Learning French is going to really open you new doors when it comes to travel.
I mean, not only do you get more places to visit, it also makes your experience of those countries more enjoyable.
Cool, but how do you get around learning French for travel?
I mean, do you REALLY need to know all about the basics of French grammar and vers to speak French in France, or at least to make yourself understood?
No, you don’t. So how to you learn French for travellers?
In fact, the list of things you need to know is pretty short (but always extendable depending on what you want to be able to do).
Here’s what you REALLY need to know.
The basics of French politeness
Yep Yep Yep
Oh damn, you thought I was going to start talking grammar right?
Well no.
Languages are not only words and grammar rules. To be able to get yourself understood, you need to know a bit about the culture of the country you are travelling to.
And that includes France.
I’m sure you’ve heard this before:
“ French people are rude.”“ They are not fun. ““ It was the worth service I’ve ever got.”
In my experience, 99% of the people who are saying that, just don’t get us right.
And it’s because they don’t have a clue about the rudiments of French culture and how to address French people without offending them.
Yes, there’s a way to do it.
I talk about it more extensively in my course – French for Travellers.
As I like to say – Language and culture are ALWAYS related.
Your way around asking directions and questions
Important question indeed.
It’s a classic of phrase books. Asking directions.
Is it THAT important though? Well, yes, sort of.
Because when you are learning about directions, you are not only learning about how to ask where something is, but it’s usually your first point of contact with locals.
Believe me, it’s a GREAT conversation opener. And an easy one as well.
So it’s a win-win for you.
YES, there’s apps around to get you from A to B, but do you really want to experience France through your phone?
I didn’t think so 
Plus, it goes a bit beyond that. It’s also about learning how to ask questions.
And asking questions is the base of communication right? Asking for information, sharing information,…
That’s how languages were born and that’s the kind of language skills you should be shooting for.
In fact, a good majority of what you need to able to say is questions.
A minimum of spoken French to understand when people are talking to you
NOT à la Joey please
Yes, if you intend to visit France at least a bit beyond Paris, and even in Paris, you NEED to, not only be able to express a few things in French, but also to understand what people are replying back to you.
It includes things like:
- Greetings
- Prices
- Food descriptions
- Recommendations
- Problems
- Transport rules
- …
Don’t look at me with those panicking eyes. It’s not so much of a big deal.
Because if your intention is to learn French for travel, then now you know what to look for to get your ears accustomed to it: native speaking French.
NEVER underestimate the power of listening to French. I mean it.
What you need to do is listening to as much French as possible! (Preferably in the accent of the region you are going to visit).
A minimum of written French to understand signs and other posters
Not à la Dexter either 😉
And yes, of course, you also need a bit of written French.
You’ll mostly rely on your French SPEAKING skills while in France, but you also need to be able to do a few things when it comes to written French:
- Understand signs
- Read menus
- Museums descriptions
- …
Although, I’ll say that if you only have time to concentrate on one thing, concentrate on speaking and forget about how it is spelled.
If you have the time though, concentrate on vocabulary rather than grammar.
You’ll easily understand the broad meaning of things once you know a few words in the sentence.
But it’s going to be much harder if you understand why it’s the right tense but don’t get the meaning.
See what I mean?
In which situation would you rather be?
And finally, how to spark up a conversation with a native doesn’t hurt
Just like that 😉
I feel like this one is often overlooked by phrase books, manuals and learners alike.
But, if you are travelling to France and are reading this article, it’s because you want to get an authentic experience right?
You want to interact with the locals?
Then you need to be able to spark conversations that go beyond a simple exchange of price with the cashier.
And for that, there’s the rules of politeness to know, but also:
- how to avoid controversial topics for a first conversation
- Good conversation openers
- Simple questions to ask for recommendations
- A broader French vocabulary
And all of that, you'll learn in French for Travelers.
I’ve build this French course with the help of the Just French It community.
And we’ve worked hard and good to make the best we could.
🇫🇷 OH YESSSS 🇫🇷
