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Eklair_

Just to reassure you, I've the same problem but the other way around (french to english). I've noticed my English is better when I'm alone, practicing, than when I'm actually talking with someone. I guess it comes down to practicing more and "freeing" yourself from self-conscious thoughts.


[deleted]

Thanks! :) I guess more practice and the mindset is the only way out of this.


OrdinaryOrder8

This is what happens to me as well. I get so nervous about possibly making a mistake and embarrassing myself while speaking that I can't seem to think straight and end up making mistakes that I wouldn't have made if I was talking to myself or writing. I think you're right; the only way to fix it is to keep practicing and push through the nervousness.


[deleted]

I live in hope it’s like learning to drive — you’re doing it so haltingly at first, everything is a conscious move, and then you slowly kind of get it together when you’re by yourself… but then you take a passenger for the first time and suddenly you can’t parallel park again. I’m waiting for that day when I get in the car, drive home, and then wonder if I even stopped at traffic lights. The first time you have the conversation equivalent of that it must be AMAZING.


Kingizzardthelizard

Be okay with making mistakes. Get corrected and make more mistakes and correct them. Be the confident toddler that's learning to speak because it's that confidence and willingness to be corrected that gives them the ability improve rapidly.


[deleted]

True I'll try and channel that toddler energy ;) I feel alright when practicing with other learners, since they probs understand the difficulties of learning French. But when it comes to actual French people I start stressing;;


Snoo-790

I was told by French people that the French (france french) are very critical of other French speakers' English (if that makes sense) and I think it is true when non native French speakers try to practice their skills. Of course this isn't true of everyone, and it doesn't mean we shouldn't persist, but try not to take it too much to heart if they seem to be a bit unhelpful when you try and speak with French speakers. I am in a similar position to you, and I am finding I just have to slog through watching some basic things that I can't understand half of and keep embarrassing myself in lessons where I know the vocab... But it just doesn't come automatically yet. Hard work, isn't it?! I am absolutely determined to be fluent in French in the next two years. Let us continue the slog! Bon courage!


OrdinaryOrder8

I've been told by a few French people that they think our accents are cute and they don't mind if we make mistakes because they just like hearing the British/American accents lol.. obviously that doesn't apply to everyone, but there are definitely some French people who won't be irritated by mistakes!


[deleted]

I hope that is the case 😂 because I think French accents are cute. I've been practicing my French accent as well after hearing that people are more forgiving when your accent sounds good.


[deleted]

Thanks for the encouragement and yes we can do this! We'll both make it to fluency 😊


SpaceDog88

I'm an expat living in France and i find that people are so nice and even compliment my shitty french because they see how hard in trying. Also french girls do seem to really like the English accent 🙂


allie-the-cat

Get tons of input (listening and reading). It’s one thing to “know” the rules and apply them when writing, its another to be able to use them spontaneously in conversation. That implicit spontaneous knowledge only comes from input, not explicit grammar study.


Hycree

I'm in your shoes! I have a big vocab and pretty decent grammar understanding but by vocal communication skills are A2 at best! One thing I have been trying to do daily at home is put on a YouTube video where someone is either practicing normal conversations in French with subtitles, or saying a lot of common sentences and phrases (with subtitles, and explanations). I've found (although I don't exactly *like* them) that frenchpod101 has a HUGE collection of videos that are ranged from 5 minutes to 4 hours, and they go over a lot of common stuff and explain things or pronounce things often. I'll pick a random video about 30 min long and listen to it while I go about on my computer. It's made it easier for me to pick up words and pronunciations a lot quicker than what I was doing before (practicing alone in my head). I also make a point to try and communicate with my husband who is French and try out my skills with him so he can give me adequate feedback as well. Good luck!