Are the French really bad at English?

We can only admit it: French people always find good excuses for not speaking English. Another undeniable fact: it is rare to hear that the French are good at English. As proof, France would be ranked last among European countries and 28th among non-English speaking countries worldwide.

In terms of English language proficiency, the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway remain the best in the international rankings. This is certainly because they have always used the Germanic languages. English is one of them. But are the French really bad at English? How to learn English or improve your skills? Answers.

The French are bad at English, they say: why?

Because of the facts, it would indeed seem that this is not a simple myth. So why are we so bad at Shakespeare’s language?

Pronunciation in English

If there is one area where the French often has difficulty, it is the pronunciation. The point is that in English there are several ways to pronounce the same sounds. Thus, a French student will naturally tend to state “seat” and “sit” in the same way. However, in the first case, the “i” will sound longer and more stretched. It is short and relaxed in the second.

Another important point: the French language has only one pronunciation for each sound. Consequently, a French person will pronounce in the same way “Beach” and “Bitch” or “Sheet” and “Shit”, which can cause misunderstandings.

Contact with the language

From birth, informal and non-academic perspectives of learning a language in the everyday environment play an important role. Fluency in English, individual trips abroad, or exposure to the language in everyday life and the media are rather important factors.
The most successful countries are those where they exist an environment conducive to learning English and where the English language has an important place.

Listening comprehension is a prerequisite for communication. In Malta and Estonia, most of the students who took part in the European Commission’s big survey on the level of foreign languages ​​in Europe said that they speak English regularly at home.

The blocking of French students

But some factors are much deeper and less easy to correct than movie subtitles. Indeed, some analyzes reveal that when they speak English, French students are very shy, unlike their foreign comrades. Is this due to education or the lack of presentation and speaking out in French schools and universities?

As we often say, the French are not “bad at languages”. On the other hand, they are afraid of ridicule. The proof is that they have the most difficulty in speaking, taking risks, and trusting. It is as if they prefer to calculate in advance what they have to say, or just keep quiet, to avoid making a mistake. Result: they find themselves totally blocked. Worse yet, they are unable to communicate spontaneously in a foreign language.

So, what training to progress effectively in English?

No, it’s not inevitable. It is quite possible to take English lessons to improve your skills, directly online to learn pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and conjugation at your own pace. Learning English is no longer strictly done in a traditional classroom. Indeed, today there are online English courses specifically designed for students. They offer modern and friendly education. The perfect solution for distance learners as well as students wishing to strengthen their skills outside of a formal setting.

Depending on your needs, different training possibilities are available to you. Whether it’s to travel, change professions, or just for fun, you will have no trouble finding a program that suits you. For example, you can get unlimited access to effective educational materials and activities on specialized online platforms, where you will have access to a blog, a YouTube channel to work on listening comprehension and pronunciation, and an Instagram page.

You can choose between:

• Training based only on practices and conversations: you will be speaking English within the next 60 days, whatever your level.
• Pronunciation-oriented courses: you will speak English perfectly within 30 days of your training. You will easily recognize and reproduce all the sounds of the English language.
• The “travel English” option: during lessons, you can speak and understand travel English with confidence.
• Complete training to pass your English language proficiency exam (TOEIC or TOEFL).
• Receive the complete guide to speaking English fluently and quickly.

What other tips to progress in English?

In addition to taking a training course, there are various tips to apply daily to soak up the English language.

Watch TV or movies with subtitles

Learn new words without leaving the sofa while watching English movies with subtitles. It’s a great way to learn new vocabulary and test your comprehension.

Listen to your favorite English songs

It’s easier to learn new words and phrases when they’re set to music, but even easier with a song that you like!

Read the English press, a book…

You can try to read the English press. To encourage yourself, start by reading easy articles in the sections you like, or just the first paragraph of an article…

Also try to find an English book suitable for your level, whether you need to start with a children’s book to learn the basics, or you’re trying out longer novels. You can try reading aloud with a friend, both to practice speaking and understanding.

Writing a simple story

You can write anything that comes to your mind to help you practice your grammar and find new words. Besides, reading and then writing the words will help you memorize them. You can even read your story aloud later to practice speaking.