Hard to have conversations in French? 3 techniques that will help

Llyane has been my French coach since 2013. Her approach to learning is unique and as English is not her native language, she understands the difficulties to be faced as  I’ve worked to improve my French language skills.

Her organic approach to language learning has improved my pronunciation as well as my comprehension of the spoken word and I’m delighted to welcome her guest post here today that addresses French conversations.

Does starting conversation in French seem like a big job?

Well, it may be.

Only it doesn’t have to be a difficult job.

Here are 3 techniques that work without fail, no matter your level of French, which you can use to have your first conversations or to improve your conversational skills.

(This week: the verb COMMENCER – to start)

1. Slow down

We try to speak in French at the same speed as our mother tongue and that just doesn’t work.

Make peace with the fact that you’ll have to slow down for some words, and don’t focus on the speed – focus on how correctly and clearly you are pronouncing the words.

2. Sense memory

Sense memory is not the same thing as muscle memory, it is the step before it.

Train yourself to focus on what you feel in your mouth when you pronounce the words correctly, and you’ll be able to correct yourself while you speak.

This is a secret not many people know, and you’ll be amazed how easily you can hold your own, even with difficult words.

3. Deep practice

This technique is used by linguists and artists alike. It means practice (repeating) in such a way that the brain registers faster and forgets slower.

The way to do this is by practicing your French very slowly, instead of running words fast. Make it so that you deconstruct each word in its syllables, and you honor each sound.

Follow this guideline and you’ll be safe while trying to speak French.

Bonne chance !

Immerse yourself as you FINALLY reach your dream of becoming bilingual, learn to speak Parisian French on Skype and BREAK your language barrier!

Now it is your turn!

Which part of this article most resonated with you and why? What is the one action that you’ll take today? 🙂

Let me guess.

Do you constantly have the feeling that you can’t hear what the French say and you don’t know how to read all the French words because they are written so much differently than they sound?

Learn 3 secrets that will help you be self sufficient in the way you pronounce French words – even if you don’t know what they mean – so that you can read that sophisticated menu in your favorite French restaurant.

…and now, please SHARE this article with your friends. They’ll love you for it! : )

Always in your corner,
Llyane

Photo credit: Tatyana Markovtsev, A.G. photographe

This post originally appeared  on LearnParisianFrench.com

Check out some of the beautiful places to explore in France.