English to French for Beginners: Where to Begin
Learn French Online with a Personalised Plan
Perfect for hobby learners, professionals, GCSE students, and expats moving to France.
Key Takeaways
- Your goal shapes your learning - travel, work, GCSE, or relocation all need different approaches
- 1-to-1 online tutoring is the most effective method for beginners, offering real-time feedback and personalised lessons
- English speakers have an advantage - many English words come from French
- You can hold basic conversations in 3-4 months with regular practice and weekly tutoring
- Practise little and often - 15 minutes daily beats one long weekly session
- Speaking from day one, even with mistakes, accelerates your progress
Table of Contents
Learning French opens doors - to travel, culture, career opportunities, and even a new life abroad. Whether you're planning to move to France, want to learn for business, or simply love the sound of the language, starting from English can feel like a big step.
The good news? You can make fast, confident progress with the right structure and a personalised plan.
Why French Matters
1. Start with a clear goal
Before diving into grammar or vocabulary, ask yourself: Why do I want to learn French?
Your goal shapes your learning style and materials.
- For travel or hobbies: focus on conversational French, greetings, directions, and food phrases.
- For work or business: prioritise formal language, emails, and presentation vocabulary.
- For GCSE or academic study: grammar, tenses, and writing skills are key.
- For relocation or expats: aim for "survival French" and daily communication.
Having a clear reason helps your tutor tailor every lesson to your real-life needs — saving months of guesswork.
2. Choose the right learning method
There are endless ways to learn French, but not all are equally effective. Let's compare:
Self-study and apps
Great for vocabulary practice and quick exposure, but progress slows without feedback or speaking practice.
Group classes
Affordable and social, though often too general for individual goals or levels.
1-to-1 Online Tutoring (Best for beginners)
A personalised approach means your tutor corrects pronunciation in real time, adjusts pace to your ability, and builds lessons around your reasons for learning.
If you'd like a structured yet flexible way to start, try our online tutoring service. Every class is bespoke, built around your goals — whether that's GCSE, business French, or relocation support.
3. Build the foundations: from English to French
When learning from English, start with similarities and patterns.
Learn key sentence structures
English and French share grammar logic — subject, verb, object — but word endings and gender differ.
Focus on pronunciation early
French has sounds that English doesn't. Practising out loud with a tutor helps avoid fossilising mistakes.
Master essential vocabulary
Begin with core topics like greetings, numbers, food, and travel — all taught interactively in beginner tutoring sessions.
First Things to Learn: Your Foundation Checklist
Every beginner should master these essential building blocks in their first few weeks:
| Topic | What You'll Learn | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| The French Alphabet | 26 letters with French pronunciation (A, B, C = "ah, bay, say") | Foundation for spelling words aloud and understanding native speakers |
| Numbers 1-100 | Un, deux, trois... including tricky ones like 70 (soixante-dix) | Essential for prices, phone numbers, addresses, and telling time |
| Telling the Time | "Quelle heure est-il?" - Il est trois heures, midi, minuit | Making appointments, catching trains, planning your day |
| Weather Expressions | "Il fait beau / Il pleut / Il fait froid" and seasons | Small talk, planning activities, daily conversation starter |
| Days & Months | Lundi, mardi... janvier, février (note: lowercase in French!) | Scheduling, booking, talking about dates and events |
| Basic Greetings | Bonjour, bonsoir, au revoir, s'il vous plaît, merci | First impressions and everyday politeness |
| Essential Verbs | Être (to be), avoir (to have), aller (to go), faire (to do/make) | Used constantly - form the backbone of most sentences |
Pro tip: Focus on pronunciation from day one. French has sounds that don't exist in English (like the French "r" and nasal vowels). A tutor can correct these early before they become habits.
Practice with Beginner Worksheets
Build your foundation with structured practice materials covering essential vocabulary, grammar, and conversation topics.
Browse Beginner Worksheets →4. Learn online: convenient, flexible, and proven
With online French lessons, you can learn anywhere — home, café, or even during a work break. Platforms like Zoom or Google Meet make speaking practice effortless.
Every 1-to-1 class on French Language Worksheets includes:
- Tailored lesson plans for your level
- Instant feedback on pronunciation and grammar
- Homework and practice sheets
- Access to worksheets and quizzes for revision
5. Tips for faster progress
- Practise little and often — 15 minutes daily beats one long weekly session.
- Listen to French podcasts or music to train your ear.
- Speak from day one, even if you make mistakes.
- Keep a mini journal in French — write what you did today in simple sentences.
- Book 1-to-1 sessions to correct errors before they become habits.
6. Common beginner questions
Is French easy for English speakers?
Yes — many English words come from French (such as restaurant, information, important). The grammar takes practice, but it's very learnable with guidance.
How long does it take to speak basic French?
With regular practice and weekly tutoring, most learners can hold a simple conversation within 3–4 months.
Can I learn online even if I'm shy?
Absolutely. Private classes are perfect for shy learners - no audience, no pressure, just calm progress at your pace.
7. Your next step: book your first class
Starting from English doesn't mean starting from zero. You already have logic, structure, and curiosity — all you need is guidance.