1. Learn basic phrases
You’ll have a much richer experience if you know some basic French phrases before you board the plane. Learn a few chosen sentences from a phrasebook that you will bring in your luggage. They often give you some useful easy phrases with the pronunciation ( based for example on English pronunciation or on the pronunciation of your mother language if the book is written in that language)
2. Take part in an exchange language speaking event
if possible, when you prepare your trip to France, locate a language exchange that will take place in a French city that you will visit during your holiday in France. Choose a French-English conversation : you are sure to meet native French speakers . In order to listen to the best French accent , you can also join a French conversation group led by a native French teacher. There is probably one near where you are staying for a few days.
If you choose to learn some phrases to introduce yourself, ask some questions and answer to a few ones, you will then be able to communicate during your holidays in France.
3. Use any opportunity to speak French during your holidays
Use any opportunity offered to you to speak French during your holidays in France : instead of buying your bread at the supermarket, you would rather buy an authentic baguette from the baker and do not miss the opportunity to ask for it in French.
4. Do not be shy
Being shy can hold you back, preventing you from reaching your potential and learning new skills while in holidays in France.
Don’t blame the French who think they are helping you by starting to speak to you in English.
Just tell them that you want to improve your French and ask them to speak to you in French.
5. Show your determination to speak French
Never give up if it seems hard to communicate in French. If you are concerned by point 4, use the following sentence :”Je voudrais communiquer en français s’il vous plait pour m’améliorer. Je vous remercie de me parler en français mais lentement.”( I would like to communicate in French please to improve myself. Thank you for speaking to me in French but slowly).
6. Make French friends
If you come to France without knowing French people.: if you are camping or renting a flat, you will certainly have French neighbours. Do not hesitate to start the conversation even with a simple “Bonjour” and go on the weather. French people always care about the weather, especially if they are on holidays. “Bonjour, quel temps magnifique !” ” Quel beau soleil !” or ” Dommage, il n’y a pas de soleil aujourd’hui. That will be enough ! Normal French people will reply to you and ask where you come from and there it is !
