It’s no secret that learning French can be tough. But what if there was a way to make it a little bit easier? Believe it or not, there is! You can learn French without translation. How?
This is a question that many French learners ask themselves. After all, translation can be a difficult and time-consuming task.
Fortunately, there are some ways to learn French without having to rely on translation. Here are a few tips:
- Listen to French podcasts or radio shows.
- Watch French movies or TV shows with French subtitles.
- Read French books or comics.
- Try using a French dictionary app on your smartphone.
- Chat with French speakers online or in person.
By using these methods, you can slowly start to understand French without having to translate every word or sentence. Just remember to be patient and have fun!
Is it possible to learn French language without translation?
Of course it’s possible! Let’s go over the few possibilities you have to practice French without having to translate.
But first, you have to get into a certain frame of mind: you have to – yes, you have to 😜 – agree not to translate before you answer.
I know that this state is extremely uncertain and may scare you, but it is the best option to stop being dependent on that translation reflex that happens in your head when you hear something or just before you say something in French.
The French language can seem daunting to learn at first. However, there are ways to make the task easier by learning French without translation.
One way is to listen to French podcasts or radio shows. This will help you get used to the French language and how it is spoken.
Listening to French podcasts is excellent way to get used to hearing the language spoken naturally. There are many different podcasts available, ranging from beginner-level conversations to more advanced discussions about current events or pop culture. Find a podcast that interests you and see if you can follow along without translation.
With Priscilla, we will publish once a week a podcast on YouTube for our foreign students who want to learn French.
This will be an opportunity for you to hear French spoken while knowing that the people speaking are aware that they are being listened to by foreigners and therefore, will be able to explain a few vocabulary words, some expressions or grammar rules.
Follow our activity on learn-french-fun.comÂ
Another way is to watch French movies or TV shows with French subtitles. This way, you can follow along with the dialogue and begin to understand French grammar and vocabulary.
But eventually, you’ll want to watch movies and TV shows without any subtitles at all. It may be difficult at first, but it’s a great way to force yourself to focus on the French language.
Finally, try using a French dictionary app on your smartphone. This can be a helpful tool when you come across words that you don’t know.
It is much better to read the French definition of a French word you don’t understand than to translate it.
If you translate it, do you know what will happen? The new French word will go into your left ear and in less than 10 seconds it will be out of your right ear.
But if you read the definition in French, you will have to make a new cognitive effort to understand it and this effort, associated with the pleasure you have in practicing the French language, will allow you to memorize this new vocabulary word.
So, it is possible to learn French without translation. Just remember to be patient and have fun!
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How do I stop French translation in my head?
The first step is to become aware of when you are translating in your head. Once you are aware of it, you can start to French without translation.
Try to French in small chunks. A great way to do this is with immersion. Find French content that you enjoy and immerse yourself in it. Try to watch French movies, listen to French music, and read French books.
Don’t worry about understanding everything, just let the language wash over you. Additionally, try to find a French speaking partner or friend. They can help you practice your French and become more comfortable with the language.
Finally, don’t be afraid to make mistakes when learning a new language. Everyone makes them, even native speakers. The important thing is to keep practicing and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
I once had a student who was so afraid of making mistakes that she would never speak in class. She was always silent, even though she knew the answers to the questions. I told her that the only way to learn was to make mistakes and then correct them. She finally started speaking in class, and she made a lot of progress.
So, don’t be afraid to make mistakes when learning a new language. The important thing is to keep practicing and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
| Can you think in a second language? |
| The answer is probably yes, but it may not be as easy as you think. When you’re thinking in your native language, you have all of the words and grammar rules at your disposal. But when you’re thinking in a second language, you may have to stop and think about the right word or phrase. This can slow down your thinking process, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t do it. With practice, you’ll be able to think more quickly in your second language. So don’t be afraid to give it a try! |
How to dare to speak French?
There are many ways to French, but one of the most difficult challenges is to do without translation. It can be very tempting to constantly translate in your head what you want to say, or what someone else is saying, but this quickly becomes frustrating and doesn’t allow you to truly learn the language.
We wrote a special article about the fear of speaking French. I invite you to read it to find all the solutions to the fears you may have about speaking French.
This fear can become a handicap in your ability to express yourself in French:
- at school
- at work
- during your vacations
- or in any situation where you could practice French but you get stuck before speaking
How do I pick up French again?
You haven’t spoken French for a long time and you don’t know how to start again?
If you want to start speaking French again, the first thing you need to do is find a good reason to start. Maybe you want to visit France, or you have a French-speaking friend or family member you’d like to be able to talk to. Once you’ve found your motivation, it’s time to get started.
The best way to learn French is to immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. This means finding ways to hear and read French on a regular basis. You can find French TV shows and movies online, or listen to French radio stations. You can also read French newspapers or books, or even try some online games in French. The more exposure you have to the language, the easier it will be to pick it up again.
Another important thing to do is practice speaking and writing in French as often as you can. If you don’t use the language regularly, you’ll quickly forget how to speak it. Try setting aside some time each day to practice, even if it’s just for a few minutes. You can also look for opportunities to practice with native speakers. There are many online forums where you can chat with other French learners, or you can even take individual tuitions.
This is the same problem we just saw, but this time the solution is easier for you. You knew how to speak French, so whatever happens, you’ll know again!
Of course, it depends on how long it’s been since you’ve heard a word of French and how long it’s been since you’ve spoken one.
Resuming everyday conversations will be at a different pace depending on whether it’s been a year or twenty-five years since you last spoke…
But in any case, it will be possible because you have already done it!
Fantastic, isn’t it?
Congratulations! You have made it to the end of our guide on how to learn French without translation.
We hope you found these methods helpful and that you are now well on your way to becoming a francophone.
Remember, practice makes perfect so be sure to use these techniques as often as possible, even when you don’t feel like speaking French. And most importantly, have fun with it!
Bon courage et à bientôt !
