Learning French goes fastest when you sort out pronunciation early, because spelling hides so much of the sound, and then read graded stories every day. These guides cover the whole path: difficulty and timelines, pronunciation, the first 100 words, CEFR and DELF levels, a 15-minute routine, a 30-day plan and French versus Spanish.
- French taught
- France French
- Covers
- Complete beginner to B2
- Sources
- FSI, Alliance Française, France Éducation international, Académie française and vocabulary research, cited on each guide
- Contos data
- Word counts and examples measured from the Contos French library
- A 30-day French reading planA day-by-day 30-day French reading plan built on real A1 and A2 stories: one short chapter a day, a reread every seventh day, and a free route throughout.
- Your first 100 French wordsThe 100 French words beginners meet most, counted from real A1 and A2 stories and grouped into small words, verb forms and everyday nouns.
- French CEFR levels explained: A1 to B2What A1, A2, B1 and B2 mean in French, how the DELF and DALF diplomas test them, and one story scene written at all four levels so you can see the difference.
- French pronunciation for beginnersFrench pronunciation for English speakers: silent final letters, liaison and elision, nasal vowels, u and ou, and the French r, with examples from real stories.
- French reading practice: a 15-minute daily routineA 15-minute daily French reading routine: what to do minute by minute, how to plan your week, and how to tell when a story is too hard or too easy.
- French vs Spanish: which should you learn?French or Spanish? FSI difficulty, speaker numbers, how close the two are word for word, and how to choose. With side-by-side lines from Contos stories in both.
- How long does it take to learn French?Realistic French timelines for English speakers: FSI and Alliance Française hours by level, what they mean per day, and what Contos's French stories show.
- How many French words do you need?How many French words you need to read, talk and move up a level: vocabulary research, what Contos's French stories show, and what counts as a word.
- Is French hard to learn for English speakers?How hard French really is for English speakers: where the FSI ranks it, the words you already know, and the spelling, gender and verbs that slow you down.
- How to learn French by readingA practical method for learning French by reading: what to read at each level, how to handle unknown words, and why staying with one series pays off.
Where should a French beginner start reading?
Read the guides in roughly the order you will need them:
- Choosing French. Is French hard? covers the words you already know and the parts that slow people down; French vs Spanish helps if you are still deciding.
- Sounds first. French pronunciation explains silent letters, liaison and nasal vowels. In French more than most languages, reading without this leads you to say words wrongly in your head.
- First words. Your first 100 French words, counted from real beginner stories.
- A daily habit. How to learn French by reading, the 15-minute routine and the 30-day reading plan, which takes you from A1 into A2.
- Measuring progress. How long it takes, French CEFR levels with the DELF and DALF diplomas, and how many words you need.
How easy is a first French story?
Easier than French spelling suggests. Here is how the A1 version of L'Immeuble du 14, the Contos flagship series, begins:
Camille arrive à l'immeuble avec une valise.English speakers recognise a lot of French on the page from the start; the challenge is hearing it. That is why the pronunciation guide comes second in the list above, and why reading aloud now and then is worth the slight embarrassment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to learn French?
There is no shortcut, but daily contact beats occasional long sessions. Fifteen minutes of reading at your level, a few flashcards and some listening every day add up faster than a weekly class alone. The 30-day plan above is one way to build the habit.
Is French harder than Spanish?
For English speakers, French is mainly harder to pronounce and spell, while the grammar is broadly comparable. The US Foreign Service Institute puts both in its easiest group for English speakers. French vs Spanish compares them in detail.
What level of French do I need to live in France?
B1 covers most everyday situations you meet while living or travelling there; at B2 you can talk with native speakers without strain on either side. The CEFR levels guide explains each level and how the DELF diplomas test it.
Can I learn French by reading alone?
Reading builds vocabulary and grammar, but French spelling hides much of the spoken language, so pair it with listening from the start. Use reading as your main source of new words and audio to learn how they really sound.