Mar 14
How to Keep a French Conversation Going When Your Mind Goes Blank
Use a simple rescue system, practical French repair phrases, and a 10-minute drill to keep a French conversation going when your mind goes blank.
12 min readRead
Intermediate20 articles
Articles about Intermediate
Browse all our articles related to intermediate. Learn tips and techniques to improve your language skills.
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Mar 14
You Understand French But Can't Speak: Which Method Actually Fixes It?
If your French comprehension is ahead of your speaking, use shadowing, retrieval, scenario loops, and repair work to turn passive French into usable output.
12 min readRead
Mar 13
French Connected Speech Rules: The Complete System for Sounding Fluent
Master French connected speech rules: liaison, enchaînement, elision, glides, and silent finals, so your French flows instead of sounding word-by-word.
11 min readRead
Mar 13
French Elision Rules: When Vowels Drop in Speech
Learn French elision: when and why short vowels drop before other vowels, with the complete word list, examples, common mistakes, and drills.
9 min readRead
Mar 13
French Enchainement: How Consonants Link to Vowels in Speech
Learn French enchainement, the linking rule where pronounced final consonants slide forward to the next vowel, with examples, drills, liaison contrasts, and practice routines.
11 min readRead
Mar 13
French Semi-Vowels: How to Pronounce /j/, /w/, and /ɥ/
Learn French semi-vowels /j/, /w/, and /ɥ/ with clear rules, common mistakes, shadowing drills, and a practical routine to stop adding extra syllables.
12 min readRead
Mar 13
French Liaison Rules: When to Link Words in Connected Speech
Learn exactly when French liaison is required, optional, and forbidden. Includes high-frequency examples, common English-speaker mistakes, shadowing drills, and a self-check.
9 min readRead
Mar 13
French Silent Final Consonants: Which Endings to Drop and Keep
Master French silent final consonants with the CaReFuL rule, common exceptions, high-frequency examples, and short drills to stop over-pronouncing word endings.
8 min readRead
Mar 13
How to Stop Translating in Your Head When Speaking French
Use chunk practice, shadowing, and timed recall to stop translating in your head and speak French with less hesitation.
12 min readRead
Mar 11
Best French Learning Methods A2-B1: Input, Flashcards, Shadowing, and Output
A ranking of the most useful French learning methods for A2-B1 learners, based on what actually helps listening, pronunciation, recall, and conversation.
7 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesspeaking
What Does "Je Suis Excité" Mean in English?
"Je suis excité" in English usually means sexually aroused, not just excited. Learn safer French alternatives like "j'ai hâte" and "je suis ravi(e)."
4 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesspeaking
Better Than Translation: "I'm Just Kidding"
"Je plaisante" works, but French speakers have a whole range of ways to signal they're joking. Here's how humor actually sounds in spoken French.
5 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesspeaking
Better Than Translation: "That Makes Sense"
"Ça fait sens" is a calque that makes French speakers wince. Here's what they actually say when something makes sense, and why the real phrases work better.
5 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesspeaking
10 French Phrases You Learned in Class but Rarely Hear
Your French textbook taught you phrases that native speakers barely use. Here are 10 classroom staples and what French people actually say instead.
6 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesspeaking
The French Your Teacher Taught You vs the French You Hear Outside
Classroom French and spoken French are practically two dialects. Here's a side-by-side guide to the biggest gaps, and how to bridge them.
7 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesmyth-busting
Do French People Actually Say "Double Entendre"?
English speakers use 'double entendre' to describe a phrase with two meanings. But this expression doesn't exist in French. Here's what French people actually say.
5 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesmyth-busting
Do French People Actually Say "Merde"?
Merde is the most famous French swear word. But how often do French people really use it, what does it mean beyond the literal, and when is it actually appropriate?
5 min readRead
Mar 9
Seriesmyth-busting
Do French People Actually Say "Voulez-Vous Coucher Avec Moi"?
Thanks to a pop song, everyone knows this phrase. But would a French person ever actually say it? Here's the truth about this infamous line and what French flirting really sounds like.
5 min readRead
Dec 14
French Pronunciation Guide: Mouth Positions, CaReFuL Rule, and Drills
Use this French pronunciation guide to learn the CaReFuL rule, mouth positions, and daily drills that help English speakers sound clearer.
16 min readRead
Dec 14
French Speaking Practice Plan: 7-Day Weekly Routine for A2-B1
Follow a 7-day French speaking practice plan with shadowing, retrieval, pronunciation repair, and low-pressure conversation transfer.
9 min readRead