Is French Hard to Learn? [Plus Tips to Make it Easier!]

French might be one of the easiest languages to learn for native English speakers, but that doesn’t mean that it’s an easy ride. In this guide, I’ll break down 10 of the most common reasons English speakers struggle to learn French. To end on a positive note though, you’ll also see 5 reasons why it’s one of the easiest languages you can study. I’ll also give you 6 useful tips to get you started! 

Once you’ve read through this guide, you’ll know how to overcome common struggles English speakers face when trying to learn French. So, on y va! (Let’s go!)

10 Reasons French is Hard to Learn for English Speakers

Learning French might be easier for English speakers, but this doesn’t mean you’ll be fluent overnight. From the different sounds in its pronunciation to its unruly irregular verbs, there are some aspects of French that can make you feel like your head is spiraling. 

But guess what? With a little persistence, you can overcome every single obstacle the French language throws at you. These are 10 common obstacles French learners need to conquer to reach fluency:

1. French Pronunciation

One of the reasons why many native English speakers struggle with French is due to the differences in pronunciation. And pronunciation can be different depending on which French dialect you’re speaking! For example, while the English language uses a softer “r,” in Metropolitan French you need to pronounce the letter “r” using the back of your throat. The French “n” also has a strong nasal sound that you’ll need to practice to be able to say words like cousine (“cousin”), serpent (“snake”), and tante (“aunt”).

This might seem difficult, but you can grow used to these sounds if you work on your French pronunciation. To get you started, here’s a useful video you can use to practice pronouncing French:

2. Spelling Words Correctly

Learning to spell French vocabulary can be harder than it looks. To start, there are several words that are spelled differently than they sound. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish French plural nouns from singulars because the “s” at the end of words is silent. Groups of letters like the ones in grenouille (“frog”) or écureuil (“squirrel”) might also seem overwhelming to French learners.

But these don’t make French impossible to learn! Keep in mind that the best way to remember how to spell these words is to study constantly, test your knowledge, and practice writing in French. You can also read native French texts to absorb some of the patterns that are common when it comes to spelling.

3. Accent Marks

There are five different types of accents in French, and understanding when and how to use them all can be tricky. However, they’re necessary if you want to spell and pronounce French words correctly. Misplacing these marks can also change the meaning of French words, like mais (“but”) or maïs (“corn”).

To make sure you know how to apply these accents, practice writing in French and devote a portion of your study routine to French grammar.

Below, you’ll find a table of all the French accent marks to get you started:

4. The Difference Between Formal and Informal Language

While in English we use “you” to address everyone, the French language has both formal and informal “you” forms. Using the informal tu instead of the formal vous can cause French speakers to frown at you since “tu” is mostly reserved for friends and family. At the same time, “vous” is also a second-person plural pronoun but it’s sometimes confused with ils (plural male) and elles (plural feminine).

At first glance, this can make your head hurt! But it’s not so bad once you start learning basic French grammar. The more you practice with native speakers, the easier it will be to navigate the different levels of politeness.

5. Verb Tenses and Conjugations

Understanding the essential French tenses like the present, past, and future might not be hard at all. But French has many more tenses that don’t have English equivalents. This means that you won’t be able to compare them to be able to understand their uses or translate their French conjugations.

For example, you’ll need to study the French passé composé (“compound past tense”) verb forms individually because the English language doesn’t have subjunctive tenses. This is only a matter of learning it once though. Once you know how to conjugate verbs in all the tenses, you’ll be able to talk about time without even thinking!

6. Gendered Nouns

Gendered nouns might be hard to understand for native English speakers at the beginning of their French studies. In English, you only need to use “the” when you talk about objects, but in French, objects can be feminine or masculine. What makes French gendered nouns more complicated is that some are pronounced the same, like “ami” (male friend), “amie” (female friend), and “amis” (a group of friends).

French nouns might make you feel like you’re playing a guessing game, but don’t worry! Some tricks can give away if a noun is masculine or feminine. For example, the accompanying article (pay attention when French speakers are talking!) or the ending of a word. At first, noun genders seem strange, but the more you practice French, you’ll understand that it’s just a normal part of the language.

7. Written and Spoken French are Different

If you’re learning French through self-study, you might feel shocked the first time you listen to authentic spoken French. While many books and French courses focus on tea