HiP Paris blog's tips to fast-track your French. A sunny view of the Paris rooftops and Eiffel Tower from a balcony with 'Paris' written on the window (left). The page of a French language dictionary (right).
Behzad Ghaffarian / Romain Vignes

France has a notorious reputation for being a country where you need to speak the language to survive. It has its quirks even when language isn’t a barrier!   

I can’t speak for the rest of the country, but I personally believe that Paris is starting to outgrow its image of snooty waiters whose demeanor changes the second you utter the word “hello” (or poorly pronounce “bonjour”). And yet, there is no doubt that learning a bit of French is going to be worth your while – and not just to ward off the haughtiness of waiters. Learning French offers deeper insight into the culture, and also widens the scope of people with whom you can interact. If nothing else, I can also confirm that rattling off a couple phrases in French is going to massively impress your friends and family back home!

The best way to learn French when in Paris is to practise in cafes with staff and other customers.
Jean Marie Heidinger

While you might wish you could download a language as easily as the emoji keyboard, there just is no getting around it: The only way to learn a language is through time, hard work, and giving yourself permission to sound like a bumbling fool in front of strangers. For me, I had no choice but to stammer my way through six months of sub-par French in front of my colleagues before it started to click.

Although there is no silver bullet when it comes to learning French (I’ll get back to you when Elon Musk invents a language brain implantation), there are certainly some things you can do to speed up that agonizing-but-necessary learning curve. Here are some of activities to fast track your French:

HiP Paris Blog writer gives you her tips to fast-track your French so you can read street signs like this one for a jewelry store in Paris.
Michael Jasmund

1. French Lessons

An obvious activity that will help you improve your French is, well, French class. You can chose to enroll in an official class, like those offered at the Alliance Française, ICP, or the Sorbonne, or opt for private lessons. The Mairie de Paris offers affordable options, but there is (unsurprisingly) often a waiting list for these ones.

I have tried both formal and private classes, and have found that each has its own perks. A group-style class will offer more structure, which will appeal to those who need to brush up on their grammar (and don’t we all?), as well as provide the opportunity to practice speaking in front of large groups of people (something I have personally always struggled with). Private lessons are great for those who already have the fundamentals of grammar sorted and just need practice speaking the ear off a poor, long-suffering tutor. You will also be able to iron out any tricky grammar challenges unique to you (*cough* subjunctive!).

HiP Paris Blog writer gives you her tips to fast-track your French so you can ponder over those wonderful books and posters at the bouquinistes lining the River Seine.
Roman Kraft

2. Complementary Classes

You don’t need to enroll in a language class in order to learn a language! One of my favorite ways to practice French is by taking a local yoga or group fitness class. So long as it’s not a class that is completely beyond your skill level – I  struggle enough with Zumba classes in English, so I would certainly avoid them in French – you will be able to follow simply based on the teacher’s demonstration. At the same time you will open yourself up to a whole new world of vocabulary: chien tête en bas, chat-vache à quatre pattes. La classe!

Not the sporty type? No problem! Once again, the Mairie de Paris offers classes at reduced prices in a range of different topics. Why not practice your French at the same time as learning photography or drawing?

Learn French in Paris by taking language classes at the Mairie de Paris and you'll be able to read the schedules for museums, like this one painted on the square outside Beaubourg Museum.
Curtis Macnewton

3. Language Exchanges

There are a host of free language exchanges and meet-ups available online, either through sites such as Exchanges Linguistiques, or events posted on meetup.com. I have never tried any of the language-based meet-ups, but I have heard good things from those who have.

Personally, I like to take any opportunity to organize language meet-ups with people I meet in real life, or even with friends of friends. When I’ve been interested in language exchanges, I’ve made a point of talking about it within my existing network – it i usually doesn’t take long for someone to pass you the details of a friend who is looking to brush up on their English. And this way, at least you have some common ground to start the conversation.

Speak French in no time by practising with locals on cafe terraces all over Paris.
Julien Hausherr

4. Dating

Ah, dating! Although I am now happily off the market, when I first arrived in Paris I was an independent woman in a new city where I knew virtually no one. Dating was just one of the activities I was open to in an effort to meet new people. And I soon found that my French was vastly improving!

HiP Paris Blog writer gives you her tips to fast-track your French so you can read neon signs at art exhibitions like this 'ouf!' (meaning 'phew' or 'crazy', in English).
Titouan

Before any date, I told myself that even if I had a crappy time I could at least look at it as a free language class, which was good motivation to put myself out there! Although many of them turned out to be disastrous, it was certainly a more interesting learning environment than a sterile classroom.

HiP Paris Blog writer gives you her tips to fast-track your French so you'll soon know how to kindly turn down the Paris street vendors' offers to buy a rose.
Yannis Papanastasopoulos

5. Volunteering

Volunteering can be a lovely way to brush up on your French while giving back to the community. You can find postings for volunteering opportunities at Maison des Associations, or through Restos du Coeur, Oxfam France, or SOS Helpline.

Learning French is easy, especially when you're motivated by being able to order all the creamy cakes you want at Paris bakeries.
Jean Marie Heidinger

6. Consuming French Media

A common piece of advice I have received from language teachers is to constantly surround myself with the language. This could be by leaving the TV or radio on, or by watching French films regularly. Personally, I like to listen to French podcasts (if there’s one good thing to come out of the lack of phone connection in the metro…). Favorites include Change ma vie by Clotilde Dusoulier and Generation XX by Siham Jibril.

HiP Paris Blog writer gives you her tips to fast-track your French so you can have all the freedom to explore France and understand shop signs like in this narrow cobblestone lane in a French town.
Reuben Mcfeeters

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Written by Candice Johnson for HiP Paris. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, London, Provence, Tuscany, Umbria or Liguria? Check out Haven In.

WRITTEN BY

Candice Johnson

Candice is an Australian living in Paris, a city she loves relentlessly but which doesn’t seem to love her back. She writes about her misadventures in Paris at Paris Is Just Not That Into You.

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