7 French learning problems - and how to solve them
Are you currently learning French and not making progress as fast as you’d like?
As it turns out, there is only a limited amount of things that can get in the way of your becoming a fluent French speaker. In this article, I’m sharing the 7 most wide-spread French learning issues and how you can get rid of them.
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1. Spotty motivation
When you started learning French, you were super excited and ready to conquer the French speaking world. After a while, your motivation started to drop and it became harder and harder to keep studying.
Why this happens:
It's natural. As humans, we have a need for novelty. Something new is always more excited than something old. As the French say "tout nouveau, tout beau" ("totally new, totally beautiful"). Beginner French students also tend to underestimate how much work learning French really takes. When novelty vanishes and you start to realize how much work it is, you can get discouraged easily.
How to solve it:
The best cure is to remember why you started. Why did you want to learn French in the first place? Make a list of all the awesome things you'll be able to do once you speak French. When you feel a drop in motivation, read over this list again for an instant motivation boost.
More about staying motivated in this article ➡️How to stay motivated to learn French when life gets in the way
2. You can't stick to it
So you know why you are learning French, and you know you need to study regularly (every day is better). But for some reason, you just can't. Something always gets in the way.
Why this happens:
In short: life. It happens to all of us. Life has a habit of getting in the way of any and all plan we make. There will always be things (or people!) trying to rob you of your precious French study time. Sometimes, spotty motivation is also to blame. It's easier to get distracted if you aren't very motivated in the first place (see #1 above)
How to solve it:
I also wrote an entire article about it. Here is a quick recap:
It's all about making your study a priority. You need a study plan that's realistic and flexible, yet non-negotiable. Gard your study time with your life.
Having an efficient study plan is so important that the first thing I do for my new coaching clients is to create a personalised French learning plan for them. This is also the first step (and the most non-negotiable) when you join my group program The French Fluency Accelerator.
You really need a French learning plan that’s tailored to your goals, current routine, tastes and learning style - and that is flexible enough to get adapted when life gets in the way.
3. Your goal is to learn French.
Many people have a goal to learn French.
As a language lover and a polyglot, I understand this. I myself always wanted to learn Chinese. Over the years, I've bought a pile of Chinese books (currently gathering dust). I went to some Chinese classes and workshops and I tried a lot of different Chinese learning apps and websites.
The result? I now know about five words and two sentences in Chinese.
Does this story sound familiar?
Why this happens:
"Learn French" is a terrible goal to have. As I explain in this video, the one thing that predicts your success is how good your reasons to learn are.
Here are my "reasons" to learn Chinese: I think speaking Chinese is fancy and maybe it could be useful somehow, seeing as over one billion humans speak it. Not a very convincing pitch.
All this to say: if you want to learn French and you can't elaborate, you're in trouble.
How to solve it:
When I create a learning plan for my coaching clients, the first step is always to refine their goals. Everyone has different reasons to learn French. What are yours?
I recommend this journaling exercise: write down all the things you want to do with your future French skills. Dig deep. Every reason to learn is a good one and they will all help you in your journey.
Don't skip this step! Your future results strongly depend on it.
Once you have a good grasp of your reasons to learn, you will be able to use them to keep your motivation high (see #1 in this list)
4. Learning irrelevant stuff
Right now, you might be wasting 80% of your French learning time and efforts on things that will give you little to no results. The 80/20 principle states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. This applies to every area of your life, including learning French.
Here is a video (originally a facebook live) where I explain this principle, how it applies to French learning, and how you can use it to learn French faster:
Why it happens:
In part because many French learning resources are not very efficient. Why do most beginner French books include the names of all vegetables within the first few lessons? Which beginner needs that? It baffles me.
And in part because what will be relevant for you may not be relevant for someone else.
This is the reason why I create a personalized study plan for each new client I have. I can confidently say this: my success as a French learning coach is entirely due to the fact that I point my student to the few words, sentences, and strategies that will give them the best result. Nothing like seeing quick results to boost your confidence and your motivation.
How to solve it:
The best solution is to get a plan that fits your goals and needs, so you make sure that what you learn is indeed relevant. This is the first thing I do with my 1-1 clients, and also the first step in my group program.
The trick is to be ruthless about what you learn. Don't learn words and grammar rules "just in case". Learn them only if you know for a fact that you will use them frequently.
5. Too many unanswered questions
If you're anything like me, any language study session will trigger at least a dozen questions. And then you'll try to answer these questions. You might even stop in the middle of your study session to try and find the answers.
Google can answer everything, as long as you can ask the question in a way that Google will understand. When it comes to French learning questions, this proves surprisingly difficult.
Why does this happen?
Your brain is a problem-solving machine. It solves problems by asking and answering questions. This is a very healthy functioning. It only becomes a problem when you can't find the answers.
For me, as a French native and a language learning expert, it is very easy to answer any question about learning French. If I don't know the answer right away, I can phrase the right question for Google and quickly identify a source I can trust among the proposed answers. If you're not an expert, it's much harder. Many resources are very unhelpful.
In fact, one of my favourite compliments I received about this website was when a stranger emailed me to say "this is actually helpful". This says a lot about the quality of some language learning advice you can find online. Great language learning websites exists but they can be hard to find.
How to solve it:
When I work regularly with a client, I tell them to write down any question they have and bring it to me during the next session. I can then answer the question in a quick and concise way and point them to helpful resources.
If you're learning on your own, it's good to have a few go-to resources, such as a French grammar book you find clear, and a short list of websites that you find helpful (like, hopefully, this one). Later, you'll be able to return to these websites for more guidance.
If you're learning on your own, it's good to have a few go-to resources, such as a French grammar book you find clear, and a short list of online resources that you find helpful (like, hopefully, this channel). Later, you'll be able to return to these websites for more guidance.
Another helpful resource is my group program the French Fluency Accelerator. When you join it, you’ll have access to a large & growing library of workshops about all aspects of French learning, and a facebook group where you can ask me any question directly. It’s a great place to go if you’re feeling lost at any point in your French learning journey.
6. Overwhelm
You have no idea what to do next, nothing works, it's too hard and you just want to quit.
Why this happens:
Typically because of a mix of all previous problems. Pile up imprecise goals, decaying motivation, irrelevant content and life regularly getting in the way and you have the perfect recipe for overwhelm.
How to solve it:
Take a step back, breathe and look at the bigger picture. Then, address each issue one by one, starting with your reasons to learn French (see #3)
Or, even better, enlist the help of a professional French learning coach like myself. A good coach will be able to give your direction and clear up the clutter. You’ll always know where you’re at, how much progress you’ve made and what to do next.
7. Not speaking enough
You don't have many opportunities to speak. Or when you do, you're too shy and you can't find your words fast enough.
As I often repeat, the only way to learn how to speak is to speak. You know that. But it's still not happening. So you're stuck.
Why this happens:
We are creatures of habits. Our brains try hard to keep us safely in our "comfort zone". This means that we keep doing what we are used to doing, because we believe it's safe. We also keep not doing what we are not used to doing, because we're unconsciously afraid it might be dangerous.
If you haven't spoken much French until this point, it will cost you a lot of effort to start speaking French. That's just your brain trying to keep you safe.
How to solve this:
Feeling safe is the important thing here. It will be much easier for you to start speaking French in a safe, controlled environment.
This is one of the key aspects of my coaching practice, whether it’s 1-1 or in my group program. I put a big emphasis on holding a safe space. You can only make progress if you feel safe enough to step out of your comfort zone.
Learning a language is a very vulnerable experience. You need to be confident that you won't be judged or rushed, especially if you’re just starting to speak.
You can create small challenges to get you out of your comfort zone with low risk, such as going to a shop to buy something and only speak French if you’re in France or send a message in French to a stranger on a language learning app like tandem.
In the French Fluency Accelerator, students like to challenge themselves to tell the group in French about their weekend. This is not compulsory but strongly encouraged, and everyone will cheer you on if you do. It’s a great way to practice in a safe environment.
Which challenges can you create for yourself?
Please share them in the comments below to inspire other French learners.
Your next steps
If you like this way of learning French, you will love to learn with me as a student or client. Please check out:
My 1-1 coaching program, The French Transformation, if you need to improve your French fast.
My group program, The French Fluency Accelerator, if you’d like to join a community of students from all over the world. We have weekly practice calls together and the best online video library to learn French.
Pro tip: you don’t need to choose!
All my 1-1 clients are invited to join the French Accelerator free of charge.
Feel free to book a call with me now to discuss options.
About the author
Angel Pretot is a French learning coach. He helps English speakers from all over the world learn French fast and become fluent. You can work with him one-on-one (online via zoom or a similar software) or join a global community of French learners in his group program the French Fluency Accelerator.
Are you struggling to learn French? Good news, there is only a small number of French learning problems you could be having. Here I share the top 7 most-wide spread French learning challenges and how you can solve them. Are you ready to learn French fast and get fluent? Your friends will be so impressed when they see how well you can speak French.
Are you struggling to learn French? Good news, there is only a small number of French learning problems you could be having. Here I share the top 7 most-wide spread French learning challenges and how you can solve them. Are you ready to learn French fast and get fluent? Your friends will be so impressed when they see how well you can speak French.
Are you struggling to learn French? Good news, there is only a small number of French learning problems you could be having. Here I share the top 7 most-wide spread French learning challenges and how you can solve them. Are you ready to learn French fast and get fluent? Your friends will be so impressed when they see how well you can speak French.
