Bienvenue — and welcome to Get By In French
Whether you are a complete beginner, returning to French after many years away from learning and using the language, planning a trip to France, moving abroad, learning for work, or simply learning because you love the language and culture, this website is designed to help you feel comfortable and encouraged every step of the way.
Learning a language can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with the numerous offers to teach or improve language learning: “Learn French in a week.”!
Personally, I do not believe there is a shortcut to becoming proficient in any hobby or skill, whether playing a sport or a musical instrument, so why should learning a language be any different?
It’s about application, repetition, and perseverance, alongside making the journey an enjoyable one!
Just imagine the rewards along the way: being able to converse with people in a different country and venture into that country’s customs, culture, and history.
With Get By In French, I have kept the journey as simple as possible, so you can start learning and using French from the outset.
Navigating your way:
The easy-to-use tabs indicate the level in the language .
That way, you can check your starting point, your progress, and assess your ability and proficiency in the language!
Materials:
Grammar handouts, useful vocabulary lists (families of words), and exercises, all free to download, will enable you to learn the words and phrases you need within topic-based settings.
You will then be able to order that coffee and pastry, find your way to the hotel or campsite and understand those signs!
Listening resources:
Listening activities and video clips will aid with pronunciation and honing your listening skills. What does that mean?
Well, listening for the “gist”, the essential details within a conversation, and not worrying about understanding every single word.
You will be able to download for free the audio of each Youtube lesson, don’t worry, all the video lessons are short and not overwhelming!
The aim is progress, not perfection.
French should feel exciting, rewarding, and fun — not like an exam, although for those who enjoy the challenge, there are links to exercises and quizzes to test your progress and level.
The journey:
French people generally appreciate the effort learners make. Even a simple “Bonjour” or “Merci beaucoup” spoken with confidence can open doors and create wonderful experiences.
At Get By In French the focus is on practical communication and steady improvement. Small steps every day often lead to remarkable progress over time.
A few useful phrases today can become real conversations tomorrow. The most important thing is that you keep going.
The French language itself is also deeply connected to culture, travel, food, music, history, and everyday life. Learning French is not only about vocabulary lists and grammar rules.
It is about connecting with people and experiencing a different way of seeing the world.
France remains one of the world’s most visited countries for good reason. From the cafés of Paris to the beaches of the south, from quiet villages to bustling markets, French culture has a unique charm that attracts millions of people every year.
Beyond France itself, French is spoken across Europe, Canada, parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and many other places around the world.
So, to recap:
Maybe you already know a few phrases. Maybe you are starting from zero.
Maybe you studied French years ago and want to reconnect with it.
Whatever your reason for being here, you are warmly welcome.
Take your time exploring the lessons, videos, guides, and resources available across the site. Learn at your own pace.
Repeat things as often as you need to. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.
Because little by little, word by word, conversation by conversation, you really can
The most important thing is that you keep going and enjoy learning!
Bonne chance — and enjoy your French learning adventure!