French for beginners doesn't have to be boring and difficult – that's only caused by a bad start with rules and tables. It's much more important to first get used to the sound of the language, learn your first words, and start forming simple phrases, gradually introducing grammar. Then, you'll see the first results within a month.
Where to start for beginners
A sensible path for a beginner starts with sounds, not grammar. French is read according to rules, but it has silent letters, nasal sounds, and liaisons that you need to get used to – otherwise, words won't 'make sense' when heard. This is where you should start, using the guide on alphabet and pronunciation.
Next come the first hundred words — greetings, numbers, days of the week, basic verbs — and immediately simple phrases about yourself. A detailed self-study plan is compiled in the guide French from scratch. Try the first flashcard:
First vocabulary and phrases
A beginner's first vocabulary should be built according to two rules. Firstly, nouns are always learned with the article le or la — this habit will save you from later struggles with gender, and you can read more about it in the section on words and grammar. Secondly, the verbs être and avoir are the most important to learn first: without them, you can't form a single phrase.
It's more convenient to learn vocabulary in thematic sets — home, food, city, — rather than randomly, because words connected by meaning are easier to remember.
For a beginner, it's more important to start speaking with simple phrases than to learn all the rules. Grammar will catch up on its own — through examples.
Plan for the first month
The working scheme at the start is extremely simple: ten to fifteen new words a day plus review using spaced repetition flashcards, and within a month, you'll be reading simple texts and understanding basic dialogues.
The hardest part here is not the complexity of the material, but maintaining regularity; a visible streak of days helps with this. When the first month is behind you and you want to know what's next, the entire path is described in the guide how to learn French.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many words should a beginner learn per day?
Ten to fifteen is optimal. Learning more at the start is risky: it's easy to burn out, and review will add to the workload due to previous words.
Is it possible to study for free?
Yes, the basic plan is free: a hundred new words per month and all review modes — this is more than enough for a beginner level.
Where should an absolute beginner start?
With pronunciation and reading, then the first hundred words and simple phrases about yourself. Grammar is introduced gradually, through examples.
Is grammar needed right away?
No. It's more important to start speaking with simple phrases first; basic rules are learned through examples, not tables.
When will results appear?
With ten to fifteen words a day and review, within a month you'll be reading simple texts and understanding basic dialogues.
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