How to Learn French While Working Full-Time: Real Strategies for Busy People
As a French teacher working with expats and professionals, I hear this all the time:
“I didn’t have time to finish my homework.”
“I had too many meetings this week.”
“I wanted to study, but I just couldn’t find the time.”
And you know what? I get it ! Learning a new language while working full-time is hard. You’re juggling emails, deadlines, personal life — and somehow, French is supposed to fit in there too?
But the truth is, you can make progress, even with a busy schedule. You don’t need hours of free time or perfect conditions. You just need the right approach.
Here are a few things I always suggest to my students:
1. Shrink Your Goals
Forget the idea that you have to study for an hour a day. If you only have 10–15 minutes, use them. Listen to a short French podcast while making coffee. Review vocabulary while waiting for a Zoom call to start. Small steps really add up.
2. Make French Part of Your Life
I often tell my students: Don’t treat French like another chore on your to-do list. Make it part of your routine.
– Switch your phone to French
– Watch a show with French subtitles
– Talk to yourself in French while cooking (yes, really!)
The more you surround yourself with the language, the less it feels like “homework.”
3. Use “Dead Time”
There’s more free time in your day than you think. Walking the dog? Listen to slow French news. Waiting in line? Open your vocab app. Five minutes here, ten minutes there — it makes a difference.
4. Treat It Like a Workout
Learning a language is a bit like training for a sport — it’s not about how long you train, but how regularly you show up. A short, focused practice every day is far more effective than a two-hour session once a week. It builds discipline, creates momentum, and becomes a habit — just like going to the gym.
5. Progress Over Perfection
I always remind my students: It’s okay if you don’t finish every exercise. The goal isn’t to be perfect — it’s to keep moving. One new word learned, one phrase practiced, one audio understood — that’s progress.
If you’re living and working in France, especially in Toulouse, learning French isn’t just a “nice-to-have” — it can change your daily life. It can help you feel more confident, more connected, and more at home.
And if you ever feel stuck, know this: you’re not alone, and I’m here to help — with lessons designed to fit your life, not fight it. 😉
