{"id":1177,"date":"2019-09-04T07:00:07","date_gmt":"2019-09-04T07:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/?p=1177"},"modified":"2021-03-30T14:39:43","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T14:39:43","slug":"how-to-learn-french-on-your-own","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-french-on-your-own\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Learn French on Your Own (in Less Than a Year)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1206 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/relaxing-with-book_925x.jpg\" alt=\"How to Learn French on Your Own\" width=\"925\" height=\"617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/relaxing-with-book_925x.jpg 925w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/relaxing-with-book_925x-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/relaxing-with-book_925x-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px\" \/> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Having a rigid classroom structure is a great way to learn French for some people \u2013 but its not for everyone. In fact, many people prefer to learn languages entirely on their own. If you\u2019ve dreamed about becoming a fluent, self-taught French speaker, here&#8217;s how to learn French on your own.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Guide for Self-Taught French<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this comprehensive guide, we\u2019ll define and explore the three essential steps for how to learn French on your own. This guide provides a framework that you adjust and expand depending on previous knowledge and needs. If you\u2019ve studied French before, for example, you may want to gloss over step 1 and start at step 2 (depending on how much you remember).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We&#8217;ll also outline how long you should spend on each step before moving to the next one.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps for How to Learn French on Your Own<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The steps we&#8217;ll cover include:<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 30px;\"><strong><a href=\"#get-your-footing\">Step 1: How to get your footing and set goals<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"#resources\"><strong>Step 2: Resources for reading and speaking<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 30px;\"><a href=\"#using-french\"><strong>Step 3: Using French in Everyday Life<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long will it take to learn French?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In total, these guidelines are meant to help you become conversant in one year. You can speed up the tips if you&#8217;re traveling sooner, or spread the lessons out if you&#8217;ve got more time to spare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This post will also explore how to find the best French learning resources, strategies for studying and how to set realistic language goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A step-by-step approach to learning French<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help with this guide, we\u2019ve teamed up with French speaker and teacher Jonathan Huggins of <a href=\"http:\/\/hugginsinternational.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Huggins International<\/a>. Jonathan has been studying French for over two decades, and you\u2019ll find his tips for learning French throughout this post.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ideally, you\u2019ll spend <strong>one hour each day<\/strong> practicing French. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also double up on the weekends \u2013 the most important thing is that you can commit to around 7 hours per week. Our guide highly suggests that you find time to converse in French, too. This is an essential aspect of listening and speaking comprehension, but we\u2019ll outline tips for that later.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Jonathan, you should also choose the right time of day to learn French. For example, your brain might not be alert and active if you try to squeeze in time at the end of the day after work, or too early in the morning before you&#8217;ve had to time wake up.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cInstead, find a moment when you are at your optimum and can focus for a few minutes on both reviewing previously learned content and some new material\u201d Huggins adds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to Learn French on Your Own: Getting Prepared<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to setting aside time, you\u2019ll also need to be motivated, determined and patient. Every form of self-taught education requires this trait. However, it\u2019s especially important when learning a difficult language like French all on your own.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lastly, to mentally prepare yourself for this exciting journey, you\u2019ll need a solid dose of concentration. If you\u2019re constantly leaving mid-lesson to take the dog out or check your Instagram feed, the whole process will become more frustrating. This is why it\u2019s so important to choose a time of day when you know you\u2019re most productive (which probably isn\u2019t after a long day at work).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tips for Learning French on Your Own<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember: this guide is designed specifically for people who want to become fluent in French through a self-taught program lasting up to 12 months. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re looking for a crash course or you&#8217;re heading to France next month, our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/how-long-does-it-take-to-learn-french\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">how long it takes to learn French<\/a> may help you create a realistic short-term goal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re still reading\u2026 which means you\u2019re confident and ready to learn French independently. Great! Let\u2019s dive in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1204 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/architecture-3091226_1920.jpg\" alt=\"How to Learn French on Your Own\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/architecture-3091226_1920.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/architecture-3091226_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/architecture-3091226_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/architecture-3091226_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a id=\"get-your-footing\"><\/a>Step 1: Get your Footing and Set Goals<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Time commitment for step 1: 1-3 months<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first few weeks of your French learning journey are all about gaining your bearings. This stage will familiarize you with French speaking and help you create a strong foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get started, its important that you choose a method you enjoy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to language expert Jonathan, there\u2019s no such thing as one-size-fits-all approach to learning French. \u201cIt really depends on understanding your individual learning style. Know what you prefer and what gets you the best results\u201d he adds. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, it\u2019s best to choose a format depending on how you like to learn and gain information.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s how to choose a French resources based on your learning style:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Here&#8217;s how to learn French on your own by finding the right resources. (Feel free to mix and match mediums if you enjoy more than one format!)<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For someone who loves reading:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grammar books may be best for your learning style if you love reading. There are thousands of options in your local library and online, but some are better than others. Check out this list of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thoughtco.com\/french-grammar-books-4083661\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">top French grammar books<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to narrow your search. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note: you won\u2019t be reading this grammar book cover to cover. Rather, you\u2019ll use it as a reference to better understand tenses and conjugation as questions arise throughout your lessons. If you prefer reading, you should also combine book resources with listening or visual resources to ensure you don&#8217;t get too bogged down by grammar.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019ve always learned best by listening:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Podcasts might be a better first option if you&#8217;re a big fan of music and radio programs. Podcasts are a fun and free way for beginners to become more familiar with the language. For help finding the right one, visit our roundup of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/top-podcasts-in-french\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 podcasts in French to improve your listening skills.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re a visual learner:<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll likely enjoy learning from videos if you consider yourself a French learner. Check out this list of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/frenchtogether.com\/learn-french-youtube\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">YouTube channels for learning French<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, compiled by our friend Benjamin Houy of FrenchTogether. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might also benefit from using apps or online tools, which allow you to visualize French phrases in context. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Clozemaster<\/a> is a helpful tool that helps you test yourself daily and track your progress as your skills advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Find a Textbook<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get started on step 2, you\u2019ll first need to find a proper textbook. Just like grammar books, there are thousands of French textbooks to choose from. When you\u2019re trying to learn French on your own, however, you\u2019ll need a textbook that won\u2019t require the aid of a teacher. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, a book designed for self-guided learning is best. You could find a free resource, like this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/6\/63\/French.pdf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">French textbook<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Wikimedia Commons, then pair it with a book that includes dialogue. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Explore Dialogue<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dialogue in a textbook is important for many reasons. It can be read, written down, and most importantly, practiced aloud. Take turns reading through both sides of the conversation. Pronounce the best you can, and research words that you don\u2019t understand. Get used to the way this feels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make your own French Dialogue<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Once you&#8217;ve gotten more comfortable with the pronunciation of words, even just to yourself, you&#8217;ll want to use those words to form sentences of your own.<\/p>\n<p>Pull out sentences from dialogue and make them true for yourself. You might also try mixing them around into a different structure. for example, you could transform a statement into a question to practice your inquiry skills.<\/p>\n<p>Or, you might take a sentence where someone agrees and turn it into a sentence where that person disagrees. Then, explain yourself and pretend you&#8217;re disagreeing with someone in a real, thought-provoking conversation.<\/p>\n<p>These exercises will help you navigate the world of fluid French speaking.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1207\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/woman-multitasking_925x.jpg\" alt=\"best tip for self-taught french\" width=\"925\" height=\"617\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/woman-multitasking_925x.jpg 925w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/woman-multitasking_925x-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/woman-multitasking_925x-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a id=\"resources\"><\/a>Step 2: Test and Practice<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Time commitment for step 2: 3-6 months<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After studying French for a few months, you\u2019ll be off to a great start. But it\u2019s important to test yourself on what you\u2019ve learned.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To continue going strong and avoid getting stuck on the plateau, its important to constantly be learning. In this context, learning means both remembering and using what you&#8217;ve learned while also acquiring new and challenging vocabulary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The best way to learn French on your own is to constantly revise, test and practice. If you&#8217;re not going over what you&#8217;ve learned, it&#8217;ll likely fade from you memory as quickly as it was acquired.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start Reading<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading is one of the best ways to familiarize yourself with more complex sentences and new vocabulary. As we discussed previously, its important to engage with topics you enjoy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you enjoy cooking magazines, for example, pick up one in French. If you&#8217;re a fan of science fiction, opt for a book of this genre in French. As long as its written in French and its interesting to you, its a go.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Often Should You Read in French?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, you should commit to <strong>reading French for 15-30 minutes per day<\/strong>. Depending on the other work you&#8217;re putting in, this could certainly be scaled up or down. The most important thing here is that you&#8217;re using reading time to practice your vocabulary.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Reading to expand your vocabulary<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to write down words and phrases that you haven&#8217;t previously encountered. It&#8217;s especially important to be aware of expressions and ideas that are relevant to your personal life. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re an artist, for example, a history book about Monet might offer some helpful terms regarding your profession, which you can use to talk about yourself in conversation. Since you&#8217;ve already chosen a topic that interests you, this should come naturally!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of each week, take time to review these new terms and test yourself on them. Slowly rotate old cards out as you add new cards to the deck \u2013 this will ensure you&#8217;re always reviewing new and old content at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Staying focused<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You might be tempted to use your smartphone or computer to look words up. Don&#8217;t! Your smartphone doesn&#8217;t know how to learn French on your own. Instead, the best way to learn French is to truly, deeply focus. If you&#8217;re constantly checking your phone you will get distracted and your learning will be less effective. This is true even if you&#8217;re trying to look up something in French amidst reading and testing. Stick to the books and you&#8217;ll get results much faster.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading aloud<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you expand your vocabulary, it\u2019s important to practice speaking words and phrases aloud. If this is your first time speaking French, the accent will likely feel clunky and strange in your mouth \u2013 that\u2019s normal. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jonathan explains that it\u2019s important to accept the fact that you won\u2019t be perfect outright. Worrying too much about the French u, the French r, and those pesky silent final consonants, for example, can cause frustration. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In turn, this frustration can become an excuse for not practicing your French speaking. To make sure you don\u2019t get caught up in this initial challenge, \u201cfocus first on simple effective communication and not on perfection\u201d Jonathan says.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Test Yourself<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If there&#8217;s one essential tip for how to learn French on your own, its essential to test yourself. Flashcards are a helpful (and free) way to memorize new words quickly and efficiently. Each batch of flash cards should include words and phrases related to a common theme or idea. This gives the words context, which reinforces their meaning for better recall later on.<\/p>\n<p>As you&#8217;re working to review what you&#8217;ve learned, remember: there&#8217;s no such thing as perfect. Focus on trying to get the ideas right and express yourself.<\/p>\n<p>Flash cards are best reviewed for about 15-20 minutes per day. You can do this all at once if you&#8217;re feeling ambitious. But, you can also break it up into short 5-minute sessions so your brain stays sharp.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1205\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/friends-1209740_1920.jpg\" alt=\"best way to learn french\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/friends-1209740_1920.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/friends-1209740_1920-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/friends-1209740_1920-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/friends-1209740_1920-1024x683.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a id=\"using-french\"><\/a>Step 3: Using French in Everyday Life\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its now time to start incorporating even more French into your daily life. The first step? Conversing in French.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Time commitment for step 3: 6-12 months<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to learn French on your own? Talk, talk talk!<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">French conversation is key for helping you\u00a0flex your listening muscles while exploring advanced dialogue. Speaking with other people about their lives and interests will also expose you to new vocabulary you haven\u2019t encountered before. From where they were born to what they do for fun, new people open up an infinite world of possibility. (Your grammar book and textbook will certainly come in handy here).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Do you know what else speaking in French can help you with? <em>C<\/em><em>onfidence.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sure, you won&#8217;t be perfect at first, but who cares. Speaking often is the only way you&#8217;ll become confident enough to navigate French conversation and make your way around a new city.<\/p>\n<p>So where can you find a French speaking partner? One of the best resources out there today is called Meetup. This app brings together people from all over a city or region to engage in French speaking practice. Meeting people in person isn&#8217;t as scary as you might think.<\/p>\n<p>Remember: they&#8217;re all in the same position. Everyone just wants to practice their French with new and encouraging friends.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;re not able to meet up with people in real life \u2013 or you&#8217;d rather not \u2013 the internet is filled with French speakers who are ready to chat and practice. You might also find a language exchange, where you can help someone with their English and they can help you with your French.<\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not ready to talk yet? Improve your French writing skills<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Conversing in French requires another person, and you can&#8217;t always have a French speaker by your side 24\/7. Speaking can also be stressful and overwhelming at times. The next best option to work on your production skills to practice writing in French.<\/p>\n<p>Resources like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thegreattranslationgame.com\/languages\/french\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Great Translation Game<\/a> allow you to practice your French writing skills in a stress-free environment and get immediate feedback. You simply select or upload any text you&#8217;d like, read through it in French with English translations (or whatever base language you choose), then work through it again translating from the English back into French. You know what you&#8217;re writing is correct as long as you&#8217;re using native level content, for example news articles from Le Monde, and you&#8217;re learning vocab you&#8217;ll need since you&#8217;re using resources you&#8217;re interested in.<\/p>\n<p>Practicing writing in French is a great way to improve your recall and production skills, skills that will carry over to speaking. It&#8217;s also a great way to rapidly expand your vocab and start thinking more in French.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">French thought patterns<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>E<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ven when you can&#8217;t converse with someone or you&#8217;re not in front of a computer to practice writing, you can still be practicing the language in your mind. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, you can be making comments on the world around you in French. You can describe people and places, or pretend what you might say to a person on the street. Pretend you&#8217;re lost \u2013 ask for directions in your head. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thinking in French is an essential part of becoming fluent. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite how easy this strategy seems, its often overlooked by people who are learning French on their own. Speaking French in your head also makes French thought patterns a habit, which is a subtle yet powerful way to get more French into your head.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immerse Yourself in French Culture<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Next stop? Living the life of a true French person. From watching TV to listening to music, there are many ways this can be accomplished.<\/p>\n<p>As we&#8217;ve discussed, its important to find a medium that works for you. If you&#8217;re a total movie buff, don&#8217;t overlook the power of French cinema. If you&#8217;re a music nerd, opt for that. We&#8217;ve covered a variety of ways that you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/ways-learn-french-free\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">learn French for free<\/a>, and that post is filled with everything from TV shows to podcasts.<\/p>\n<p>Another way to surround yourself with French culture is to find events in your community. Is there a French alliance or community center? How about a French class putting on a play in French at the local university? Surrounding yourself in the language and culture will further reinforce key ideas and words in your mind.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make lifestyle changes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Making lifestyle changes sounds difficult \u2013 but it is in fact quite easy.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few simple changes you can make in order to add more French to your daily life:<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Put your computer and phone in French mode<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>This will help you by making French more familiar. It&#8217;ll also help you get accommodated to French technology terms and will add more vocabulary to your day.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch apps to French language<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Also be sure to set your news and weather apps to French regions, no matter where you are in the world. Setting your browser features to French will also expose you to current events and news in the French world.<\/p>\n<p>Instead of seeing English headlines, you&#8217;ll be exposed to French ones. Rather than reading news about the English-speaking world, you&#8217;ll learn the issues and people that are driving conversation in the French world.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access lifestyle advice in French<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>If you&#8217;re like most people, you rely on the internet to access recipes, cooking tips, fitness videos, and more. These aspects of your lifestyle guide everyday decisions \u2013 so why not take this advice in French?<\/p>\n<p>We recommend using apps like Pinterest and YouTube in French so that you can get exposure to more casual language describing everyday lifestyles.<\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Conclusion: How to Learn French on Your Own <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;ve reached the end of this article, congrats! You&#8217;ve just taken a very important step towards understanding how to learn French on your own. It certainly won&#8217;t be easy \u2013 and there&#8217;s no one-size-fits-all approach to the language learning process that&#8217;ll work best for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Attitude Matters\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>At the end of the day, when looking for the best way to learn French, it&#8217;s important to find something that is simple and enjoyable for you. When it feels like a chore, or like homework, you&#8217;ll be less inclined to get the work done. And since you&#8217;re the one holding yourself accountable, its important to maintain a positive attitude and a motivated mindset.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ready to jumpstart your French self-study? Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\">Clozemaster<\/a> &#8211; thousands of sentences, grammar practice, and more!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Having a rigid classroom structure is a great way to learn French for some people \u2013 but its not for everyone. In fact, many people prefer to learn languages entirely on their own. If you\u2019ve dreamed about becoming a fluent, self-taught French speaker, here&#8217;s how to learn French on your own. A Guide for Self-Taught &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.clozemaster.com\/blog\/how-to-learn-french-on-your-own\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How to Learn French on Your Own (in Less Than a Year)<\/span>Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-learn-french"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Learn French on Your Own [In Less Than a Year]<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you&#039;re wondering how to learn French on your own, follow our tips for setting goals, finding resources, and speaking your way fluently 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