When you decide to learn French, motivation is often high at the beginning: you download an app, watch a series in the original version, sign up for a course. You tell yourself, “This time, I’m going to stick with it!” But after a few weeks, the enthusiasm fades, daily life takes over, and progress stalls. Why?
Because, like with any skill, learning a language requires consistency. An intensive course, no matter how good, won’t bear fruit unless it’s followed by regular practice. It’s a bit like going to the dentist twice a year but forgetting to brush your teeth every day. That doesn’t work. It’s the small daily habits that make all the difference.
Learning French, a mountain to climb? Yes… but not all at once!
The problem is that when we start learning French, we quickly face the magnitude of the task. Understanding grammar, remembering vocabulary, speaking with confidence, understanding native speakers who talk fast… It can be overwhelming.
A friend recently shared a tip that helped her stay motivated in her learning: don’t set goals that are too ambitious. In other words, don’t aim to “speak fluently in six months” or “watch movies without subtitles by week one.” These kinds of goals, while admirable, can become discouraging when you realize they’re harder to reach than expected.
Instead, she told me that setting small, realistic goals helped her stay on track.
For example:
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Learn 5 new words a day
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Successfully order a coffee in French
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Hold a 3-minute conversation with a teacher
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Watch a short video and understand the main idea
Each small goal achieved becomes a concrete success. And by stacking up those small wins, you gain confidence, make progress, and stay motivated.
The magic of consistency in learning French
Many people think you need to spend hours studying to make progress. In reality, 10 minutes a day is better than two hours once a week.
Here are a few simple habits you can adopt today to integrate French into your routine:
1. Include French in your break time
Got 10 minutes on the metro? Use it to listen to a French podcast. Cooking dinner? Play a YouTube video in French in the background. Scrolling through Instagram? Follow French-speaking accounts on topics you enjoy.
2. Speak French as much as possible, even if it’s not perfect
Too often, we wait until we “speak well” to start speaking. But in reality, it’s by speaking that we learn to speak. Even on your own, you can practice: describe your day out loud, repeat phrases you’ve heard in a podcast, or role-play with yourself. And of course, join real conversations as soon as possible.
3. Read in French a little every day
Reading in French helps build vocabulary and understand sentence structure better. Start with short articles, comic books, or even excerpts of dialogues.
4. Write in French for yourself
Keep a little journal in French, write one sentence a day, or make small lists (like your to-do list in French). It’s a great way to reinforce vocabulary.
Create a French learning routine that fits your life
There’s no one-size-fits-all method that works for everyone. The key is to find a routine that naturally fits into your life. Here are a few ideas:
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Pick a time of day (morning, lunch break, evening) that you dedicate to French
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Use a variety of tools to avoid getting bored: apps, videos, online courses, newspapers, games, etc.
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Join a group or a community to practice regularly (like the conversation club at Live French 😉)
And most of all, be kind to yourself. There will be “off” days when you don’t practice. That’s okay. What matters is picking it back up the next day, without guilt.
Learning French isn’t just a skill — it’s an adventure
French isn’t just a language. It’s a culture, a way of thinking, a new way to see the world. And like any great adventure, it’s full of highs and lows, discoveries, surprises… and a lot of satisfaction.
At Live French, we support hundreds of learners on this journey. What makes the difference between those who plateau and those who really progress isn’t a “natural talent for languages,” or years of academic study, but rather their consistency, their curiosity, and their ability to celebrate each small success.
In summary:
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Set simple, achievable French learning goals
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Practice French a little every day, even just 5 minutes
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Immerse yourself in French as much as possible
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Speak, read, write, and listen without aiming for perfection
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Enjoy the process and stay curious
Want to build your own French learning routine? Live French courses are here to help, with native French teachers, a warm and supportive environment, and a boost of motivation. Because learning a language is, above all, a human adventure ❤️
