Why You’re Not Progressing in French

Are you wondering why you’re not progressing in French despite your efforts?

You’re taking French classes, listening to your teacher, maybe even doing a few exercises here and there… but still, something feels off. You’re not progressing the way you hoped. You’re stuck, frustrated, and wondering if it’s even worth continuing.

You’re not alone—and no, you’re not bad at languages.

But here’s the truth: progress in a language isn’t magic. It’s not a product you consume, and it’s not something that happens automatically after one hour of class a week.

Let’s break down why many learners hit a plateau, and more importantly, what you can do to finally move forward in your French learning journey.

1. Relying only on your teacher

Having a French teacher—like Thomas, who gives clear explanations, real-life practice, cultural insights, resources and tailored feedback—is incredibly valuable. But if you rely solely on your weekly lesson and expect fluency to follow, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

This mindset is shaped by traditional schooling—where we sit, listen, fill out worksheets, and expect results. But language doesn’t work that way. Language is not a subject to study; it’s a skill to live.

Let’s be honest—if fluency could happen in the classroom alone, we’d all be bilingual after seven years of language classes at school. But we’re not, are we?

That model didn’t work then. Why would it work now?

What to do instead: Use your teacher as a coach, not a crutch. A lesson is your training ground, but the real workout happens outside it: listening to podcasts, talking to yourself in French, journaling, reading French signs or menus, and interacting with the language every day. Class time is the spark—but your routine is the firewood.

Recently, I noticed a new feature on Preply: anonymous voting on a teacher’s performance. I find this approach quite concerning. It reinforces the idea that your progress depends entirely on your teacher—an outdated, school-system mindset that many of us are trying to move away from. It encourages passivity and frames language learning as a service you consume, not a skill you build.

But that’s not how real learning works. In fact, this kind of system distracts from the one thing that truly matters: your own engagement. You’re not a passive recipient. You’re an active participant in your progress.

Learning a language isn’t a transaction, and your teacher isn’t an app. Real progress doesn’t come from judging a teacher—it comes from engaging with them. If something isn’t working, speak up. Co-creating your learning path leads to better results: your teacher can adapt, offer new strategies, and support you where you need it most.

2. Over-focusing on grammar early on

French grammar has a reputation: verb conjugations, gendered nouns, adjective agreement. Yes, it can be complex. But focusing on grammar before you understand or use the language is like trying to drive a car by studying the engine.

There’s a better way: Start with listening to understand, then speaking, and only later focus on reading and writing. Grammar becomes intuitive over time when it’s anchored in real communication.

Trying to master grammar first is a school method—and it often ends in frustration.

3. Measuring the wrong kind of “progress.”

Learning a language is not like sewing. You don’t always see something neat and finished after each effort.

Progress in French shows up in small, often invisible ways:

Replying without translating in your head.
Being able to order a coffee in French without anxiety
Understanding more of a podcast than you did last month
Catching yourself thinking in French for a split second

These are huge wins! But if you’re only looking for obvious milestones like “I can have a full conversation about politics,” you’ll miss all the victories that are happening under the surface.

4. Underestimating the power of routine.

One hour a week isn’t enough to build momentum. You don’t need to triple your study time, but you do need daily micro-practice:

10 minutes of a French podcast while cooking
Reading two headlines in French news
Using post-it notes in your house to learn new words
Talking to your pet (or yourself!) in French
Watching a French series with French subtitles

Language acquisition is slow and subtle, but it’s steady when you show up daily, even for a few minutes.

5. Waiting to “understand everything” before speaking.

A huge mistake learners make is waiting until they feel “ready” to speak. But speaking helps you feel ready. It’s not the result, it’s the process.

When kids learn to talk, they don’t wait until they’ve mastered grammar. They listen, they imitate, they make mistakes, and they try again.

Adults can do the same. Understand first, speak next, read and write later, and refine grammar at the end if you want to perfect it.

Grammar-first is the school method—and honestly, it’s failed many. It’s time to switch to the natural path.

6. Believing mastering French should be fast

Many learners expect to be fluent in a matter of weeks. And yes, you can quickly pick up basic conversation. But true fluency? That’s a different story.

Think about your own language—how long did it take you to master it? Years of hearing it, speaking it, using it in every possible context. French is no different.

It takes time, input, practice, immersion—and above all, consistency. And you don’t need to change your life to fit French in. You just need to integrate French into the life you already have.

This is a mental shift that changes everything. Once you stop treating French like a subject and start using it as a new way to communicate about the things you love, you’re on the right track.

One of our learners used our 280 Printable Home Vocabulary Labels with Audio, stuck them around her house, and used them daily. The results were astonishing—and her friend, also a student, was amazed at her progress. She didn’t wait for France to speak French. She made it part of her daily life.

Our own children became bilingual in English while living in France, just by listening and playing with the language daily.

That’s what you have to do: immerse yourself in French every day, in little ways. And if you have a family or partner—do it with them! It’ll be more fun, and it becomes a moment you share together.

So… what should you do?

Treat French like a companion, not a chore
Listen to French every day (podcasts, music, short dialogues—even passively!)
Accept that progress is messy and non-linear.
Play games with vocabulary and labels around the house. The label game is easy and fun. You label objects around the house in French, say them out loud, and play little guessing games with them. You don’t change your routine—you integrate French into it.
Create small speaking routines, even if it’s to yourself or with a friend.
Use your one-to-one class fully to practice without being judged. Talk to your teacher, not just about your French but how you’re feeling.
Find a real reason to use French every week: a French-speaking friend, your one-to-one class, a group, a task, a goal.
Stay consistent even when it feels slow.
Do in French things you truly enjoy, French is just another way to dream, learn, have fun!

Ready to Move Forward?

Fluency is not a product you buy. It’s a practice you build. And you are capable of building it.

We’re here to help, of course. At The Ways to French, we don’t believe in magical shortcuts—we believe in human connection, consistent exposure, and practical tools.

You can:

Book one-to-one classes with Thomas, a kind, passionate and experienced French teacher
Explore our free resources
Listen to our French podcast
And soon, join our online self-paced classes

Whether you’re just starting or trying to push through a plateau, we’re here to support your journey, not sell you magic tricks. And if you’re ready to make French part of your life—we’re ready to help you do it.

You’re not stuck. You’re just getting started.

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