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 teaching the formal aspects of the language, the reality is that French speakers speak the language in a much more relaxed way.

To understand spoken French, you need to become familiar with the shortened forms of common phrases like “bon app” which is short for “bon appétit” (Enjoy your meal). These variations are very different from what you’ll see in French texts so it’s best to look for resources that can give you insight on common slang words and phrases.

8. False Friends

Because English and French borrow many words from one another, it’s easy to assume that words that look alike mean the same. But this isn’t always true. In fact, many French words resemble English words in spelling but mean something entirely different. For example, in French, the word coin means “corner” and location translates to “rental place.” Faux-amis (“false friends”) are common in French, so make sure to double-check the meaning of similar-looking words to avoid falling into their traps.

Here’s a table with common French false friends and their English translations:

9. Adjective Agreement

In English, you don’t need to worry about matching the gender of adjectives to the gender of nouns or anything like that. In French, you’ll need to think if you’re using the right form of an adjective depending on the number and gender of the noun they’re describing.

As if figuring out gendered nouns wasn’t enough, this is an essential part of French grammar that can’t be skipped over. The good news is that you’ll see nouns and adjectives all the time in French, so immersing yourself in the language will help you pick up on this naturally. The sooner you become comfortable with this concept, the quicker you’ll speak more natural French.

10. The Liaison

The French Liaison happens when two words are pronounced as one. This usually happens when French words that end in consonants are followed by words that begin with vocals. At first glance, this might seem like one more thing you have to worry about when learning French, but it actually plays in your favor. In French, speakers hardly pronounce consonants at the end of words. This makes it difficult to tell when a noun is plural or singular. However, when you apply the French liaison, you can actually hear the consonant needed to understand a message.

…So What Are The Easy Aspects of French?

Despite how different French seems from English, it’s still considered an easy language for English speakers to learn. French is mostly thought of as a Romance language (unlike English), so you’re probably wondering how this is possible. In reality, there are many similarities between French and English that make understanding and studying it much easier than other languages. Below, I’ll tell you 5 reasons why learning French can be much easier than what you expected:

English and French Have the Same Alphabet

Having to learn a new writing system can be one of the hardest parts of learning a foreign language, and it’s often what discourages most learners. But you don’t need to worry about this when you’re studying French. Both French and English use the Latin alphabet of 26 letters you’re already familiar with, so you’re already one step ahead!

Similar Linguistic Origins

Believe it or not, French and English are related. That’s right! Both English and French belong to the larger family of Indo-European languages. While this is a connection that originated thousands of years ago, there are still many similarities in vocabulary and grammar. As a result, you might be surprised at how easy it is to understand some elements of French.

Lots of Shared Vocabulary

According to different sources, around 30% of English words are borrowed from French. Many of these words have been adapted to fit the needs of English speakers, but most of them have kept their original French spelling and meaning. For example, you’ll easily be able to tell what the words art, telephone, regime, and prince mean. Even words like déjà vu, façade, and cliché are so popular in the English language that you’ll be able to recognize and use them right away. To start, here’s a table with perfect French cognates you already know:

Similar Sentence Structure 

French grammar might seem like a completely different world, but it’s not nearly as bad as it seems. Like English, French uses the subject-verb-object sentence structure to create basic phrases. While you’ll still need to study grammar in-depth to become fluent, these are elements that will make studying and communicating in French much easier even if you’re a beginner learner.

Global Importance Means It’s Easy to Find French Resources

French is the fifth most spoken language in the world and one of the most popular options for people looking to learn a second language. Thanks to this, finding resources to study the language is easier than ever. From apps to online courses, there’s a wide variety of resources available for all types of learners.

You don’t even have to spend money to start studying French as there are many tools available online and even apps that offer complete French courses. This is one of the biggest reasons to start studying French!

6 Tips to Make Learning French Easier

Studying French, like any other language, requires you to be constant and patient. Regardless of what study method you choose, you’ll need to spend a number of hours practicing your skills to reach your French goals. But, there are still some things you can do to make learning French a much easier process. By applying these tips, you can naturally learn the French language without strain. Here are 6 tips that will make your French studies easier:

1. Create a Study Routine

By creating a study routine, you can make sure that you spend enough time practicing each skill you need to reach your French goals. Constancy is key when it comes to learning a new language and setting a routine can help you manage your free time better. You can spend a few hours studying French and practicing grammar and then switch to watching Frech YouTube videos or turn on your favorite French podcast to develop your listening comprehension. Following a study routine will keep you on the right track and allow you to make progress quickly.

2. Immerse Yourself in the Language

Immersing in French is an easy way to ensure you develop all areas of language. By listening to French music or watching French movies and TV series, you can become familiar with French pronunciation and develop your listening comprehension. Reading French news articles can also allow you to naturally absorb grammar patterns, which will make your studies much easier. Even if you don’t live in a French-speaking country, immersing yourself in the language can give you the exposure you need to become conversational quickly.

3. Start Speaking As Soon As Possible

Many learners fear feeling judged when they first try to speak in French. But now, there are many ways you can develop your conversational skills on your own. There are apps that focus on helping you speak in French, like Pimsleur and Rocket French, but you can also find hundreds of YouTube channels with French tips for free. By practicing in French as much as you can, you’ll also be putting your knowledge of the language to the test. Soon, you’ll discover that you can put together your own French sentences without having to check your French book.

4. Try Non-Traditional Study Methods

While studying with a French book is a proven method to learn the language, there are other tools that can make your studies more engaging and just as effective. You can try singing in French, watching French TV shows, or reading a French graphic novel like Persepolis. Many learners also like using French apps because they come with cool tools like interactive activities, games, chatbots, and even virtual reality features. These are all fun and valid ways to study and practice your French skills. For example, here’s a French quiz you can take for free on YouTube to measure your skills:

5. Use Social Media 

Social media might seem weird for studying French, but it can provide what you need if you don’t live somewhere where the language is spoken. Thanks to the Internet, now you can connect with language students from all around the world to practice your language skills. You can sign up for a platform like HelloTalk and find a French language-exchange partner. These communities help language learners practice their skills judgment-free, and you can learn a lot about French culture while making new friends.

6. Use Your Interests to Learn French

An easy method to make studying French more interesting is to include your own interests. French is a global language, so it’s easy to find French YouTube channels, books, movies, articles, and podcasts for all sorts of topics online. If you like superhero movies, you can try watching your favorite ones in French or if you like trying new cooking recipes, you can look up French food blogs to find the best ones. There are many ways to study and practice French, so don’t limit yourself to a couple of resources!

Learn French with Langoly

Now that you know why French can present both challenges and opportunities, you can begin to create a plan to tackle all possible obstacles. Even if you feel that French is a completely unfamiliar language, you can follow our tips to start discovering the French language through its similarities with English. Remember that the best way to make sure you master French is to stay engaged and motivated in your studies. Make sure to immerse in the language and include resources that you enjoy using in your study routine, and you’ll step on the fast lane to French fluency! 

To find the best ways to learn French, be sure to check out Langoly’s French Hub.