Learning a language

Learning a language online or in a real classroom? Both options have their advantages. The right choice depends on your schedule, your personality and your goal.

The advantages of online classes

No travelling, flexible hours, the chance to go over a lesson again or slow down a video. Online classes suit people who work, parents, and those who live far from a town. They let you progress at your own pace.

The drawbacks

Alone in front of a screen, you need a lot of self-discipline. And you may not speak much. If you choose to learn online, plan some time for speaking: video calls with a teacher, language exchanges.

The advantages of face-to-face classes

The group motivates you, the teacher corrects your pronunciation straight away, and you speak more. The informal chats before and after the class count too: they are often the first real conversations.

The drawbacks

Fixed times, travelling, sometimes a group whose level does not quite match yours, and a cost that is often higher.

Questions to ask yourself

• How much time can I spend each week, and when?
• Do I need a set structure to practise regularly?
• Is my goal to speak, to pass an exam or to read?
• What is my budget, and which free resources can I use as well?

Why not both?

Many learners combine the two: online resources for vocabulary and listening, and face-to-face time to speak. Before paying for a course, check what is included and the cancellation terms, and be wary of promises of very fast results.

Frequently asked questions

Are online classes as effective as face-to-face ones?

They can be, as long as you study regularly and plan time to speak.

Which format suits someone who is short of time?

Online classes, with short and frequent sessions, are often easier to keep up.

What should I check before paying for a course?

What is included, the number of hours, the cancellation terms, and that there are no unrealistic promises.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

Some people remember things better by reading, others by listening, and others by speaking or writing. There is no single right method for learning a language: the best one is the one you follow with enjoyment and regularity.

Notice what works for you

For two weeks, write down what stays in your head: a word you read, a sentence you heard, an expression you used in a conversation? You will soon see which channel works best for you. But do not give up the others: learning through several channels is still the most solid approach.

If you like reading and writing

Keep a small vocabulary notebook, read easy texts, write a few sentences every day. But remember to read aloud too, so that you do not neglect speaking.

If you like listening

Podcasts, songs, audiobooks, radio: your ear is your best ally. Add the transcript when there is one, to link the sounds to the written words.

If you like speaking

Look for language exchanges, talk to yourself, describe your day out loud. Then write down the words you were missing. Our tips for speaking will be useful.

If you need structure

A step-by-step textbook, a written schedule and precise goals will suit you. Preparing for a language exam can also give you this framework.

Depending on your lifestyle

Short of time? Aim for short, frequent sessions. Difficulties with reading or concentrating? Focus on audio and small steps. What matters is to progress at your own pace, without comparing yourself to others.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a best method for learning a language?

No: the best method is the one that suits you and that you follow regularly.

How can I find out how I learn best?

For a few weeks, notice what you remember most easily: what you read, hear or say.

Should I stick to just one learning style?

No. Start from what works for you, but keep a little of each skill so that you make balanced progress.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

Almost everyone starts a language with enthusiasm. The hard part is keeping going after three weeks, when the novelty has worn off and progress seems slow. Motivation is not a gift: you build it, with a few simple habits.

Know why you are learning

Write down your reason in one sentence: talking with your family, passing a language exam, travelling, finding a job. A concrete reason lasts longer than a vague "it would be nice". Read it again on days when you do not feel like it.

Set yourself small goals

"Speaking fluently" is too far away to motivate you. Choose short, measurable goals instead: learn twenty words this week, watch an episode without subtitles this month, order in a restaurant on your next trip. Each goal you reach is a small victory that makes you want to carry on.

Create a daily ritual

Link the language to a habit you already have: ten minutes of vocabulary cards with your coffee, a podcast on public transport, one sentence written before you go to sleep. Doing it regularly matters more than how long you spend. Spaced repetition fits very well into this kind of ritual.

See your progress

Keep a record: a notebook, a calendar where you tick off each day, recordings of your voice made a month apart. Seeing how far you have come is one of the best cures for discouragement.

Enjoy learning

Choose content you love: songs, series, recipes, sport, the news. Learning online is exactly what lets you progress at your own pace, with topics that suit you.

Accept the off days

A missed day does not wipe anything out. What matters is starting again the next day, without feeling guilty. Over a year, it is the small, repeated sessions that make the difference.

Frequently asked questions

How can I stay motivated to learn a language?

With a clear reason, small measurable goals, a short daily ritual and a visible record of your progress.

How long should I study each day?

Fifteen to thirty minutes, done regularly, is enough to make progress. Doing it regularly matters more than how long you spend.

What can I do when I no longer feel like it?

Read your reason for learning again, go back to something you enjoy (a song, a series) and aim for a very small goal that you can reach the same day.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

A language exam such as IELTS, TOEFL or the DELF (a French language diploma) does not only measure your level: it also measures your ability to understand the test itself. Many candidates lose marks not because they lack vocabulary, but because they discover the format on the day itself. Here is a simple method in five steps.

1. Know the test before you study

Start by reading the official description of the exam on the website of the organisation that awards it: number of parts, length, types of questions, marking scheme. IELTS, for example, assesses four skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. For each part, write down what is expected: a summary, a letter, a reasoned opinion, a conversation.

2. Take a mock test right at the start

Take an official practice test in real exam conditions, with a timer. This first score is not a grade: it is a map. It shows you which skill costs you the most marks, and that is the one to work on first.

3. Practise a little every day

Thirty minutes a day is better than five hours on Sunday. Alternate: one day listening (podcasts, the news), one day reading (newspaper articles), one day writing. For vocabulary, spaced repetition is the most effective method: it makes you review each word just before you forget it.

4. Work on time management

Time is often the real enemy. Practise reading the questions before the text, leaving a difficult question to come back to later, and keeping a few minutes to check your work. In the writing test, count your words: a text that is too short can be penalised.

5. Speak out loud, even on your own

Many candidates are afraid of the speaking test. The only solution: speak. Record yourself answering simple questions (your town, your job, a memory), then listen back. Our tips on improving your speaking will help you gain confidence.

The day before the exam

Do not learn anything new. Read through your notes, check the time, the place and the documents you need, and get some sleep. Stress goes down when everything is planned. And remember: motivation is built on small victories, not on a single day.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to prepare for IELTS or TOEFL?

It depends on your starting level and the score you are aiming for. First take an official mock test: the gap between that score and the score required will tell you whether you need a few weeks or several months.

Can I prepare for a language exam on my own?

Yes, with official practice tests, a regular schedule and a little speaking practice. A teacher helps most with writing and speaking, where an outside view is valuable.

What is the most common mistake?

Discovering the format of the test on the day of the exam. Doing at least one full mock test in real conditions avoids this nasty surprise.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

Understanding a language and speaking it are two different things. Many learners understand well, but freeze as soon as they have to speak: fear of making mistakes, of their accent, of what other people think. Good news: speaking can be trained like a muscle. Here are six practical tips.

1. Learn whole phrases

Instead of building every sentence word by word, memorise ready-made chunks: "Could you repeat that, please?", "I'm looking for…", "What I mean is…". They save you time and make you sound more at ease. Review them with spaced repetition.

2. Talk to yourself, out loud

Describe what you are doing while you cook, talk about your day while you walk. Nobody is judging you, and your mouth gets used to the sounds of the language. It is free practice that you can do every day.

3. Record yourself and listen back

Record one minute on your phone, on a simple topic. Listen back to yourself: you will notice where you hesitate and which words are missing. Do it again the next day on the same topic: you will hear your progress, and that is very motivating.

4. Imitate, sentence by sentence

Choose a short audio clip with its text. Listen to one sentence, press pause, then repeat it, copying the rhythm and the intonation. This technique, often called shadowing, greatly improves pronunciation.

5. Accept mistakes

The person you are talking to is trying to understand you, not to correct you. A sentence with a mistake that gets the message across is better than perfect silence. Mistakes are part of learning, and your motivation grows with every successful conversation.

6. Find real chances to speak

Language exchanges, language cafés, calls with a friend from abroad, trips: look for situations where you need the language. Before you leave on a trip, prepare the most common situations with our guide learning a language for travel.

Frequently asked questions

How can I get over the fear of speaking a foreign language?

By speaking on your own first, then with a kind person. Recording yourself and hearing your progress really helps you gain confidence.

Is my accent a problem?

No, as long as people understand you. Imitating sentence by sentence (shadowing) improves pronunciation, but the goal is to be understood, not to lose your accent completely.

How long should I practise speaking each day?

A few minutes out loud every day gives better results than one long session a week.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

You learn ten words on Monday, and by Friday only two are left? That is normal: memory quickly forgets what it does not see again. Spaced repetition starts from this fact and turns it into a method: review each word at the right time, just before you forget it.

The principle: the forgetting curve

At the end of the nineteenth century, the German psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus showed that we forget new information very quickly, then more and more slowly each time we review it. The practical conclusion: it is better to review a word several times, at longer and longer intervals, than to repeat it twenty times on the same day.

How to do it with simple cards

Take some paper cards: the foreign word on one side, the meaning and an example sentence on the other. Put them in three boxes:

• Box 1: new words or words you got wrong, to review every day;
• Box 2: words you got right once, to review every three days;
• Box 3: words you know well, to review every week.

A card you get right moves forward one box; a card you get wrong goes back to box 1. That is all. Free flashcard apps, such as Anki, do this calculation for you.

Cards that really work

Put a whole sentence rather than a single word: you remember a word better in context. Add a picture or a personal memory. And choose words that are useful to you: words from your job, your travels, your hobbies. If you are preparing for a trip, start with the phrases in our article learning a language for travel.

Mistakes to avoid

Making too many cards at once (twenty new ones a day is plenty), skipping days and then trying to catch up on everything, or never saying the words out loud. Saying the word as you review it also helps you find it when you speak: it is a first step towards more fluent speaking.

How much time a day?

Ten to fifteen minutes is enough, as long as you do it regularly. It is a small ritual that is easy to keep up, on public transport or with your morning coffee, and it is often what makes the difference before a language exam.

Frequently asked questions

What is spaced repetition?

A method where you review information at longer and longer intervals, just before you forget it, to fix it in your long-term memory.

How many new words should I learn each day?

Around ten to twenty is enough. Beyond that, the reviews become too heavy and you lose heart.

Do I need an app?

No: three boxes and paper cards work very well. A free app such as Anki simply works out the review dates for you.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

In many jobs, a foreign language makes everyday work easier: talking with clients, reading documentation, taking part in a meeting. Good news: the language you need at work is often more limited and more predictable than everyday language.

Start from your real situations

List what you need to do in the language: answer emails, make phone calls, present a product, understand instructions. Learn the vocabulary and phrases for these situations first, with spaced repetition.

Emails

Keep a collection of set phrases: for greeting, asking, following up, thanking and closing. Reuse them: a clear professional email is better than a complicated text.

Meetings and phone calls

Prepare a few phrases to speak up, ask for clarification or rephrase. On the phone, do not hesitate to ask people to repeat, or to ask for written confirmation. Our tips for speaking will help you find the courage.

Showing your level on a CV

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) describes six levels, from A1 to C2. Writing "English B2" is clearer than "good level". If you have passed a recognised exam, mention it, with the date. Our tips on preparing for a language exam can help you get this proof.

French is a foreign language too

For people arriving in France, French for work is often the priority: job vocabulary, official paperwork, conversations with colleagues. The same methods apply.

Making progress over time

A little every day, concrete goals ("lead a fifteen-minute meeting") and tracking your progress: that is what keeps your motivation going when work already takes up a lot of your time.

Frequently asked questions

How should I show my language level on a CV?

Use the CEFR levels (from A1 to C2), and mention a recognised exam if you have passed one.

Where should I start with business English?

With the real situations in your job: emails, phone calls, meetings, technical vocabulary.

How long does it take to feel comfortable at work?

It depends on your starting level and on how much you practise. Focusing on the situations in your own job saves a lot of time.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

A language is not just a set of words and rules. It carries a culture: a way of greeting, joking, thanking and saying no. Learning both together avoids many misunderstandings, and makes learning much more lively.

Politeness changes from one country to another

Using the informal or the formal "you", saying "no" directly or in a roundabout way, greeting with a handshake, a kiss on the cheek or a slight bow: these codes are part of the language. Knowing them helps you say the right thing, not just say it correctly.

Expressions that cannot be translated

Every language has its own images: in French, it "rains ropes" (il pleut des cordes); in English, it is raining "cats and dogs". These expressions tell a story and show a way of seeing things. Write them down in a notebook: they add colour to your language.

Learn through what you love

Music, cinema, cooking, sport, literature, traditional festivals: start from your passions. A recipe read in its original language, a song whose lyrics you finally understand… culture is the best fuel for motivation.

Understanding humour

Humour is often the last thing you understand in a language, because it relies on cultural references. Understanding a joke is a real sign of progress.

When travelling

Respecting local customs often makes more of an impression than perfect grammar. Find out about them before you leave: our tips on learning a language for travel will help you.

Broadening your outlook

Discovering another culture also helps you understand your own better. It is one of the finest things that learning a language brings (see also what a language changes in your life).

Frequently asked questions

Why learn about the culture at the same time as the language?

Because politeness, humour and expressions depend on the culture: knowing them avoids misunderstandings.

How can I discover a country's culture from home?

Through music, cinema, food, the press and conversations with people from that country.

Are idioms essential?

Not at the beginning, but they help a lot with understanding conversations and speaking naturally.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

People rarely learn a language with just one tool. Someone who only reads understands texts but freezes when speaking; someone who only listens to podcasts understands but does not dare to write. Combining several channels — listening, reading, writing and speaking — leads to more solid and more balanced progress.

Why several channels work better

A word you see in writing, then hear in a song, then say out loud, leaves several traces in your memory. Each new encounter strengthens the previous ones. This is also why spaced repetition works better when you read the word and say it.

The four skills, and what they bring

• Listening: getting your ear used to the rhythm and the pronunciation.
• Reading: building your vocabulary and seeing grammar in action.
• Writing: organising your thoughts and fixing structures in your mind.
• Speaking: making all of this usable in real life.

An example of a balanced week

Monday, a podcast for learners; Tuesday, a short newspaper article; Wednesday, five sentences written about your day; Thursday, the same story told out loud and recorded; Friday, an episode of a series with subtitles in the language you are learning. Every day, a few minutes with vocabulary cards. This routine is easy to keep up when you learn online, at your own pace.

Linking the channels together

The most effective approach is to work on the same content through several channels: listen to a song, read its lyrics, write down three expressions, then sing them or reuse them in a sentence. The content becomes familiar, and you dare to speak more.

Do not do everything at once

Multi-channel does not mean everything at the same time. A short, regular session is better than an over-ambitious programme dropped after ten days: motivation feeds on regular practice.

Frequently asked questions

What is multi-channel learning?

It means working on a language in several ways: listening, reading, writing and speaking, ideally using the same content.

Should I work on all four skills every day?

No. You can spread them over the week, with a few minutes of vocabulary every day.

Which skill should I work on first?

The one you need most: listening to understand, speaking to travel, writing for an exam.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

A challenge turns learning into a game: it gives you a clear goal, an end date and the satisfaction of succeeding. Here are some ideas for simple challenges that you can adapt to your level.

The 30-day challenge

Choose just one action and do it every day for thirty days: five new words, ten minutes of listening, one written sentence. Tick off each day on a calendar. Watching the chain of crosses grow longer is very motivating (see our tips on motivation).

A diary in a foreign language

Write three sentences a day about your day. At first, they will be simple; after a month, you will be surprised when you read the first pages again.

One film or episode a week

Choose a film or an episode in the language you are learning and write down three new expressions. The following month, try watching without subtitles.

The speaking challenge

Record yourself speaking for one minute a day for a week, on a different topic each day. Listen again to the first and the last recordings: you will soon notice the difference. Our tips for speaking will help you along the way.

The vocabulary challenge

Learn all the words for a subject you enjoy: cooking, football, gardening. With spaced repetition, twenty words a week become eighty in a month.

Choosing the right challenges

A good challenge is short, precise and realistic. It is better to complete a small challenge than to give up on a big one. Taking on a challenge with other people, in a group of learners, adds even more motivation.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 30-day language challenge?

Doing one small action every day for thirty days, for example learning five words or listening for ten minutes.

Which challenge should I choose as a beginner?

A very simple one: a few words a day, or a short listening session every day.

What should I do if I miss a day?

Carry on the next day, without starting all over again. What matters is being regular over time.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

Many learners know more than they think. What holds them back is not vocabulary, but fear: fear of looking silly, of their accent, of not finding the right word. The good news is that confidence can be built, step by step.

See mistakes differently

A mistake is not a failure: it is proof that you are trying. Even native speakers make mistakes. The person you are talking to is trying to understand you, not to give you a mark.

Start where you feel comfortable

First speak on your own, out loud, then record yourself, then talk with a kind person, and finally speak in real situations. Each step prepares you for the next one. Our six tips for speaking describe this path in detail.

Prepare your sentences

Before a call or a meeting, prepare three or four key sentences. Knowing how to start and how to ask someone to repeat is very reassuring.

Write down your successes

A conversation, a film you understood, a message written without a dictionary: write them down. Reading these small victories again on days of doubt helps you keep your motivation.

Compare yourself with yourself

Comparing your level with other people's is discouraging. Compare yourself with yourself three months ago: it is the only fair comparison, and it almost always shows progress.

Find a supportive setting

Exchanges between learners, where everyone helps each other, are often more reassuring than a classroom. Learning within a community of learners lets you practise without pressure.

Frequently asked questions

How can I stop being afraid of speaking a foreign language?

By going step by step: speak on your own, record yourself, talk with a kind person, then speak in real life.

Do mistakes stop people from understanding you?

Rarely. Most mistakes do not stop your message from getting through.

How can I measure my progress?

By comparing yourself with yourself over time, for example with recordings made a few months apart.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.

You do not need to be fluent to travel well. A few dozen well-chosen phrases, said with a smile, completely change the experience: you make yourself understood, you put people at ease, and local people appreciate the effort. Here is how to prepare the essentials in a few weeks.

Polite phrases first

Hello, thank you, please, excuse me, goodbye: these are the words you will say most often. In many countries, saying them in the local language opens doors. Add "I don't speak … well" and "Do you speak English?": two phrases that will get you out of many situations.

Travel situations

Prepare a list of phrases for each moment: transport (a ticket to…, what time…), hotel (I have a booking), restaurant (the bill, I am allergic to…), directions (where is…), emergencies (I need help, call a doctor). Learn them with spaced repetition.

Numbers and prices

Understanding a price, a time, a platform number: numbers come up all the time. Practise hearing them, not just reading them, for example with videos of markets or station announcements.

Basic pronunciation

A few minutes spent understanding how the letters are read will save you many misunderstandings, especially in languages with a different writing system (Arabic, Russian, Thai, Chinese). Repeat out loud: our tips for daring to speak work perfectly for travel too.

Respect the culture

A language comes with customs: how to greet people, how to thank them, how to say no politely. Find out before you leave. This respect is often noticed, and it leads to wonderful encounters.

Once you are there

Keep a small notebook of phrases, write down the new words you hear each day, and do not be afraid of making mistakes. When they get home, many travellers want to carry on: it is the best time to learn the language online, at your own pace.

Frequently asked questions

How many phrases do I need to know to travel?

A few dozen are enough to get by: politeness, transport, hotel, restaurant, directions, numbers and emergencies.

How long does it take to prepare for a trip?

About four weeks of regular practice, around fifteen minutes a day, is enough to master the essentials.

Do I need to learn the alphabet of a language like Russian or Arabic?

It is not essential for a short stay, but recognising a few letters helps you read signs and street names.

Learning your partner's language

On the Passerelle, these tips serve a clear purpose: to better understand a supplier, a customer or a colleague in Vietnam, China, Thailand or France. A few phrases in their language build trust; for everything else, keep your writing simple: see writing to a foreign partner.

General advice, written for the Parlons Langues project and republished here by its author.

Originally published on Parlons langue.