10 practical reasons why you should learn French in Brussels

It’s true. You don’t have to learn French to live in Brussels. In fact, a lot of the city’s expats don’t speak or understand the language.

But not having to doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.

After all, in a city where 85% of the population speaks French, it’s the key to expanding your business and social circles and discovering your new home.

Whether you’re just passing through or planning a long-term move, learning French can transform your experience in Brussels. And in this article, I’m sharing 10 reasons why you should learn it!

1. You’ll integrate better at work

In a multilingual city like Brussels, French is a valuable asset that will help your career - even if you work in English.

It will allow you to follow what’s being said in meetings and help you boost morale and connect with your colleagues and team members.

Let’s face it, learning the language isn’t just about mastering words and phrases. It’s also about understanding the culture of your host city and the people around you.

And since many communication problems stem from a lack of cultural understanding, making the effort to explore your host culture will help you settle into the workplace much quicker.

2. You’ll meet new people

…Outside of the Brussels Bubble.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you shouldn’t befriend other expats. But wouldn’t it be nice to experience the place you’re living through a different, more authentic lens?

By learning French in Brussels, you’ll open yourself up to a city of potential friends and new experiences.

Thinking you can meet the locals using English? Sure, you might have some luck.

But take it from me: although most of us speak a good level of English, we don’t always want to use it - especially after quelques Duvels. ;)

3. You’ll become a boss of Belgian bureaucracy

Besides waffles, frites and beer, Belgium is famous for one not-so-fun thing: bureaucracy.

If you’ve already moved to Brussels, you probably know it involves a lot of paperwork. And because our government departments can only use the official language of the area in which they’re located, that paperwork is all in French.

To complicate things a bit more, civil servants are often required to reply in that language, even if they can speak English!

Of course, you could ask a local friend to translate, but do you really want to rely on them at every bureaucratic hurdle?

That brings us to the next reason for learning French in Brussels…

4. You’ll gain independence

One of the hardest parts of moving to a new country is having to learn everything all over again.

Suddenly simple tasks like visiting the supermarket, going to the bank or answering the phone feel like huge scary challenges.

Learning at least a little bit of French will help you overcome that anxiety quicker and mean you can stop throwing the phone to your colleague every time it rings.

In short, it will give you back your independence and make Brussels feel more like home.

5. You’ll be able to network

If networking is part of your job, then there is no better place than Brussels - aka the heart of Europe.

Unlike Paris, you don’t have to speak French to get the most out of professional events here. But, of course, we’ll appreciate it if you do!

If you can at least start a conversation in French, you can meet people you’d never have the chance to chat with otherwise.

Don’t worry! You don’t have to be fluent, bilingual or even able to speak for five minutes to do this. Simply introducing yourself can be enough to break the ice and show that you’re making an effort to integrate.

This is why Brussels is a great place to learn French - we just appreciate that you want to speak our language!

6. You’ll be able to travel with confidence

Although around 55% of the Belgian population can speak English conversationally, you can’t rely on the language everywhere you go.

Even in Brussels, English is only widely spoken in the touristy downtown areas. So, if you want to venture beyond the city centre or explore the picturesque region of Wallonia, French will get you much further.

7. You’ll keep up with your loved ones

Perhaps you’ve moved to Brussels with your family, and your kids are attending school here. Or maybe you have a French-speaking partner who wants you to meet their friends.

Either way, getting to grips with some basic French will ensure you feel included in what’s going on around you.

Take my student as an example - when his partner’s friend exclaimed (in French) that she’d lost her phone at a party, he surprised himself and his partner by showing her where it was!

It might sound like nothing, but moments like these are so rewarding when you’re learning a new language.

Just imagine how it would feel to read your kids’ reports, chat with their teachers, or socialise with your partner’s friends without feeling like a spare part.

Plenty of my students have accomplished things like this, so I know you can too!

8. You’ll be able to explore the local culture

Come on - if you’re going to live in Brussels, you have to experience the local culture!

It might not be as famous as Paris or Prague, but the Belgian capital boasts a rich cultural heritage that most inhabitants love to explore.

Whether you like going to the theatre, the movies, art galleries or watching sports, you’ll soon realise that most entertainment is in French, so you’ll need to learn a bit to keep up.

A lot of my students start learning French to enrich their experience of Brussels by taking advantage of all it has to offer. Why not do the same!?

9. You’ll stay au fait with what’s going on

Sure, major stories will be broadcast on your chosen news outlet, but it’s unlikely that the BBC, ZDF or RTS will share updates on the hottest new spots in Brussels.

You can subscribe to the local expat publications, but there’s no guarantee they’ll publish the same stories your colleagues or local friends are talking about. And you don’t want to miss out on the office chat - especially as you start to understand what they’re saying!

10. You’ll feel more at home

Whether you’re moving to Brussels for five months or five years, you deserve to feel at home here.

That might mean reading the menu in your favourite restaurant en français...

Ordering un café au lait without stumbling over your words...

Surprising your colleague by laughing at a joke they make...

Or feeling completely confident when picking up the phone.

Whatever feeling at home means to you, I promise that learning French will help you settle into Brussels faster.

Still wondering whether you should learn French in Brussels? If you want to enrich your experience of the city and make your life here easier, it’s worth a try!

I’m here to help you get started. Book a call and let’s discuss the best path for you.