It's very unusual to meet someone who's learned to speak French fluently but can't read or write. Mastery of a target language lies in developing all four essential skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
These four skills support each other, so should be learned in parallel. Neglecting any one of them can slow down your journey towards fluency.
If you're lacking in one area or want to improve all four, this is the article for you! Read on for our guide to focused study on each individual French skill.
Table of Contents
- French Reading Practice
- French Writing Practice
- French Speaking Practice
- French Listening Practice
- Keep Your French Practice Consistent!
French Reading Practice
Reading is one of the first skills we learn in a new language. If you focus on developing your reading skill, it's much easier for the other three language skills to develop alongside it.
Here's how to focus on improving your reading:
Reading French Texts
One of the most popular ways to improve your reading skills is, of course, to read French texts. But there are ways to make this basic technique more effective:
Expand your vocabulary. Instead of skimming over words you don't know, learn them as you go. This also applies to phrases, grammar, and sentence structures that you find confusing. Alternatively, use our vocabulary and grammar lessons to study groups of new words and phrases under specific themes.
Read at your CEFR level. Texts that are too easy for you won't help you improve, while overly challenging texts come with too much new vocabulary for you to learn at once. Find out your French CEFR level here!
Read texts with relevant vocabulary. Make sure the words and phrases you're learning are helpful to developing your French language skills and are not unusual or highly-specialised terms. News articles are a great resource, as they use everyday vocabulary to discuss topical current issues.
Reading Exercises
The best technique of all comes with built-in feedback. Reading exercises test your comprehension while also offering the translation of its sentences. It's the best of both worlds!
Check out our expert-created reading exercises, or learn more of our top reading practice tips here!
French Writing Practice
Writing is one of the hardest skills to master, as it involves producing language, not just understanding it. And, unlike speaking, you have to remember how to spell everything! Here's how you can make sure this skill keeps up with the other three.
Writing Exercises
There are two main types of writing exercises:
- Translation
- Dictation
Translation exercises present you with an English text that you have to translate into French, or vice versa. They'll point out your mistakes and show you how to work on them. See our full online collection of writing exercises to get started.
You could also practise this skill with another text, like a novel, that's been professionally translated. Translate sentences or paragraphs on your own and see how your work compares to the official version.
Dictation exercises present an audio file in French for you to write out word for word. This improves both your listening and writing skills, as well as pointing out your mistakes.
Journaling
Both of the aforementioned types of writing exercises test your ability to accurately produce written French from another source. But you'll also need to practise French writing production: writing French "from scratch."
Keeping a journal is a great daily habit to help you practise regularly. You'll reinforce your existing writing skills while helping them become more natural.
But don't forget to ask for feedback so you don't start practising mistakes! There are endless online communities of native speakers that will happily correct your work.
Reading
All language skills are related. Reading in particular can help you learn how thoughts and ideas are conveyed and developed in written French. So use the reading tips above to help improve your writing too!
For more details on tips to mastering your writing skills, see our full French writing practice article!
French Speaking Practice
Speaking comes naturally when we learn a new language. But it's also easy to pick up bad habits, like transference errors, in our speech. Here's how to focus on developing speaking skills that hold up in conversations with native speakers:
In-Person Speaking Practice
In-person conversation with native French speakers is one of the most effective ways to improve your speaking skills. But how can you make that happen? Try these suggestions:
- Look for local French classes with a native teacher
- Consider an extended stay in a French-speaking country
- Seek out language exchanges in your area
See the full list of suggestions and approaches in our full article on French speaking practice!
Online Speaking Practice
If in-person opportunities are few and far between, turn to the internet! Online, you can converse with individuals or communities of native French speakers to help you fine-tune your speech as well as get used to different accents.
You could even try an online lesson with a French tutor to receive professional feedback. Our partner, Languatalk, is a great place to start!
Solo Speaking Practice
Your speaking skills can also be worked on when you are alone! Try these suggestions:
- Reading French texts aloud
- Speaking French aloud spontaneously
- Repeating French audio clips
To learn how to make these methods as effective as possible, check out our solo speaking practice suggestions!
French Listening Practice
Listening is one of the hardest French skills to learn, especially when you consider all the accents and styles of speech native speakers use. It requires hundreds of hours of practice to master. Here's how to make those hours count:
Active Listening
Active listening involves studying spoken French with the aim of understanding as much as possible. This helps you identify words and phrases you're unfamiliar with. Then you can incorporate them into your own vocabulary as well as understand them in the future.
Tools and techniques to practise active listening include:
- Listening to French speakers in person or online
- Online listening exercises
- French audio, such as the radio
Find more tips on how to make this practice effective in our full French listening practice article!
Passive Listening
Passive listening involves playing French audio in the background so your ears and mind become accustomed to the sounds of the language. Try listening to:
- French podcasts
- French news
- French radio
- French audiobooks
And as this is a background activity, not deliberate study, it's easy to incorporate into your daily routine!
Keep Your French Practice Consistent!
Has this article made you excited for your next French practice session? Or does honing all four language skills sound overwhelming?
Don't worry, we've got just the thing for you!
By creating your FREE Learn French With Alexa and Kwiziq account, you'll get custom recommendations on what lessons you should study next. This is called your Study Plan. You don't have to worry about where in the world to start—Kwizbot will tell you!
Get these personalised recommendations, as well as access to all our free resources by signing up for a free Learn French With Alexa and Kwiziq account today.
