Learning a new language has been on my bucket list, and after finishing my master’s degree, I finally decided to begin. I wanted a hobby, but I also wanted to take on something meaningful and long-term. Since I’ve always loved France—and have been a little obsessed with Paris and French culture for many, many years, it felt natural to choose French.

Six months in, I’ve completed the A1 level and A2.1 classes at Alliance Française and am now about to start A2.2 classes. It hasn’t always been easy, but it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience and one that I know will make future travels even more fun and memorable.

Why French?

My love affair with French began long before I ever stepped foot in a classroom. I first visited Paris 15 years ago when I met up with my family for a very special winter Christmas (you can read about that here). I fell in love in with not only Paris and its winding streets, chic cafés, and effortless charm but with France itself – the culture, the fashion, the food, and of course, the sound of the language itself.

Originally, my husband and I planned to learn French together. We thought it would be fun to not only share the experience of learning a language but to be able to speak to each other in another language. But my husband’s schedule became busy, and it became my solo adventure. Honestly, I think that’s worked out for the best as it’s become something that’s completely mine and an opportunity to meet new friends!

And now, there’s an extra motivation: we’re thinking about taking a trip to France next year! This time, I want to be able to order our morning coffee and tea, pick out the perfect croissant, and navigate the streets without relying solely on English. The first time I went to Paris—15 years ago—I didn’t speak a word of French. I was that tourist who just hoped the locals spoke English. I don’t want to be that tourist again.

Enrolling at Alliance Française

Six months ago, I joined Sydney’s Alliance Française. For those who aren’t familiar, Alliance Française is an internationally recognised educational institution that offers French language courses alongside cultural events, film festivals, and more.

I enrolled in the A1 beginner’s immersion program, which meant that from the moment class began, most of the teaching would be in French. This immersion approach can sound intimidating, but there’s still English sprinkled in to explain tricky grammar points, especially at the beginner levels.

My Weekly Routine

Every Saturday, I head into the city for four hours of class. It’s intense, but that block of time allows us to really focus without distraction. I’m currently at the A2.1 level, which means I’ve moved beyond absolute basics and can now:

• Talk about everyday life in simple sentences
• Ask and answer questions in the present and past tense
• Express opinions in basic ways
• Understand slow, clear spoken French

The Reality: 24 Days in the Classroom

While I’ve been learning French for six months, the reality is that – at four hours every Saturday – I’ve only spent 24 actual classroom days learning the language. That’s a humbling realisation – especially in moments when I may be a little too hard on myself because I’m not remembering something I had learned. Language learning isn’t something you can cram; it needs time, repetition, and space for your brain to process.

What to Expect from Alliance Française Classes

If you’re thinking about joining, here’s what I’ve learned about the experience so far:

1. It’s Immersive (But Not Overwhelming)

The classes are conducted primarily in French, but teachers will switch to English if something really needs clarification and to help guide the learning – especially at the beginner stages of French. This keeps your brain constantly engaged while avoiding total learning frustration.

2. Classes Are Small and Interactive

In my classes there were a total of 14 students. Throughout the classes you’ll be working in groups, pairs, and individually. Expect role-play exercises (like ordering food in a café), reading comprehension tasks, listening to audio clips, and learning cultural context alongside grammar.

3. There’s Homework

It’s not excessive, but you’ll need to spend time during the week revising vocabulary, practising grammar exercises, and sometimes writing short paragraphs in French. I recommend doing the homework and seeking out additional resources to help with comprehension.

4. Cultural Learning Is Part of the Package

From casual mentions of French idioms to discussions about holidays and traditions, you’re not just learning words—you’re learning how the French actually live and think. I love learning these fun tidbits from the teachers in class because it makes the culture and language come to life.

My Biggest Challenge: Speaking and Listening to French

If I’m honest, speaking is still my weak spot. I understand far more than I can say, and I often hesitate because I’m self-conscious about not having a perfect French accent, mispronouncing words, or even using the wrong word in a sentence. It’s a mental block I’m working on. I know that fluency comes with practice, and no one starts out sounding like a native. Still, there’s something about saying the words out loud that makes me feel exposed.

But here’s the truth (and something I keep reminding myself): everyone in the room is learning, and no one is judging. My goal for the next six months is to push past that fear and speak more freely, mistakes and all—especially so I can use my French in France next year.

Why I’m Sticking With It

Learning French is going to be a long-term journey for me. I know that reaching a level where I can confidently converse with locals in France might take years, but that’s the beauty of learning a language. Each class, each word, and each little “aha” moment adds up.

Six months (and 24 classroom days) in, I’ve already noticed:

• My listening skills are improving – slowly. I still have moments where I get lost in a sea of French words and sounds, but that’s all part of learning a language. I know that as I improve my listening comprehension I’ll be able to confidently swim in that sea of French words.
• I can read simple French articles, books, and even subtitles on TV shows and understand the gist of what is going on.
• I’m starting to think in French during lessons in role-play activities. In the beginning I would have to think about my response in English first then find the French words, but lately I have started to think of those responses in French first.

Maybe more importantly is that beyond the skills, there’s the satisfaction of investing in myself in a completely different way that isn’t tied to my career. For once, I’m not learning something to chase a job title but simply for the joy of it.

My Advice if You’re Thinking of Learning French

1. Start now — If it’s on your bucket list, don’t wait for the “perfect time.” Language learning is a slow process; the sooner you begin, the sooner you’ll progress.
2. Be consistent — Weekly classes are great, but practice outside class makes a big difference.
3. Don’t fear mistakes — They’re part of the learning process. No one expects perfection. And hey, it’s better to try and make mistakes then to never have tried at all.
4. Immerse yourself — Listen to French music, watch French films, and change your phone’s settings to French.
5. Celebrate small wins — Ordering in French, understanding a song lyric, or getting through a conversation are all milestones that should be celebrated.

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Six months ago, I was just someone with a dream of learning French. Today, I’m living that dream one Saturday at a time. And next year, I’ll be walking into a Parisian café, ordering in French, and finally living out the version of myself I’ve always imagined.

Much love,
Lara X

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