Still translating everything in your head before you speak French? In this episode, you’ll learn simple strategies to start thinking more en français and make French feel more automatic, without expecting yourself to switch off English completely.

Plus, enrollment is officially OPEN for Elevate French Fall group classes!

Choose your level:

1. The Intermediate French Class: Build your confidence, speak more fluidly, and put your intermediate French into practice.

2. Beginner French Foundations Reboot: Rebuild your French foundations and finally feel confident with the basics.

Classes start September 14, and enrollment closes September 10, 2026. Have a question about French classes? Email Dr. Natalie at natalie@elevatefrench.com.

Podcast created and produced by Dr. Natalie Amgott, Elevate French, LLC

Edited by Paroma Banerjee

After 12 years of teaching French to more than 1,400 students, I’ve learned a few things about what actually helps language learners make progress.

In this episode, I’m sharing 11 of the biggest lessons and mindset shifts I’ve learned—from why the intermediate level takes so long to why speaking imperfectly is one of the best things you can do for your French.

To put them into practice:

1. Attend the Live Intermediate Workshop to learn Slang and Idioms useful for the intermediate level.

2. Review the transcript to check your understanding of the French part of the episode.

Sometimes what you need to get momentum with your French isn’t a whole new grammar lesson!

In this lesson, Dr. Natalie Amgott walks you through 6 easy ways to sound more natural in French. 5 of them involve subtracting something that you know rather than adding anything new!

You'll learn:

• When to drop the NE
• Whether to use NOUS or ON
• How to use filler words
• When to use ÇA vs CECI and CELA
• Pronunciation shortcuts to sound more natural
• And a speaking strategy that they don't teach you in apps or textbooks

Voici tes prochaines étapes:

1. Download the Filler Word Guide to sound less stiff and more natural. You'll learn filler words for France and Québec and how to pick which ones to actually use in conversation.