What “fast” means here: consistent daily work for one month to reach CEFR A1 speaking. You’ll greet people, introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions, and navigate daily topics (food, directions, routines). French is approachable thanks to many English‑French cognates (see common words and cognates in common French vocabulary ), but watch for pronunciation (nasal vowels, the French R), gender and articles, and liaison/elision links between words. You’ll track minutes spoken, words added, and weekly checkpoints—all designed to improve how to speak French, not just study it.
Pick Your 30-Day Goal and Track It (A1 Targets)
Set one clear target: a five‑minute conversation you can describe in a sentence. Who will you talk to? Where? About what? Examples: meet a French friend at a café, check in at a hotel, or small talk after class. Choose 2–3 topics you’ll recycle (origin, work/study, travel, hobbies).
Commit 45–60 minutes per day:
- Input (listening/reading): 15 minutes
- Study (vocab/grammar): 15 minutes
- Speaking (shadowing/role‑play/live): 15–30 minutes
Track the metrics that predict progress:
- Minutes spoken per day
- New words/phrases learned
- Lessons done/reviews (SRS reps)
- Weekly WPM (words per minute) in a read‑aloud (log and visualize with progress tracking )
A1 outcomes to target: introduce yourself; ask/answer simple questions; give routine info; manage immediate needs. Add weekly checkpoints and light self‑tests so you know when to adjust.
My name is Lina. I’m a beginner in French.
I would like a coffee, please.
Where is the subway station, please?
Define Your Conversation Use-Case
Make your five‑minute scenario concrete so it dictates vocabulary and practice. If your first chat is “meeting a friend,” prioritize greetings, origins, work/study, and hobbies. If it’s “ordering and asking directions,” focus on requests, numbers, and place names.
I’m visiting Paris for the first time.
I speak a little French, but I’m learning.
Track What Matters
Keep a simple log. A spreadsheet or an app is enough. Log:
- Study minutes
- Speaking minutes (self‑talk, shadowing, live chats)
- Words added to Anki (or your SRS)
- Notes on wins/blockers (“liaison with les amis; French R improving”)
Master French Sounds First: Pronunciation Cheatsheet
Good pronunciation unlocks comprehension and confidence. Focus on:
- Nasal vowels: an/en [ɑ̃], on [ɔ̃], in [ɛ̃], un [œ̃]. Drill with minimal pairs and short phrases.
- French R [ʁ]: a uvular fricative. Practice with vowel+R combos (ra/re/ri/ro/ru) and tongue relaxed at the back.
- Liaison: link final consonants before vowels (les amis → [lez ami]); some are obligatory.
- Elision: drop unstressed vowels before vowel sounds (je aime → j’aime).
Daily 10‑minute shadowing loop:
- Listen slow; 2) Repeat slow; 3) Shadow at normal speed; 4) Record; 5) Compare to the model; 6) Get feedback (Kippy can flag R and liaison via the pronunciation checker tool ). Use a few IPA anchors to map spelling to sounds quickly.
A big child arrived.
The friends arrive at eleven o’clock.
I am not hungry.
Laughter makes the street red.
Quick IPA Anchors You’ll Actually Use
Anchor a few high‑frequency mappings:
- on → [ɔ̃] as in bon, pardon
- an/en → [ɑ̃] as in enfant, restaurant
- in → [ɛ̃] as in matin, vin
- é → [e] as in café; è/ê → [ɛ] as in très
- u → [y] as in tu; ou → [u] as in vous
- gn → [ɲ] as in montagne; ill → [j] as in famille
It’s Monday.
It’s good.
Shadowing Routine (with Kippy)
Shadow 60–90 seconds of native audio daily. Steps:
- Listen once for gist.
- Shadow line‑by‑line with transcript.
- Record and compare; mark trouble spots (R, nasal vowels, liaisons).
- Ask Kippy for pronunciation evaluation; repeat until your target lines are clear at slow and normal speeds.
50 Essential French Words and Phrases for Day One
“What are 50 essential French words?” Start with a balanced set: pronouns (je, tu, vous), polite phrases (bonjour, s’il vous plaît, merci), connectors (et, mais, parce que), question words (qui, quoi, où, quand, comment, pourquoi), core verbs (être, avoir, aller, faire, vouloir, pouvoir), numbers/time basics, and survival phrases (je voudrais…, combien…, où est…) — see more practical examples in conversational French phrases .
Build mini‑sentences immediately—greetings, needs, preferences. Lean on cognates (important, intéressant, restaurant) to boost comprehension, but beware false friends like actuellement (= currently, not actually). Use Kippy’s pronunciation checks on each phrase to avoid fossilizing mistakes.
Hello, my name is Sam.
I would like some water, please.
Where is the train station?
I like music, and you?
Turn Words into Mini-Sentences
Combine pronouns + core verbs + objects:
- Je suis/tu es/vous êtes + nationality/job
- Je voudrais + item/service
- J’aime/Je n’aime pas + activity/thing
I am American.
I am American.
I don’t understand.
Could you repeat, please?
Cognates and False Friends
Supercharge comprehension with safe cognates (important, intéressant, possible) and watch pièges: actuellement (= currently), librairie (= bookshop, not library), journée (= daytime span).
It’s interesting and important.
Currently, I’m learning French.
Grammar Foundations You Actually Need (A1)
Keep grammar minimal and high‑frequency:
- Gender and articles: un/une; le/la/les (definite); du/de la/de l’/des (partitive). Patterns help (‑tion is often feminine; ‑age often masculine), but learn with nouns.
- Present tense essentials: être, avoir, aller, faire cover identity, possession, movement, and activities.
- Negation: ne…pas around the verb (je ne parle pas). Use the grammar checker tool to catch common mistakes.
- Questions: rising intonation; est‑ce que + subject for clarity; inversion later.
- Tu vs vous: use vous for strangers/professionals and tu with friends/peers; follow your partner’s lead.
I am a student. She is a teacher.
I have two brothers.
We are going to the movies.
I don’t play sports.
Do you speak English?
Negation and Questions Fast
Use ne…pas early and often; contract as needed (je n’aime pas). For questions at A1, prefer est‑ce que + subject for clean structure. Keep intonation for quick checks.
I don’t speak French well.
Do you like coffee?
Tu vs Vous
Default to vous in shops, offices, or with older people. Switch to tu when invited (on se tutoie ?), or with peers and friends. In many professional contexts, vous remains polite.
Can we speak informally?
Your 4-Week Plan: From Zero to Conversation
Balance input, study, and output to build real speaking skill. Start speaking on day one via shadowing; add live chats by week two. Use micro‑dictation for accuracy and role‑plays for fluency.
- Week 1: Sounds + 50 phrases; record a 60‑second self‑intro.
- Week 2: Core verbs + survival phrases; one 30‑minute tutor chat; role‑plays with Kippy.
- Week 3: Questions + shopping/transport; two exchange chats; micro‑dictation.
- Week 4: Fluency + review; two tutoring sessions; five‑minute conversation checkpoint.
Today, I practice conversation for twenty minutes.
Daily Rhythm That Sticks
Example 60‑minute block:
- Input (15): a graded podcast with notes
- Study (15): add 10 phrases to Anki; quick grammar pattern
- Speaking (20): shadow + 2‑minute self‑talk or role‑play
- Review (10): read aloud; log metrics; plan next day
Checkpoints and Light Tests
Validate readiness weekly:
- Record a self‑intro and compare to last week
- Read‑aloud WPM and clarity check (use the fluency assessment )
- One short live chat (italki or exchange)
- Kippy role‑play and pronunciation evaluation
Can you speak more slowly, please?
Speak Early: French Speaking Practice That Builds Fluency
Fluency comes from reps. Use:
- Shadowing with transcripts (listen → repeat → record → compare)
- Role‑plays (order, directions, introductions, small talk) using real-life scenarios like ordering a meal at a French restaurant (see ordering in French )
- Timed self‑talk and micro‑monologues (1–3 minutes)
- Tutors (italki) and exchanges (HelloTalk/Tandem)
- Kippy for pronunciation eval, spontaneous Q&A, and realistic role‑plays
Set a timer and push output even if it’s imperfect. Track your speaking minutes and recycle high‑value phrases each day, and store those phrases in a personal phrasebook for quick review.
I’d like to reserve a table for two.
I’m looking for Victor Hugo Street.
Tell me about your job.
Find the Right Partner or Tutor
Book reliable tutors on italki (same time each week). Between sessions, use HelloTalk/Tandem voice messages for low‑pressure practice, or use the app’s guided conversations and exchange features. Share your five‑minute goal so partners can help you hit it.
What time are you available?
Fluency Drills
- 1–3 minute monologues: describe your day, your city, your weekend
- 4–3–2: say the same content in 4, then 3, then 2 minutes (forces economy)
- Question ping‑pong with Kippy: fast Q&A to simulate real speed
Smart Input: Listening and Reading That Stick
Choose graded sources so you understand enough to stay engaged:
- Podcasts: Coffee Break French (A1) for structured lessons
- YouTube: Piece of French (clear A1–A2), innerFrench (slow B1 for later)
- Subtitles strategy: French audio + EN subs → FR subs → no subs
- Micro‑dictation: 30–60 second clips to sharpen listening accuracy
- Optional: LingQ for assisted reading with quick lookups
I write down new words while listening.
Subtitles That Help, Not Hurt
Start with English subtitles to build context, then switch to French subtitles to map sound to text, and finally go without subtitles to test comprehension. Rewatch short clips at each step.
Micro-Dictation Technique
Play 5–8 seconds, pause, write what you hear, check the transcript, and repeat. Focus on liaison (les_amis) and elision (j’ai). Great for trains, times, prices, and routine phrases.
It is eight o’clock.
Your Online Toolkit: Apps, Dictionaries, Flashcards, AI
Use a lean stack that matches goals:
- Structured basics: Duolingo/Memrise/Rosetta Stone (keep it light) — consider our roundup of best apps to learn French
- Flashcards: Anki with audio and full sentences
- Dictionaries/translation: WordReference + DeepL (check examples)
- Tutors/exchanges: italki for professional tutors, HelloTalk, Tandem for real conversations (explore daily conversation topics for practice ideas)
- Kippy: AI speaking partner for role‑plays, pronunciation evaluation, and casual conversation drills—track your progress with vocabulary report
- Optional: LingQ for assisted reading
Keep the Stack Lean
Pick one guided app, one SRS (Anki), one tutor/exchange channel, and Kippy for speaking. Reducing tool‑hopping increases minutes spoken—the best predictor of progress.
Stay Motivated and Beat Plateaus
Design habits you can keep:
- Tiny wins: streak chains and a visible progress board
- Variety: rotate topics, formats, and speaking partners
- Home immersion: device language, labels on objects, a French media corner
- If stuck: reduce scope (shorter drills), increase speaking minutes, or change content French isn’t “hard”; it’s consistent. Keep an eye on pronunciation and gender, and move forward daily.
Today, I’m only doing fifteen minutes — but I’m doing it.
Home Immersion Tips
Switch your phone and key apps to French, label 20 home objects, and keep a French playlist or radio on during routines.
What is it called in French?
Introduce Yourself in French: A Plug-and-Play Script
Use this template to build a smooth A1 self‑intro. Add your details and one question to keep the talk going. Record it, then get Kippy’s feedback on liaison, elision, and the French R.
- Greeting + name
- Origin + city
- Job/study
- Interests
- Reason for learning
- A question for your partner
Hello, my name is Alex. I’m American and I live in Boston.
Hello, my name is Alex. I’m American and I live in Boston.
I work in IT. I like music and sports.
I’m learning French to travel and talk with friends.
And you, where are you from?
Customize for Your Context
Swap job/study and interests. Prepare one backup topic you love (music, films, travel) with 4–5 sentences ready.
I am a design student.
I am a design student.
I prefer French cinema.
Roleplay with Kippy
Run the script with Kippy. Ask for two improvised follow‑ups and live corrections. Repeat until your delivery is smooth at normal speed.
How Long to Fluency? Realistic French Timelines
Typical ranges with active speaking:
- A1: ~80–120 hours
- A2: ~180–250 hours
- B1: ~350–450 hours
Compress timelines by increasing daily minutes, prioritizing speaking, and adding immersion. After your 30‑day sprint, extend with weekly topic cycles and regular tutor sessions.
Intensity Beats Duration
Short, focused sprints with daily French speaking practice outperform long, passive study. Protect your speaking minutes—they move the needle fastest.
Next Steps After Your First Conversation
Review your recordings, note gaps, and create your next topic cycle (work, travel, family, weekend plans). Set a 60‑day goal: a 10‑minute chat adding past and future tenses. Keep the cadence: 2× weekly tutoring and daily Kippy drills for pronunciation and spontaneity.
Scale What Works
Keep the same daily rhythm, deepen topics, and slowly raise speed. Track speaking minutes and WPM, and you’ll see steady gains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I teach myself to speak French?
Use a speaking-first routine: 45–60 minutes/day split into input, study, and speaking, with daily shadowing and 1–3 minute monologues. Add weekly live practice (italki or exchanges) and role-plays. Track minutes spoken, new words, and weekly checkpoints. Kippy can act as a reliable speaking partner that evaluates pronunciation and runs spontaneous Q&A to keep you honest.
Is French easy for beginners?
French is approachable thanks to many English cognates, but pronunciation (nasal vowels, the French R) and gender need attention. With 30 consistent days focused on speaking, you can reach an A1-level 5‑minute conversation. Keep goals narrow, practice daily, and correct sounds early; tools like Kippy help you avoid fossilizing mistakes.
How do I introduce myself in French?
Use a simple template: Bonjour, je m’appelle [Nom]. Je suis [nationalité] et j’habite à [ville]. Je travaille/étudie en [domaine]. J’aime [intérêt]. J’apprends le français pour [raison]. Puis posez une question: Et vous, d’où venez-vous ? Rehearse aloud; Kippy can roleplay and give pronunciation feedback on liaison and the R.
How long does it take to learn French fluently?
Expect about 80–120 hours for A1, 180–250 for A2, and 350–450 for B1 with active speaking. You can compress timelines by increasing daily minutes, prioritizing speaking, and adding immersion. After your first 30 days, expand topics and schedule regular tutoring plus Kippy drills.
How can I improve my French pronunciation quickly?
Target nasal vowels (an/en, on, in, un), the uvular R [ʁ], and liaison/elision with daily 10‑minute shadowing: slow → normal → record → compare. Use minimal pairs and IPA anchors to map sound to spelling. Kippy can grade your recordings and flag liaison and R errors.
