Bonjour, French Learning Project!
I am a proud multilingual learner and educator (and I also hate to admit that ironically, my own native tongue Sindhi is the one I use the least as it is such a minority language). French is the fifth language I want to achieve fluency in.
So here’s the big plan: for my major learning project, I’m going all in on my French journey.
I actually started Duolingo’s French course back in 2023, and I’ve made it to an intermediate level (around CEFR B1). Wait, I have proof! here!
here’s a screenshot if you believed me and kept reading
As you can see, I have a French score of 82 (which Duolingo says is upper B1 as per this website). Duolingo has been a great companion, but my hate for Duo the owl grows exponentially with every passing second. Long story short: Duo’s owners have become greedy and the free version sucks now.
Of course, I had to confirm my progress, so I used another platform (mostly free) called Progress with Lawless French. I took their CEFR level test and the results indicate that I am passing the B1 test but not quite at C1 yet (which places me around B2 as per them).
But I want to push further. My ultimate dream? To live (and thrive) in Montreal or Paris. For that, I’ll need a level of French where I’m not just surviving conversations but actually enjoying them.
Why French?
Languages are fascinating. Every new phrase feels like unlocking a puzzle piece of culture. I blame watching Emily in Paris for exposing me to francophone culture which is 100% my vibe and also, Dua Lipa’s song Fever ( it has French verses) for showing me how romantic and musical the language is. I know French fluency will be essential for both professional and personal life.
Someday, I’d love to add French to the list of subjects I can teach. Being able to tutor or teach in multiple languages is a great asset for my multilingual identity.
Fortunately, French is one of the most accessible languages to learn openly online, thanks to the abundance of free and open resources, communities, and social media content.
What I hope to achieve
- Become conversational even if I use the most basic French.
- Confidently introduce myself and handle basic daily-life conversations: ordering food, asking directions, small talk. I need this badly cuz of the impending Montreal trip at New Year’s
- Improve listening comprehension which is still my weak spot. Probably by understanding slow/clear French in podcasts or YouTube videos without subtitles.
- Sharpen my pronunciation and intonation so I sound more natural and less “Franglish.”
This would help me at least somewhat understand French songs and watch French movies without subtitles. I can already imagine myself sitting by the Seine writing French poetry (I know that escalated quickly).
I’ll be sure to give brutally honest takes on which resources actually help vs. which feel overrated.
There will be short video/audio updates of me practicing French (even the awkward ones 😅).
Maybe I’ll ask my boyfriend to collaborate 😝
How I’ll learn 🌐
I’m planning to use a mix of online and offline tools, like:
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Apps: Duolingo (I have the paid version but it doesn’t offer explanations), Lawless French (has free quizzes and explanations)
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Podcasts & videos: need to find some good ones but I’ve heard (yet to try) Learn French with Alexa on YouTube
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Communities: Reddit’s r/French (already super helpful), have to find a good Discord group
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Language exchange (freemium) apps: probably experiment with HelloTalk or Tandem to connect with native speakers
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Offline practice: labeling things at home (I’ve started already), journaling reflections, practicing with my boyfriend, and hopefully attending a French-speaking meetup in Regina if I can find one
- Music/TV: Listening to French songs and watching a show or movie in French (with subtitles at first, then trying without).
I’m genuinely excited (and maybe a bit delusional) about this project. I am sure to at least elevate my language and it feels doable — three months is enough to make noticeable progress, especially with consistency and open learning communities to keep me accountable. It’s a project to take me closer to my future self, living in French.
But bye for now.
Living my French-learning era,
Dishant
8 thoughts on “Bonjour, French Learning Project!”
There’s a lot of subjects I enjoyed learning, but for some reason languages was never my strong suit. I even gave Duolingo a try a couple years ago and attempted to learn Spanish, but I gave up after a few months as I felt I wasn’t really retaining new information outside the app. That said, I hear most people really enjoy it, so it’s disappointing to find out that the free version is getting progressively worse.
Even though languages haven’t intriguied me your prespective on them sure has. I love the idea of comparing sentences to cultural puzzle pieces. I do find I learn better when a subject is gamified, which adds to my surprise that Duo didn’t work for me. If I ever find myself back in the language learning arena I’m going to try to keep that perspective in mind!
As someone who’s always struggled with language I know I’m not the best source on this, but I’ve heard that regular French and French Canadian aren’t exactly the same. I’m not sure how far the differences really stretch, but I’m curious if that will present itself as an issue at all for you. You mentioned your dream of one day living in Montreal or Paris and I’m wondering if the differences are something that can be picked up at the end of the journey, or if it’s better to try to figure them out during the learning process. Seeing as you already know four languages I’m sure that you’ll be able to overcome that potential challenge with ease!
Hi Joshua,
Thanks so much, Joshua! I really appreciate your perspective. Honestly, I can relate to retention struggles using Duo. I’ve had the same frustration with Spanish.
But somehow for French, it works! I think the reason is I realized earlier on that I need to be learning the language I am interested in beyond learning-for-the-sake-of-learning. Duolingo worked for me because I made my own notes and pushed myself to form sentences and paragraphs (and even experimented with some poetry). That’s why for this project I’m trying to go beyond just the app and mix in listening, speaking, and some offline tricks too.
I also love that you picked up on the “puzzle piece” idea! For me, that mindset makes it feel less like memorization and more like cultural exploration, which keeps me motivated.
And yes, you’re absolutely right about the French/French Canadian difference. The accents, vocabulary, and even some grammar quirks can be pretty different. My plan is to start with “standard” French since that’s what most resources teach, and then once I’m more comfortable, tune my ear to Québécois French. I’ve heard it’s like learning British vs. American English — still the same language, but with its own flavor and identity. It’s a fun challenge I’m actually excited for, since Montreal is definitely on my radar.
Your encouragement really means a lot — thank you! Hopefully by the end of this I’ll at least be able to order poutine in proper French 😅
Hey Dishant,
This is such a passionate and well-thought-out project! I love how you’ve blended personal motivation, fun resources, and even future dreams into your French-learning journey. Can’t wait to see your progress.
Hi Sonia,
Thank you so much for the kind words! 😊 I really wanted this project to feel personal and fun rather than just “academic,” so it means a lot that you noticed that blend. I’m excited (and a little nervous) to share the ups and downs along the way, but I think that’s part of the learning adventure. Can’t wait to keep you updated!
Hi Dishant
This is an amazing project! Your plan is clear, and it’s great how you’re mixing apps, music, videos, and real practice. Learning French for both travel and future goals makes it even more exciting. Consistency will definitely help you reach your dream!
Thanks Rupinder, I really appreciate your words of encouragement! I’m hoping that variety will keep things fun and sustainable. You’re absolutely right, consistency is the biggest piece, so I’ll try to show up every day. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻
Hello Dishant,
I really loved reading your blog post—it’s so full of passion, energy, and humor! I admire how dedicated you are to learning French and how clearly you’ve mapped out your goals and strategies. The way you shared your journey, from Duolingo streaks to imagining yourself writing poetry by the Seine, makes the whole process so relatable and inspiring. I think it’s amazing that you’re not just aiming for fluency but also embracing the cultural side of the language. I have no doubt that with your consistency and enthusiasm, you’ll be thriving in Montreal or Paris before you know it. Can’t wait to follow along with your updates!
Hi Neeraj,
Thank you so much for this generous feedback! I’m really glad the mix of passion and humor came through. I wanted the post to feel like an honest snapshot of the ups and downs of language learning. Embracing the cultural side is definitely the fun part for me, and it makes the grammar and vocabulary feel a lot less like “work.” Your encouragement means a lot, and I’ll do my best to live up to it, hopefully with some poetry by the Seine to prove it someday 😅. You’ll have to follow for more and I am excited to share more updates soon!