Start here: your first week in French
On day one, keep it light and winsome. Focus on greetings, your name, numbers 0–20, and how to ask for repetition. Learn from audio first, then read. This gives your ear a map before spelling complicates things. Record yourself to hear progress from the very beginning.
Adopt tiny, daily goals. As a beginner, consistency beats intensity. Five mini sessions in a day often work better than one long stretch. Your first victories: saying Bonjour naturally, introducing yourself, and understanding tu vs vous in polite situations.
- Learn: Bonjour, Salut, Au revoir, Merci
- Introduce yourself: Je m’appelle…, Je suis…
- Numbers 0–20 and tu vs vous basics
Pronunciation and phrases that carry you
French pronunciation looks tricky, but a few rules unlock most words. Aim for clean vowels (u vs ou), soft final consonants, and gentle sentence stress. Practice nasal sounds (an, on, in) and liaison where words link. Shadow short audio: speak along, matching rhythm and melody.
Pack a small phrase toolkit you can deploy anywhere. Useful starters include Bonjour, Je m’appelle…, Je voudrais…, Parlez-vous anglais ?, and Désolé, je débute. Learn phrases as chunks, not word by word. This helps your speaking feel natural and speeds up learning from day one.
- Shadow 5–10 lines of slow audio
- Mark silent letters and liaisons
- Practice polite requests with Je voudrais
Grammar building blocks for beginners
Keep grammar friendly and practical. Start with articles and gender: un/une, le/la/les. Pair every new noun with its article from the start. Learn the present tense of ĂŞtre (to be), avoir (to have), and regular -er verbs like parler, aimer, and habiter for instant sentences.
Word order mirrors English more than you think: Subject–Verb–Object. Negation wraps the verb: ne… pas (often just pas in casual speech). Build mini patterns you can swap: Je suis étudiant, Je parle un peu, Je n’habite pas ici. Those patterns power your beginner course.
- Articles + nouns together: la table, le livre
- Core verbs: ĂŞtre, avoir, -er verbs
- Negation: ne… pas around the verb
A simple one-hour study plan (free)
Use this Level 1 plan to learn efficiently in one focused hour. You can split it into two 30-minute blocks. Combine audio, reading, and speaking so every skill grows together. Keep a stopwatch, a notebook, and a free PDF checklist to track wins and keep momentum.
Plan: 10 min review (yesterday’s phrases), 15 min audio shadowing, 15 min vocab with spaced repetition, 10 min grammar drills, 10 min speaking prompts. Pull materials from free sources: beginner podcasts, public-domain texts, YouTube lessons, and printable pdf word lists that match your course.
- 10 min: quick review and read aloud
- 15 min: shadow slow French audio
- 15 min: vocab SRS from a themed deck
Grow vocabulary and confidence fast
Choose themes that match your life: introductions, food, directions, travel, time, and shopping. Learn 12–20 high-frequency words per theme, then practice short dialogues. Build from phrases to flexible patterns: Je voudrais…, Où est…, Combien ça coûte ?, J’aimerais…, Je ne comprends pas bien.
Recycle words across contexts to lock them in. Speak early and often, even if imperfect. Keep a tiny wins log: minutes studied, lines shadowed, phrases used. If you like structure, follow a free Level 1 course and print a weekly pdf tracker to stay accountable.
- Study by themes, not random lists
- Turn phrases into reusable patterns
- Track progress with a weekly PDF
FAQ
- How long to reach A1 from zero with one hour a day?
- Plan for 6–8 weeks, around 40–60 hours. Consistency and daily speaking practice move you fastest toward beginner A1.
- Is one hour a day enough for beginners?
- Yes. One focused hour works if you mix listening, speaking, reading, and quick grammar. Short bonus sessions help.
- Where can I find free resources or a PDF for Level 1?
- Use free podcasts, open courses, YouTube lessons, and public-domain readers. Print a beginner checklist PDF and phrase sheet.
- Do I need grammar first or phrases first?
- Blend both. Learn phrases as chunks, then layer light grammar. Patterns make rules stick without slowing your learning.
- Is Canadian French different from European French for beginners?
- Core grammar and vocabulary match. Any beginner course works. Later, adjust accent and slang from your target region.