French Accentby Maxime
Do you dream of speaking French fluently? A YouTube video from the channel English Fluency Journey, titled "How to TRULY become and STAY Fluent in English - The biggest mistake people make when learning English", caught my attention. In this video, Anna highlights a common mistake among learners: believing that they need to study the language. Her surprising conclusion? "Stop learning English, live in English." What if this approach also applied to French? In this article, we'll explore why it’s more effective to live French rather than simply studying it in theory.
Theoretical learning of French—such as traditional grammar lessons, memorizing vocabulary lists, and doing written exercises—often creates the illusion of progress. Filling out exercise books or memorizing rules may feel like "doing it right," and while these theoretical foundations are useful for understanding the language, something essential is missing: real practice. You could own stacks of French books and know the subjunctive rules by heart, yet still be unable to order a coffee at a café. As long as you remain a passive learner, you're not truly speaking. In other words, learning does not mean communicating.
Studies have shown that limiting yourself to comprehension (listening to podcasts, reading books...) without practicing expression leads to incomplete results. For example, learners often improve their English by reading and listening extensively but neglect speaking and writing, which hinders their fluency. This is a common trap in French as well: spending too much time buried in grammar can make you forget to actually speak. You could spend hours on Duolingo or in class, but if you never have real conversations, you'll hit a ceiling. It's like trying to learn how to ride a bike by reading a manual—it's all theoretical. Until you actually get on the bike, you don’t truly know how to ride.
So, how can you live French? It’s about adopting an immersive and natural approach, where French becomes an integral part of your daily life. Instead of seeing it as a school subject, incorporate it into your everyday activities. Here are some practical strategies to achieve this:
Listen to French podcasts – During your commute or free time, listen to shows on topics that interest you. Your ear will get used to the sounds of French, and you’ll learn vocabulary in context.
Read articles or books – Choose a blog, an online newspaper, or an easy French novel. Reading a little every day improves your comprehension and helps you think in French naturally.
Keep a journal in French – Every evening, write a few sentences about your day in a notebook. No need to write a novel—what matters is regularly expressing your thoughts in French.
Engage in conversations – Find every opportunity to speak: a language exchange partner, a conversation group, or even talking to yourself out loud! At first, you’ll make mistakes, and that’s normal. The key is to actively speak, and you’ll correct errors little by little.
Watch French series or videos – Immerse yourself in a French-language series (on Netflix, YouTube…). Ideally, use French subtitles or none at all, so you don’t rely on your native language. This way, you’ll experience situations in French and improve your listening skills in a fun way.
Adopting these habits creates a true linguistic immersion. Even without living in France, you’ll find yourself "surrounded" by the language. Your brain starts associating French with everyday things (cooking, work, leisure…), which helps anchor vocabulary and expressions in your memory. Plus, this immersive method yields quick results—many notice more progress in a few weeks of intense exposure than in several months of traditional classes. The progress is also long-lasting—what you practice daily, you don’t forget. In fact, research confirms the effectiveness of immersion in acquiring a second language: not only do linguistic skills improve, but memory and concentration also benefit. By living in French, you develop an intuitive grasp of the language, much like a child learning their native tongue—naturally.
I've been through this myself… As a native French speaker, I had to live another language: English. In school, languages and theoretical learning didn’t interest me. I left that experience with the belief—one that I now know is false—that foreign languages weren’t for me.
The revelation came later when I changed my method. I created immersion and started living English in my daily life.
How? I began watching my favorite series in the original version without subtitles, reading tech blogs in English, playing video games with the interface in English, and engaging in discussions on forums and language exchange platforms. At first, it was uncomfortable—I felt a bit of linguistic vertigo—but today, after much perseverance, I truly speak English. My listening skills improve every day, my sentences flow more naturally, and most importantly, I no longer translate mentally: I think directly in Shakespeare’s language!
Of course, I still make mistakes, but that doesn’t matter—I can communicate, make English-speaking friends, and enjoy content effortlessly. This shift from passive learning to active practice was a turning point in my mastery of English.
There’s no secret: the only way to learn effectively is by practicing. This is true for languages, just as it is for sports or music. Think about it: you wouldn’t become a guitarist just by reading a book on music theory—you have to play! Similarly, hoping to speak French fluently by relying only on grammar sheets is pointless: you have to open your mouth and speak. This analogy is powerful because learning a language is like training a muscle. With consistent practice, you gain fluency, endurance, and confidence.
Adopting an "immersion mindset" is therefore fundamental. It means stepping out of your comfort zone. At first, it may feel like you're "stuck" or not understanding much, just like a beginner jogger who quickly runs out of breath. But with persistence, you’ll break through. For example, if you listen to French radio every day, the first few days may feel overwhelming… but over the weeks, you’ll start understanding words and sentences effortlessly.
Why is this essential? Because without this approach, many people end up giving up or stagnating. Some spend years "learning" French without truly improving and then feel discouraged, thinking, "I'm just not good at languages." But it’s not about talent—it’s about method. Changing your mindset can unlock your progress. Studies prove it: regular practice is the key to success. As a well-known language immersion program puts it, "The secret to your success: practice!". By practicing, you not only improve your French but also build confidence. You will no longer fear speaking, even if your French isn’t perfect. And by speaking imperfectly, you will eventually learn to express yourself correctly.
So don’t wait to try this approach. Start now: call a French-speaking friend, listen to a podcast while making dinner tonight, write down two sentences in French in your journal… The key is to take that first step toward living French, rather than just studying it in theory.
In summary, stopping to "learn" French doesn’t mean giving up—quite the opposite. It means stepping away from textbooks and classrooms to integrate French into your daily life. An immersive and active approach is not only more effective for making progress, but also far more enriching and motivating. You’ll learn faster and retain information better because you’ll be experiencing French in real-life situations.
It’s time to take action—no more excuses, take your linguistic leap! Starting today, commit to living part of your day in French. The results will surprise you. Our blog is here to guide and inspire you on your journey. Give yourself a head start: book a guided immersion lesson with a teacher to practice in a supportive environment and receive personalized advice.
So, are you ready to live in French? 🎯 It’s up to you to take the first step—dive into the adventure and let the magic happen. Enjoy your journey into the language of Molière!