6 ways to include French in your daily life

Sorry to break it to you but... eating croissant and buying French wine won't do anything to your language skills, I know, I know, c'est dommage !

Immersion is, in my opinion, the best way to learn a language—it's how I learned Bulgarian.

You hear the same things every day at work, in the supermarket, or at restaurants, and little by little, you start absorbing more words. One day, the chatter of that local baker suddenly makes sense (so satisfying, right?)

But if you’re not living in a French-speaking country, practicing French every day can be quite challenging.

Here are my 6 favorite tips to incorporate French into your daily life, with almost no effort:

1. Switch your devices to French

Whether it's your phone, laptop, or whatever it is you own, change the language settings to French! This forces you to interact with French every time you check the weather, send a message, or navigate your apps. You’ll get used to everyday vocabulary, and it’ll become second nature.

2. Follow french content creators on your social media

One of the best ways to stay connected to the language is through content you already enjoy. Whether it’s Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok, follow French influencers, vloggers, and educators. You’ll absorb casual spoken French while keeping up with trends, lifestyle, and culture. This is a tip I apply to myself, even as a native speaker. Living abroad makes keeping up with trends and slang evolution more difficult, and social media is central to our world!

3. Listen to French songs and follow the lyrics along

Music is a powerful tool for language learning. Find a playlist with French songs that you like and try following along with the lyrics. It’s fun, and it helps you get used to pronunciation, rhythm, and everyday expressions. Once you feel confortable with reading and understanding the lyrics, start singing along! Plus, you’ll discover cool new artists along the way. I used to do this in Italian with a few songs I was obsessed with, and I swear, it works! I can’t guarantee you'll become a great singer, but you’ll definitely learn new things.

4. French podcasts for more advanced speakers

Podcasts are a fantastic way to improve your comprehension and vocabulary. Find podcasts on topics you’re already interested in—whether it’s true crime, history, or self-development. Listening to native speakers discuss subjects you enjoy will help boost your French effortlessly. Binge audio for example, has a great variety of topics.

5. Write in French everyday

Depending on your level, it can be a simple sentence about your tastes, or the weather or how you feel, and as you improve, you can start writing anecdotes, memories, holiday plans, etc. Don’t worry about mistakes! it’s about thinking in French as regularly as possible. Plus, you'll have to look for words you don't know, and that's a great way to build your vocabulary.

6.Write your grocery shopping list in French only!

A fun and practical way to practice French is to write your grocery list in French. At first you might have to look for words online and then make the effort to remember what they mean once at the supermarket. But on the long term, it’s an easy habit to form, and it keeps you connected to everyday vocabulary like food items, quantities, and simple phrases. Eventually, you'll do it without even thinking!

Bonus tip : be patient and kind to yourself.

In general, building habits takes time, and creating a daily routine with French is no different. In Atomic Habits, James Clear emphasizes how small, consistent actions can lead to significant results. Instead of overwhelming yourself with massive changes, start with simple steps like the ones I just gave you. Over time, these small actions add up and become natural.

It’s also important to set achievable goals. For instance, pairing French learning with a daily habit you already do, like listening to a playlist or a podcast while cooking or writing your few french sentences on your phone in the metro, makes the process seamless and easier to stick with.

Remember, it’s about consistency, not perfection. Steady practice will turn all these changes into second nature, and that’s where the real magic happens!

To help you with implementing these new habits you can download my 4-week challenge right here :

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