How to Learn French on Your Own (in less than a year)

By Michelle Polizzi / Learn French / January 29, 2018

Having a rigid classroom structure is a great way to learn French for some people – but its not for
everyone. In fact, many people prefer to learn languages entirely on their own. If you’ve dreamed
about becoming a fluent, self-taught French speaker, here’s how to learn French on your own.

A Guide for Self-Taught French

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll define and explore the three essential steps for how to learn
French on your own. This guide provides a framework that you adjust and expand depending on
previous knowledge and needs. If you’ve studied French before, for example, you may want to
gloss over step 1 and start at step 2 (depending on how much you remember).

We’ll also outline how long you should spend on each step before moving to the next one.

Steps for How to Learn French on Your Own

The steps we’ll cover include:

Step 1: How to get your footing and set goals 

Step 2: Resources for reading and speaking

Step 3: Using French in Everyday Life

How long will it take to learn French?

In total, these guidelines are meant to help you become conversant in one year. You can speed up
the tips if you’re traveling sooner, or spread the lessons out if you’ve got more time to spare.

This post will also explore how to find the best French learning resources, strategies for studying
and how to set realistic language goals.

A step-by-step approach to learning French

To help with this guide, we’ve teamed up with French speaker and teacher Jonathan Huggins of
Huggins International. Jonathan has been studying French for over two decades, and you’ll find his
tips for learning French throughout this post.

Ideally, you’ll spend one hour each day practicing French.

You can also double up on the weekends – the most important thing is that you can commit to
around 7 hours per week. Our guide highly suggests that you find time to converse in French, too.
This is an essential aspect of listening and speaking comprehension, but we’ll outline tips for that
later.

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According to Jonathan, you should also choose the right time of day to learn French. For example,
your brain might not be alert and active if you try to squeeze in time at the end of the day after
work, or too early in the morning before you’ve had to time wake up.

“Instead, find a moment when you are at your optimum and can focus for a few minutes on both
reviewing previously learned content and some new material” Huggins adds.

How to Learn French on Your Own: Getting Prepared

In addition to setting aside time, you’ll also need to be motivated, determined and patient. Every
form of self-taught education requires this trait. However, it’s especially important when learning a
difficult language like French all on your own. 

Lastly, to mentally prepare yourself for this exciting journey, you’ll need a solid dose of
concentration. If you’re constantly leaving mid-lesson to take the dog out or check your Instagram
feed, the whole process will become more frustrating. This is why it’s so important to choose a
time of day when you know you’re most productive (which probably isn’t after a long day at work).

Tips for Learning French on Your Own

Remember: this guide is designed specifically for people who want to become fluent in French
through a self-taught program lasting up to 12 months.

If you’re looking for a crash course or you’re heading to France next month, our post on how long
it takes to learn French may help you create a realistic short-term goal. 

You’re still reading… which means you’re confident and ready to learn French independently.
Great! Let’s dive in.

Step 1: Get your Footing and Set Goals

Time commitment for step 1: 1-3 months

The first few weeks of your French learning journey are all about gaining your bearings. This stage
will familiarize you with French speaking and help you create a strong foundation.

To get started, its important that you choose a method you enjoy.

According to language expert Jonathan, there’s no such thing as one-size-fits-all approach to

Here’s how to choose a French resources based on your learning style:

Here’s how to learn French on your own by finding the right resources. (Feel free to mix and match
mediums if you enjoy more than one format!)

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For someone who loves reading:

Grammar books may be best for your learning style if you love reading. There are thousands of
options in your local library and online, but some are better than others. Check out this list of the
top French grammar books to narrow your search.

Note: you won’t be reading this grammar book cover to cover. Rather, you’ll use it as a reference to
better understand tenses and conjugation as questions arise throughout your lessons. If you prefer
reading, you should also combine book resources with listening or visual resources to ensure you
don’t get too bogged down by grammar.

If you’ve always learned best by listening:

Podcasts might be a better first option if you’re a big fan of music and radio programs. Podcasts are
a fun and free way for beginners to become more familiar with the language. For help finding the
right one, visit our roundup of 10 podcasts in French to improve your listening skills.

If you’re a visual learner:

You’ll likely enjoy learning from videos if you consider yourself a French learner. Check out this
list of YouTube channels for learning French, compiled by our friend Benjamin Houy of
FrenchTogether.

You might also benefit from using apps or online tools, which allow you to visualize French
phrases in context. Clozemaster is a helpful tool that helps you test yourself daily and track your
progress as your skills advance.

Find a Textbook

To get started on step 2, you’ll first need to find a proper textbook. Just like grammar books, there
are thousands of French textbooks to choose from. When you’re trying to learn French on your
own, however, you’ll need a textbook that won’t require the aid of a teacher.

Therefore, a book designed for self-guided learning is best. You could find a free resource, like this
French textbook from Wikimedia Commons, then pair it with a book that includes dialogue.

Explore Dialogue

Dialogue in a textbook is important for many reasons. It can be read, written down, and most
importantly, practiced aloud. Take turns reading through both sides of the conversation. Pronounce
the best you can, and research words that you don’t understand. Get used to the way this feels. 

Make your own French Dialogue

Once you’ve gotten more comfortable with the pronunciation of words, even just to yourself, you’ll
want to use those words to form sentences of your own.

Pull out sentences from dialogue and make them true for yourself. You might also try mixing them
around into a different structure. for example, you could transform a statement into a question to
practice your inquiry skills.
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Or, you might take a sentence where someone agrees and turn it into a sentence where that person
disagrees. Then, explain yourself and pretend you’re disagreeing with someone in a real, thought-
provoking conversation.

These exercises will help you navigate the world of fluid French speaking.

Step 2: Test and Practice

Time commitment for step 2: 3-6 months

After studying French for a few months, you’ll be off to a great start. But it’s important to test
yourself on what you’ve learned.

To continue going strong and avoid getting stuck on the plateau, its important to constantly be
learning. In this context, learning means both remembering and using what you’ve learned while
also acquiring new and challenging vocabulary. 

The best way to learn French on your own is to constantly revise, test and practice. If you’re not
going over what you’ve learned, it’ll likely fade from you memory as quickly as it was acquired.

Start Reading

Reading is one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with more complex sentences and new
vocabulary. As we discussed previously, its important to engage with topics you enjoy.

If you enjoy cooking magazines, for example, pick up one in French. If you’re a fan of science
fiction, opt for a book of this genre in French. As long as its written in French and its interesting to
you, its a go.

How Often Should You Read in French?

At this point, you should commit to reading French for 15-30 minutes per day. Depending on the
other work you’re putting in, this could certainly be scaled up or down. The most important thing
here is that you’re using reading time to practice your vocabulary.

Reading to expand your vocabulary

Be sure to write down words and phrases that you haven’t previously encountered. It’s especially
important to be aware of expressions and ideas that are relevant to your personal life.

If you’re an artist, for example, a history book about Monet might offer some helpful terms
regarding your profession, which you can use to talk about yourself in conversation. Since you’ve
already chosen a topic that interests you, this should come naturally!

At the end of each week, take time to review these new terms and test yourself on them. Slowly
rotate old cards out as you add new cards to the deck – this will ensure you’re always reviewing
new and old content at the same time.

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Staying focused

You might be tempted to use your smartphone or computer to look words up. Don’t! Your
smartphone doesn’t know how to learn French on your own. Instead, the best way to learn French
is to truly, deeply focus. If you’re constantly checking your phone you will get distracted and your
learning will be less effective. This is true even if you’re trying to look up something in French
amidst reading and testing. Stick to the books and you’ll get results much faster.

Reading aloud

As you expand your vocabulary, it’s important to practice speaking words and phrases aloud. If this
is your first time speaking French, the accent will likely feel clunky and strange in your mouth –
that’s normal.

Jonathan explains that It’s important to accept the fact that you won’t be perfect outright. Worrying
too much about the French u, the French r, and those pesky silent final consonants, for example,
can cause frustration.

In turn, this frustration can become an excuse for not practicing your French speaking. To make
sure you don’t get caught up in this initial challenge, “focus first on simple effective
communication and not on perfection” Jonathan says.

Test Yourself

If there’s one essential tip for how to learn French on your own, its essential to test yourself.
Flashcards are a helpful (and free) way to memorize new words quickly and efficiently. Each batch
of flash cards should include words and phrases related to a common theme or idea. This gives the
words context, which reinforces their meaning for better recall later on.

As you’re working to review what you’ve learned, remember: there’s no such thing as perfect.
Focus on trying to get the ideas right and express yourself.

Flash cards are best reviewed for about 15-20 minutes per day. You can do this all at once if you’re
feeling ambitious. But, you can also break it up into short 5-minute sessions so your brain stays
sharp.

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Step 3: Using French in Everyday Life 

It’s now time to start incorporating even more French into your daily life. The first step?
Conversing in French.

Time commitment for step 3: 6-12 months

How to learn French on your own? Talk, talk talk!

French conversation is key for helping you flex your listening muscles while exploring advanced
dialogue. Speaking with other people about their lives and interests will also expose you to new
vocabulary you haven’t encountered before. From where they were born to what they do for fun,
new people open up an infinite world of possibility. (Your grammar book and textbook will
certainly come in handy here).

Do you know what else speaking in French can help you with? Confidence.

Sure, you won’t be perfect at first, but who cares. Speaking often is the only way you’ll become
confident enough to navigate French conversation and make your way around a new city.

So where can you find a French speaking partner? One of the best resources out there today is
called Meetup. This app brings together people from all over a city or region to engage in French
speaking practice. Meeting people in person isn’t as scary as you might think.

Remember: they’re all in the same position. Everyone just wants to practice their French with new
and encouraging friends.

If you’re not able to meet up with people in real life – or you’d rather not – the internet is filled
with French speakers who are ready to chat and practice. You might also find a language exchange,
where you can help someone with their English and they can help you with your French.

French thought patterns

Conversing in French requires another person, and you can’t always have a French speaker by your
side 24/7. But even when you cant converse with someone, you can still be practicing the language
in your mind.

For example, you can be making comments on the world around you in French. You can describe
people and places, or pretend what you might say to a person on the street. Pretend you’re lost –
ask for directions in your head.

Thinking in French is an essential part of becoming fluent.

Despite how easy this strategy seems, its often overlooked by people who are learning French on
their own. Speaking French in your head also makes French thought patterns a habit, which is a
subtle yet powerful way to get more French into your head.

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Immerse Yourself in French Culture

Next stop? Living the life of a true French person. From watching TV to listening to music, there
are many ways this can be accomplished.

As we’ve discussed, its important to find a medium that works for you. If you’re a total movie buff,
don’t overlook the power of French cinema. If you’re a music nerd, opt for that. We’ve covered a
variety of ways that you learn French for free, and that post is filled with everything from TV
shows to podcasts.

Another way to surround yourself with French culture is to find events in your community. Is there
a French alliance or community center? How about a French class putting on a play in French at the
local university? Surrounding yourself in the language and culture will further reinforce key ideas
and words in your mind.

Make lifestyle changes

Making lifestyle changes sounds difficult – but it is in fact quite easy.

Here are a few simple changes you can make in order to add more French to your daily life:

Put your computer and phone in French mode

This will help you by making French more familiar. It’ll also help you get accommodated to French
technology terms and will add more vocabulary to your day.

Switch apps to French language

Also be sure to set your news and weather apps to French regions, no matter where you are in the
world. Setting your browser features to French will also expose you to current events and news in
the French world.

Instead of seeing English headlines, you’ll be exposed to French ones. Rather than reading news
about the English-speaking world, you’ll learn the issues and people that are driving conversation
in the French world.

Access lifestyle advice in French

If you’re like most people, you rely on the internet to access recipes, cooking tips, fitness videos,
and more. These aspects of your lifestyle guide everyday decisions – so why not take this advice in
French?

We recommend using apps like Pinterest and YouTube in French so that you can get exposure to
more casual language describing everyday lifestyles.

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Conclusion: How to Learn French on Your Own

If you’ve reached the end of this article, congrats! You’ve just taken a very important step towards
understanding how to learn French on your own. It certainly won’t be easy – and there’s no one-
size-fits-all approach to the language learning process that’ll work best for you.

Attitude Matters  

At the end of the day, its important to find something that is simple and enjoyable for you. When it
feels like a chore, or like homework, you’ll be less inclined to get the work done. And since you’re
the one holding yourself accountable, its important to maintain a positive attitude and a motivated
mindset.

Ready to jumpstart your French self-study? Check out Clozemaster – thousands of sentences,
grammar practice, and more!