Top tips for improving your French and Spanish
- Cate Taylor
- Dec 7, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 10
Take every opportunity to use your language skills.
It sounds obvious but it's easier said than done, but once you've put your mind to it, easier than you think.
Case in point: it was recently my favourite day of the year in New Milton. The New Milton Christmas market, where every year, I get to speak French to the stall holders of the annual French market to the horror of my children. I'm resigned to the fact that setting a good example to them will often include embarrassing them!
Imagine my delight this year, when alongside the French market, there was a stall held by a Peruvian man and his lovely Spanish wife. A double whammy of language-speaking Christmas joy ... or mortification for the children - whichever way you want to look at it!
We had a lovely conversation about my time in Peru many years ago and a rather initially-confusing conversation about "Gales" and "ballenas" which tickled me when I worked out why he was asking me whether Gales was famous for its ballenas ... luckily, I cottoned on quickly and was able to explain that though they sound the same, there is an important H in the English word for ballenas (whales) which is missing from my home country, "Wales." He now knows that Wales is more famous for its dragons than its whales!
Language lessons in your phone settings
An easy way to add some language practice into your daily life is to turn your phone settings to be in French or Spanish which gives you a little dose of language every time you use your phone. Just be careful with the autocorrect when you are texting!
Many students studying iGCSE or IB French and Spanish struggle to make consistent progress without structured guidance. Whether you’re preparing for exams or trying to improve speaking confidence, applying the right strategies early can make a significant difference — especially for students studying online or internationally.
If you enjoyed this, you might like to read my latest blog with tips how to use listening to improve your French and Spanish.
If you’re studying IB or iGCSE French or Spanish, personalised one-to-one tutoring can help you apply these strategies effectively and target exam success. Learn more about my IB & iGCSE French and Spanish tutoring here.
Perhaps you are an adult learner who needs a push to move forward in your French or Spanish. Learn more about my lessons for adults here.
