Over the years, I have been asked more than I could probably count which books, which app, which language programmes people should buy for their children in order to see them progress faster and go further.

Well, there is of course nothing wrong with any of these, I just find it can be counterproductive to keep adding material that actually make the student feels more overwhelmed that helped.

To learn a language, really learn a language, they need one good grammar book that allows them to do drills on each new point, a great teacher that inspires them, self motivation to find a investigate a few things by themselves, like watching French movies... and a lot of enthusiasm !

All these apps, books and methods don't allow them to really take charge of their learning or practise their skills, which is really the only way to improve.  

I know it can be scary and sometimes students and parents feel the more prepared we are, the better we will cope, which is true to a certain point and...

Les bises, les bisous, les bequest, les pouts...so many words to translate to that so very French way of greeting called " la bise".

The reality is if you have spent or intend to spend time in France, with French people, " la bise" might simply be unavoidable.

I'll never forget when my Australian husband, then young boyfriend met my family and friends for the first time, men, women, kids, neighbours, everyone wanted a piece of his cheeks ! I had never really noticed before how many "bises" were flying around in a typical French day. 

For foreigners, it can be be confronting. Some will just find it funny and happily indulge their hosts and give in this strange custom, but for some, having such close physical contact with someone you don't know is the ultimate awkward moment. 

I have met a lot of Anglo-Saxon people who felt terribly nervous about an upcoming "bise"..should I start from the right or left cheek, should I really kiss or just air kiss, how many kisses should I...

I am often asked how to speed up the process as well as what is actually required to become fluent in French.

Well, fluency takes time and a lot of practise, books, apps, drills and exercises are great but when it comes to conversation, you guessed it…it’s all about practise!

One thing though is start simple !  You will not be able to automatically translate what goes inside your educated English brain into French straight away! Students often think of quite complex sentences in English, only to get frustrated when they find it hard to put into French. Simplify what you are trying to say in English first, then, put it into French.

As you keep doing this, which if you think about it is more about how to tackle English than French, you will become more and more comfortable and start developing a gentle fluency. Remind yourself that your fluency doesn’t have to be like the one of a native straight away, let’s aim first for a flow of ideas that is delivered...