How long does it actually take to learn French?
A realistic timeline for adults, broken down by how many hours a week you're actually willing to put in — not motivational fluff.
Notes on learning French
Pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and strategy — written for adults learning French on their own terms.
5 French sounds that don't exist in English
The exact mouth position for each one, plus the English sound most learners mistakenly substitute.
The 200 words that make up 80% of spoken French
Why memorising rare words first is the most common mistake beginners make — and what to learn instead.
Bonjour vs salut: when to use which greeting
The unwritten social rules behind French greetings, and how to avoid sounding too formal or too familiar.
Why your French textbook is teaching you to sound like a robot
The gap between textbook grammar and how French is actually spoken — and how to close it.
Best — and worst — ways to learn French as an adult
What the research on adult language acquisition actually says, beyond app store marketing claims.