Coucou les French learners,

Yesterday marked the beginning of my online intermediate French classes and here is an insightful moment from our session.

During our live session, we engaged in a lively discussion about fall, exploring our feelings towards this season. Bob, wanted to express that he used to like fall but now it reminds him of the approaching winter.

You can still join me live, there are still a few spots available in classes ranging from advanced beginner to advanced level.
Click here to register.

He began in English, unsure how to say “I used to like…” Then, following his instinct, he said in French, “J’aimais…” Though still uncertain, I encouraged him to trust his intuition because he was absolutely correct!

This is the difference between learning and acquiring a language. Traditional learning often focuses on memorizing rules and vocabulary, which can lead to hesitation and self-doubt.

Acquisition, on the other hand, is a natural process that occurs when you’re exposed to comprehensible input in the target language.

It allows you to develop an intuition for the language, much like Bob did with “J’aimais“.

The Power of Linguistic Intuition

Intuition refers to the ability to understand or know something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning or analysis. It is often described as a “gut feeling” or an immediate understanding that arises from experiences, knowledge, and subconscious processing.

When immersed in French, your brain subconsciously absorbs patterns, structures, and nuances of the language. This unconscious knowledge forms the basis of our linguistic intuition.

As you encounter more comprehensible input, your brain naturally starts to recognize and internalize these patterns, leading to more accurate guesses and natural language use.

This process mirrors how you acquired your native language as a child.

Not through explicit grammar lessons, but through constant exposure to comprehensible language in context. By tapping into this natural ability, you can make significant strides in youour French proficiency.

In French, we express “follow your intuition” as “suivez votre intuition” or “fiez-vous à votre instinct.”

Embracing this concept can dramatically enhance your French journey.

Developing Your French Intuition

Immerse yourself in comprehensible French media. This doesn’t mean diving into French films without subtitles right away! Start with content that’s just slightly above your current level. Watch videos at a slow, clear pace with gestures and drawings to help you understand what is going on.

Click here to watch this short story for beginner. It is FREE!
You should understand enough to follow along without getting overwhelmed.

Engage in extensive reading. It means reading large quantities of easy, enjoyable material in French. This could be our hundreds of stories on our site, or graded readers designed for French learners. The goal is to read for pleasure and general understanding, not to analyze every word.

Embrace context. Instead of reaching for a dictionary every time you encounter an unfamiliar word, try to guess its meaning from context. That way, you strengthen your ability to intuit meaning.

Listen actively. Pay attention to French wherever you encounter it: in movies, songs, or overheard conversations. Even if you don’t understand everything, your brain is working to process and internalize the language patterns.

By consistently exposing yourself to comprehensible French input, you’ll gradually strengthen your intuitive grasp of the language naturally, much like how you acquired your native language.

Join our French program today & develop a strong French instinct, just like Bob did with his intuitive use of “J’aimais“!

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.