How to Learn French for Travel and Navigate France with Confidence

As someone who has visited France without any knowledge of French, then with the basics, and now with a decent level of fluency, I’ve seen just how much more enriching the experience is when you make an effort. The great thing about it is that you don’t have to have be completely fluent to have a transformative trip. Just taking 2-3 months to get the basics down can make a world of difference.

In this blog post, we’ll uncover the most effective methods and tools to learn French for travel that transcend traditional learning. We’ll explore immersive, effective, and practical language methods This is your comprehensive guide to not only learning French but to living and breathing this beautiful language, preparing you for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Online Courses

The digital world is brimming with online platforms offering comprehensive French courses. These courses provide structured learning paths, incorporating grammar, vocabulary, and cultural lessons, ideal for travelers needing flexible learning schedules.

• Rosetta Stone: A stalwart in the language-learning domain, Rosetta Stone’s immersive approach emphasizes intuitive learning. By integrating visual and audio cues, it challenges users to think directly in French, fostering a deeper connection with the language. This can be immensely valuable for travelers as it enables more organic conversations and understanding.
• Babbel: Tailoring to practical needs, Babbel offers lessons rooted in real-life scenarios. It shines with its travel-specific courses, focusing on encounters travelers are most likely to face – be it ordering food or inquiring about directions. Their step-by-step progression is designed to build confidence, ensuring you’re not lost for words during your French escapade.

Language Apps

While we generally don’t advocate only using Language Apps when learning a language, language apps are a nice way to continue learning when you’re not feeling motivated for more intense study. These apps are designed to make learning interactive and fun, focusing on everyday vocabulary and phrases you’ll encounter while traveling.

• Duolingo: Marrying learning with gamification, Duolingo provides an enjoyable experience in digestible lessons. Each module builds on the last, ensuring steady progress. Whether you have 5 or 50 minutes, Duolingo can accommodate your schedule, making it ideal for busy travelers preparing for their trip.
• Memrise: This app stands out with its methodology. By leveraging spaced repetition and mnemonic devices, Memrise ensures the retention of learned phrases and words. The interactive exercises and videos of native speakers further enhance its effectiveness, preparing you for real-world interactions.

Phrasebooks and Pronunciation Tools

Travel phrasebooks are indispensable for those wanting to learn basic french for travel. They contain curated lists of phrases and vocabulary pertinent to travel scenarios, from dining to emergencies. Having a phrasebook means having a safety net – you can always refer to it when in doubt.

The one drawback for phrasebooks is that there is no way to know how the word is pronounced. For that, we recommend Forvo.com. The site is completely free and boasts a vast database of words pronounced by native speakers, ensuring you get the intonation and rhythm right. With Forvo, you can practice and perfect your pronunciation, avoiding potential misunderstandings during your travels.

Related posts:

• 300+ Indispensable French Words — With Examples
• Best Easy French Books for Beginners
• Cheap or Free French Language Resources

Getting a Tutor

Tutors can provide personalized learning experiences, addressing your specific needs and questions. If you’re focused on just learning French for travel, a tutor can guide you through the nuances and scenarios, from cultural etiquettes to colloquialisms.

Platforms like italki connect you with native French speakers who offer one-on-one sessions, tailoring lessons to your travel needs and language proficiency. Tutors can focus on your areas of interest, whether it’s culinary terms for the foodie traveler or phrases to navigate French art museums. We’ve put together an honest review of italki so you can see if it’s right for you.

Moreover, role-playing travel situations with a tutor can significantly boost your confidence. By simulating real-life interactions, from haggling at a market to booking a hotel room, you’ll feel more prepared and at ease once you land in France.

Structured Classes

In-person structured classes, like those at community colleges or dedicated French centers, offer a systematic approach to language learning. Being in a classroom setting, interacting with fellow students, and having regular sessions can keep you accountable and motivated.

For those who prefer the flexibility of online learning, platforms like Coursera and Udemy present a plethora of French courses, catering to various levels and focuses, including travel-oriented modules.

Using Flashcards

Despite the effectiveness flashcards have in internalizing and memorizing vocabulary it’s really underutilized! Whether physical or digital, are fantastic for internalizing vocabulary. With apps like Anki, you can craft digital flashcards, even incorporating audio to practice listening and pronunciation.

The spaced repetition algorithm employed ensures that you review words and phrases just as you’re about to forget them, optimizing retention. The added benefit? You can practice anytime, anywhere – a perfect tool for on-the-go learners.

We personally find Anki to be one of the most useful tools for language learning. It is open-sourced software and is free on all platforms except iOS. There is a bit of a learning curve, but there’s really nothing on the market that comes close to its effectiveness. We’ve written several step-by-step tutorials on how to make the most of Anki for language learning.

• How to Use Anki — For Language Learners
• Anki Notes vs Cards — Explained (For Language Learners)
• Anki Pro Tips for Language Learners (a FAQ)
• How to use Awesome TTS for Language Learning

Watching Movies

French cinema isn’t just about entertainment; it can be an effective learning tool. Travel-themed French movies will immerse you in both the language and the culture. French films can offer vocabulary in context and insights into French life. Beyond just words, movies help in understanding cultural nuances, making you a more informed and sensitive traveler.

Here are some French films that are bound to get you into the studying mood.

1. Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain, 2001)
   “Amélie” is a whimsical depiction of contemporary Parisian life, set in Montmartre. It tells the story of a shy waitress, Amélie Poulain, who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better while struggling with her own isolation. The film combines a vivid visual style with a captivating narrative, showcasing the small joys and intricacies of life.
2. The Spanish Apartment (L’Auberge Espagnole, 2002)
   “The Spanish Apartment” is a coming-of-age film that follows the experiences of Xavier, a French economics student, who embarks on a life-changing journey when he participates in the Erasmus student exchange program and moves into an apartment in Barcelona with a diverse group of students from all across Europe. The film deals with themes of cultural diversity, friendship, and the challenges and excitements of becoming an adult.
3. Bande de filles (Girlhood, 2014)
   “Bande de filles” or “Girlhood” is a French drama that revolves around Marieme, a teenage girl who lives in the rough suburbs of Paris. The story explores her journey of self-discovery when she meets a group of three free-spirited girls, leading her to assert her independence in unconventional ways. The film delves into themes of gender, societal constraints, and the search for identity amidst the challenges of adolescence.
4. Un long dimanche (A Very Long Engagement, 2004)
   “Un long dimanche” or “A Very Long Engagement” is set in the aftermath of World War I and centers on a young woman’s relentless search for her fiancé, who has disappeared in the trenches of the Somme. Blending elements of romance, historical drama, and mystery, the film captures the devastation of war while celebrating the
5. Intouchables (The Intouchables, 2011)
   “Intouchables” tells the uplifting, based-on-a-true-story tale of an unlikely friendship between Philippe, a wealthy quadriplegic, and Driss, a man from the projects recently released from prison who becomes his caregiver. Through humor and heartwarming interaction, the film explores themes of friendship, trust, and human possibility, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Practice Speaking

There’s no substitute for real conversation. Websites like ConversationExchange.com and iTalki connect language learners worldwide, facilitating exchange and practice. While platforms like Tandem may not have worked for everyone, ConversationExchange has proven to be a preferred choice for many, including me. Another excellent avenue is language meetups in your city, where enthusiasts come together to practice speaking. Regularly engaging in these sessions can significantly enhance fluency and confidence, readying you for your French voyage.