My 5 tips to speak French and integrate better in your new country

Moving to a new country is always a huge step, and when that new country speaks a language that’s not your native tongue, it can feel like a mountain to climb. I know what I’m talking about because I lived in Australia, New Zealand and Italy and had to learn the language, socialize and adapt to the culture and habits of the inhabitants.

Both France and Switzerland have rich cultures and are places where speaking French will open many doors—whether it's in making friends, finding a job, or simply feeling more connected to your surroundings. As someone who has experienced living in both countries, I’ve learned a few things about improving your French and truly integrating into the local culture. Here are my five top tips for anyone wanting to speak French and feel more at home in France or Switzerland.

1. Immerse Yourself in the Language Every Day

One of the best ways to improve your French is to surround yourself with it as much as possible. Don’t just rely on textbooks or formal classes; practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing every day.

• Watch French TV shows and movies: Netflix and other streaming services offer a wide variety of French content, both classic and contemporary. If you’re a complete beginner, put the audio in French and turn on subtitles in your mother tongue. As you progress and reach the level A2, you can put the subtitles in French. Once you’ve reached the levels B1/B2, take off the subtitles and enjoy! Watching French movies is a great way to get familiar with slang, idiomatic expressions, and different regional accents.

• Listen to French music and podcasts: There are endless options out there! You’ll not only get used to the rhythm of the language but also learn more about French and Swiss culture through the lyrics and topics discussed.

• Read French newspapers, blogs, or books: Start with easier material like children’s books or beginner articles, and work your way up to more challenging texts. Reading exposes you to a wide vocabulary and helps you become familiar with the different ways French can be used in various contexts.

• Put your mobile phone in French: it’s not going to be easy at the beginning and you might need 10 minutes to send a simple text message but, trust me, it’ll get easier and you’ll learn a lot of new and useful words ! 

2. Speak Even If You Make Mistakes

In France and Switzerland, people appreciate it when you make the effort to speak French, even if you're not perfect. While it’s natural to be self-conscious when you're starting out, remember: nobody speaks perfectly, especially when learning a new language.

• Practice with locals: Don’t hesitate to speak with your neighbors, colleagues, or even strangers. French speakers generally appreciate any attempt to speak their language, and you’ll be surprised at how forgiving they can be with your mistakes. Start by ordering your baguette or croissant in French.

• Join conversation groups: Practice is the key so what’s a better way to join group conversation classes where you’ll improve your speaking skills, your listening skills while learning a lot of useful words ? At French with Audrey, we run group conversation classes each week for ALL levels ! If you want to join, you can have more information here : https://www.frenchwithaudrey.com/french-conversation-classes 

• Keep pushing through the mistakes: Every error is an opportunity to improve! People will often correct you in a kind way, which will help you progress.

3. Learn the Local Cultural Norms and Expressions

Language isn’t just about words—it's deeply connected to culture. Understanding local customs and the French or Swiss mindset will make a huge difference in how well you integrate.

• Master key French expressions and polite phrases: Simple greetings like "Bonjour" (Good morning) and "Merci" (Thank you) go a long way. Also, learning to say “Excusez-moi” (Excuse me) or “Je suis désolé(e)” (I’m sorry) shows respect for local etiquette.

• Understand the French attitude toward formal and informal speech: In French, there’s a distinction between “tu” (informal) and “vous” (formal). While you might start out using “vous” when addressing anyone older or in a professional setting, gradually getting comfortable with using “tu” with friends and colleagues helps you sound more natural.

• Swiss-French quirks: In Switzerland, the culture may be more reserved compared to France, so you might notice people are less likely to engage in small talk with strangers. However, the Swiss are generally very kind and willing to help—just be mindful of regional differences in accents and the occasional use of Swiss German or Italian in certain areas.

4. Take a Language Course and/or a Private Tutor if Possible

Too often, new comers like me and you think that they have time to speak the language but the truth is that you probably work in English and at home, you speak your native language (English, Spanish, Italian etc.) with your family, making it hard to use and improve your French. Few years later, those same people want to change job but don’t speak French or they have children but cannot help them with homework or speak with their teacher because they don’t speak French.

Often, it’s the lack of time that’s a problem because we all know that it’s not easy to manage our time between our work, our family, our hobbies, our friends etc. That’s the reason why I’ve created a Self-Paced MasterCourse to get you from a complete beginner (A0) to an advanced speaker (B2). If you want more info, feel free to visit my page and get going in French immediately ! 

While self-study is incredibly helpful, sometimes some of us have more free time and/or need a certain discipline to make progress. At French with Audrey, our teachers are native French speaker and are certified to be a teacher of French as a foreign language. Therefore, each private lesson is tailored to your needs and provide personalized feedback, which is great for progress. If you’re ready to speak French, contact me at frenchavecaudrey@gmail.com 

5. Be Patient and Stay Positive

Learning a new language and adapting to a new culture takes time, and that’s perfectly okay! Don’t get discouraged by setbacks or slow progress. French has a reputation for being a tricky language, especially when it comes to pronunciation, tenses, and gendered nouns. But as long as you stay consistent, you will see improvement over time.

• Celebrate small wins: Whether it’s ordering a coffee in French without feeling awkward or understanding a joke in a movie, take pride in these milestones!

• Stay social: Join local groups or clubs that share your hobbies. The more you’re out there practicing French with real people, the quicker you’ll feel comfortable with the language.

Final Thoughts

Integrating into French-speaking communities in France and Switzerland is an exciting and rewarding journey. By immersing yourself in the language, speaking as much as possible, and learning about the culture, you will not only speak better French but also feel more connected to the people around you. Take it one step at a time and embrace every learning opportunity that comes your way. Bon courage et à bientôt !

Audrey, your French teacher.