11 Practical Ways to Feel More Confident Speaking French
Every French learner I know has been there.
They’ve studied for hours and progressed well. They feel quite okay speaking to their teacher in the comfort of the classroom.
But then they try using French in public… and suddenly it’s like a barrier forms in their throats, and no words can come out.
If that sounds familiar, you may be relieved to know that there is definitely nothing wrong with you.
This situation is so common that it even has a name. It’s known as xenoglossophobia, and it’s the feeling of overwhelming nervousness about using a foreign language.
In some cases, it can be so overpowering that our brains release a stress signal that physically blocks us from speaking!
But the good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce this anxiety and build up your confidence when speaking French. And in this article, I’m sharing 10 things you can start doing right away.
Make sure you’re getting practise in class
Traditional French classes that are structured around the CEFR language levels are great for studying towards an exam, but they often lack the opportunity for practice.
That’s usually because they follow a set curriculum and the groups are quite big. They end up being teacher-led sessions, when really, as a language learner YOU want to be doing most of the talking.
As a result, many French learners finish their course feeling confident with reading, writing and listening… but still a little apprehensive about speaking.
A simple way to overcome that block is by switching to a language tutor who prioritises speaking once you’ve learned the basics (say, A1/A2 level).
Find people you feel comfortable speaking French with
Finding a safe environment where you feel supported and happy to speak is so important for building your confidence.
Because you have enough to think about when you’re speaking in a foreign language. You don’t also want to worry about what people think of you or whether you’re saying things correctly.
So, make it a priority to find French speakers you feel safe with. You could try attending a conversation club, finding a language partner or a friend you trust.
Just make sure to start speaking to your conversation partners in French from the beginning. It’s so much harder to switch languages once you’ve started building a relationship.
Listen to and read the language as often as you can
One of the scariest things about speaking French with native speakers is knowing whether or not you will understand the person’s reply.
Sometimes, this worry can stop you from even trying.
That’s where working on your listening skills is helpful. By tuning into French audiobooks, podcasts or YouTube channels, you can prepare for real-life situations - and full-speed French (eek!).
This also helps you subconsciously familiarise yourself with the natural sounds and flow of the language.
The same goes for reading. This may be a passive activity, but it allows you to recognise and absorb natural sentence patterns, see French vocabulary in context and improve your understanding of the grammar rules.
Not to mention, if you read aloud, you can improve your pronunciation and fluency!
Speak to yourself at home
If you’re super nervous about speaking to people in French, try getting into the habit of speaking to yourself around the house.
You could start by narrating your actions. For example:
“D’abord, je m’habille. Ensuite, je vais préparer mon déjeuner et manger mon petit-déjeuner. Après ça, je dois partir pour aller au travail.”
You can adapt what you say to your level, or the specific grammar you’re working on. And you’ll probably learn some new words as you go.
It will feel a bit strange at first, but I promise you’ll get used to it. You may even start to enjoy it!
Create a French alter-ego
Have you ever felt like your personality gets muted when you speak in French? I’ve certainly felt that way when speaking Italian!
It can be super frustrating to feel like the language barrier actually stops you from being yourself, making jokes or sharing your personal stories.
But instead of letting this get you down, try embracing it!
Research actually shows that it’s normal to adopt different personality traits in different languages. So perhaps you’re super funny in English, but a little more serious in French.
Accepting that you don’t have to be the exact same person in every language can give you more freedom to explore the language and adapt to the culture. And it can give you more confidence to speak because that person isn’t necessarily you.
Start speaking in small doses
Using French in real-world situations can be exhilarating, rewarding… and super overwhelming.
That’s why I recommend you start speaking just a little bit here and there. In other words, don’t suddenly force yourself to wake up and speak French for an entire day if you’ve never done that before.
Instead, try getting into the habit of doing one new thing in French each day. For example, you could start by ordering your coffee one day. Then ordering your coffee and greeting your colleagues the next day.
Setting yourself small, realistic goals will allow you to keep building up your speaking - and your confidence - day by day.
Try having natural conversations on topics you enjoy
I find that my students make the most progress when we give priority to topics they want to talk about. And I’m sure it will be the same for you!
Because they’re enjoying the conversation, they focus more on what they want to say, instead of how. This naturally helps them become more confident speakers and leads them to the point where they become fluent without even noticing it. It’s like magic!
I’ve noticed the same thing while studying Italian. If you’re already taking French classes try asking your teacher to give this method a try!
Learn to see mistakes as a positive thing
You know that negative situation our brains are protecting us from?
It’s usually the fear of mistakes.
But mistakes are actually a crucial part of the language learning process, especially when we’re speaking spontaneously.
Like anything, practise makes perfect. So, the more you speak and the more mistakes you make, the quicker you’ll develop your fluency and the sooner you’ll feel more confident speaking French.
And if that hasn’t quashed your nerves, know this: most French speakers just appreciate that you’re trying. They’re unlikely to point out if you get the gender of a noun wrong or say the wrong verb form.
But if they do? Remember that some people are just assholes. ;)
Related article: Can you learn French over 30?
Try speaking to strangers
There’s something very liberating about speaking to people you’ll probably never see again.
Unlike when you’re speaking with friends or colleagues, there’s no pressure to uphold a certain image, and it doesn’t really matter what they think of you - or if you make lots of mistakes.
Sure, it takes a little courage to start a conversation with someone you don’t know. But taking advantage of small opportunities like commenting on the weather, asking for directions or getting recommendations in a restaurant can make a BIG difference.
Stick to the French you know
As adults, we’re so used to expressing complex thoughts and telling stories in our native languages, that it can be tempting to try and do the same in French.
BUT BE WARNED! This is an easy way to make yourself feel bad.
Because if you’re trying to say more than your vocabulary and grammar allows, you may start to feel like your French isn’t so good after all.
So, make a conscious effort to stay within the limits of topics you know you can talk about. That way, you can enjoy your conversations and gradually build your fluency before pushing yourself to try more challenging phrases.
Force yourself to practise
Although these tips should help you become more confident with speaking French, the truth is that there is no shortcut or silly hack to fluency.
If you want to speak French, you need to, well, speak French.
I know that’s easier said than done. So, if the thought of even ordering your morning coffee is a lot right now, then set yourself a small speaking goal and reward yourself for achieving it.
The hardest thing is starting, so the sooner you can climb over that hurdle, the sooner you’ll feel comfortable speaking to people in French.
And if all else fails, try putting yourself in situations where you HAVE to speak the language. Like getting a restaurant job, befriending someone who doesn’t speak English or moving deep into the countryside.
Bonne chance!
Looking for a language tutor to help you get more confident speaking French?
My conversation classes offer a safe environment where you can practise your speaking skills with absolutely no pressure - and a lot of fun! Click here to learn more.
