How to Speak French: Conversation Skills That Work

French pronunciation intimidates many learners. But speaking French well is achievable—it's about practice, not perfection. Here's how to start speaking French with confidence.

Start Speaking from Day One

Don't wait for perfect grammar or pronunciation. Speak early, make mistakes, and learn from them. Fluency comes from practice, not perfection.

French Pronunciation Basics

Essential Sounds

• R — Guttural, throaty sound (practice: "rue")
• U — Lips rounded, tongue forward ("tu" vs "tout")
• Nasal vowels — an, en, on, in (air flows through nose)
• Silent letters — Many endings are silent (parler, français)

Common Pronunciation Tips

• E at end: Usually silent (parle, table)
• H: Always silent (hôtel, heure)
• Liaison: Link words (les amis = "lez ami")

Essential French Phrases

• Bonjour — Hello / Good day
• Comment allez-vous? — How are you? (formal)
• Comment ça va? — How's it going? (informal)
• Je m'appelle... — My name is...
• Parlez-vous anglais? — Do you speak English?
• Excusez-moi — Excuse me
• Merci — Thank you

Practice Framework

1) Shadow Native Speakers

Listen and repeat immediately. This trains your mouth for French sounds.

2) Speak Daily

10-15 minutes daily beats weekly sessions. Consistency builds muscle memory.

3) Learn High-Frequency Phrases

Start with "Je voudrais..." (I would like), "Je suis..." (I am), "J'ai besoin de..." (I need).

4) Don't Translate Word-for-Word

French sentence structure differs. Learn patterns, not word-by-word translations.

Overcoming Speaking Anxiety

• French speakers appreciate your effort
• Mistakes are learning opportunities
• Practice with AI first (zero judgment zone)
• Start with simple phrases and build

Real-Time Feedback Helps

Speaking without corrections builds bad habits. Get instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar while you chat. Immediate correction = faster improvement.

Quick Daily Routine (15 Minutes)

1. 5 min: Shadow a French podcast or video
2. 5 min: Practice 3 conversation starters out loud
3. 5 min: Have a short conversation (AI or partner)

Common Challenges

Grammar Complexity

French has complex grammar (genders, verb conjugations, subjunctive). Learn through usage, not rules alone.

Pronunciation

Practice daily, use shadowing technique, get feedback on sounds.

Confidence

Start simple, practice regularly, celebrate small wins.

Start Speaking French Today

The fastest path to speaking French isn't studying—it's talking. Practice daily conversations, get corrections as you speak, and watch fluency build. Try Parlai and start speaking French today, not "someday when I'm ready."