When it comes to speaking French, many learners say they’re waiting for a “confidence boost.” They’ll speak when they feel more confident. They’ll contribute to a conversation when they know they won’t make mistakes. They’ll use their French with strangers once they’re sure they won’t get flustered. Sound familiar?
Here’s the thing: confidence isn’t something you can just pluck out of thin air. It’s not a magical energy boost you suddenly wake up with. Confidence comes from doing. And doing, my dear French learners, takes one key ingredient: courage.
Why Courage Comes Before Confidence
Learning to speak a new language isn’t a neat, mistake-free process. It’s messy. There will be times when you say something wrong, mispronounce a word, or confuse les chevaux (the horses) with les cheveux (hair)—it happens to the best of us!
But if you’re waiting for confidence to arrive first, you’ll be waiting forever. Courage is what you need to step outside your comfort zone and try speaking, mistakes and all. When you muster up the courage to have a go, even when you’re nervous, confidence naturally follows.
Every time you try, you’re building a little more confidence. And each brave attempt chips away at that fear of “getting it wrong.” Before you know it, you’ll realise that what felt terrifying at first is now second nature.
The Role of an “Encourager”
Here’s where a great teacher comes in. Recently, one of my students called me “an encourager.” It wasn’t a word I’d ever thought about before, but the more I reflect on it, the more I see how much it aligns with what I aim to do as a teacher.
An encourager doesn’t just help you with grammar or correct your pronunciation. An encourager is someone who inspires courage—who makes you feel brave enough to try. Brave enough to stumble over tricky French words like écureuil (squirrel—possibly the hardest French word ever, according to my students!). Brave enough to start a conversation knowing you might not understand every response.
In French, the word encourager means exactly that: to give courage. And courage is at the heart of making progress in French. I’m not here to eliminate every fear or nervous moment you feel about speaking—I’m here to help you feel brave enough to face them head-on.
What Courage Looks Like in Action
Courage doesn’t mean you suddenly feel fearless. It means showing up even when you’re nervous. Here are some ways you can bring courage into your French learning:
-
Speak before you feel ready. Whether it’s ordering your croissant in French or joining a conversation group, just give it a try. You’ll learn far more by doing than by waiting.
-
Embrace mistakes. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re stepping stones. Each one teaches you something new.
-
Celebrate small wins. Did you manage to say bonjour today without hesitating? That’s a win. Did you attempt a full sentence, even if it wasn’t perfect? That’s a win too!
-
Find your encourager. Whether it’s a teacher, a language partner, or a friend, surround yourself with people who cheer you on and make you feel brave.
From Courage to Confidence
So, if you’re feeling stuck in your French-speaking journey, don’t go hunting for confidence. Instead, focus on finding the courage to step outside your comfort zone. Be brave enough to try, and know that every attempt—no matter how imperfect—is a step closer to fluency.
And if you ever need a boost of encouragement, you know where to find me. After all, I’m not just a teacher. I’m your encourager. 😊
Now, go be courageous, mes amis.
Allez-y!
Recent Comments