French Speaking Practice: Complete A2-B1 Guide

You've studied French for months, maybe years. You know the grammar rules. You've memorized vocabulary. You can read articles and understand movies with subtitles.

But when a French person actually speaks to you? Your mind goes blank. The words won't come. You freeze.

If this sounds familiar, you're not alone. This is the most common frustration among A2–B1 French learners: knowing French but not being able to speak it.

This guide will show you exactly how to bridge that gap and improve French speaking with effective, focused practice methods.

Why You "Know" French But Can't Speak It

There's a fundamental difference between passive knowledge (understanding French) and active production (speaking French). Your brain stores these skills in different ways.

When you read or listen, you're recognizing patterns. When you speak, you're producing them from scratch, and that requires a completely different type of training.

Think about it this way:

• Reading: Your brain matches written words to meanings you've stored
• Listening: Your brain decodes sounds and matches them to known patterns
• Speaking: Your brain must retrieve words, construct grammar in real-time, AND coordinate your mouth muscles to produce unfamiliar sounds

Speaking is the most demanding skill because it combines cognitive retrieval with physical motor skills. And most French courses barely train either.

The Real Problem: Lack of Output Practice

Most language learning focuses on input:

• Vocabulary flashcards
• Grammar exercises
• Reading comprehension
• Listening practice

These build your passive knowledge, but they don't train your mouth to produce French sounds or your brain to retrieve words under pressure.

It's like learning to swim by reading about swimming techniques. You might understand the theory perfectly, but you'll still sink when you jump in the pool.

Types of French Speaking Practice

Not all speaking practice is equal. Here are the main approaches, with their pros and cons:

1. Conversation with Native Speakers

What it is: Speaking with French natives through tutoring platforms, language exchanges, or immersion.

Pros:

• Real, authentic interaction
• Immediate feedback on comprehension
• Cultural context and natural expressions

Cons:

• Can be expensive (tutors charge €20–60/hour)
• Scheduling challenges
• Anxiety-inducing for beginners
• Native speakers may switch to English if you struggle

Best for: Intermediate learners who already have basic fluency and want to refine their skills.

2. Language Exchange Apps

What it is: Apps like Tandem or HelloTalk that connect you with native French speakers learning your language.

Pros:

• Free or low cost
• Flexible scheduling
• Cultural exchange

Cons:

• Quality varies wildly
• Partners may not show up
• No structured curriculum
• Can feel awkward with strangers

Best for: Self-motivated learners comfortable with unstructured French conversation practice.

3. Speaking with AI Chatbots

What it is: Conversation practice with AI-powered chatbots.

Pros:

• Available 24/7
• No judgment or embarrassment
• Infinite patience

Cons:

• Often unnatural conversations
• Limited pronunciation feedback
• May reinforce errors
• Lacks authentic French rhythm and expression

Best for: Building confidence before human conversation.

4. Shadowing with Native Audio

What it is: Listening to native French speakers and immediately repeating what they say, mimicking their pronunciation, rhythm, and intonation.

Pros:

• Trains both listening AND speaking simultaneously
• Builds muscle memory for French sounds
• Develops natural rhythm and intonation
• Can practice anytime, anywhere
• No scheduling or partner needed

Cons:

• Requires quality audio material
• Need feedback to know if you're improving
• Can be monotonous without structure

Best for: A2–B1 learners who want to build speaking confidence before (or alongside) conversation practice.

Want to dive deeper into this technique? Learn more about why shadowing works for French.

5. Self-Talk and Thinking in French

What it is: Narrating your daily activities in French, or consciously thinking in French.

Pros:

• Completely free
• Practice anytime
• Builds automatic retrieval

Cons:

• No feedback on errors
• May reinforce mistakes
• Can feel silly at first

Best for: Supplementary practice throughout the day.

What French Speaking Practice Actually Works for A2–B1 Learners

After working with thousands of French learners, we've found that the most effective approach combines structured shadowing with gradual conversation exposure.

Here's why:

At the A2–B1 level (CEFR framework), you have enough vocabulary and grammar to express basic ideas, but your mouth hasn't been trained to produce French sounds quickly and accurately. You need to build that physical foundation before live conversation becomes productive.

Research on language shadowing shows this technique significantly improves both pronunciation accuracy and speaking fluency for intermediate learners.

Once shadowing has built your physical foundation, conversation practice becomes much more effective because you can actually produce the sounds and phrases you've trained.

Your 7-Day French Speaking Challenge

Ready to transform your French speaking? Here's a practical plan you can start today.

Need an even quicker daily routine? Check out our 5-minute French speaking routine for busy learners.

Day 1: Assessment and Setup

Morning (10 minutes):

• Record yourself speaking French for 2 minutes on any topic
• Listen back and note what feels difficult
• Identify your biggest pronunciation challenges (see our French pronunciation guide for English speakers for targeted help)

Evening (10 minutes):

• Choose a shadowing resource (podcast, app, or audio course)
• Practice shadowing 3–5 simple phrases
• Focus on mimicking the sounds exactly, not understanding every word

Day 2: Basic Greetings and Introductions

Practice phrases:

• "Bonjour, je m'appelle..." (Hello, my name is...)
• "Enchanté(e) de vous rencontrer" (Nice to meet you)
• "Comment allez-vous?" (How are you?)
• "Je vais bien, merci" (I'm doing well, thank you)

Shadow each phrase 10 times, focusing on:

• The French "r" sound
• Liaison between words
• Natural rhythm

Day 3: Café and Restaurant Situations

Practice phrases:

• "Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît" (I'd like a coffee, please)
• "L'addition, s'il vous plaît" (The check, please)
• "Est-ce que je peux avoir...?" (Can I have...?)
• "C'était délicieux" (It was delicious)

Focus on: Polite expressions and natural flow between words.

These phrases are essential for traveling in French-speaking countries, practice them until they feel automatic.

Day 4: Asking for Directions

Practice phrases:

• "Excusez-moi, où est...?" (Excuse me, where is...?)
• "C'est à gauche / à droite" (It's on the left / right)
• "Tout droit" (Straight ahead)
• "C'est loin d'ici?" (Is it far from here?)

Focus on: Question intonation and the nasal sounds in "loin" and "gauche."

Day 5: Expressing Opinions

Practice phrases:

• "Je pense que..." (I think that...)
• "À mon avis..." (In my opinion...)
• "Je suis d'accord" / "Je ne suis pas d'accord" (I agree / I disagree)
• "C'est intéressant parce que..." (It's interesting because...)

Focus on: Connecting words smoothly and maintaining French rhythm in longer sentences.

Day 6: Handling Misunderstandings

Practice phrases:

• "Pardon, pouvez-vous répéter?" (Sorry, can you repeat?)
• "Je ne comprends pas" (I don't understand)
• "Comment dit-on... en français?" (How do you say... in French?)
• "Plus lentement, s'il vous plaît" (More slowly, please)

Focus on: These are your safety phrases, practice until they're automatic.

Day 7: Putting It Together

Morning: Review all phrases from the week with shadowing practice.

Afternoon: Record yourself in a mock conversation scenario using the phrases you've learned.

Evening: Compare your Day 7 recording to your Day 1 recording. Notice the improvement!

Common Mistakes in Speaking Practice

Mistake 1: Waiting Until You're "Ready"

Many learners keep studying grammar and vocabulary, waiting until they feel ready to speak. But speaking readiness comes FROM speaking, not before it.

Fix: Start speaking practice now, even if it's just shadowing. Your speaking skills will only develop through speaking.

Mistake 2: Prioritizing Accuracy Over Fluency

Obsessing over perfect grammar kills fluency. If you pause to conjugate every verb correctly, you'll never achieve natural conversation flow.

Fix: During speaking practice, prioritize getting your message across. Save grammar perfection for writing exercises.

Mistake 3: Not Practicing Pronunciation Specifically

Many learners assume pronunciation will improve naturally with exposure. It won't, at least not efficiently. Pronunciation requires deliberate practice.

Fix: Include dedicated pronunciation work in your routine. Learn about common pronunciation mistakes and practice the specific sounds you struggle with.

Mistake 4: Practicing Without Feedback

Speaking into the void doesn't help if you're reinforcing errors. You need some form of feedback to improve.

Fix: Record yourself and compare to native speakers. Better yet, use tools that provide pronunciation feedback.

Mistake 5: Irregular Practice

One hour-long session per week is far less effective than 10 minutes every day. Speaking is a physical skill that requires consistent reinforcement.

Fix: Build a daily speaking habit, even if it's just 5–10 minutes. Consistency beats intensity.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Speaking Practice

How long does it take to see improvement in French speaking?

With consistent daily practice (even 5-10 minutes), most A2-B1 learners notice clearer pronunciation and faster word retrieval within 2-3 weeks. Significant improvements in French fluency typically appear after 8-12 weeks of regular speaking practice.

The key is consistency, daily practice creates the muscle memory and automatic retrieval you need to speak French confidently.

Can I improve French speaking without a conversation partner?

Yes, absolutely. Shadowing native audio, self-recording, and solo narration are highly effective for building pronunciation and automatic retrieval. These solo methods help you practice speaking French online at your own pace, without the pressure of real-time conversation.

Once you've built this foundation (4-6 weeks), adding conversation practice with native speakers accelerates your progress further. But you can make substantial progress alone first.

What if I only have 5-10 minutes per day?

That's perfect. Short, consistent practice is more effective than occasional long sessions for improving French speaking. Five minutes of shadowing daily builds muscle memory better than one 60-minute session per week.

Check our 5-minute French speaking routine for a structured approach designed for busy learners.

Should I focus on pronunciation or fluency first?

For A2-B1 learners, prioritize both simultaneously through shadowing. The shadowing technique trains pronunciation while building fluency, you don't have to choose.

If you must prioritize, start with pronunciation so you build correct muscle memory from the beginning. Poor pronunciation habits are harder to fix later than slow speaking speed.

Is it better to practice alone or with native speakers?

Start with solo practice (shadowing, recording) to build your physical foundation and confidence. After 3-4 weeks, add French conversation practice with natives.

Solo practice removes anxiety and allows unlimited repetition. Conversation practice adds real-time pressure and authentic interaction. You need both for complete French speaking development.

How do I know if my pronunciation is improving?

Record yourself regularly and compare to native speakers. Listen for:

• Clearer French "r" sounds
• Smoother liaison between words
• More natural rhythm and intonation
• Faster, less hesitant speech

Even better, use tools that provide specific pronunciation feedback so you know exactly what to improve next.

How Spokira Fits Into Your Speaking Practice

We built Spokira specifically for A2–B1 French learners who struggle with the gap between "knowing" French and speaking it.

Here's how it works:

Native Shadowing Audio

Every lesson features real French speakers in authentic situations, ordering at a café, navigating the métro, meeting someone new. You shadow their speech, training your mouth to produce natural French sounds and rhythm.

AI Pronunciation Feedback

Unlike traditional shadowing, Spokira gives you immediate feedback on your pronunciation. Our AI analyzes your speech at the phoneme level, showing you exactly where your pronunciation differs from native speech and how to fix it.

Structured Situation Packs

Instead of random vocabulary, Spokira organizes practice around real situations you'll encounter:

• Café conversations: Ordering, paying, small talk
• City navigation: Asking directions, using transit
• Social introductions: Meeting people, basic conversation
• Work scenarios: Professional French for office settings

Progressive Difficulty

Start with simple phrases and build to longer, more complex speech. Spokira tracks your progress and adjusts difficulty automatically.

Short, Focused Sessions

Each session is designed for 5–10 minutes of focused practice, perfect for building a daily habit without overwhelming your schedule.

Start Your French Speaking Practice Today

The gap between knowing French and speaking French won't close itself. It requires deliberate practice, specifically, practice that trains your mouth and builds automatic retrieval.

Here's what to do right now to improve your French speaking:

1. Start the 7-day challenge outlined above
2. Focus on shadowing as your primary practice method
3. Track your progress by recording yourself weekly
4. Get feedback on your pronunciation

Your brain might already know French. Now it's time to teach your mouth.