The 80/20 guide to 2X your French in 10 minutes a day

French conversation, like food, is at the heart of French culture. All franco-
philes should integrate learning the language along with appreciating the
customs. Or you’ll miss out on half of the culture, and a good laugh.

You’re reading this, so I know you’re already trying to learn. And that’s
good. But maybe you’re too scared to speak French. For fear of hesita-
tion, mistakes and/or making a fool of yourself. Bad news: that will happen,
good news though: we’ve all been there and no one cares. Promise.

My first goal for today is in the title: the importance of speaking French.
Not “speaking perfect French” or “speaking English because it’s easier.”
Speaking French. With all your grammar errors and your lack of vocabulary
thrown in.

French people love their language so it’s good you show that you’re try-
ing. They’ll appreciate the fact that you’re speaking it, even just 10 words,
instead of speaking English straight away. They hate that some tourists
assume they speak English. So, it takes confidence to speak French but it
is totally worth it. Instead of having your self-esteem shattered by a brain-
freeze or a lack of vocabulary, here are simple ways to boost it, so you can
practice for real.

Respect the cultural rules around French conversation and you’ll be

rewarded.

How to have a conversation in French,

according to your level
Now that you know how important speaking French is, let’s see what’s
expected of you; according to your level.

Always remember that people like to hear what they expect to hear. This
means 99% of the time, it’s everyday words they use all the time. Not com-
plicated grammar or 18th century vocabulary you learned in books.

For example, if you said to me, “Hello Géraldine” and I answered, “Good
morrow to you, fair and gracious friend.” You’d be surprised. Same here.
Language evolves fast, so learn the basics of modern spoken French and
you’re good to go.
6
The 80/20 guide to 2X your French in 10 minutes a day

Complete beginners: If you speak zero French, focus on greetings first:

Bonjour, bonsoir, bonne journée, bonne soirée, s’il vous plait, merci and
excusez-moi. Then be frank: “Je ne parle pas très bien français. Est-ce que
vous parlez anglais ?”

Intermediate: If you learned French at school, move quickly to the “scripts”

that French people use all the time. They’re not complicated, they’re just
not in your books. For example, at the bakery:

—— Bonjour, je vais vous prendre une baguette, s’il vous plait.

—— Et avec ceci ?

—— Ce sera tout merci.

—— Ça fera 1 ¤.

—— Et voilà. Merci. Bonne journée.

—— Bonne journée.

THAT’S IT! You just passed for a local. At least as someone who’s inter-
ested in French, in France and cares enough to speak just like the natives
do. You’ll instantly become the rockstar of the quartier (neighborhood).

Advanced: To boost your confidence, learn a couple of very colloquial

French phrases your friends will be surprised you know. Answer “Comme
un lundi” (litterally : “Like a Monday”) to a friend asking “comment ça va ?”
(on a Monday of course). They’ll see you with new eyes and your mistakes
won’t matter ever again.

A very important aspect of French conversation that most learners miss

is that the tone of a conversation is the indicator of the level of close-
ness between two people. Listen to the tone of voice, the vocabulary, the
grammar structures and you’ll know if they’re close friends or just acquain-
tances. I told you conversation was essential in French culture.