Moving to France requires a certain level of organization, determination, and a willingness to embrace the piles of paperwork you’re required to show at the prefecture once a year (or less, if you’re lucky). But, one thing a lot of hopeful expats forget to do is something that has the power to improve your entire France experience: learn the language. Or at least try to.
It’s the exact opposite of what I did when I moved to France, and I’ve made it somewhat of my mission to encourage others not to be like me.
Listen, you don’t need to be fluent. You don’t need to know how to conjugate the plus-que-parfait, or even know what that is (spoiler, I do not). But you will have a much better chance of actually interacting with and becoming friends with French people if you can carry on a simple conversation.
Not being able to order a coffee, ask a question in a grocery store, or communicate easily with your doctor will make your life difficult. Yes, it is manageable, and plenty of expats (in Paris in particular) get by without speaking much French. But learning the language will give you a much more fulfilling — and actually French — life.
So, as I embark on my mission of yes-you-should-learn-French-before-moving-to-France, I was thrilled to sit down with Manon, a French YouTuber and language teacher who recently interviewed Stephen and I for her channel.
Manon is the founder of Ohlala French Course and a fluent English speaker who understands the struggle of learning a second language from scratch. One of her programs, French Coffee, is one of the most helpful resources I’ve come across for people who are planning to move to France. Or, those who just want to feel more confident speaking French before they arrive for a trip.
It’s exactly what I wish I had done before I moved to Paris.
The Real Secret to Learning French
Is to speak it. Often. With native French speakers.
Workbooks, podcasts, grammar guides, and apps like Duolingo can be helpful, but if you’re not speaking French with other people who speak French, you miss the most important piece of the puzzle. If you haven’t noticed it yet, it will become very obvious the moment you get to France. When you aren’t used to practicing, you’ll likely freeze up, forget vocabulary, and may not understand all of the “familiarity” native French speakers use that they don’t teach you in school.
Not knowing the language — or relying too heavily on English — can cause anxiety over phone calls, appointments, going shopping, or even running into your neighbor. I can’t tell you the number of times I have cried over a phone call that went badly because I couldn’t communicate.
On the flip side, when you do take the time to learn and practice, you’ll be able to have wonderful conversations, make new friends, and gain access to a side of France that doesn’t exist when you’re stuck behind a language barrier.
As we say often here at TAIP, it’s all about being curious and willing to try.
French Coffee for Real Conversations and Progress
But Molli, I don’t live in France yet, so how am I supposed to find people to practice French with?
This is exactly where French Coffee comes in. Manon created this weekly (!!) program to give French learners a chance actually to speak. It’s structured like a small, friendly coffee chat, except you get to hone your French skills with peers of the same level, with a native French-speaking teacher there to guide the conversation if needed.
When I asked Manon how she would describe it, she told me it’s “perfect for those who already understand French well, but can’t yet speak with confidence. It’s a warm, well-structured space, and really helps with oral expression.”
Each session is held online and is organized by level, so you’ll never feel like you can’t keep up. You can talk about real-life topics with people who have the same level of French as you do in a format that feels casual, cozy, and… dare I say… fun? The groups are small enough that you’ll get plenty of time to speak too.
French coffee isn’t like sitting through a lecture at school, or awkwardly repeating vocab into an app (been there). It’s real conversation practice that will help build your confidence so you feel comfortable enough to speak up once you’re out in the real, French-speaking world.
Manon’s entire platform Ohlala French Course is full of thoughtful resources that range in time commitment and price. French Coffee is a great place to start if you’re moving to France anytime soon.
If you can’t communicate with the people around you, you’ll likely feel isolated and lonely. Moving abroad is already an isolating and lonely experience, so if you can do something to make it feel a little less lonesome, wouldn’t you?
Photo by The Now Time on Unsplash
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