When you hear French, experience French, speak French – it’s a natural way to learn (and fun!). Discover the French immersion course that really works whether you’re a complete beginner or further along the learning process.
I’ve been trying to learn to speak French for a long time, and I know how it feels to struggle with it. Some people find it easy to learn a new language, but the majority of us don’t find it easy at all. I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve asked me for advice – and who like me started with apps and then found that though they could understand written French, when it came to speaking French for real – they were flummoxed: “couldn’t understand a word” said one person. “It was nothing like what I learned from my App” complained another. It’s not you, I tell them. Speaking French in the real world, with a real person who might have an accent, use slang and probably speaks a lot faster than on the Apps – well, that’s the reality.
In the course of my learning French, it’s become evident that some key processes really do help you progress. Apps that use real-world examples to help you, for instance, if they use TV shows or films for teaching, so that you hear the real words spoken authentically. Teacher-based classes – whether in person or online (in my experience, there’s little difference), this really does help in several ways, personal tuition focused on your needs and working at your pace, but keeping you motivated and constantly learning. And immersion in France. Without a doubt it’s the most successful method and can fast-track you to the next level. Spending all day speaking French, even for a short while, rewires your brain.
Hear French, Experience French, Speak French
I tried the immersion course at Experience France (XPF). Based in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a historic city in the suburbs of Paris and just 25 minutes by RER train from the Arc de Triomphe, XPF uses “natural” teaching methods, based on you “not just learning French, but living it”, says Carl Adkins, who set the company up after he struggled to speak French using traditional or app-based lessons and found a more successful way to learn.
Living in France, with his kids attending the local school and studying French at home, Carl couldn’t figure out why he still struggled to hold a conversation with his French friends and neighbours. He began to study the methods of learning and how our brain works when we study. “I realised that for the great majority of students, no matter what age, learning French is about being comfortable hearing it spoken and speaking it yourself. So many people get hung up on the grammar, the rules, and spelling with accents. And yes, they are essential to learn if you want to speak and write French correctly. But to start with, you are far better off just learning it the natural way – by experience. It’s not a new method, but it’s rarely applied to learning French. So, I took the methodology and paired it with my own needs – to be able to understand and speak French in real-world situations. Suddenly, the stress of grammar, passé composé, imperfect tenses and all the rest, went away. And soon I was speaking French.”
So how does it work for everyone else?
After fine-tuning what he’d learned and creating a programme with his trilingual co-founder Hebret, they coached some volunteers. It worked for them, too, and so Carl and Hebret launched XPF.
Personalised programme of learning
Now clients come from around the world to be coached on a personalised programme – and again says Carl, “that’s important, we personalise it because everyone learns better when they’re interested. Some people want to learn how to book an Uber, how to buy a train ticket, and everyday things in life. Whatever your interests are – it could be art, history, culture, food, wine – whatever, we’ll tailor the programme to suit you.”
I chose history and art, so my programme took in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the city where King Louis XIV was born, with its castles and ancient streets. And the Chateau de Malmaison, Napoleon and Josephine’s former home. I also discovered Chatou and the Island of the Impressionists, made famous by the likes of Renoir and the Impressionist painters who captured the beauty of the area on canvas.
Immersions can be half-day or full-day experiences spread over 5 days or longer. Transport is provided, Carl and the team can help you organise accommodation, recommend restaurants, etc., and you’ll get personalised coaching.
Before the experience, you’ll be sent some ‘homework’ to help you familiarise yourself with the area and the topics you’ll be covering. This is aimed to “get you used to hearing French”, says Carl, “and it works at all levels, whether you’re a novice or at an intermediate stage and want to improve – and yes, it’s especially useful for those who’ve learned online or from an app and not had a chance to practice for real.”
Your level of French will also be assessed, and you’ll be able to discuss what’s important to you from the experience. For some, it’s the prelude to moving to France, for others, it’s preparing for a holiday and wanting to be able to converse (especially popular with solo travellers). “We had a client from New Zealand who wanted to get more from a trip to visit her great-grandfather’s WW2 grave in the Somme; she wanted to be able to speak to the local people.”
Lose the fear – find the fun
When you arrive in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Carl and coach Hebret will take you to the places that support your training. You’ll have guided tours in French and coaching that helps you to become comfortable in French. There’s no exam at the end of it, and there’s no pressure to be perfect. “It’s about losing the fear, feeling comfortable, discovering that learning a new language is more music than maths. You’ll discover that learning French can be fun. It’s an enjoyable process, you’re learning to speak and understand French – but you’re also doing what really interests you. Put them together and it really works,” says Carl.
And he’s not wrong. Usually, I would be a little bit lazy about listening to a tour in French. If there’s an English option, I’ll take it! But encouraged by Hebret, I did the French version and surprised myself at how I quickly became comfortable with it once I got over the initial “eek, it’s all in French” approach I have. It doesn’t matter what level your French is at, whether you’re right at the beginning or much further along, having personal coaching to help you speak French in real world situations, makes an enormous impact. And learning in places that you’re genuinely interested in isn’t just fun, it’s motivating.
“In some ways”, says Carl, “it’s a bit like a boot camp! By knowing what your goals are, we help you to overcome the fear and motivate you to achieve your personal best, but in a nice way. Our mantra is that you need to ‘Hear French and Experience French to Speak French’ which our clients agree is much more fun too!”
And when the immersion is over, they’ll send you a “tool kit” to help you carry on progressing, practising, and “immersing” yourself from wherever you are. Alternatively, you can join their “Club XPF” which provides ongoing online coaching and more excuses to return to France and discover more secret places and local delicacies!
Find out more at: xpfrance.net
By Janine Marsh, a Brit who now lives in France and is learning French!
