Speak Like a Native: Tips for French Speaking Practice

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Bonjour !

Many people who have never learnt another word in French still know how to say hello. This shows that when we learn a language, we often start by speaking.

However, if you've heard "bonjour" pronounced in many interesting ways, you know that developing your speaking skills takes more work.

To speak fluently with clear and accurate pronunciation as well as proper grammar, it takes lots of practice.

But can you speak French in your study sessions if you're studying on your own?

Yes! When you have the opportunity to practise speaking French, whether in person, online, or alone, you can make great progress. Read on to learn our top tips for all three of these methods.

In-Person French Speaking Practice

If you have the opportunity to visit or stay in a French-speaking country, you'll get your daily dose of speaking practice every day!

This will build your confidence, as you're forced to speak regardless of your language level. It'll also have a great effect on your pronunciation, fluency, and ability to use correct grammar spontaneously:

Hearing native speakers every day will help you adjust your pronunciation
The frequency of speaking French will build your fluency
Hearing how native speakers phrase things will fine-tune your grammar

These factors are all true of in-person learning in your home country too! While you may not be fully immersed, speaking out loud in a formal educational setting provides great opportunities for correction. And informal conversations, such as those at language exchanges, are fantastic for putting your skills into practice.

However, when you're not living in a French-speaking environment, these in-person opportunities may not be frequent enough for you to make good progress. So we suggest coupling this method with some pointers from the next two: online and solo practice.

Online French Speaking Practice

Online French speaking practice can be even more accessible than in-person options! Find a French tutor on platforms like Languatalk to practice speaking whenever it's convenient for you. This is a great way to receive specific feedback on your pronunciation and grammar.

For more general practice, there are endless online communities you can join for free. Learn more about the best ones available in our full online French communities article.

Solo French Speaking Practice

Both of the previous two strategies involve other people. Still, there are many great ways to practise speaking French alone. Try:

Reading French texts aloud
Speaking French aloud spontaneously
Repeating French audio clips

These techniques will build your confidence and help you adjust to the sound and rhythm of the language. Reading French texts can also teach you the correct way to phrase certain thoughts, training your grammar.

The only pitfall with all these methods is a lack of feedback or correction. Without someone listening, how will you know if you've mispronounced a word?

First, try recording your voice when you speak. This can help you spot if there's a difference between how you think you sound and how you actually sound. A second option is uploading your recordings to online French communities that can point out any errors.

Best of all, you have access to all of these self-study methods day or night. Use them in between your in-person or online speaking practice to build your French speaking skills.

Keep On Top of All Four Language Skills

Speaking may be the first skill we practise in French, but it can't be the only one. Without developing your reading, writing, and listening skills, your French speaking skills will eventually hit a plateau.

Luckily, we have a solution!

Our reading, writing, and listening exercises are here to help you develop the skills you need to support your spoken French. Start using all of our free resources by signing up for a free Learn French With Alexa and Kwiziq account today!