Bonjour ! Let’s dive into one of my favorite topics: how to bring French language & culture to life throughout your language journey! Because studying and memorizing vocabulary lists and verb tenses are just part of it—living the language is très important, too!
Whether you’re an absolute beginner or dusting off your skills, we hope these 7 tips will make your French learning experience as enriching (and fun) as possible!
So, tu es prêt.e ?
(Are you ready?)
1. Set clear goals
Figure out your “why” and what you want to achieve in learning French. Is it for travel? Love? Or just because you’re amoureux.se (in love) with all things French? Setting goals keeps you motivated and on track. Help yourself stay organized with tools like this Goal Setting Planner & this Habit Tracker Calendar.
2. Consume French media
Whether you love watching movies, listening to podcasts, or discovering new music, get your ears and eyes acquainted with words en français !
🎼 Music
Check out our Spotify playlists featuring popular French tunes: French Chill Vibes and French Riviera Summer Vibes.
 |
 |
🎬 Movies & TV
This is one of the best ways to learn! Try watching with French subtitles if you can.
Lupin starring Omar Sy is an action-packed show on Netflix. The Bureau is an enthralling French spy series. And Unifrance, the official organization promoting French cinema & TV worldwide, has a great collection of short films here.
🎙 Podcasts
On the go? No problème. You can still work on your French listening! Podcasts are not only great listening practice—they also let you dive deeper into French society & culture! Little Talk in Slow French is a good option for beginners, while InnerFrench is made for speakers.
For English-language podcasts, my favorite is The New Paris. I was interviewed by its host, Lindsey Tramuta, and you can catch the episode here.
📱 Social Media
Follow accounts that aren’t just language educators! Whether you like memes, food, beauty, or fashion, find accounts that you’d normally follow, but in French! Here are some we adore:
🧘 Wellness & poetry → @grossomodo._, @wellnessbyjade, @therapieducorps.fr
🎭 Humor → @elodie.arnould, @paulmirabel, @dianesegard
🥐 Food → @lefooding, @leguideultime
✨ Paris → @centrelgbtparisidf, @paris_maville, @mylittleparis
🗞 Media & news → @brutofficiel, @lemondefr, @french.morning
3. Surround yourself with French things
Home Décor
Give your space the French touch with decorations. Order some of our faves from our Home Décor Collection or French Wink, a NYC-based boutique that ships worldwide.
 |
 |
Fashion
Wear clothes with French words printed on them! I love the Je t’aime t-shirt from Sézane and the La Vie en Rose socks from French York.
Food & Drink
Eat & drink like the French do with these products, or learn how to cook the French way with delicious recipes. After all, eating is truly an art in France…
Beauty
French skincare truly lives up to the hype. Stock up with these staples from Paris-based skincare brand Typology, and practice reading their names and ingredients in French!
4. Learn with a Hello French e-book
Complement your journey with our bestselling e-books! Le Bouquin teaches all the essentials of contemporary French in a modern, approachable way. Pair it with Le Cahier, our interactive exercise book. Gain confidence when speaking with our Hello Pronunciation guide.
Unsure where to start? Explore our Bundles so you find a tailored combination for your learning needs!
 |
 |
5. Practice daily
When learning a new language, consistency is key. Dedicate time each day to study with any of the resources we’ve shared—even if it’s just for quelques (a few) minutes! Some other ideas are to follow us on Instagram for the Mot Du Jour, keep a journal in French, or use flashcards to gain a few new vocab words each day.
6. Speak from day one
Don’t wait until you feel “ready”—start speaking French right off the bat! Language exchange partners and private tutors can help with this. And if you’re traveling to a francophone country anytime soon, parle le français (speak French)!
7. Be patient and kind with yourself!
Every journey is made up of petits pas (small steps). Be patient and kind with yourself during this process. Learning a new language as an adult is humbling and takes courage. Know that all of us at Hello French believe in you and we’re so thrilled to enrich your experience!
Whew! That was a long post. We hope these resources are helpful to you! Can’t wait to share more on Le Blog bientôt (soon)!
—Cécilia & the Hello French team
