How to Learn French by Yourself: A Step-by-Step Guide

French is one of the most widely spoken and beautiful languages in the world. It's worth learning for many reasons:

• French is an official language in over 30 countries (apart from France, these include Canada, Belgium, Luxembourg, Senegal, Morocco, and Ivory Coast)
• Knowing French opens the door to new career opportunities, especially in industries like fashion, gastronomy, diplomacy, and tourism. Many prestigious universities offer programs taught in French, and companies and corporations operating globally will certainly consider this a significant advantage when recruiting.
• Learning French on your own isn't just about poring over textbooks; it also means accessing a variety of resources that deepen your understanding of France and its culture. From apps and books to films and podcasts, you can learn at your own pace, choosing the topics that interest you most, and take advantage of free resources available online.

Learning through traditional methods, such as using books, taking notes, or doing grammar exercises, has a huge impact on retaining material and developing long-term memory. This is due to several key factors:

• Repetition and retention:
  Traditional learning relies on regular repetition of material, which promotes the transfer of information from short-term to long-term memory. Spaced repetition is a natural method of implementation in traditional educational materials.
• A Multi-Sensory Approach:
  Using traditional materials like books, flashcards, or audio recordings engages multiple senses-sight, hearing, and even touch during handwriting. This approach promotes the formation of stronger neural connections that aid in long-term knowledge retention.
• Structure and Organization of Learning:
  Traditional learning methods allow for clear organization of material, making it easier to learn. Textbooks introduce new concepts in a logical and systematic manner, making it easier to build on prior knowledge.

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Books for learning French

" French Don't Bite " (2023), Klaudyna Banaszek (from scratch)

An ideal book for beginners who want to start learning a language quickly and effectively. It includes exercises in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, supported by MP3 recordings. The accessible style helps overcome fears of a new language.

" French 365 for Every Day " (2020), Justyna Hołosyniuk-Le Moing (secondary)

A year-long self-study course that allows you to systematically develop your French. The book includes daily lessons that expand your vocabulary and structure your grammar knowledge. Perfect for those who want to develop their skills step by step.

" French. Language Maps " (2024), Justyna Hołosyniuk-Le Moing (intermediate)

An innovative textbook that uses mind mapping as a learning method. Visualizations and associations will help you remember new words, organize your vocabulary, and start thinking in French. Perfect for those seeking a creative approach to language learning.

The " Lire en français facile " series offers simplified versions of literary classics that will help you develop your French reading skills. These books offer adaptations of well-known novels adapted to various skill levels.

Watching French films, TV series, and cartoons is a fantastic way to learn the language. Regardless of your level, you can choose something that will help you become familiar with the language, learn new vocabulary, and improve your understanding of grammar through practice. Here are suggestions tailored to different learning levels.

Basic level - start with simple language

For beginners, cartoons and movies with clear messages and simple, flowing dialogue are ideal. These types of productions are full of everyday vocabulary and often use clear pronunciation, making them easier to understand.

Le Petit Nicolas is a film about a boy's adventures in elementary school. Its dialogue is simple and humorous, making it easy to understand the context even without knowing every word. Another production worth watching is the animated film Le Grand Méchant Renard et Autres Contes ( The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales ).

Cartoons are also a great choice - short episodes, repetitive language structures, and a wealth of vocabulary make them ideal learning material. Remember that some streaming services, such as Amazon Prime and Netflix, sometimes offer a choice of the language in which to watch a given production. If you have the opportunity to watch familiar films with French dialogue or subtitles, consider revisiting classics like the Shrek series , Inside Out (2015), or Fernando (2017). Familiarity with films you've seen in English or Polish will allow you to focus solely on the French language without having to follow the plot.

Intermediate level - getting into everyday language

For those who have already mastered the basics, it's worth choosing films and TV series that introduce a wider variety of grammatical structures and richer vocabulary. Productions at this level often depict contemporary life and dialogue, which can inspire your own writing.

Intouchables is a great choice. The film depicts the clash of two worlds: thearistocratic and the everyday, allowing you to learn both formal and colloquial expressions. Furthermore, the dialogue is clear and the plot engaging, making it easier to remember new words in context.

Call My Agent! (Dix pour cent) is a contemporary production with dynamic dialogue and humorous situations. The language used by the characters is practical and full of expressions related to work, relationships, and everyday life in Paris.

Advanced level - richness of language and diverse accents

Advanced learners can enjoy films and TV series that showcase the full diversity of the French language-from idioms and slang to regional accents. Productions at this level often tackle more complex topics that require a good command of the language.

La Haine (1995) isacult classic, boasting realistic dialogue laced with youthful slang and idioms. It's a great choice for those wanting to explore contemporary, informal French spoken in the suburbs.

Les 7 vies de Léa (2022) (The 7 Lives of Lea) is a gripping Netflix miniseries about a young woman who awakens in the bodies of seven different people and tries to solve a mysterious murder. Packed with contemporary dialogue, the series is a great resource for learning everyday French.

Family Business ( 2021)is a Netflix comedy series about the Hazan family, who run a butcher shop in Paris as a front for their criminal activities. The series combines humor with fast-paced dialogue, full of everyday French and slang.

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How to learn French effectively by watching movies?

1. Note down new words and phrases:
   Write down interesting expressions or idioms that appear in dialogues and repeat them regularly.
2. Watch the film several times:
   Focus on the plot the first time, and on subsequent viewings, focus on the language and dialogue. Each subsequent viewing will allow you to notice new words and linguistic structures.
3. Use apps and platforms:
   Netflix and Amazon Prime allow you to enable subtitles in different languages, and sometimes even watch in the original or dubbed French version.

Watching French films and TV series not only helps you develop your language skills but also gives you a deeper understanding of French culture, customs, and lifestyle. Choose films that interest you and enjoy learning in a fun way!

These days, access to apps and online resources makes learning a foreign language much easier. Thanks to modern technology, you can learn French anywhere, anytime, adapting the pace and material to your needs.

Apps for learning French

1. Duolingo
   is one of the most popular language learning apps, offering daily exercises in a game format. With short lessons that focus on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, you can regularly reinforce the basics of French. A motivational system based on earning points and unlocking new levels makes learning fun and engaging. It's an ideal tool for beginners who want to start small.
2. Babbel
   Babbel is an app focused more on explaining grammar and building conversational skills. Lessons are shorter but more detailed and feature realistic dialogues.
3. Anki
   Anki is an app based on thespaced repetitionthat allows you to effectively memorize vocabulary and phrases. You can create your own flashcard sets or use pre-made decks created by other users. Anki is especially useful if you want to focus on learning new words or prepare for language exams. You can add images, audio recordings, and example sentences to your flashcards to support your learning.