Learning French As An Expat Teacher In Paris 

Moving to Paris as an English teacher is an exciting experience, but if you don’t speak French, it can also be a challenge. While you may work in an English-speaking environment, learning French is essential for integrating into daily life, handling bureaucracy and forming deeper connections with locals.

However, balancing teaching responsibilities with language learning isn’t always easy. Our new blog details how to effectively improve your French while living and working in Paris.

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Set realistic learning goals 

As a busy teacher, you might not have time for your own intensive study sessions every day. Instead of aiming for fluency overnight, break your learning into manageable goals. For example:

Short-term: Learn essential phrases for everyday life (ordering in a café, asking for directions).

Medium-term: Hold basic conversations with colleagues or neighbours.

Long-term: Feel confident handling administrative tasks, watching French media, and making French friends.

Having clear goals will help you stay motivated without feeling overwhelmed!

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Immerse yourself in all things French 

One of the biggest advantages of living in Paris is the opportunity for immersion. Even if you’re not in a formal classroom, everyday life provides countless chances to practice French. A few ways to do this include:

Listen actively: Pay attention to conversations on the Metro, in cafés, or in the teachers’ lounge. Try to pick out familiar words and phrases.

Read signs and menus: Start recognizing common words in your surroundings.

Use public services in French: At the bakery, pharmacy, or grocery store, make an effort to speak French instead of defaulting to English.

Even small interactions add up over time and help reinforce what you learn.

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Enrol in French classes 

Formal instruction can help accelerate your learning. Luckily, Paris offers many options for French courses!

Alliance Française – A well-known language school offering structured courses for all levels.

Mairie de Paris (Town Hall courses) – Affordable French classes available for residents.

Online courses and apps – If your schedule is unpredictable, platforms and apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Italki can help with vocabulary and pronunciation.

Taking a structured class, even once a week, can provide valuable grammar lessons and keep you accountable.

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Practice French with colleagues and friends 

As an English teacher, your students may want to practice their English with you, but you can also use this as an opportunity to exchange languages.

You could try a language exchange – some students or teachers may be happy to do a “French for English” trade. Also try your best to speak French with native speaking educators in the teachers’ lounge. Even if you start with simple sentences, practicing with colleagues will help improve your confidence.

Lastly, make sure to ask for corrections. Many Parisians appreciate when foreigners try to speak French and will gently correct your mistakes.

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Consume French media 

Immersing yourself in French media is an excellent way to improve your language comprehension.

TV shows & movies: Try watching French films with subtitles. We have a whole blog of the best French films to watch!

Podcasts & radio: Listen to simple French podcasts like Coffee Break French or InnerFrench.

Books & newspapers: Start with children’s books or bilingual editions before moving on to French newspapers Le Monde or Le Parisien.

The more you expose yourself to the French language, the more naturally it will come to you.

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Be patient with yourself 

Learning a new language takes time, especially as an adult, and making mistakes is part of the process. Some Parisians may switch to English when they hear your accent, but don’t let that discourage you—respond in French as often as you can!

The more you persist, the more comfortable and independent you’ll become. Over time, you’ll notice that handling daily tasks, engaging in conversations, and even dealing with French bureaucracy becomes much easier.

By embracing immersion, practicing regularly, and staying patient with yourself, you’ll gradually gain the confidence to navigate Parisian life in French. Bonne chance!

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What are your best tips for learning French as an expat?

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