Coucou les French learners,
Today, I want to touch base on a common concern that many of you might encounter: the feeling of being lost when you don’t understand a story… Or even its gist!
Have you ever found yourself in this situation?
Where French words seem to dance around you, and comprehension feels just out of reach?
You are not alone.
It’s natural to encounter moments of confusion or difficulty as you immerse yourself in a new language. Trust me, I’ve experienced many of these moments living in Germany and now in Portugal!
But here’s the important thing to remember: it’s okay not to understand. Yes, you heard that right. It’s perfectly OKAY. In fact, it’s all part of the process.
You are still understanding…
Even if you don’t grasp every word or follow the storyline, you’re still making progress.
Every time you expose yourself to French, whether through listening or reading,
your brain is hard at work.
Subconsciously, you’re absorbing the structure and rhythm of the language. You’re internalizing the cadence of French speech, even if you’re not consciously aware of it.
So, when you find yourself feeling lost in a sea of French words, take heart.
Know that every moment spent engaging with the French language is a step forward.
The more you expose yourself to French, the more familiar it becomes. And gradually, those moments of confusion will become fewer and farther between.
Be calm. Be patient.
When you don’t understand a story in French, stay calm and patient. Try not to get frustrated (I know it’s hard!).
- Pause and Relax: Take a moment to breathe and relax. Feeling stressed or anxious will make it harder to understand.
- Focus on the Context: Pay attention to the context of the story: what is going on? Look for clues within the story that can help you figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words. This could include recognizing similar words in English or using visual cues. Don’t be afraid to guess the meaning of words based on the context. Even if you’re not sure, making educated guesses can help you piece together the overall meaning of the story.
- Continue Listening or Reading: Even if you don’t understand everything, keep listening or reading. Exposure to the language is key to improving comprehension over time.
- Find a basic story: to regain confidence consider finding a simpler story to read or listen to. Even very basic stories are helpful for reinforcing your understanding of French. Find a story with simple vocabulary and sentence structures.
Boost your confidence!
Here is a super easy story for you! The video, text and audio are FOR FREE. They are part of our self-paced online course called the Baby Stage designed to help you understand French with ease.
Watch the video (read and listen to the story aftewards).
What is going on? Do you feel good because you understood it?
Keep hearing and reading French!
Join us and gain
CLARITY: progress step by step through stages and make French become clear to you. Understand French with ease.
COMMUNITY: meet weekly and keep yourself accountable through the most caring and invested community. Think French naturally.
TRANSFORMATION: feel empowered. Be fluent in French. Transform yourself and get a new soul. Speak French freely.