10 teacher approved hacks to learn French better and faster.

I'm afraid to report that there is no way around learning verbs and grammar when you decide to study French. It's an essential part of the learning journey but there are a few ways to make it easier, smoother and lot more enjoyable.

Here are my top teacher approved hacks to learn better and faster.

• Say it out loud: whenever you hear some new word, repeat it, put your French voice on and go for it. Nobody has to hear you. If it is a new word you aren't sure how to pronounce, just google it and click the sound icon, click again, then repeat.

•  Learn some ready made sentences. Why not? I used to learn songs lyrics in English (taken from teen mags back in the day) cut and paste them in my essays. Yes, I did that...and you know what ? I still remember so many of them ! Don't hesitate, dedicate some time to find sentences you like, that you would see yourself using and go for it. 

• Watch some French movies with subtitles. I feel like a broken record but this really works, if you do it regularly. Trust me !

• Find some French around you and use them. There is a french cafe or bakery near you? Go there often, order in French. There are everywhere if you pay attention. If not, find an Instagram account or blog and be involved. It may seem silly or awkward at first, but once you start, you will be surprised how enjoyable and beneficial it is.

• Set specific and attainable goals. Weekly or monthly, depending on the time you have, write down what new things or task you want to focus on, and focus on it. It can be ordering in a restaurant for example. Prepare yourself with all that you will need, food vocab, lots of verbs, how to ask questions...

• Listen to French, a lot. This seems obvious but how else are you going to improve your speaking skills if you don't listen in order to copy and repeat what you have heard? Just a reminder that this is how you have learned English. Podcast are great, movies (again), a French play if that happens in your town, the French news on the radio. So many ways these days.

• Masculine and Feminine. Instead of learning just a word, learn it with its pronoun then add an adjective. So, instead of "dress:robe', learn ' la belle robe', 'le beau chateau'. It will stick in your brain better.

•  Every time you learn a new word, write it down in a simple sentence. Again, it will stick better when you can visualise a sentence of your own making better.

• Don't always try to understand and dissect everything. Sometimes, it is best to just learn it , use it, copy it..basically fake it until you make it. It will eventually  happen and click or not, but it doesn't always matter ! 

• And finally, learn on the go. A little bit everyday is best. Whatever time you have or can give to a little task everyday will do wonders, keep you motivated and focused. The 30 Day French Hack Challenge is a fantastic way to do just that. Progress is inevitable this way !

ps....a french hack membership will support you all the way in your French journey. Check out all the options here.