courses/) [ 17 Best And Worst Online Polish Courses For 2026](https://www.mezzoguild.com/online-polish-courses/) [ 15 Best And Worst Online Danish Courses For 2026](https://www.mezzoguild.com/online-danish-courses/) [MORE BLOG POSTS](https://www.mezzoguild.com/blog/) - [Reviews](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning/reviews/) POPULAR REVIEWS: [ Rocket Languages](https://www.mezzoguild.com/rocket-languages-review/) [ Babbel](https://www.mezzoguild.com/babbel-review/) [ Pimsleur](https://www.mezzoguild.com/pimsleur-review/) [ Rosetta Stone](https://www.mezzoguild.com/rosetta-stone-review/) [ Michel Thomas](https://www.mezzoguild.com/michel-thomas-review/) [ italki](https://www.mezzoguild.com/italki-review/) [ Glossika](https://www.mezzoguild.com/glossika-review/) [ Talk In Arabic](https://www.mezzoguild.com/talk-in-arabic-review/) [ MosaLingua](https://www.mezzoguild.com/mosalingua-review/) [ Assimil](https://www.mezzoguild.com/assimil-review/) [ Mondly](https://www.mezzoguild.com/mondly-review/) [See All Reviews](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning/reviews/) - [Podcast](https://www.mezzoguild.com/podcast/) - [About](https://www.mezzoguild.com/about/) [ **About The Mezzofanti Guild**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/about/) [ **About Donovan** Currently learning: Greek ](https://www.mezzoguild.com/about-donovan/) - [Resources](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/) SELECT A LANGUAGE: [ Arabic](https://www.mezzoguild.com/best-arabic-resources/) [ Spanish](https://www.mezzoguild.com/spanish-resources/) [ French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/) [ Italian](https://www.mezzoguild.com/italian-resources/) [ German](https://www.mezzoguild.com/german-resources/) [ Mandarin Chinese](https://www.mezzoguild.com/mandarin-chinese-resources/) [ Hindi](https://www.mezzoguild.com/hindi-resources/) [ Portuguese](https://www.mezzoguild.com/portuguese-resources/) [ Korean](https://www.mezzoguild.com/korean-resources/) [ Japanese](https://www.mezzoguild.com/japanese-resources/) [ Russian](https://www.mezzoguild.com/russian-resources/) [Other Languages](https://www.mezzoguild.com/tools/) [BLOG](https://www.mezzoguild.com/blog/) [REVIEWS](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning/reviews/) [PODCAST](https://www.mezzoguild.com/podcast/) [ABOUT](https://www.mezzoguild.com/about/) RESOURCES: [Spanish](https://www.mezzoguild.com/spanish-resources/) [French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/) [Italian](https://www.mezzoguild.com/italian-resources/) [German](https://www.mezzoguild.com/german-resources/) [Portuguese](https://www.mezzoguild.com/portuguese-resources/) [Russian](https://www.mezzoguild.com/russian-resources/) [Arabic](https://www.mezzoguild.com/best-arabic-resources/) [Korean](https://www.mezzoguild.com/korean-resources/) [Japanese](https://www.mezzoguild.com/japanese-resources/) [Mandarin](https://www.mezzoguild.com/mandarin-chinese-resources/) [Hindi](https://www.mezzoguild.com/hindi-resources/) [Other](https://www.mezzoguild.com/tools/)  French Language Hub # Learn French Looking to get started learning French? Or perhaps you want advanced French methods, reviews of the best French courses and apps, or detailed how-to articles? Start here. [grammar](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/)[vocabulary](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/)[tips](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/tips/)[phrases](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/)[resources](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/) **So you want to know how to learn French.** Good move. It’s estimated that over 270 million people worldwide speak some variety of [French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/). **Over 75 million of these are *native* speakers.** Aside from the most obvious reason that most people want to learn to speak French (tourism), it’s an enormously useful and important global language to learn. Whether you’re traveling to France, Africa or Polynesia in the Pacific, it will open up communication. > “What’s the best way to start learning French?” I get this question all the time. Or: > “How do I revive the French that I learned in school?” **Well today’s post is designed to help new and old learners alike get started learning French.** **Table of Contents:** 1. [The most important thing you need to learn French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#motivation) 2. [Accountability](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#accountability) 3. [French resources](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#resources) 4. [Basic French conversations](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#conversation) 5. [French teachers](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#teachers) 6. [Grammar](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#grammar) 7. [Listening comprehension](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/#listening) **UPDATE:** I highly recommend [**this French course**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/rocket-french) for anyone starting out with French (it’s the most comprehensive one I’ve used). ## The most important thing you need to learn French There’s one thing that will literally determine whether or not you **learn to speak French fluently**. One word: *why?* As controversial as this is, learning French ‘because you like France’ is the worst possible reason to start. **Here’s a piece of advice:** > If your only motivation for learning French is ‘interest’ then I can almost guarantee you’ll give up. How do I know that? Interests come and go. They don’t last. I can’t tell you how many learners I’ve met who have been highly motivated out of interest one week, gone out and purchased books, courses, etc. and then a week later moved on to another thing. **Motivation is key.** Assess your motivation and change it if need be. **These are some strong reasons to learn French:** - **Career** change. - Relocation to France or another French-speaking part of the world where communication is vital. - Relationship/marriage. - A **course** requirement at college. Notice the one thing they all have in common? **They’re *necessary*.** If you need something, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen, right? You have no choice. It must be done. Let me show you my unique method for learning French: [Sign me up](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/) ## Another tip: stay accountable when learning French Adding to motivation, I want to emphasize [accountability](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning-and-public-accountability/). If you’re the only person who knows about your effort to learn the French language, then nobody can keep you accountable. **Make sure you announce it to friends and family.** Blog about it if need be. This is so important. **Let people keep you accountable.** They’ll come up to you and say: > “How’s your French coming along?” Nobody likes to be thought of as a quitter. These questions will force you to stay on track when you feel like giving up. If you want to know how to learn French, start by surrounding yourself with people who will hold you accountable. ## How to find the best French language resources Now that motivation and accountability are covered, it’s time to find out what resources you should use to learn French. Obviously before you can start learning French, you need to know what tools are available to help you. My number one step before learning any language is to spend some quality time researching all the resources that are on the market for that particular language. This includes documenting them and reading lots of [reviews](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning/reviews/). What you’ll appreciate (or maybe not) is that French is one of the most popular languages when it comes to books and resources. Since so many people want to learn this language, there is an absolute abundance of material out there. Compare this to other languages (like Polish for example) and you’ll see what I mean. **But it can also be stressful having so many choices.** Some of my personal favorites for French: [**Rocket French**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/rocket8417) (this is a really comprehensive, structured course with quality audio) and [**FrenchPod101**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/frenchpod101) (for a more casual, podcast learning style). Then there’s also a very popular, personalized course called [Frantastique](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/frantastique). Very different learning styles but it depends on what you’re after. My advice is to put together a list and categorize it: draw up some columns where you place resources into respective categories. For example, you might have a “Grammar” category and list some of the best resources you’ve come across for **learning French grammar**. Then another column just for “Videos”, and in this column place some of the most useful YouTube channels you’ve come across for learning French. There’s also a good musical phrasebook called [Earworms (Rapid) French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/earworms-french) (UK company) that I always recommend as a phrasebook alternative. It uses a scientific method to get songs “stuck in your head” (hence the name ‘earworms’). There are just so many options (too many to recommend in fact). *Here are some good lists of [online French courses](https://learnfrenchlanguageguide.com/online-french-courses) and [apps to learn French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-apps/) too.* **Take the time to do your research and it’ll pay off later.** Find out your French level by taking this quiz: [Start quiz](https://quiz.mezzoguild.com/) ## Learn how to have a basic conversation in French If you want to learn how to speak French, it should go without saying that in the very beginning, you need to get a grasp on fundamental conversation points (like [how to say hello in French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/greetings/)). You need some kind of foundation to build on and a way to communicate the most [essential French phrases](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/common-french-phrases/). **The resource list should be in your hand.** Here’s where you go back to your motivation and use it to *guide you* on what content you need to hone in on. **It should be a no-brainer:** > **Bonjour** – Hello. > > **Ça va? (formal: Comment allez-vous?)** – How are you? > > **Je m’appelle…** – My name is… > > **Enchanté(e)** – Nice to meet you. > > **Comment dit-on… en français?** – How do you say … in French? > > **Je ne sais pas (or Je ne comprends pas)** – I don’t know (or I don’t understand). And so on. *Write these down.* **You might even be familiar with most of these already.** The English language is primarily made up of French so we’ve been exposed to a lot all our lives without even realizing it. Build your basic, conversational foundation with these phrasebook expressions. There are also plenty of free [French language guides](https://learnfrenchlanguageguide.com/) around that are helpful. I mentioned your motivation before. **This is key.** If you’re learning French for tourism for example, then you probably don’t need to spend much time learning business vocabulary. **It’s vital to hone in on the French content that matters most to you.** For me personally, I need to talk a lot about language learning and my children. So I write out a list of **predictable phrases and expressions** that I need in order to talk about these things. **Here are some typical sentence examples:** > “I have two kids.” > “My son is 18 months old and my daughter is 1 month old.” > “I am learning French.” > “I also speak Arabic, Russian, Irish and Korean.” When amassing my resource list as mentioned earlier, it’s important that I gather material which covers these relevant topics. **But then the next question is:** > “What if the dialogues you find in your resource list don’t cover the exact content you need?” Read on. Let me show you my unique method for learning French: [Sign me up](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/) ## Where to find the best (and cheap) French teachers to help you learn In this day and age, there really is no excuse for not practicing your French with other people (and if you want to learn French, it’s vital anyway). It used to be that if you weren’t living in a city with a French-speaking population, you were basically out of luck unless you traveled to France. These days, most major cities in most Western countries have a sizeable French or French-speaking community to hang out with. But if you live in a small town or genuinely have trouble finding practice partners, listen up. **I use an amazing tool called [italki](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/italki).** You’re able to meet and connect with French speakers and teachers all over the world at whatever time suits you. And amazingly, you can do it for less than \$8 an hour in many cases (prices vary but some are very low). I recommend setting up a free 30 minute trial on their site with a native French speaker and see what you think. Use the expressions you created in my previous point. **Just keep in mind:** - They should only speak French. **Absolutely no English.** If they keep trying to explain everything in English then they’re not doing their job properly. **FRENCH ONLY.** - Make sure they’re patient and not trying to push you too hard before you’ve had a chance to catch up. You’re the one in control\! - Focus on high repetition. Learn a little at a time but repeat it frequently to let it sink in. Remember that you’re the one paying. If it’s not working out, then pull the plug and try another teacher. ## How to learn French without studying grammar **This is the most controversial point you’ll hear on this site.** People often wonder how it’s possible to learn a language without studying grammar. *You can\!* You can find great detail about this [here](https://www.mezzoguild.com/you-dont-need-to-study-grammar-to-learn-a-foreign-language/) but to put it simply: **studying grammar rules in order to speak is a very unnatural way to learn.** In fact I believe it’s the single biggest reason why people fail at learning to speak foreign languages. **Languages should always be thought of as building blocks.** You learn languages naturally in whole chunks. Even a basic expression like *‘how are you?’* is learned in pieces – it’s learned **whole**. Before you know how to **conjugate French verbs** or **understand French pronouns**, you acquire that whole expression. With English, you learned how to speak before learning its grammar. Grammar is something we study much later on in life (in primary school) to help us refine our literacy skills – not to make us fluent speakers. We learn through lots of repetition of phrases and collocations ([Glossika French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/glossika) is a great resource for this). It’s also a more enjoyable way to learn. You’ll be amazed over time as you naturally start to acquire grammar without even thinking about it. **Read [here](https://www.mezzoguild.com/you-dont-need-to-study-grammar-to-learn-a-foreign-language/) for more details on this.** ## Learn to understand French when you hear it – how to improve listening comprehension **Listen to French daily.** Whatever your situation and wherever you live, in order to start learning French, you should make it your mission to be [surrounded](https://www.mezzoguild.com/what-is-language-immersion/) at all times by **the sounds of French**. **Surround and immerse yourself.** This includes music, TV, movies and of course (most importantly), surround yourself with **French native speakers** (in person or online through [italki](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/italki)). Listen to the language even when you don’t understand what’s being said. The goal is for French to become totally audibly familiar to you. Familiarity is the goal. Even when you’re not “studying”, just *listen*. French will become natural to you over time. **For more ideas and tools, visit my French resources page [here](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/).** [Want to see my handpicked and road-tested French resources? Show me](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/) [ Types Of French Conjunctions And How To Use Them](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/conjunctions/) Discover the main two types of French conjunctions, examples of each type, and learn how to use them when speaking and writing in French. [ Possessive Adjectives In French Explained With Examples](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/possessive-adjectives/) Learn possessive adjectives in French and how to use them by example with this guide. [ French April Fool's Day (Poisson d'Avril) & More Fishy Phrases](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/poisson-d-avril/) Are you curious to know how to say April Fool's day in French? I'll explain how in this article. [ Best French Immersion Courses For Seniors (Over 50's)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-courses-for-seniors/) Are you French learner over 50? Today I'm going to share my opinion on the best French courses for seniors (over 50's) available today. [ The Real Meaning Of C'est La Vie In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/cest-la-vie/) Are you curious to know what c'est la vie means? Discover the most accurate definition and usage examples in this article. [ Mon Chéri Meaning (French): Translation & How To Use It](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/mon-cheri/) What's the meaning of mon chéri in French? In this guide, I'll explain its meaning and different variations by gender and number. [ French Vocabulary And Phrases For Military Personnel](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/military/) Need to learn French for the military? Head to this guide to learn new French vocabulary and phrases related to the army and war. [ French Imperative (Explained Clearly For Beginners)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/imperative/) Trying to understand French imperatives? In this guide, I'll explain the imperative mood in French and how to form it (with examples). [ 14 Different Ways To Say 'Excuse Me' In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/excuse-me/) Ever wanted to know how to say excuse me in French? In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how it's done. [ 22 Similar French And Spanish Words You Should Recognize](https://www.mezzoguild.com/spanish-and-french-similar-words/) Did you know that there are many similar French and Spanish words? In this article, I'll go over some important cognates you should recognize. [ How To Speak Formal French: 10 Important Tips To Remember](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/formal-french/) Do you know how to use formal French? If not, get all the information on formal French in this guide. [ 40 Popular Animal Names In French (Categorized By Type)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/animals/) In this guide, I'll teach you the names of the most common animals in French, categorized by type. [ 7 Different Ways To Say You're Embarrassed In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/embarrassed/) This article will take you through the different options you have when expressing embarrassment in French to someone grieving. [ How To Say Maybe In French (8 Ways To Say It)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/maybe/) Looking for ways to say maybe in French? This quick guide will teach you multiple variations. [ Definite And Indefinite Articles In French: A Complete Guide](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/articles/) In this simple guide, I'll explain how definite and indefinite articles work in French, and how you can use them. [ How To Say I Don't Understand In French (+11 Alternatives)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/i-dont-understand/) Looking for ways to say you don't understand something in French? This quick guide will teach you how. [ 70+ Foods And Ingredients In French That You Should Know](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/food-and-ingredients/) If you're in a French-speaking country and you find yourself needing food or ingredients, see this vocabulary guide. [ All The French Words You Need To Talk About Your Family](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/family/) In this guide, I'll teach you how to describe the members of your family in French. [ Forming And Using The 5 Past Tenses In French: Full Guide](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/past-tense/) Trying to get a good grasp on the French past tenses? It's easier than you think. Let me explain it for you. [ 24 Ways To Say Yes In French (Other Than Oui)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/yes/) Ever wanted to know how to say 'yes' in French? In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how it's done. [ Qu’est-ce Que C’est In French: What It Means & When To Use It](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/quest-ce-que-cest/) Ever heard the phrase qu’est-ce que c’est in French? In this guide, I'll explain what it means and how to use it. [ 30 Ways To Say Goodbye In French (Other Than Au Revoir)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/goodbye/) Here's a helpful guide to the common and not so common ways to say goodbye in French. [ How To Say 'Nice To Meet You' In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/nice-to-meet-you/) This article will take you through the different options you have when saying nice to meet you in French to someone you just met. [ French vs Catalan: The Main Differences And Similarities](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-vs-catalan/) Catalan and French are closely related but have some major differences as well. Here's a detailed comparison to help you. [![How To Introduce Yourself In French \[Essential Phrases\]](https://www.mezzoguild.com/.netlify/images?url=_astro%2Fself-intro-french.BBAYoJAA.jpg&w=1200&h=720) How To Introduce Yourself In French \[Essential Phrases\]](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/self-introduction/) If you’ve been wondering how to introduce yourself in French, take a look at this guide to learn how to make a good first impression. [ Is French Easy? 4 Hard Things For English Speakers To Learn](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/tips/french-is-easy/) In this article, I'm going to outline the four trickiest things about learning the French language and how to master them from the perspective of an English speaker. [ 13 Interesting French Proverbs, Translations And Usage](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/french-proverbs/) In this article, I've put together a list of interesting French proverbs that you can learn and share with your French classmates and friends. [ There's No French Present Progressive Tense: Do This Instead](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/present-progressive/) If you’re learning French, you may have come across the present progressive already. This guide will teach you what it is and how to use it. [ How To Say 'What' In French: 7 Different Terms You'll Need](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/what/) Ever wanted to know how to say 'what' in French? In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how it's done. [ How To Say 'Beautiful' In French (+ Grammar Tips)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/beautiful/) In this quick guide, I'll teach you how to say beautiful along with its variations in French. [ How To Say Congratulations In French (10 Different Ways)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/congratulations/) Ever wanted to know how to say 'congrats' in French? In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how it's done. [ 7 Different Ways To Say 'No' Or Refuse Something In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/no/) Ever wanted to know how to say 'no' in French? In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how it's done. [ Guide To Common French Spoken And Text/Chat Colloquialisms](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/tips/french-colloquialisms/) If you really want to learn French colloquialisms - in both spoken and text/chat French - this guide will get you started. [ Here Are 30+ Countries Where French Is An Official Language](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/french-countries/) If you're learning French to travel to a French speaking country, here's a bit of good news. There are 29 countries in which French is the official language. [![How To Say Good Morning In French \[Formal + Informal\]](https://www.mezzoguild.com/.netlify/images?url=_astro%2Fgood-morning-in-french.BNTJGVTR.jpg&w=1280&h=720) How To Say Good Morning In French \[Formal + Informal\]](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/good-morning/) Here's a helpful guide to the common and not so common ways to say 'good morning' in French. [ French vs Italian: Main Differences All Learners Should Know](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-vs-italian/) Italian and French are very closely related but have some major differences as well. Here's a detailed comparison to help you. [ 8 Excellent French Movies On Netflix To Learn French From](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-netflix/) Calling all French film lovers and French language learners. Here's a list of the best movies on Netflix to help you learn French. [ 40+ Most Beautiful Words In French + Their Meanings](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/beautiful-french-words/) Curious to know which words are the most beautiful in the French language? This list is for you. [ Spanish vs French: Essential Similarities & Differences](https://www.mezzoguild.com/spanish-vs-french/) French and Spanish are very closely related but have some major differences as well. Here's a detailed comparison to help you. [ French For Business: Great Resources For Professionals](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-for-business/) Looking for the best business French resources? In this roundup, I'll share with you my list of the best resources for business French. [ How And When To Use The Conditional Tense In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/conditional/) Trying to get a good grasp on the French conditional? It's easier than you think. I'll explain how and when to use it. [ How To Ask For Help In French: Essential Phrases For Travel](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/asking-for-help/) No matter your travel purpose to France, it is really important to learn how to ask for help in French. Here's how to do it. [ Expressing Condolences in French: Useful Phrases + Examples](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/condolences/) This article will take you through the different options you have when expressing condolences in French to someone grieving. [ French Question Words: Interrogatives With Clear Examples](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/interrogatives/) Trying to understand French interrogatives? In this guide, I'll explain question words in French and how to use them. [ Homeschool High School French Courses And Apps](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-for-teenagers-homeschooling/) Here I've put together some of the best French resources for teenagers/high schoolers who are studying French at home (homeschooling). [ 100+ Most Desirable French Boy Names And Their Meanings](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/french-boy-names/) Here you'll find a detailed list of some of the best and most beautiful French boy names along with their pronunciation and meaning/etymology. [ French Pronouns: The Different Types Explained With Examples](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/pronouns/) This guide will explain and clarify different types of French pronouns - subject, reflexive, direct object, indirect object, and relative. [ Introduction To The French Subjunctive: Explained Clearly](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/subjunctive/) This guide will explain and clarify the French subjunctive, a mood that expresses doubts, wishes, hopes or hypothetical situations in French. [ 11 Fun And Engaging Online French Resources For Your Kids](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/kids/) Here I've put together some of the most engaging French resources for children to ensure they are never bored when studying the language. [ 100+ Most Beautiful French Girl Names And Their Meanings](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/french-girl-names/) Here you'll find a detailed list of some of the best and most beautiful French girl names along with their pronunciation and meaning/etymology. [ 14 French Curse Words Every Learner Should Eventually Know](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/curse-words/) This list of commonly used French curse (swear) words and insults will help you understand some of the colloquialisms used by native French speakers. [ How To Say 'You’re Welcome' And Respond To Merci In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/youre-welcome/) Being courteous and remembering your manners in French is essential. In this guide, I'll show you how to respond to 'thank you' with 'you're welcome'. [ Essential French Words And Phrases For Wine Lovers 🍷](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/wine/) Learning French and love wine? I've put this list of French expressions and vocab together specifically for wine lovers to go wine-tasting in France. [ 13 Best English To French Translation Apps And Services](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/english-to-french-translation-apps/) The best way to get that all-important translation is with an English to French translation app. Here are my favorites. [ 13 Excellent French Resources For Primary-Age Homeschooling](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-for-primary-homeschooling/) Got a primary or middle schooler doing homeschool, and looking for best French resources? Here's a list of my favorite courses, books and apps. [ 30 Best Free Online French Lessons For All Levels](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/free-french-lessons/) Looking for the best free online French lessons (emphasis on 'free')? Check this list out where I've compiled the most popular free French lessons. [ How To Say 'When' In French (Quand, Lorsque And Others)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/quand-vs-lorsque/) 'When' is a crucial word that you'll need to understand early on in French. Here are the different ways to say it explained (in particular, quand and lorsque). [ How To Understand And Use French Prepositions Properly](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/prepositions/) Prepositions in French can be challenging for English speakers. In this guide, I'll explain the differences and show you examples of how to use them properly. [ How To Form And Use The French Future Tense(s) With Examples](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/future-tense/) Trying to get a good grasp on the French future tense/s? They're easier than you think. Let me explain them to you. [ 7 French Kids Cartoons To Improve Listening Comprehension](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-cartoons/) Watching French cartoons is a great way to immerse yourself in the language and improve your listening comprehension. Here are some of the best French cartoons to learn from. [ How To Say Sorry In French (7 Key Phrases For Apologizing)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/sorry/) If you're in France and make a mistake, how should you go about making your apology (saying sorry in French)? [ How To Ask Or Tell The Time In French (Beginner's Guide)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/telling-time/) Here's a quick guide to asking someone for and/or telling the time in French. [ Learn The Months Of The Year In French (Simple Guide)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/months/) In this quick guide, I'll teach you how to say the months of the year (and seasons) in French. [ French Numbers: How To Count From One To Over A Trillion](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/numbers/) In this helpful guide, I'll teach you how to count from zero up to and over a trillion in French. I'll also cover the French ordinal numbers too. [ How To Say Goodnight In French (Quick Beginner's Guide)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/goodnight/) Here's a helpful guide to the common and not so common ways to say ‘goodnight’ in French so you can understand how night-time greetings are properly used. [ How To Say Please In French (Quick Beginner's Guide)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/please/) Ever wanted to know how to say 'please' in French? In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how it's done. [ 20 Commonly Used French Slang Phrases And Expressions](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/slang/) So, you want to sound like a native French speaker? Here are some commonly used slang expressions and phrases that you should know how to use. [ How To Say 'I Love You' In French (Essential Guide)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/i-love-you/) Looking for the most endearing ways to say you love someone in French? This quick guide will teach you how. [ How To Say Hello In French And Respond (Formal + Informal)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/greetings/) In French, there are many ways to say hello, including formal, informal and slang. Here's a guide that covers the most common greetings in French. [ How To Say Thanks In French (Quick Beginner's Guide)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/thank-you/) In this beginner's guide, I'll teach you how to be courteous and respond with 'thank you' in French. [ Days Of The Week In French (Quick Guide + Sample Sentences)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/vocabulary/days-of-the-week/) If you're serious about learning French, it's obviously really important to learn the days of the week early on. Here's a quick guide for beginners. [ Learning French? These 16 French YouTube Channels Will Help](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-youtube/) Today I'm going to share my opinion as a French speaker on the best YouTube channels for learning French (suitable for all levels). [ Learning French? Here Are 5 Books I Recommend You Own](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/books/) Here are the best books to learn French from my experience. Whether your focus is grammar, conversation or reading, these French books will help. [ 22 Best Apps To Learn French In 2025 (Tried And Tested)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-apps/) Looking for the best apps to learn French? In this roundup, I'll share with you my list of the best apps available for French. [ 9 Great Podcasts To Help You Learn French In 2025](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-podcasts/) Today I'm going to share my opinion as a French speaker on the best podcasts for learning French (suitable for all levels). [ How To Order Food And Desserts At A Restaurant In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/how-to-order-food-in-french/) Want to learn how to order food in French? If you're visiting France or heading to a French restaurant, these vocabulary and phrases will help you order meals en français. [ French Nouns (+ Categories): Everything You Need To Know](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/nouns/) Learn and remember French nouns and their categories easily with this simple guide. [ French Accent Marks For Beginners (+ How To Type On PC And Mac)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/tips/french-accent-marks/) Today we’ll take a look at some of the French language (and our keyboard)’s most well-hidden secrets: the French accent marks. [ Here’s How To Use Comparatives And Superlatives In French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/grammar/comparatives-and-superlatives/) In this simple guide, I'll explain how comparatives and superlatives work in French, and how you can use them. [ 37 Best Online French Courses (Fully Tested)](https://www.mezzoguild.com/online-french-courses/) Today I'm going to share my opinion as a French learner on the best online French courses available today (most popular course products). [ Frantastique Review: A Brilliant, Personalized French Course](https://www.mezzoguild.com/frantastique-review/) In this review, I'll share my experience with Frantastique (review) and tell you what I think of this unique French course. [ 10 Reasons Why You Should Do French Immersion Outside Paris](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/tips/french-immersion-outside-paris/) Here are 10 reasons why Paris is not the best choice for doing French immersion if you really want to learn French well. [ Alliance Française Review: It's Very Hit And Miss](https://www.mezzoguild.com/alliance-francaise-review/) Here are my thoughts on my experience learning French through the Alliance Française. [ 30 French Phrases You Absolutely Need When Visiting France](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/common-french-phrases/) Traveling to France? You should learn some French phrases. I’ve gathered up 30 of the most important French phrases for you to learn before visiting France. [ Rocket French Review 2025 Edition: An Honest Look](https://www.mezzoguild.com/rocket-french-review/) Today I'm going to share my Rocket French review with you (one of the popular editions of the Rocket Languages series) as well as some of its pros and cons. [ French Uncovered (StoryLearning) Review: My Own Experience](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-uncovered-review/) This review looks at the popular French Uncovered course by Olly Richards, that uses the unique StoryLearning method to teach. [ News In Slow French Review: Not Bad But Better Options Exist](https://www.mezzoguild.com/news-in-slow-french-review/) In this review, I'll walk you through my experience with News In Slow French (review) and tell you what I think of this popular French resource. [ Review: French In A Day With Elisabeth Smith iPhone App](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-in-a-day-review/) I recently received a sample of the French edition of Elisabeth Smith's In A Day iPhone/iPad apps from Hodder Education. [ Brutally Honest FrenchPod101 Review](https://www.mezzoguild.com/frenchpod101-review/) This review will closely examine and scrutinize the content and effectiveness of Innovative Language's FrenchPod101. [ Podcast Français Facile Review: Great French-Only Resource](https://www.mezzoguild.com/podcast-francais-facile-review/) This review looks at Podcast Français Facile, which in my opinion is one of the best free resources around for serious French learners. 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**So you want to know how to learn French.** Good move. It’s estimated that over 270 million people worldwide speak some variety of [French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/). **Over 75 million of these are *native* speakers.** Aside from the most obvious reason that most people want to learn to speak French (tourism), it’s an enormously useful and important global language to learn. Whether you’re traveling to France, Africa or Polynesia in the Pacific, it will open up communication. > “What’s the best way to start learning French?” I get this question all the time. Or: > “How do I revive the French that I learned in school?” **Well today’s post is designed to help new and old learners alike get started learning French.** **UPDATE:** I highly recommend [**this French course**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/rocket-french) for anyone starting out with French (it’s the most comprehensive one I’ve used). ## The most important thing you need to learn French There’s one thing that will literally determine whether or not you **learn to speak French fluently**. One word: *why?* As controversial as this is, learning French ‘because you like France’ is the worst possible reason to start. **Here’s a piece of advice:** > If your only motivation for learning French is ‘interest’ then I can almost guarantee you’ll give up. How do I know that? Interests come and go. They don’t last. I can’t tell you how many learners I’ve met who have been highly motivated out of interest one week, gone out and purchased books, courses, etc. and then a week later moved on to another thing. **Motivation is key.** Assess your motivation and change it if need be. **These are some strong reasons to learn French:** - **Career** change. - Relocation to France or another French-speaking part of the world where communication is vital. - Relationship/marriage. - A **course** requirement at college. Notice the one thing they all have in common? **They’re *necessary*.** If you need something, you’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen, right? You have no choice. It must be done. Let me show you my unique method for learning French: [Sign me up](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/) ## Another tip: stay accountable when learning French Adding to motivation, I want to emphasize [accountability](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning-and-public-accountability/). If you’re the only person who knows about your effort to learn the French language, then nobody can keep you accountable. **Make sure you announce it to friends and family.** Blog about it if need be. This is so important. **Let people keep you accountable.** They’ll come up to you and say: > “How’s your French coming along?” Nobody likes to be thought of as a quitter. These questions will force you to stay on track when you feel like giving up. If you want to know how to learn French, start by surrounding yourself with people who will hold you accountable. ## How to find the best French language resources Now that motivation and accountability are covered, it’s time to find out what resources you should use to learn French. Obviously before you can start learning French, you need to know what tools are available to help you. My number one step before learning any language is to spend some quality time researching all the resources that are on the market for that particular language. This includes documenting them and reading lots of [reviews](https://www.mezzoguild.com/language-learning/reviews/). What you’ll appreciate (or maybe not) is that French is one of the most popular languages when it comes to books and resources. Since so many people want to learn this language, there is an absolute abundance of material out there. Compare this to other languages (like Polish for example) and you’ll see what I mean. **But it can also be stressful having so many choices.** Some of my personal favorites for French: [**Rocket French**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/rocket8417) (this is a really comprehensive, structured course with quality audio) and [**FrenchPod101**](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/frenchpod101) (for a more casual, podcast learning style). Then there’s also a very popular, personalized course called [Frantastique](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/frantastique). Very different learning styles but it depends on what you’re after. My advice is to put together a list and categorize it: draw up some columns where you place resources into respective categories. For example, you might have a “Grammar” category and list some of the best resources you’ve come across for **learning French grammar**. Then another column just for “Videos”, and in this column place some of the most useful YouTube channels you’ve come across for learning French. There’s also a good musical phrasebook called [Earworms (Rapid) French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/earworms-french) (UK company) that I always recommend as a phrasebook alternative. It uses a scientific method to get songs “stuck in your head” (hence the name ‘earworms’). There are just so many options (too many to recommend in fact). *Here are some good lists of [online French courses](https://learnfrenchlanguageguide.com/online-french-courses) and [apps to learn French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/resources/french-apps/) too.* **Take the time to do your research and it’ll pay off later.** Find out your French level by taking this quiz: [Start quiz](https://quiz.mezzoguild.com/) ## Learn how to have a basic conversation in French If you want to learn how to speak French, it should go without saying that in the very beginning, you need to get a grasp on fundamental conversation points (like [how to say hello in French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/greetings/)). You need some kind of foundation to build on and a way to communicate the most [essential French phrases](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/phrases/common-french-phrases/). **The resource list should be in your hand.** Here’s where you go back to your motivation and use it to *guide you* on what content you need to hone in on. **It should be a no-brainer:** > **Bonjour** – Hello. > > **Ça va? (formal: Comment allez-vous?)** – How are you? > > **Je m’appelle…** – My name is… > > **Enchanté(e)** – Nice to meet you. > > **Comment dit-on… en français?** – How do you say … in French? > > **Je ne sais pas (or Je ne comprends pas)** – I don’t know (or I don’t understand). And so on. *Write these down.* **You might even be familiar with most of these already.** The English language is primarily made up of French so we’ve been exposed to a lot all our lives without even realizing it. Build your basic, conversational foundation with these phrasebook expressions. There are also plenty of free [French language guides](https://learnfrenchlanguageguide.com/) around that are helpful. I mentioned your motivation before. **This is key.** If you’re learning French for tourism for example, then you probably don’t need to spend much time learning business vocabulary. **It’s vital to hone in on the French content that matters most to you.** For me personally, I need to talk a lot about language learning and my children. So I write out a list of **predictable phrases and expressions** that I need in order to talk about these things. **Here are some typical sentence examples:** > “I have two kids.” > “My son is 18 months old and my daughter is 1 month old.” > “I am learning French.” > “I also speak Arabic, Russian, Irish and Korean.” When amassing my resource list as mentioned earlier, it’s important that I gather material which covers these relevant topics. **But then the next question is:** > “What if the dialogues you find in your resource list don’t cover the exact content you need?” Read on. Let me show you my unique method for learning French: [Sign me up](https://www.mezzoguild.com/learn/french/) ## Where to find the best (and cheap) French teachers to help you learn In this day and age, there really is no excuse for not practicing your French with other people (and if you want to learn French, it’s vital anyway). It used to be that if you weren’t living in a city with a French-speaking population, you were basically out of luck unless you traveled to France. These days, most major cities in most Western countries have a sizeable French or French-speaking community to hang out with. But if you live in a small town or genuinely have trouble finding practice partners, listen up. **I use an amazing tool called [italki](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/italki).** You’re able to meet and connect with French speakers and teachers all over the world at whatever time suits you. And amazingly, you can do it for less than \$8 an hour in many cases (prices vary but some are very low). I recommend setting up a free 30 minute trial on their site with a native French speaker and see what you think. Use the expressions you created in my previous point. **Just keep in mind:** - They should only speak French. **Absolutely no English.** If they keep trying to explain everything in English then they’re not doing their job properly. **FRENCH ONLY.** - Make sure they’re patient and not trying to push you too hard before you’ve had a chance to catch up. You’re the one in control\! - Focus on high repetition. Learn a little at a time but repeat it frequently to let it sink in. Remember that you’re the one paying. If it’s not working out, then pull the plug and try another teacher. ## How to learn French without studying grammar **This is the most controversial point you’ll hear on this site.** People often wonder how it’s possible to learn a language without studying grammar. *You can\!* You can find great detail about this [here](https://www.mezzoguild.com/you-dont-need-to-study-grammar-to-learn-a-foreign-language/) but to put it simply: **studying grammar rules in order to speak is a very unnatural way to learn.** In fact I believe it’s the single biggest reason why people fail at learning to speak foreign languages. **Languages should always be thought of as building blocks.** You learn languages naturally in whole chunks. Even a basic expression like *‘how are you?’* is learned in pieces – it’s learned **whole**. Before you know how to **conjugate French verbs** or **understand French pronouns**, you acquire that whole expression. With English, you learned how to speak before learning its grammar. Grammar is something we study much later on in life (in primary school) to help us refine our literacy skills – not to make us fluent speakers. We learn through lots of repetition of phrases and collocations ([Glossika French](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/glossika) is a great resource for this). It’s also a more enjoyable way to learn. You’ll be amazed over time as you naturally start to acquire grammar without even thinking about it. **Read [here](https://www.mezzoguild.com/you-dont-need-to-study-grammar-to-learn-a-foreign-language/) for more details on this.** ## Learn to understand French when you hear it – how to improve listening comprehension **Listen to French daily.** Whatever your situation and wherever you live, in order to start learning French, you should make it your mission to be [surrounded](https://www.mezzoguild.com/what-is-language-immersion/) at all times by **the sounds of French**. **Surround and immerse yourself.** This includes music, TV, movies and of course (most importantly), surround yourself with **French native speakers** (in person or online through [italki](https://www.mezzoguild.com/goto/italki)). Listen to the language even when you don’t understand what’s being said. The goal is for French to become totally audibly familiar to you. Familiarity is the goal. Even when you’re not “studying”, just *listen*. French will become natural to you over time. **For more ideas and tools, visit my French resources page [here](https://www.mezzoguild.com/french-resources/).**